The Emperor saw red. Blackness swirled around his vision. His body started shaking. His dark, grey eyes scanned his surroundings in search of something to break. He punched a nearby rock, anger clouding even his reason. He lifted his fist. Blood covered his knuckles, dripping down his arm. Aiko gasped and rushed to him, unable to control her flying feet. "I didn't expect him to be so mad at Goro for trying. But in his mind, I am his." Aiko thought, her steps a bit more hesitant as she approached her future husband.

AAiko took his wrist, examining the damage. The wounds were not deep, but they bled profusely. Without warning, the Emperor tugged her closer, turning around and trapping her against the wall of the garden.

"You let him kiss you?! You are mine, and mine only. No other man can touch you!" He hissed darkly. His face was shrouded in darkness. His teeth glimmered like fangs. His eyes were shimmering. Some rational part of his heart was telling him it wasn't Aiko's fault. But the shame and fear he felt swirled angrily in his chest, and were childishly thrown at her, clumsily trying to convey his feelings to her.

Aiko's eyes flashed. The red specks glimmered like a red rose. She slapped him and pushed him off. The Emperor was about to yell at her, but he noticed a glimmer of pure fear and anger in her eyes. He fell silent. "How do you dare?!" She yelled. "I was the one left alone with that monster. I was the one who had to fight him. I was the one who had to be terrorized. I was the one who got replaced by a lowly concubine. Who is the one who should be pointing the finger, huh?!" Aiko roared, repeatedly slapping his chest. Tears clouded her eyes.

The Emperor didn't move. He felt shame curling inside his chest. He tried hiding it, not wanting to reveal he had made a mistake.

Aiko glared at him. She waited for a response, an apology. When she only received silence, hope crumbled in her chest. Disappointed, Aiko said, "I'm going back to my room."

Aiko jumped, trying to grasp the edge of the wall. She missed, her fingers grazing it. Instead, she stumbled back, her head spinning. Her eyes rolled at the back of her head.

The Emperor's eyes widened. Time slowed down as she fell. The gras seemed to cackle, ready to make her fall painful. He dashed to take her in his arms. He managed just in time, her head lolling against his chest. "Aiko!" He whispered, holding her tightly.

Aiko's face distorted into a grimace. He smelled like Akihfumi. "Go away." She whined weakly. She tried pushing herself away from the Emperor but she had no strength.

TThe Emperor didn't notice. He brushed hair out of her eyes. "Have you eaten today?" He asked quietly, his voice almost lost in the wind.

Realizing she hadn't eaten anything apart from some rice in the morning, Aiko shook her head. The Emperor passed a hand on his pale face. He picked her up, adjusting her comfortably in his arms. Aiko was too weak to protest. He laid her gently on the bed. Aiko had gotten used to the feel of the expensive sheets. She rolled over, getting away from him.

The Emperor walked to the doors. He poked his head out. "I'm hungry. One of you, wake up the cook and make him cook some meat." He closed the doors and returned to Aiko.

He sat down next to her.

And so, the soon-to-be-married couple waited. The darkness made it impossible for them to see each other's face, and lighting a candle felt strange. They were both quiet, the silence bearing the weight of a thousand unspoken words.

Aiko turned around. She peeked at the Emperor from the corner of her eye.

The Emperor looked back at her.

TThe Emperor broke the bubble of silence. "Why did you never leave your Uncle's house? I heard they treated you badly." He whispered, wanting to know a bit more since he had sent a letter to them. He also wanted to confirm the information Satori had brought back just a few days ago.

Aiko rolled over, silent for a second. "I guess that in a sick and twisted way, it was the only life I knew. Leaving my uncle's house would have been like stepping into the blank areas of a map. Therefore, I just stayed. At least I knew what punishments awaited me if I failed." Aiko said, quietly. "Knowing how much pain you will feel is better than not knowing at all."

"And, who taught you martial arts?"

"Myself." Aiko said, leaning her head on her arm. "I wanted to be able to protect myself. I watched the boys get trained by teachers. The few times I was alone, I practiced. I used to peek from Dojo windows. At one point, a teacher would always shoo me away; and I would go practice in the forest. Away from home. Or I'd be beaten for being too masculine. Over time I became good at it."

Someone knocked on the door. It sounded like thunder in the intimate silence. "Your Majesty, the food has arrived."

The Emperor walked to the door. Aiko stared at the ceiling.

As the Emperor took the tray of food, his mind wandered away."My sweet Empress has thorns after all."