Shoka had never been more terrified in all her life, which was saying a lot considering the things she had been through. She had heard terrible rumors about the Emperor Watakushi, like how he once had thirty guards beheaded when the crown princess twisted her ankle in the countryside. Servants were rarely ever dismissed alive; most of them were killed if they placed a foot out of line. Would Taro's protection extend to his formidable father?

These less-than comforting thoughts were swirling and tumbling around in her mind as she followed the prince timidly, holding her kimono skirts up as she had been taught so long ago. Her sandals made a soft padding sound on the rush mats, sounding strangely magnified in the silent room. When at last she reached the emperor and empress on the dais, she sank to the ground on her knees and touched her forehead to the floor. The emperor nodded once, and Taro tugged her gently to her feet. Shoka faced the emperor and gazed with demure eyes.

He was indeed an impressive figure, with long, braided black hair in a tight bun at the back of his head. A small goatee rested at the base of his narrow chin, his eyes piercing and regal. He wore a flowing white kimono with an outercoat of dark blue, heavy necklaces of jade and gold hanging from his neck. Jewels bedecked each of his fingers, flashing and winking at her from all angles. She found it hard to breathe in the presence of such a proud, famed ruler who was said to paralyze with his stare. Then Taro moved into her line of vision, standing by his father and giving her a smile of encouragement. Looking from one to the other, she could see the prince had inherited his sire's hypnotic orbs, though they were a great deal more friendly and warm.

"Sir," Taro began, "This is my new servant, of which you were so kind to bestow upon me, even though I would have liked a more practical gift."

Startled, Shoka looked at the emperor to see his reaction at such a comment. He sighed and rolled his eyes, choosing to ignore the prince and beckoned the young girl forward instead. Trembling, she came closer.

"So, you are the one who has bewitched my son." A faint blush tinged the light brown skin of Taro's cheeks. "What is your name, girl?"

"Sh-shoka, Heika-sama."

"Sh-shoka, eh?" Surprisingly, his eyes crinkled, the Yamani's way of laughing in public without being rude, and Shoka was able to breathe again.

"Well, seeing as the prince is so taken with you, and you seem to have manners enough.my dear," he said suddenly to his wife beside him. "What do you think of this young maid?"

Shoka turned to the empress with a start, having forgotten there was another female in the room. The lady was beautiful, with the same coloring as her son, and she wore facepaint as naturally as if she had come out of the womb with rice powder upon her high cheekbones. Her eyes were gracefully slanted upwards, smaller than her husband's but no less dignified. A white kimono and outercoat of the same shade graced her slim figure and only a few wrinkles at the corners of her mouth and eyes bespoke her true age. When she spoke, her voice was low and throaty, not to be expected of such a dainty creature.

"I think she's perfectly lovely, and she looks fit enough for common chores. Perhaps when she's proved her worth, she'll take a higher place in the palace." The empress didn't smile, but her expression was kind as she nodded at the girl. "Welcome to the Islands, dear."

Shoka bowed low in reply, and the emperor nodded as if satisfied with his wife's opinion.

"Well, if that is all, then I see no reason to keep this girl in anxiety any longer. Taro, make her feel at home and remember that she is your responsibility alone. You may leave."

The prince bowed his head to his father, leading Shoka out of the room. As the doors closed behind them, the emperor turned to his lady conspiratorially.

"Do you think it's wise to let Hyotaro become so infatuated with a common slave?"

The empress shook her head. "If you mention it to him, he'll only become more rebellious. I saw nothing wrong with the little one, and something about how she held herself tells me she came from a good background. It's no different than if he chose a harem wife, and Yaman knows he won't marry a complete stranger. Let's wait a while and see how this plays out."

The emperor sighed and rose from the dais. "You're right, as always," he said, offering his arm. "Come now, we must make arrangements for Taro's birthday celebrations."

"Only two nights away," she reminded her husband as they walked out the doors and left the quiet room empty.





Sorry, I know this chapter is short, but it's the day before Christmas, and I just wanted to give you guys a taste of what was to come. ^^ Comments, criticism? Please remember to review, even if you've already reviewed on another chapter, because it helps encourage and lets me know how to make the story better. If you really must flame, they can be sent to kyoko_wolf@hotmail.com Happy Holidays :)