The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 26// Candlelight

After having conversed with her maids for a short while, Aiko clapped her hands. "It was extremely pleasant getting to know you, but His Majesty asked me to dress myself elegantly for someone important." Aiko wanted her tone to be light and full of jokes, but instead it was heavy and strangled.

The maids nodded and bowed. Eriko started leading the maids towards the bathroom Aiko had explored before.
Aiko followed them. As soon as she walked through the doors, the maids led her behind the paper screen.

As soon as she was behind, Hishi and Hibi helped her undress, untying her obi. They then took out all her hair ornaments, letting her dark hair spill on her shoulders.

"Thank you." Aiko said. The maids bowed down and led her to the bathtub.

The water was milky, filled with essential oils that filled the room with a strong perfume. Flower petals floated around the surface, giving it the impression of a mystical oracle. Aiko felt the sudden urge to try and peek into her future, wanting to know where this new life would lead her. She slowly grazed the water with her fingertips. Instead of showing her future, ripples shattered the peaceful surface. After all, it was still a bath. Her future would remain a mystery until it became her present.  

Aiko sighed, rubbed her hand on the side of the tub, and then slipped inside. Her maids helped her.

The warm water relaxed her tensed muscles. All the stress of the day slipped away. It left Aiko by herself, sitting alone with her thoughts. She laid her head on the side of the bathtub. As she felt her eyes close, Eriko started rubbing her hair with sweet, scented oils. It made her drowsy, her eyes fluttering shut.  

Eriko then washed the oil away with warm water. Rin and Hibi lifted her arms out of the water and started rubbing oil on her arms, scraping off the excess oils after a few minutes with a blunt knife made of wood.  

"Thank you." She mumbled distractedly, her voice a mere mumble.

The maids smiled, and bowed. "It is simply our job, Your Highness."

The maids pulled back after having washed her. Their gaze swept the floor: maids were not allowed to see the Empress' body. Eriko stepped forward, her back bent, her arm out so Aiko could use it to slip out.  

Aiko placed her hands on her arm, stepping over the edge. A small pool of water formed around her feet. Eriko retracted her arm and grabbed a linen towel Rin offered her. She dried Aiko before they helped her dress in a small, red hanfu.

They led her to the wardrobe.

"What would Her Highness like to wear?" Eriko asked.

Aiko's hand grazed the fabrics. She smiled, thinking of her sisters and how they would despise her if they knew how she was living now. She grinned when she thought of their burning jealousy when they received the news of her royal marriage. Her mind glided over to her future marriage. It made her eyes turn dark.  

Aiko then tried to distract herself with all the kimonos. So many colours mixed into one room; it looked like the garden.

Aiko started looking at each one. She discarded red and black ones. White and green. Until her gaze stopped on a turquoise one. It had flowers stitched on the bottom that slowly disappeared as they rose. The silk looked like cascading water, and Aiko knew it would feel light on her skin.  

Aiko felt her eyes widen. She was afraid to dirty it, and simply pointed at it. "I...would like to wear this one." She said quietly, afraid her voice would damage the delicate dress as well.

As the maids took it out of the wardrobe and laid it on bed, a knock resonated in the room.  

Eriko shot a glance at the future Empress. She was clothed in a simple hanfu meant to be hidden under various layers of clothing. Her eyes were gleaming. Her cheeks rose colored. Her lips were plump and red. The knot at her waist was untying. Her slim legs were peeking out. Her thighs were showing. Eriko sighed. The future empress was barely clothed and had her hair down. This was a beautiful sight only the Emperor could behold. If it wasn't him at the door, the mother of the nation would have to be hidden. "Your Highness, please stay behind the bed curtains."