The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 32// Why Roses?

Aiko closed her eyes, feeling the breeze on her skin. After a while, she heard, "Your Highness, have you awoken?" Aiko cursed before she ran to her bed, making it just in time, jumping in it. Her maids stepped inside. 

 "Morning," Aiko said, slipping out of bed as she yawned. Aiko walked to them, smiling warmly, and stretching. She listened to the chorus of 'good mornings'.

Eriko grabbed Aiko's robe, not wanting her to be cold. She slipped it on her, furrowing her brows when she was close to the other woman. She smelt like male perfume; it was clearly jasmine and that was perfume was reserved for only one person. "Girls, go make the bed." Eriko ordered. The girls bowed and started doing as they were told. When Eriko was alone with Aiko, she bowed down, covering her mouth with her hand. "Your Highness, am I mistaken, or are you wearing the imperial perfume? The perfume only worn by His Majesty?" She asked suspiciously.

Aiko looked at her, nervously, her finger twitching. Her palms rubbing together. Could she tell her? Having someone to talk to would ease the heavy weight on her chest. "I...well...yesterday..." she started saying, tripping over her words.  

Eriko cleared her throat, briefly glancing at her before lowering her gaze. "If I'm not speaking too informally, Your Highness, I will not share the secret." She made sure the other maids were busy, grinning coyly.

Aiko pushed out all the air in her lungs and drank some more in. "Yesterday, His Majesty," I hate calling him like that. "Came to visit me. He was slightly...um drunk," Aiko said, modifying the truth. "He couldn't go back out. Looking out for His Majesty's health, I let him sleep in my room." Aiko said, finishing hurriedly. She looked down, playing with her fingers.  

Eriko was surprised, a small smile playing on her lips. She only hoped the Emperor hadn't done anything to Aiko. "My lips will remain shut." She said, before clapping her hands together. "We need to prepare Her Highness." She called out to the other maids. 

Aiko turned around, perplexed. "Prepare? For what?" She asked. She was still a bit groggy, the red flecks in her eyes shimmering.

"Your Highness, His Majesty requested you to have breakfast with him. We will dress you accordingly." Eriko explained. 

iko's fist tightened, her fingers curling. She hid it behind her body. "Well, then, let's get going." Aiko said. Her smile was kind, but her eyes shone sadly.  

Aiko took a quick bath, soaking in steamy water; she tried relaxing, but it was impossible. Eriko washed her arms and legs, scrubbing them clean. Aiko then stepped out of the bath. She dripped warm water on the wooden floor. The Empress walked mechanically towards the room. Her maids followed behind her. "Could I wear the kimono I picked yesterday?" Aiko asked quietly, suddenly tired. Eriko nodded, ushering Rin to get it.  

Aiko closed her eyes. Her neck was killing her today.

Aiko wore a simple vest underneath everything. She then wore a linen vest, as well as cotton one, and finally the kimono. She then sat down at the dresser, her knees bumping against it. 

She grabbed the brush on her dresser, and was about to start brushing her hair, when Rin's soft hands took the brush away. "No, Your Highness, it's our duty." Rin smiled. Aiko moved her head in acknowledgment, eyeing her reflection in the mirror.

Rin started passing the brush through her silky hair, holding it with her hand. After having disentangled all the knots, she put the brush back down on the dresser. Hishi and Hibi started combing it up in a high bun. Eriko then put wonderful ornaments in her hair, making her even prettier than usual. 

 A red rose, dried and lacquered shimmered in her hair. As well as a comb with little shards of diamonds attached to small strings, tingling around. 

Hishi started dusting cheeks with red power. It was made with crushed raspberries, and it smelled of them, delicately. Some blue eyeshadow was added to match the kimono and flaming red lipstick stained her lips as well. They then poured a few drops of rose flower oil on her head, later rubbing it on her neck, perfuming her skin.  

The smell was familiar: rose scented incense was burned throughout the palace. It had become almost imperceptible to Aiko since she had gotten used to it. At one point, roses had started clouding her dreams. Aiko turned around, questions burning against her lips. "Why is the Emperor so obsessed with roses?" She asked, glancing at the many rose bushes out of the window.  

The girls looked at each other, fear, and hesitation evident in their eyes. "Please, do not say we told you!"  

"Well, I do not know if Your Highness knows, but His Majesty had a lover...that he killed." Hishi said, lowering her voice, looking around the room. The other maids nodded. 

"He didn't kill her." Aiko thought.

"His Majesty thought she was the girl he had fallen in love with as a child. They both adored roses! He changed the emblem to roses for her. Just before he brutally killed her: apparently, she hadn't been his childhood love!" 

Aiko nodded pretending to believe what they said. It was easier than going against all the lies they considered truths. She ignored their frightened faces and glanced at her reflection in the mirror.

Aiko stood up, smoothing her kimono and not saying a word.

She walked towards the door. "Where is the breakfast room?" Aiko asked.

"Normally it is near the Myth Room but today His Majesty wants to have breakfast in his room with Your Highness." Hibi said, gesturing to the corridor on the left.

Aiko licked her lips and walked out, her kimono rustling. She walked towards the familiar double doors. She passed through them as soon as they were opened, ready for the worst.