The Emperor extended his right arm. Aiko looked at it sarcastically. The Emperor glared at her and Aiko mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like a curse under her breath before grabbing his arm.

They slowly walked towards the throne room. Aiko mixed feelings clashing in her heart. She was fearing the encounter. She had thought that she had finally managed to escape from them. And then, she felt her pride try and kick fear down, squishing it for a few seconds. Meeting them was also the occasion to show off her now higher status and the power she now possessed. Power that her sisters would never be able to brush even with the tips of their fingers.

iko tried manipulating her smug feelings into a domineering grin, trying to erase any trace of fear. She succeeded, but with some difficulty, her right hand still trembling. The only thing that calmed her down was the warmth of the Emperor's arm. Her fingers dug deep inside the Emperor's skin, but he didn't seem to notice.

The guards around them moved slowly. The maids moved quietly behind the couple. Aiko was suffocated by the considerable number of people surrounding her on each side: she normally wasn't escorted everywhere she went, but this was a formal occasion. Guards and maids were used to highlight their royal status. The dreaded room soon appeared. The room's doors looming like a hungry dragon.

The guards that were situated in front of the doors bowed down, stood up, clacked their heels, and opened the doors.

They all glided through them. Aiko realized she had never seen the throne room before. It was beautiful. Her eyes glanced in every direction, never stopping for more than one second. The room glimmered like a dream. Aiko's glittering eyes finally settled on the throne.

Her eyes widened. There was another throne, standing next to the Emperor's. Her heart fluttered when she realized it was hers. The throne was magnificent. It had rose vines curling up the legs of the throne. The arm rests were two peacocks made with shimmering jewels. The Emperor smiled, knowing he had made the right choice.

He placed his left hand on hers, gently tugging her up the steps to the throne. He noticed Aiko had stopped shaking. The Emperor sat down and motioned for her to do the same. She did, but felt too uncomfortable, fidgeting for some time, until the Emperor gripped her thigh. The warmth of his hand enveloped her heart, calming her down. And so, they waited.

Too soon, a Eunuch stepped inside the room. "The Great Merchant Shin Sa and his daughters have arrived." He said loudly. His voice reverberated around the room, creating a little tremble in Aiko's heart.

The doors opened.