chapter 3 rejection

meanwhile

prince aiko had been sitting still as he wonders if he should go or not as he see the messengers arrive in request for him to sit on the carriage though he still don't think he is ready to go for the feast, yet he doesn't want lady akako to wait he know that he might ruined her mood for doing this but he had no choice as he ordered servant to just made an excuse for him to let lady akako go first as he remains there silently deciding if he should go or not as he look through the window seeing how far lady akako with her carriage has gone until it went far enough that all he see is woods that covering him from looking at that moment he think it's best that he go as he go down through the stairs and walk to the carriage with him inside the carriage they all set and go to the emperor palace falling not far behind lady akako carriage though he wasn't in the mood for anything in fact if it weren't because it was lady akako and his first day marriage he wouldn't want to meet his father one bit especially that woman that is beside him all the time, the more he though of it the more it annoyed him, that Imposter, that witch whatever spell she used to seduce his father, he wont forgive her, if it werent for her position as the empress, and his stepmother he would have ordered an execution on her quick and swift as his though were clouded with the scene as he barely realize he had arrvied to the emperor palace he step out of the carriage as he look to the palace view it as if he was entering a house filled with specters and ghouls as they all greet him as he enter The room in which he hear the sound of peoples talking though they didn't talk loud or laughing he don't know if he should've enter there or not as he stand there wonder for a few second before remember his wife was in there at least he hope she can give him a bit of comfort in this as he took a deep breath before slide the door he see as everyone look at him in silent as he enter the room before lady akako lady in waiting slid the door shut behind him he closed his eyes

"sorry I'm late for the feast, father." aiko bow down a bit before stand straight as he await for his father answer

"it's alright" the emperor replied with no sign of anger or frustration in his voice as he see prince aiko sat beside lady akako

"well then now that we all here, let us enjoy this feast, shall we? " the emperor continued as he was the first to make the move by sipping the noodle from the tai with some asari clams, a small bowl of ikanago, and a plate of plums as it is the spring season after all

as the prince sat down close to his wife he see in front of him were desserts that is sticky and hard to chew not to mention he fear that the flour covering of such dessert may ruined his clothes so he think he'll pass and go with the plums before his hand can reach it lady akako look to the door wondering if it was possible to called lady aoi for a bit of company, not to mention she is pretty much the only stranger in this entire feast, as prince aiko grab the plate of plum he look to lady akako before asking "want some, lady akako ?"

as akako see prince aiko giving the plum beside her she quickly grab one as she continue to eat other delicasies though most of them were sweetfilled food

as the atmosphere were calm and quiet as the emperor though of a way to bring some mood to the feast

"since were all here, why dont we play a game of good old poem, i start with a poem and you all have to continue with something related to the poem" the emperor said looking at her family as his bride continued "well it seems more fun than doing nothing in such a beautiful night, i'll join"

"all right then" the emperor said in the ready looking around his surrounding for an idea before smiled and said :

"the bright moon beneath the night

attempt to see the sun

the sun does not dare look

for a mistake was the cause"

the emperor look to his family " who would like to do next ?"

"i do" the bride said :

"the star see such a scene

but dare not interfere

it dare join the moon

yet it dare join the sun"

"all done, who next" she said looking at lady akako and prince aiko just as prince aiko sigh and said

"it shine brightest to the moon

but never to the sun

it is closest to the moon

but shy away from the sun"

prince aiko said as he look to the emperor bride as lady akako see his husband while she wasnt concentrate before she suddenly got up "i'm sorry, but i need to go first"

"all right then" the emperor said as he see lady akako left the table sliding the door before closing it behind her "well, i guess i have to replace lady akako for the game" the emperor said while prince aiko looking back to the door

meanwhile

lady akako walk along the long hall as lady aoi followed behind her before she suddenly stop, looking back at her lady in waiting "may i ask a request, lady aoi ?"

"of course, you may" lady aoi replied as lady akako whisper to her ears speaking of a plan as lady aoi quickly walk back to the room of the feast as she about to slide the door, the door slide by itself with prince aiko in front of her

"lady aoi" the prince said looking down on her while sliding the door shut, as he began his step "where" another step was taken "is" now lady aoi was pinned to a wall "akako ?" the prince look down to her, as she was weak like a prey waiting to be capture while waiting for her reply

"she was walk on the hall, about an incense long" she replied seeing how close the prince was but she can't do a thing about it for their status was completely different, she replied as she see him lean close had his finger on her chin lifting it to look at his beautiful face

she felt embarassed by the way he look at him as he heard him whispered "are you truly sure ?" which lady aoi quickly replied "yes" hearing this lady aoi felt his hand away from her chin as she look to see he began to walk to follow lady akako, while she decided to slide the door open bowing to the emperor and it's empress as she simply stand beside the door keeping her ears and eyes sharp as she will be listening and keep an eye, though it will be a bit hard due to the distance she is from the dining table

meanwhile

lady akako was walking in the hall hoping she could at least trying to get herself distracted especially after what she had witness, she see the bright moon shining as she decided to look at the pond and the sand waves made in this place

she settle down on the wood, looking to the koi fish and hearing the flowing water from the bamboo tube to the pond, she wonder as she look to her reflection, before looking to her stomach with her mind thinking of last night event, now wonder was it truly love or was it her face...

she remained silent before she heard footsteps behind her, she turn to see her husband standing there as she quickly got up "lady akako, you scared me for a while"

"i apologies, prince aiko, i shouldn't have gone out suddenly" lady akako said just to not make things further "well, now that i found you, would you like to get back to the feast ?" prince aiko said as he look down on her demanding she follow him