Aiko felt her eyes flutter open after a second of darkness. The Emperor had pressed her against their chest. 

Aiko's nose was blocked by the heavy fabric of his night vest. She stumbled backwards, her lungs gasping for air. Aiko lifted her gaze. They were hooded by confusion and fear. The Emperor was looking at her. A mocking sneer was plastered on his face. All the kindness from before vanished. Aiko didn't know, but he had returned to his normal self to avoid the embarrassment and the fuming shame that almost made him want to punch himself: he had ordered for her family to come, even when he knew how much they terrorized his empress.  

""D-did I hear correctly?" She gasped. Her heart beating in confused fury.

"Repeat what you just said!" He barked.  

The voice on the other side cleared his throat and repeated, "Her Highness' family is here to visit." 

The Emperor opened his mouth, "Leave."

Aiko felt the truth crack her heart. A dagger had been thrown in the center of it. The dagger was twisting viscously, carving a scar in her weeping heart. Aiko felt pure terror drowning her. Aiko slowly stood up. Her face was lost, confused.  

"Come on, let's go and get prepared." The Emperor murmured, hoping to distract her. Aiko shook her head hurriedly. He looked up. She shook her head again. The Emperor, worried, got closer. "Aiko?"  

"They're here just because they want something. I won't meet them" Aiko mumbled frantically. "I don't want to see them again...I..I managed to run away... how did they find me? No, they can't have, this is just a dream a bad dream, very bad one." She rambled, starting to hit her head. "Wake up. Wake up!" 

The Emperor grabbed her arm to stop her from hurting herself. Aiko gasped in terror, fearing it was Uncle. Her knees buckled. "Aiko, calm down." The Emperor hissed.  

Aiko continued shaking her head unable to do anything else. "Aiko!" The Emperor shouted, fear clouding his eyes.  

Aiko started yelling. Her arms and legs were flaying. The Emperor ducked to avoid a punch or a kick. He turned her towards him and gripped her in his arms, tightly, not letting her go.  

Aiko tumbled onto the bed. Her heart shivered, slowly and steadily returning to its normal rhythm.  

The Emperor relaxed on seeing her normal again, but pure self-hatred was incinerating his heart for having caused her so much pain. Tears of shame burned his eyes.

"I"Have you calmed down?" He asked, his voice jumpy.

Aiko closed her eyes, breathed in, and then opened them again.

 "Please," Aiko whispered, slowly crawling towards the opposite side of the bed, her legs pressed to her chest. The Emperor stepped closer. He placed his hand on her cheek, steadying her wandering eyes. 

"Just this time. I need to meet them. Then, never again will you have to see them." Aiko nodded. Her eyes wide. 

•
•
•
•After a lot of bustling and arguing, the Emperor went to get dressed in his bathroom with his servants, while Aiko was changed and prepared in the main room. Both parties of servants were shocked to find the Empress wearing her sleeping robe in The Emperor's room. Glances had been exchanged and a few indiscreet eyes had been turned to the bed sheets, disappointed when they didn't find what they wanted. 

As Hishi painted the last stroke of lipstick on her lips, they all stepped backwards, admiring their work. Eriko dried a tear as she clasped her hands together.
"Oh, Your Highness!" She exclaimed in happiness.