The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 20// Wrong Tea

Aiko felt her hands start to become sweaty. Her mind was running at an unbelievable pace. She couldn't think of anything. Everything was blurry. She felt her creativity slip out of her hands. Aiko lowered her gaze. She knew that if it were revealed she was a commoner, hell would break loose. She would be executed, and then her village would follow suit.

The Emperor spoke. "It is all thanks to Concubine Mitsuka." He said, tapping his nails on the table. Fumi bowed her head in acknowledgment, wondering where he was going with this.
"She is one of my concubine's friends and came to visit. Coincidentally, I went to visit this concubine and saw the two together. I immediately was captured by Aiko's beauty, and we started talking. " The Emperor said. "We soon found out we had a great amount in common, and I knew, she was the one," He quickly glanced at Aiko, his eyes ordering her to go along. She replaced her confusion with a confident smile. All the fear slipped off her face and drowned in the lake.

She nodded, a smile spreading on her face. "I didn't know the Emperor could be such a fast thinker." Aiko thought, "He isn't as dumb as I thought."
"He was breathtaking when he walked inside the room. I couldn't move my eyes away from him." Aiko exclaimed, her voice only pure joy.

Fumi smiled tightly. "I can't wait for the wedding." She exclaimed. "I hope your dear friend won't be enraged that you will become the Empress, instead of her." She laughed. Aiko covered her mouth with her fan, giggling as well. Both women slowly quieted down.

Just as the silence grew awkward, the maid shuffled towards the royals, her feet almost flying over the wooden planks. The maid carried a bamboo tray. Three ceramic cups filled with Raspberry Tea to the brim,  wobbled on it. The maid bowed down and placed one cup in front of each.

Aiko glanced at Fumi's cup. Aiko glanced at Fumi's cup. It had slightly different decorations carved on it and also seemed lighter in color. Aiko bit her lip. "She probably instructed the maid to give her the one without whatever there is in mine. She has no risk of drinking the poison one."

Aiko wanted to switch cups with her, but there was no way it wouldn't be suspicious. She felt her hands twitch. A punch wanted to slam itself against Fumi's jaw, but that was too rash and could lead to the death. Her death. Aiko sighed and only pushed it away.

Aiko turned around to face the Emperor and warn him. Her eyes widened in shock: he was gulping down the tea.

As he slammed the cup back down on the table, she saw green tea tremble in it. She hadn't noticed the colour before. The Emperor's eyes become red with fury. His terrifying glare met the trembling maid. "I. Asked. For. raspberry tea! And you give me mint tea? It seems you are incompetent even at executing the simplest task." he hissed, pointing towards the cup.

The maid flinched, cowering behind her tray. His Majesty's grip tightened on the cup, who unfortunately couldn't stand the pressure and cracked into pieces. The Emperor rounded the table towards the maid, his steps heavy, his face was calm, but his eyes were darker than hell.

Fumi looked at her nails, knowing what was going to happen. "Fan me faster Li-Mei." She ordered.

The maid was crying. Tears dropped on the tray clutched in her hands. The Emperor's mouth was tight. His eyes were dark. He raised his hand. Aiko didn't even know what she did. It all happened in a fraction of a second. Aiko pushed the maid away. Her elbow hitting her teacup. It spilled on the wood, dripping through the planks. The maid felt the cold wood welcome her soft body.

The Emperor didn't even have the time to stop himself. Aiko received the full hit on the stomach.
She bent on herself. Fumi gasped, happiness brimming in her eyes. Aiko felt as if a cannon ball had hit her stomach. The Emperor pulled back his hand immediately. A thick rope of fear coiled around his neck. Why was he worried about her? He didn't know, but he couldn't stop the feeling of dread as he saw her collapse to her knees. "Aiko," He said, his voice barely steady. "Are you alright?"

Aiko shook her head; she paled immediately.
The Emperor fell to the floor and gently picked her up. His heart felt unusually weak. His hands were clammy, and his stomach was churning. "I'll carry you back to your rooms."

As Aiko and the Emperor walked away, Fumi grinned, looking at the shattered teacup. She glided one, long delicate finger in the spilled tea, coating it. She brought it close to her face. "At least my brother drank the truth serum." She murmured darkly.

"At least my brother drank the truth serum."  She murmured darkly.