After she had calmed her momentary tears of joy, Shoka peeked through her fingers and realized she was now a servant in the Imperial Palace of Yaman. The thought was somewhat overwhelming, and she felt the need to sit down. Still gazing around at the room-no, it was her room now, she thought, she stepped over to the bed and sank down amidst the feathery pillows. At the first touch of her skin on the soft material, her eyes drooped and felt as if they weighed ten pounds; all the fatigue she had felt on the market platform had caught up to her at once, and she soon fell into a deep sleep.



"Miss.Miss.Wake up please, young Miss." Shoka awoke to the gentle touches of an older maid on her shoulder, urging her to get up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know I fell asleep," she replied, standing up quickly and bowing her head. The maid looked surprised at the respect shown to her by this newcomer.

"I-it's alright, Miss, just please-I'm supposed to get you ready for an audience with his Imperial Majesty."

Shoka looked confused for a minute, then she remembered exactly where she was and her eyes widened. "That's right! I have to see the Emperor!"

"Yes Miss, and if you please, come this way to the bath." The maid laid a kind but firm hand on her elbow and steered her through the door Taro had pointed out before she dozed off. Shoka was equally confused as to the respect SHE was receiving, and she voiced her puzzlement as the maid stripped off her blue garments.

"I know this may sound odd, but why are you being so nice and polite to me?" The maid looked up, holding a pitcher of warm water.

"You're the prince's slave, Miss," she stated, as if this explained everything.

"Well, yes, but-

The woman cut her off with a wave of her hand and a smile. "And as such, you have earned his affection and the servants' respect. If the prince were to find out his one personal slave was being ill treated, I would lose my job."

"Oh." Shoka understood, but she was slightly crestfallen. These people would be nice only because they were afraid of being dismissed? How would she make any friends?

Apparently the maid read her expression correctly, because she helped the young girl into the tub and commented,

"You also seem like a good girl, and you look a bit lost, dear. Er, Miss."

Shoka shook her head. "No no, I like dear or just 'Shoka' better than Miss."

The older woman smiled. "You can call me Mariko." She indicated for Shoka to lift her arm, and the young slave did so, unable to quench another question.

"Do you like the prince?"

Mariko thought for a moment, resting her hands in the perfumed water and looking up at the ceiling, then at Shoka. "Yes, I like him. Mind you, I've never talked to him personally, but he's a very kind person, and he's fair if it kills him. He'll make a good emperor someday, but his father thinks he's not ready yet."

"Why is that?"

Mariko dumped water over her young charge's hair. Shoka spluttered and wiped her eyes. "Well, Prince Taro questions his father's ways a lot more these days than he did when he was younger. He doesn't agree with many of the systems this empire was built upon, and his father wants him to carry on his legacy and the past traditions. The prince wants change, but I think his father fears it. So many of the new kingdoms are being revolutionized, and the Emperor is afraid Yaman will get too far into the future and forget about the old ways."

Shoka was silent for the rest of the bath, contemplating this new information. Taro sounded like a good person and perhaps he would be a good master as well. Of course he would be a good master, hadn't he proved that already? She thought to herself as Mariko dried her off and selected a kimono for her.

"Honey?" Shoka turned towards her.

"Hmm?" she looked at the outstretched material. "Oh! Right!" She reached for the kimono but Mariko stopped her, tutting and shaking her head. Shoka was confused when the older maid began wrapping the cloth around her body, but raised her arms obediently and waited for her to finish.

Once she had tied the wide obi, (sash) Mariko stepped back to view her work. Pursing her lips, she regarded the young one with a critical eye. Suddenly, she took a fan from the wardrobe and tucked it into the obi, then spun Shoka around so that she was facing away from her and produced a comb from her own kimono. She began untangling her long hair, patting it dry with a cloth and twisting it up underneath three long, thin pins. The comb, which had an elaborate flower carved onto the top, was then stuck into the heavy knot at the back of Shoka's head. Once more, she passed under Mariko's inspection, this time earning a smile and a nod.

"You look lovely, dear. Now, hurry and follow me, you must meet the emperor and the prince." Shoka paled and her hands flew to her face.

"Mariko, I can't! I'm too nervous!"

"You knew this would come, the prince must have told you already, and I told you that before your bath."

"I know, but I didn't think about it that much!"

Mariko's tone was stern. "Don't be silly, young Miss, I'm sure the emperor will approve. Now come here, I just remembered you need facepaint."

"Oh no, please, anything but that!"

"Come HERE, Shoka."



Fifteen minutes later, Shoka was appropriately made up and standing at the entrance to the emperor's study, her eyelashes long with a thin layer of black paint and her lips brushed with a bit of red paint as well. Since her complexion was already lily white, Mariko hadn't added that much rice powder to her fair skin. Adrenaline and apprehension lent faint color to her high cheekbones, making them seem rosy and slightly flushed. Her new friend had left her at the door, giving her a whispered goodluck and a farewell before departing.

Well, it was now or never, she encouraged herself, picking up the skirts of her kimono and knocking boldly on the doorframe. She gulped as the screen slid back and squared her shoulders, prepared to do battle with her fear.

The face of the prince looked out at her, and any courage she had had before disappeared completely as his raven black eyes ran quickly over her body, taking in her peach-colored kimono decorated with amber flowers and lovely face with just a hint of facepaint. Shoka blushed crimson and looked down at the floor. Taro only grinned and beckoned her forward, into the room.

He took a few paces inside and then looked back to see his new slave hadn't moved. Sighing, he stretched out a hand to her.

"Shoka, come here." She shook her head.

"Shoka." She remained stationary. He walked back to her, picked up her hands, and pressed them together.

"Shoka, come inside NOW."

Meekly, she obeyed.