Chapter 9: Emiko
2020 Words
::Ryanna's POV:: I played everything like a script the next day. Followed the routine that was set in place. Kagura stated that her family requested her presence and would be back the night before Emperor Kenji returns. She huffed at me and I quote:
"I don't understand why he is keeping you around. You don't look appetizing for him to devour."
Little did she know that I didn't have to do anything. I didn't understand why she was so hostile towards me, like... I don't even want the man.
I learned that concubines weren't allowed to have relationships with the emperor. Their sole role was to please him with intimacy. I mean, the rewards were great. I have seen Emperor Kenji shower Emiko and Kagura with expensive gifts to their heart's content. That must be the perk of being ruler in these lands.
I was just fresh out of the bath and in my room when I heard a knock on my door. Emiko invited herself in.
"Oh, hello Emiko," I greeted.
"Good evening Ryanna," she bowed respectfully.
There was a long pause of silence and I began to nervously sweat. Emiko and I were completely alone! Kagura, Kana, nor Emperor Kenji were around, and honestly... this could become dangerous.
"I hope that my hospitality hasn't frightened you into wanting to leave," she apologized.
"W-well it's not that," I stuttered, obviously shaking inside, "I was just uhm... receiving too much hospitality when we first met."
"Are you not into women?" She asked.
That question baffled me, because I felt like I was incurably straight, but why did thoughts of Emiko make me feel things that Dom has?
No! I am loyal to Dom, dammit!
"It's not my cup of tea," I shrugged.
"I was afraid that I might have ruined Emperor Kenji's view on me," she sulked.
"What are you talking about?" I wanted to snap her out of it, "To my knowledge and bleeding ears you have satisfied him beyond his ability."
"Sleeping with a man alone isn't going to keep him," she sat on the floor and folded her hand intently.
"Why are you worried about how he sees you?" I asked, "Aren't you- I mean, we... not allowed to indulge in emotion with him?"
"Before we are categorized as man or woman, child or adult, we are still all humans."
I took some time to realize what she meant. We are indeed only humans, our emotions and spirits aren't something that can be programmed.
"Do you love Emperor Kenji?" I had to know.
"I wouldn't know what love is to begin with," she sighed.
"Well-"
"Do you know what love is, Ryanna?" she perked up with curiosity.
I was taken aback at her sudden inquiry.
"W-well let's see," I contemplated.
There was too much to describe. I also looked down at my knees. Did I really know what love was? Were my feelings for Dom the definition of love?
"Love doesn't have a set definition, but when you do find it... you'll know," was all I could offer.
She tilted her head and then pursed her lips, accepting that for an answer.
"By the way," I tried to change the subject, "Kagura left for home, don't you have someone to go to?"
"Not really," she said with a straight expression.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It's a long story," she tried to dismiss.
"We have all the time until he comes back," I encouraged. I was to learn her story.
"Well, it all started a few years ago. I was a part of an enemy district nearby from here. We were part of a rebellion against Lord Kenji's father. We had set out to assassinate him. The only problem was that we were intercepted. The emperor's shinobi slaughtered all of my troops without a blood stain on their clothing. It was in the darkness of the night, I was left hiding in the shadows, waiting for the right time to strike." Emiko's eyes were dull.
I sat and patiently waited for her to continue.
She sighed, "I couldn't attack, all my men were dead. So I waited for them to leave. Once the coast was clear, I was about to leave when I felt a strong grasp on my wrist. I was instantly pulled back and when I turned around I wanted to scream in horror. There was a man. He looked like the emperor. His eyes glared at me with unforboding power. I froze and tried to pull away. But, I couldn't budge, he was too strong. He then asked me if I was a part of the rebellion."
"Was it the emperor?" I leaned in.
"I thought so at first, but... It was Kenji," she began to blush, "I can remember it like it was yesterday... he swooped me and ran into the night. He brought me to the outskirts of the palace and patted my head. He said he admired my efforts to assassinate the emperor. But, it wasn't needed. He said that the evil emperor is no more and that there was a delay in the message through out Nihon."
"Wait!" I gasped, "That's how you met Emperor Kenji?"
"Yes," she smiled, "He was a bit cold at first, but he told me that his father died about 20 years ago, and that if I was looking to assassinate the emperor that I was looking at him."
She continued, "I didn't know how to feel, but he gently kissed me on the cheek. He said that he knew I didn't have a home or family to go back to, and that if I wanted, I could live with him in the palace."
My eyes were twinkling just imagining this little fairy tale.
Emiko resumed, "I didn't want to go back even if I had the choice. The rebellion lived in hazardous conditions and it was usually a dog-eat-dog world. But, something told me that it was better to be by his side."
"So you are okay being his concubine?" I sat back.
"I don't know anything else, besides a rebel," she giggled.
I didn't say anything. But, a part of me felt sorry for her. She grew up hating a man she had never met. She was raised to assassinate the emperor. Except, she was 20 years too late. And now she was a concubine to the son of that man.
"But," she interrupted my thoughts, "Sometimes things are better off not knowing."
I silently choked on air. She was content with her life as it was right now! But, I reminded myself that I was the same. I was content living with my father, those years were a core piece of my soul. Learning about my father and his connection to Emperor Kenji is still clouded for me.
"I guess no matter what we have been through, we meet the people we meet for a reason," I stood up, "I'm glad you chose to stay with him."
Emiko also stood up, "I wasn't the first though."
I furrowed my brows in confusion, "What do you mean?"
She giggled cutely and folded her arms, "So you didn't read between the pages, huh?"
"What?" I shook my head in discomfiture.
"His diary," she bluntly said.
I felt the air being sucked out of my lungs. She knew!
"I-,"
"It's okay," she fanned her arm, "He knew you would try to be sneaky."
My eyebrows twitched in awkwardness. I thought I was being extremely stealthy last night. But, she knew?
"I wanted to find out more about my father," I admitted.
"Does digging up the past matter if it won't be a part of the future?" she looked away.
I didn't know why, but that struck a nerve. I was extremely sensitive when it came to my father. The last thing I wanted to hear is being reminded that I wouldn't have him in my future. I began to form tears and rolled my lips back.
"Oh," Emiko's expression began to worry, "I am sorry, I-."
I darted. I sprinted past her.
"Ryanna!" She chased after me, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that!"
But my ears tuned her out. I was still running, I just didn't know where. But my thoughts haunted my vision. My father wasn't going to be there for my ups and downs. I won't get a father-daughter dance. He won't be there if I got married. If I had kids. Or... even by my deathbed.
Daddy!
The tears continued falling, and I found myself running towards the entrance. I felt my body stop and being yanked back. Emiko grasped my kimono from the scruff.
"Ryanna!" she gasped for air, "What are you doing?"
"I- I'm leaving!" I spat.
"That's not a good idea," she let go.
"I don't know about you, but I don't want to stay here," I sobbed.
"But, you'll make him sad," she hesitated to reach out to me.
"Why do you care so much about how he felt? I can't stand to be like a bird in a cage!" I looked away.
"Ryanna," she whispered, "Please don't go."
"I don't belong here," I looked at the entrance, "Don't try to stop me."
"It's against his wishes," she reminded.
"What happened to your rebellious spirit?" I shot back, "I don't know what keeps you here, but I don't want to be a duck in a row."
Without allowing her to say anything further I turned and dashed out the entrance. I looked back and saw that she remained still at the entrance gate. She then turned back and walked away.
Good grief!
If there would be a time to escape it would be now. I knew that when Emperor Kenji was here I would not be able to leave my bedroom without him being over my shoulder.
He met Emiko through the slaughter of her people. They weren't right, but that didn't make him wrong! Why did she hold him so high on a pedestal? He has s****l relations with other women. He keeps her in this damn palace. Yes, he got her everything she wanted, but just like her not knowing that the previous emperor was dead, did she truly know that there was absolutely no one waiting for her?
I ran down the steps and my mind went completely blank.
My eyes gazed upon the luminous colors of the lights. Nihon was lit up and buzzing! The soft red light from flames behind hung lanterns, soft yellow flames, orange linings. Nihon's capital district was the beauty of flame. I had totally forgotten why I was so mad and crying!
The people had each other arm in arm. They were smiling and eating different foods from a stick.
I walked with the crowd and was in awe at the different establishments that I passed by. I followed an aromatic delicious smell. I came across a small stand with different meat kabobs. I dug into my pockets and realized that I had no money!
Emperor Kenji always left some money called yen on my doorstep, but I didn't think I needed it until now! I was not about to head back either!
"I'll buy her one," a gentleman pulled out some money and gave the stall owner.
The man handed me the food, and I was drooling and began to dig in.
"Thank you!" I turned to the man.
He didn't say anything. I began to walk away, but felt my arm being held back.
"Uhm," I flicked my arm, "Let go of me."
The man did not budge. His friendly demeanor quickly changed into something sinister. He scooped me onto his shoulder and began to walk away.
I screamed for help.
But, I realized that no one was going to help me! The stall owner turned his cheek and passers ignored my plea. I kicked and screamed, but the man was too strong, and he took me into a dark alley. He pinned me against the wall. He placed his hand over my mouth and straddled himself between my thighs.
Help! Someone help me!
- Writer
