Chapter 16 - Attack

This chapter is dedicated to pUrple_Sapphire99! Happy reading! :3

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Izumi pov:

"Remind me again as to why I'm the one doing your hair...." I muttered annoyed.

"We have to be romantic once in a while, Love, even in the Inner Palace so your personal attendants don't figure out that were just acting." Ryuusei sama said with a closed eyes smile.

I twitched, even more annoyed for a moment, and tugged on a strand of his hair harsher than necessary. He sucked in a sharp breath but didn't make any other sound loud enough for our attendants to hear. But he did open his eyes to meet mine in the mirror with an expression of disapproval. I just smiled innocently, though the mischievousness and taunt was apparent in my eyes. It was there for just a moment and was replaced by awkwardness when Ryuusei sama smiled amused in return. He even reached up to caress my cheek with one hand while turning to face me making my eyes go wide and my body recoil in surprise.

"My my, have you got better at acting or is that a real blush I see on your cheeks?" He teased, his voice barely above a whisper, and it only caused the heat of my face to increase.

Instead of scoffing and denying the obvious truth in his words, I averted my eyes while smiling and covering my lower face with my kimono sleeve. The attendants seemed to think we wanted some privacy to be all lovey-dovey so they excused themselves and closed the doors behind them. When they were out of sight and, hopefully, earshot as well, I dropped my hand to my side and looked at Ryuusei sama with a glare while covering up my embarrassment as much as possible.

"You're being way too invasive lately, Ryuusei sama. I don't like how you're being so touchy and casual with me. We may have to act romantic but I think you can maintain some distance when there are onlookers." I stated sharply.

"Oh? So you do not think that it's odd for a married couple to not be close and comfortable around each other despite having an audience?" He teased and it only sparked my anger more.

"There is a limit to how much I can take, Ryuusei sama, and I will be grateful if you would understand that."

"Come now, Love. A few caresses and hugs shouldn't be too much to handle. I'm not kissing you." He said, once again reaching out to caress my cheek. He was really starting to push my buttons and, quite surprisingly, my heart as well.

Ever since Prince Taheji turned up to meet me and conveniently settled in the palace as a guest – the duration of his stay was unknown – Ryuusei sama has been invading my personal bubble way too much. He said it was to keep up the act perfectly so Prince Taheji would not have the slightest doubt or suspicion, all the more because it was obvious he would have spies to give him information on every single thing happening in the palace in almost every nook and corner of the palace. It wouldn't be surprising if he threatened some of Ryuusei sama's attendants to deflect to his side and help him by informing him of everything he wished to know. Unexpectedly, Ryuusei sama even happened to mention once that this was his way of watching over me and protecting me from potential harm.

For extra security, he's even made Haji san and Koharu as my personal guards – it's embarrassing and so infuriating that he thinks I can't take care of myself.

Another thing that has been bothering me is Haji san's attitude off late. He's been pretty invasive as well, and restless, and I finally realized that it was because he had feelings for me. I guessed that he had feelings for me for quite some time, which is also probably the reason why he kissed me on the day I started as Ryuusei sama's acting Empress, and he's slowly beginning to lose control on repressing his obvious emotions.

Being stuck in between all these complicated stuff is starting to stress me out.

I've already noticed that I've begun to act way too self conscious around Ryuusei sama off late and his gentle gestures as a part of our acting have been making me feel mildly flustered. I feel embarrassed and startled by anything remotely romantic that he does and unfortunately, my heart seems to be overriding my mind and make me desire his gestures more often.

I've also been intrigued by his personality – especially since he's not really what he appears to be. Sure, he's powerful and ruthless and seems to have no remorse when he orders for someone to be killed but I had come to notice that there was something almost gentle deep inside of him. I was curious about it, and it only increased when he happened to let his guard down in front of me by accident. The first time I saw this unexpected side of him was on the first day of my acting – when he had almost fallen asleep on my lap. There were moments every now and then when we were walking through the garden or enjoying tea together in a gazebo where his gaze would become distant as if he was reminiscing about something. He would look so lonely, as if he had no one he could consider close, even as a companion. When I interrupted him, he would give a sad and almost disappointed smile and his eyes would express so much turmoil. It was at such times, occasionally, when he would pull me into a gentle embrace and stay like that breathing deeply and his heart racing against my chest.

And of course, there were times when he appeared most arrogant, acted like he was the best and everyone else was nothing more than dirt at his feet. This side of him, which he happened to be showing off even now, was one I thoroughly hated.

All said and done, as much as I hate to admit it, I am unnaturally drawn to him now. I'm not entirely sure if it is merely infatuation or if I have actually come to like him as a man but I can tell that it's growing stronger by the day and if it's just infatuation now, it's sure to progress to affection if I don't snap back to my senses soon.

"Do I have to remind you that you have kissed me on my forehead and cheeks without my permission, Ryuusei sama?" I snapped angrily in response to his mockery. "I don't know for how much longer I'm going to be able to tolerate these flirty gestures of yours."

"You're so tenacious, Love. It's an appreciable trait in a strong woman but there are times when being unconditionally affectionate and generous is charming." He said and gave one of his unguarded expressions again. "I could use some kindness in the midst of all the pressure I bear on my shoulders. Is it too much to ask from you?"

I clenched my fists as my heart skipped a beat when he reached out to run the back of his fingers over my cheek with a very soft expression in his eyes. He looked sad again and so distant despite being in such close proximity to me.

"Why do you give that wistful expression sometimes?" I blurted out. I regretted it for a moment, thinking that I had unnecessarily pried into details that didn't concern me, but narrowed my eyes just a bit when his expression turned even more somber for just a moment.

"I didn't know you were so observant. And I didn't think you would be worried for me. I'm grateful, Love." He said with a light laugh.

My brow twitched at his teasing and I immediately slapped his hand away from my face. I stepped back and away from him with a slight frown, unhappy that he had made fun of my genuine concern. I was concerned out of humanity and friendship or perhaps because I felt uneasy seeing someone I had come to care for – which was very rare, I might add – so unlike his usual powerful self and I was irked that he only found it amusing. I thoroughly disliked it when people made fun of my genuine feelings and this was no exception.

"Well, I'm glad you're grateful. Now if you'll excuse me, I want to do something that's more useful than putting up with your flirting." I hissed and walked to the door of our room.

"I wasn't lying, Love, despite making fun of your concern just a bit. I am grateful that you were observant and worried about me." He said just before I could open the door and leave.

I paused while staring at the door in front of me. He did sound honest when he said that but I was still angry and....hurt. This was the first time I had felt hurt by words said by someone besides Juri san or Teddy and I didn't like the sudden turn of events.

"Whatever." I muttered though and pushed the door to slide it open.

However, just as it opened a few inches, Ryuusei sama was behind me sliding it shut again. I was suddenly hyper aware that he was standing so close behind me that I could feel his body heat envelope me and his breath fan my exposed neck and shoulder. I stayed absolutely still with slightly wide eyes, feeling both nervous and mildly flustered.

"I didn't say you could leave." He whispered, lowering his head so his lips were next to my ear. "Tell me, Love, are you really concerned for my wellbeing or is this also merely a part of your acting? If you show even the slightest disloyalty, I will be forced to put you down....and I'm sure you're well aware that I can wipe you out without a trace."

My mind went blank for a moment before I felt deep disappointment. All this time, despite knowing that it was probably the stupidest assumption in the world, I thought that he trusted me as his subordinate. Assuming that he had feelings similar to mine was obviously a whimsical chance but now I knew that I wasn't even considered as a subordinate.

I let out a mix of a chuckle and a scoff. I inhaled deeply trying to ease out the tight churning I felt in my chest before turning to face Ryuusei sama. He was looking down at me with narrow eyes, his turquoise gaze swirling with curiosity, caution and power. We were standing so close to each other that if either one of us took half a step forward, we would be pressed up against each other. This proximity was both nerve-wrecking and euphoric for me.

[A/N: Hey there, Handsome! ;) XD]

I had always been a fan of strong people, perhaps because of my own occupation and field of work, and I couldn't help but admire how stunning and absolutely compelling he looked at the moment even though that was the last thing that I should be thinking about now.

"Is that all you have understood me in this time we have been acting together, Your Highness?" I questioned causing his eyes to flicker with surprise. "I feel hurt to hear that you don't trust me. I would have liked it if you were more honest about your thoughts from the beginning itself so I too could save myself the trouble of concerning myself with your mood swings. But I suppose it's better late than never. And since you're so curious about my loyalty, I'll be honest as well. I am loyal to you, only out of duty and I am now well aware that I should not bother with anything else concerning you besides this assignment. As for my concern, it was out of courtesy and nothing more."

I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him back with a smile. "Once again, if you'll excuse me, I wish to be in the company of genuine and truthful people instead of an arrogant know-it-all emperor."

I slid the door open and walked out with a usual acting smile and was soon joined by my personal attendants.

"Izumi, wait! I didn't mean to...I just...." The Blood Emperor called out while stepping into the hallway when I was barely few steps away from our so called royal chambers.

I turned to face him with a smile, though it faltered a bit because he looked apologetic. But I had already understood what he saw me as and I wouldn't be fooled by his expressions anymore. He had played around with me long enough and I wouldn't give him a chance to do so ever again.

"I know, Ryuu sama. You were only worried about my wellbeing....I am truly lucky to be your Empress." I said narrowing my eyes just a bit to show him that I was in no mood to listen to his nonsense now.

He looked taken aback and opened his mouth to speak again but I gave him a bow, turned around swiftly and walked down the corridor away from him. I didn't stop until I reached one of the many Inner Palace courtyard gardens. I came to stand in the hallway while looking over the garden stiffly, my brows slightly furrowed and tension building up between them. I asked my personal attendants to give me some time alone so they excused themselves. When I was finally alone, I inhaled deeply before letting it out of my mouth while closing my eyes.

I was such a fool. What am I doing getting all emotional in a mission? We were acting. Just acting. There was nothing between us to begin with and there would never be anything in the future. I wasn't his real Empress – heck, I wasn't even one of his consorts to expect any sort of special treatment from him. I was a fool to have let my emotions take over in such a situation.

I had always been a guarded person and I never trusted anyone outside the PDST. I also always kept personal feeling out of my missions so why did I do something so stupid this time? In a world that's not even my own, no less? Just because the Blood Emperor appointed me as his acting Empress, was kind to me, flirted and appeared to be lonely, I let my guard down and allowed myself to open my heart up just a bit to him.

I chuckled disbelievingly and opened my eyes. Open my heart up? What nonsense was I spouting?

"Well, it looks like Empress sama is distracted by something. She's laughing to herself and almost looks angry. Anything we can do to help?" Koharu spoke as she and Haji san approached me.

I looked at them and smiled with a shake of my head. "Nah, it isn't really anything important."

"So there is something that's distracting you." Haji san pointed and my brow twitched.

Crap, I was careless.

"Hey, everyone has thoughts that distract them every now and then." I said with a shrug. "And you can be sure that it's even worse because I'm an acting Empress here."

"True....but it's quite unlike you to get all worked up over things. If it's anything serious, we can hear you out." Koharu said.

"I'm fine. So stop pestering me." I said with a roll of my eyes and earned a few chuckles in return.

"Izumi sama." I heard someone call and saw Soutarou san walking to where we were standing. "I am here to escort you to the consorts for your etiquette training."

"Etiquette training again? How long am I supposed to do that anyway? It's starting to get annoying....it's not like I'm going to remain as the Empress forever. So why bother learning to be so uptight? Besides, most of the consorts don't even like me and having to be around them is troublesome." I muttered annoyed.

"You are thoroughly lacking as a woman to begin with....you don't seem to be aware of that though." Soutarou san said and I deadpanned at him.

"Oi oi, Soutarou sama, Sweetheart is womanly enough. If she acts like those squealing consorts, I sure as heck won't like being around her anymore." Haji san commented and I rewarded him with a rough punch on his arm.

"That makes me feel all better, Haji san." I said with a half-sarcastic sweet smile before turning to Soutarou san. "Let's just get this over with. Lead the way, Your Scholarliness."

"Hmph....how crude." He muttered but led me to the Consort House for my usual schedule of etiquette training.

As always, I was greeted by either hostile stares or indifferent nods when I entered the Consort House. The only one who did seem happy to see me was Himiko – the youngest consort. In fact, she was the only one who was actually handling my etiquette training since the past few weeks.

"I will pick you up in two hours." Soutarou san said, indicating that he would take his leave now.

"Soutarou sama, why even bother with teaching her etiquette? She isn't really interested in learning it and as far as we all have seen, she doesn't even use the knowledge when with Ryuusei sama."Consort Kiyori said while holding up a fan to cover half her face and eyeing me disapprovingly.

"Exactly." Consort Yuuka voiced next. "She not only doesn't deserve to be the Empress in the first place but also has the nerve to act all innocent when she's obviously not."

My brow twitched but I bit back on the line of sassy remarks I wanted to say to them.

"This was the decision of the Blood Emperor. No one has the right to question it." Soutarou san said flatly. "Although, I too would have preferred someone with a little more panache to be the Empress."

"Even the governors don't find her in any way useful to Ryuusei sama....with so much opposition, why does Ryuusei sama still bother with her? Touching her so gently like she's some glass doll, showering her with sweet and romantic compliments when she doesn't deserve any of it...." Consort Kiyori said again and I finally snapped.

I had had quite enough disappointment and irritation for today. First it was the Blood Emperor and now these snobbish brats. The steam had been building inside and I needed to let some loose to feel better.

"Oh? What's the matter? Are you all jealous that I am the Blood Emperors treasured Empress?" I mocked earning surprised and angry glares from the consorts. "I'm sure you're all just jealous and that's why you're being so rude to me. You can't stand the fact that he found a commoner much more beautiful and worthy and useful than you lot. In fact, I would have to say that his decision was completely right! What use would he have for women who know nothing but applying an inch of makeup on their ugly faces to make them look beautiful and can't survive without all this luxury?"

"What did you say, you filthy peasant?!" Consort Yuuka hollered alone with several others.

"I merely stated the truth." I said with a shrug and decided to rub my status in their faces. "Isn't that why your precious Ryuusei sama doesn't even spend time with you all? Isn't it also why I'm the only one who gets to call him Ryuu sama?"

"T-that's...that's only because he doesn't know how completely uncouth you are!"

"And now you're showing your true colors! So rude and unsophisticated...if Ryuusei sama was to see you now, he would surely know that you are not fit to be the Empress!"

"You're truly a disgrace to royalty!"

"Just go back to the village you came from, peasant! Ryuusei sama would be much better off without you!"

"That's enough!" I bellowed, having heard enough of their whining. "Would you all grow up?! I'm the Empress and that's that! Stop acting like a bunch of spoilt brats and complaining with reasons that make you feel better about yourselves! The more you try to degrade me, the more I see how thoroughly uncouth you all are!"

"What did you...mmphh!"

Even before Consort Kiyori could complete what she was going to say, I got the feeling that we were being watched. I slapped my hand over her mouth and furrowed my brows deeply while looking around the Consort House. She struggled and many others, including Soutarou san, scolded me for how rude I was being.

"Would you all shut up?! Can't you tell were being watched?! There's someone...!"

I couldn't complete my sentence because what looked like a smoke bomb was thrown into the room through the window. It exploded and filled the Consort House with thick, suffocating smoke. The consorts began screaming in panic and I ignored them while covering my nose with my sleeve and trying to find the person I heard jumping into this room.

"Izumi!" Haji san called out worriedly and ran to where I was.

He handed me a mask to wear as protection from the smoke and I put it on while thanking him. I then unsheathed my hidden dagger and blocked a katana that came at me from the side aimed at my neck. I narrowed my eyes at the man in ninja attire who had tried to attack me and pushed him back as hard as I could.

He cursed under his breath as Haji san came to stand next to me, ready to fight him along with me. I suppose he didn't want to fight both of us tougher so he bolted towards the doors to escape.

"Haji san! You and Koharu protect the consorts! I'll go after him!" I yelled over the commotion and darted out the door just a few steps behind the intruder while taking off and throwing the mask I was wearing aside.

I couldn't spot the intruder when I was out of the Consort House but I blocked his katana just in the nick of time as he dropped down from the roof to attack me. We exchanged blow after blow in the hallway, giving each other bleeding scratches here and there. I cursed under my breath when he made an unexpected shift in his attacking direction and gave me a slightly deep gash on my right torso. I gasped and fell sideways against the wall but summoned strength and determination not to let this guy get another such chance.

While dodging his attacks, I ran into one of the gardens to get some more space to move around. I was able to fight better now by using the rugged landscape to my advantage and without the fabric of this oversized kimono from getting snagged anywhere. I jumped up onto a rock and launched myself at the man with my dagger pointed forward. He grunted in pain when my dagger went through his shoulder and blood spurted out of it. He dropped his katana and I shoved him onto the ground. I pulled the dagger out of his shoulder and he let out a scream as I turned him around and twisted his injured arm behind his back.

But by this time, he wasn't the only one who was exhausted. I had lost quite a bit of blood from the wound on my torso because of all the rough movement and I was breathing heavily while trying to catch my breath. Sweat dripped down the sides of my face and my body trembled from the strain I was feeling. But I summoned as much more strength as I could and pressed down hard against his injured shoulder making him cry out in pain again.

"Who are you?! Who sent you here?! You were after me, weren't you?!" I questioned him fiercely.

"Let g-go!" He wheezed out while struggling under me.

"Don't even think of trying to escape! I'm not going to let you go until you answer my questions! The longer you take to answer, the more painful it will get." I said.

"I-I won't....ever t-tell you anyth-thing...." He said through raspy breaths.

He continued to squirm under me and it was too late before I realized that he had reached for another dagger he had with him. I screamed in agony as he jabbed it in my upper back. My grip on him weakened so he shoved me off himself and rolled me onto my back. He straddled me and lifted the dagger so he could finish me off but I grabbed some sand from the ground below and threw it into his eyes. I then reached for his katana that was lying a little away and jab though his already injured shoulder. He screamed in agony as I pushed him onto his back again and made sure he was pinned down by the katana going almost a third of its length into the ground.

I sat up unsteadily and coughed only to taste blood in my mouth. Pushing past my limit, I stood up and looked down at the man with narrow eyes.

"Now....start talking." I hissed.

"N-never...." He spat and reached into his pocket.

I assumed that he had another weapon with him and I took a step back so I could get into a slightly steadier stance to tackle what came at me. However, he didn't have a weapon with him when he pulled his hand out of his pocket. He had something in his fist, something I couldn't see, which he put into his mouth and chewed vigorously. Even before I could question him as to what he had eaten, he choked, hacked and coughed up blood. He convulsed several times before his eyes rolled back and he breathed his last.

"Izumi!" Haji san and Koharu yelled as they came running to where we were along with some consorts. Upon seeing me and the man, the consorts screamed but Haji san and Koharu rushed to my side.

"Izumi! What happened?!" Haji san asked worriedly.

"Assassin...." I answered breathlessly. "I couldn't find out who sent him....he ate something and now he's dead."

Koharu got down on one knee to check his pulse. "He is dead....and it seems to be because of a self-destruction pill. So what now?"

"We have to...." I started but felt dizzy and thoroughly exhausted. My head spun and my legs buckled under my weight. Blood oozed out of my wounds on my torso and back and I felt the warmth of it as it was absorbed by my clothes.

"Izumi! Oi! Izumi, hang in there!" Haji san called as he caught me.

But I was too tired, my mind foggy and no energy left to stay awake. Haji san's and Koharu's voice got distant and soon my eyes rolled back and I fell unconscious.

Ryuusei pov:

"Did you check thoroughly?" I asked in a low voice.

"O-of course, Your Highness. He had no tattoo on any part of his body that could give us a clue of who could have sent him." Haji said with his head down.

"Why weren't you with her when this happened? I assigned you the task of protecting her but you have failed." I said threateningly and he tensed.

"I have no excuses for my carelessness." He said while clenching his fists.

"Get out." I spat venomously. "Get out before I decide to slaughter you where you sit."

Haji didn't waste even a second after my order. He stood up, bowed and hurried out of my personal chambers. He knew very well that if I did decide to kill him, I wouldn't hesitate. He was a strong and capable soldier that I didn't want to lose though so I gave him a few seconds to save his life instead of give me the chance to bathe my katana with his blood.

When he was out of the room and the doors shut, my frustration spiked. I reached for a vase on a table close by and yelled while throwing it to the floor. It shattered to pieces and I did so with another flat trough placed on another table. I knocked the tables over as well, ripping the table cloth on it to shreds.

I tensed and stopped when I heard a groan though. I turned my head swiftly and looked at Izumi who was sleeping on the bed. Clenching my fists, I walked to stand next to the bed, next to her, and look at her face. She was pale, her face contorted in pain and beads of sweat ran down the sides of her face. Her breathing was heavy and she groaned again.

Frustrated and oblivious as to what to do, I ran a hand through my hair.

I pulled up a chair beside the bed and sat down without taking my eyes off of Izumi. I reached out with a hand towel and dabbed the sweat off her forehead gently while avoiding the cut she had right above her left eyebrow. She sighed once before her face relaxed and she feel into deeper sleep.

Right after she had left our chambers, after an argument of sorts, Soutarou had escorted her to the Consort House for her usual etiquette training. It was then that an assassin had broken in and tried to kill her. Since Haji and Koharu were with her, he had tried to escape without fulfilling his task but Izumi had given chase and caught him. They had fought and Izumi had won, but not without suffering serious injuries.

The assassin didn't give us a chance to gain intel from him. He had killed himself with a special medicine and whoever was behind this had been saved from getting caught. Although, I was almost certain that it was Taheji but I couldn't interrogate him without any proof.

As soon as the news of the fight and Izumi fainting reached me, I had ordered a complete clean up of the palace. My consorts who had witnessed anything of the fight were to have their memories erased and not one stain of blood was to remain in the garden where Izumi and the assassin had fought. Haji and Koharu had taken care of it quickly before reporting back to me and almost getting executed for their carelessness.

Much to my surprise, when I heard that Izumi had been injured and had fainted, I felt terribly anxious. I had rushed to see how badly she was injured and I had ordered for her immediate treatment upon seeing her blood oozing wounds. I wanted to make sure she was alive, that she was safe. The thought of her losing her life and no longer being in my presence was....terrifying.

I had lived my whole life being feared by others, respected and worshipped – not as Ryuusei but as the Blood Emperor. I had no friends, no family I trusted or could depend on for anything. There was no one around me who was honest, not one who was the same on the inside and outside. But for the very first time, I had come across Izumi – one person with a personality I never thought truly existed in this world.

I had yearned for someone who was like clear water – transparent and true to the core. I yearned for just one person who wasn't dark and tainted like me or the rest of the world, one person from whom I wouldn't have to hide who I am, what I felt, what I wanted. I wouldn't have to fear their betrayal because they would be so loyal and completely honest. Izumi proved to be like that, like the bright light that made things clear to see in the darkness. She charged into my life unexpectedly – first rescuing the only younger brother I cared for, serving as a part of the Elite Division, making me curious of her existence, enough to make me want to meet her and finally, making me feel like I was wrapped around her finger. Everything she did, I wanted to see, I wanted to understand, I wanted to do together. I teased her often, caressed her just to make her blush but was left disappointed when none of my actions had effect on her.

But it seemed that it was changing slowly. It was no longer the makeup that I saw when I teased her but a real blush of fluster and embarrassment. She began to get more and more aware of my actions, guarded even, and observant. She was cautious but occasionally gave in to my gestures and accepted them despite feeling flustered.

I had seen many women, many who were even my consorts, to know that she had possibly begun to show interest in me. Not as an Emperor or an acquaintance or even a friend but as a man. It was only confirmed today when she appeared more flustered than usual, questioned me about my occasion distant and wistful gazes into the distance and appeared hurt and clearly let down when I questioned her loyalty to me. It was a foolish move but it was reflexive and the question had slipped out before I could stop it.

Right after I did so, she didn't call me Ryuusei sama and instead returned to addressing me as Your Highness. At that moment, I felt like I had made the worst mistake possible. I wanted to apologize, to tell her I was teasing and didn't mean to sound so doubtful of her. I wanted to tell her that I trusted her, that I wanted her by my side, that I felt anxious when she wasn't with me but she had walked away while appearing to no longer be interested in my words.

But I was, dare I say, afraid. I was afraid that she too would turn her back to me like the rest of the world if I gave in to the trust and these feelings of attraction and possessiveness I had developed for her. I was angry that Haji was close to her, calling her Sweetheart and close enough to put his arm around her shoulder, but I still had him appointed as her guardian because he was the best soldier I had in my army. It was my decision but I felt so angry, so anxious that Izumi would accept his advances and I would lose the one possibility I had got to gain what I always wanted and, more than anything else, needed.

I didn't want Izumi to look at Haji. I wanted her to look at me. I wanted her to accept my advances, become comfortable around me and so I teased her more and more. But not once did she get close enough for me to touch, to feel, to embrace.

Why was she so far away? Why was she out of my reach? Why was the one thing I desperately wanted but never expressed so close to me yet so far away? What was I doing wrong?

"Mmmh....Juri san...." She mumbled and shifted with another groan, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I narrowed my eyes slightly. How could I forget? There was also the question of who she really was, where she came from and what she used to do before she came to the Capital. No matter who looked into the matter, no records of her past could be found. But I suppose that wasn't as important because of her transparency and loyalty. I would find out in time – she would tell me on her own.

Looking at her now, even lying exhausted and pale, she looked beautiful. Her natural beauty outshined the beauty of all my consorts even when they were adorned with makeup and jewelry. I touched her cheek softly with my fingertips though she didn't react. I then took a seat on the bed and hovered over her slightly so I could look over her delicate features. I took in her beauty until finally landing my gaze on her lips. I leaned closer to her, unable to resist the urge to claim her for myself – in one way for now.

When my lips met her supple ones, I felt my blood rush. It was a moment of euphoria that I had never felt before. I had shared kisses with my consorts before – gestures that sealed our union through marriage and ones to return romantic expressions of my consorts every now and then – but never had they felt this way. Something inside of me was on fire and I felt lightheaded. No thoughts besides how much I desired Izumi, how I wished to never let her turn to anyone but me for anything bubbled fiercely within me.

I pulled away from her much too quickly than I wished, not because I wanted to suppress the possessiveness within me but because Izumi groaned. Her face was scrunched up in discomfort but settled down now that she had enough space to breathe and relax again.

Narrowing my eyes just a bit, I cupped one side of her face and caressed her cheek with my thumb. I had decided – I would not let Izumi slip away from me anymore. I would face my fears this time and get what I always desired. I would regain Izumi's trust and her feelings that had begun to spark for me.

"Forgive me, Love, for never being firm in my decision concerning you. But now, I'm not going to let you slip away from me again. I'm going to make you my real Empress." I said and placed another chaste kiss on the corner of her lips. "I will make you mine."

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Whew!! That was a looooong chapter, wasn't it? Hope you all enjoyed reading it! ;)

Well well well! What is this progress I'm seeing between Izumi and Ryuusei?? *wiggles eyebrows* They're totally in love with each other but they're too hardheaded to accept it >.> At least Ryuusei finally accepted it and decided to make Izumi his. Ho ho ho! What is your plan, Ryuu sama? >w>

Anyway, it looks like Taheji has begun to make his move but Ryuusei doesn't have any proof that it's his doing. So he can't take any action at the moment. But I have a feeling that things are about to get a lot more complicated....what does the near future hold for out lovebirds?? O.o

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