My nerves start to get to me and I start to clam up as I wring my fingers, waiting to be called up. There are 3 concubines in front of me. I never hear back from the ones who don't make it past his majesty.

I don't want to know what happens.

If I don't perfect this performance for his majesty then I won't make another day. The other court officials want me dead. The other concubines want my head on a platter. I'm lucky I've made it this far.

"Your majesty, may I present to you, your loyal concubine, concubine (y/n)." I plaster a serious expression on my face to hide my nerves. I bow down to him and take my position in front of him.

Ready to dance for him, I take in a deep breath and look him directly in the eyes with a seriousness that he returns back to me. His dull, lifeless eyes, seemingly unamused by my presence.

"Hey! You! It is inappropriate to look his majesty in the eyes!"

The Raiden Shogun says nothing as he stares into my eyes. I ignore the court official and place a fan in front of my face, obscuring his majesty's view. I close my eyes and motion for my instrumentalist to begin the song.

As soon as the song begins I hear the audible gasp of the other concubines and the court officials.

I start to dance and look directly into his majesty's eyes.

"Your majesty- she needs to be thrown out-"

"Quiet."

I continue my dance as the sound of the forbidden flute plays, the sound reverberating off the walls around the temple.

I gracefully jump around his majesty and grab his spear, the court officials make quick haste but he allows me to continue. I use his spear to balance on and dance around. I twirl the spear around and around his majesty, he doesn't even so much as to flinch.

When I finish my dance there is silence. I place my hands in the sleeves of my kimono and bow to him.

"You're insolent! How dare you come here and not only play the forbidden song of Omagatoki but also dare to use the dance of Butoh! You should be slain for this!"

"Enough."

The Raiden Shogun stands up intimidatingly and walks over to me.

"Interesting choice of song. Butoh, the song of death and life. Omagatoki, the song of demons. Interesting choice. Do you wish to die?" He smirks.

I stay silent as he eyes me up and down walking around me like a predator who stalks its prey before attacking.

"Bring her to my personal quarters."

The room is silent before anyone moves. My performance is one of utter disrespect and disregard, and yet, he accepts me. Who are you really?

"But your majesty, this-this is outrageous! She should have her head chopped off!"

Before the official can say anything else, Raiden appears right next to his face.

"Are you questioning my orders?"

The man starts to stutter and Raiden smirks, turning his back to him.

"Of-of course not."

"Good."

A few moments later I find myself in the personal quarters of the Raiden Shogun. No one comes here. Not even his favorite concubines. Not even court officials dare to even knock on his door.

I look around his room, plain. Nothing particularly special about this room. In fact, just the opposite. Very plain, rarely any personal items. Seemingly nothing for pleasure.

His door suddenly opens and I bow to him respectfully.

He scoffs, "Unnecessary considering you have bargained your life to bring me a performance of death." I stay silent as he stalks around me, smirking.

"Interesting indeed." He points to his bed, "Sit."

I continue standing in silence, looking him in the eyes sternly.

"I've heard that you are the least well-liked here. Why is that so? Is it because you are different and stand out? I've heard that you enjoy causing trouble for the officials and other concubines. Is this true?"

He stops behind me and he lowers his head to my ear, I can feel a slight grin on his face as he whispers, "You are quite an interesting little thing. I need that. Keeps the palace lively. Your little dance was quite the show."

He licks my ear sensually and I shiver, "I shall keep you. My new pet. My new plaything."

I turn my head away and refuse to meet his gaze, "If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave."

"Oh? But there is something else, I shall make you my exclusive concubine." My eyes widen and I turn to him in surprise, "Isn't this what you wanted?"

He stops in front of me and leans down, towering over me, "You might hate me, you can resist me all you want. But your body says otherwise."

He traces a finger sensually down my chest and my face heats up.

"Let's have fun tonight darling. I'm sure you will make for a mighty feast."

Third POV

"They need to be stopped."

"They already causes so much trouble. But what can we do? They have already garnered the attention of the mighty Shogun."

"The other concubines hate them but we can't just kill them."

"No."

"We have to make the Shogun dispose of them. By any means necessary."

"Yes. Any means necessary."