A Reality better than the Dream

22.- Emperor's confession of love

He had wounded, unknowingly, an innocent sensitive girl and, in fact, his own woman in the worst period of her life. He could not stand this fact. That innocent girl was hit from both sides, her family and her dreamy love. Despite this, that little girl had tried hard to be honest and just, even towards him, that's why she had separated the man from the emperor: The emperor was excellent, but the man a brute. He felt deeply in his heart a great loss, that he had lost her in her very youth. She had felt the need to be always disciplined towards the strangers and the men, to protect herself. That's why she preferred being with her beloved ones, with whom she could be relaxed and free.

Two days later, they were sitting in the hall discussing about the old times, when the present kingdoms did not yet exist. Suddenly, Tangren interrupted and said:

Tangren: Your Highness, we'll miss you, when you leave.

Iris (smiled, whispering in his ear): Speak only for yourself!

Tangren laughed at the comment, shaking his head, but the emperor had heard what she had told him, however he didn't react. He had to act very soon towards her, to solve the problem in their relationship. She had, obviously, even now a hesitance and a fear towards him, the painful experience of the past kept strongly her heart.

Tangren: But will you miss us, too?

Iris: Of course, I am living very well here. Better than I had imagined, although I am missing terribly my grandmother.

Tangren: Then, why don't you live here?

Iris (astonished): Tangren! My kingdom and my home are not here, you know it. I live here for a while only because of a need and the emperor has protected me because of his generosity.

Tangren was laughing in himself with the emperor's attitude. He was already sure about emperor's feelings and determination towards her, he was almost ready to close her in his palace, but the queen was not a simple woman. Not only she was a queen with responsibilities, but also a mature and complicated woman. Then the emperor interfered in their dialogue.

Oren: There was nothing to demand my tolerance and generosity.

Iris: Mmm? Really? Oh... I didn't speak so to make you say this! I find it natural for somebody to desire loneliness... (she turned to Tangren)... Oh, Tangren! You are a real troublemaker!

The emperor and Tangren laughed at her manner. Soon after this, Tangren left and the two remained alone in the hall. He stood before her with his height and proud features making her feel inconveniently. Then he stretched his arm and touched her hair with his hand. She stiffened at his touch. But she didn't make any comment about his habit to touch her, although her stare was accusing him openly. She had made only one exception, two days before, when she was very distressed, and had accepted his touch without protests. He smiled.

Oren: Iris, I never saw you as a disturbance, how did you think something like this?

Iris: Emperor, I know that you like being alone and that you have around you only male servants because you can't tolerate women's manners. You had also to face my problems in my stead. I was a burden. I really feel very anxious about it and I can't handle this anxiety. I still feel uncomfortably, despite your confirmation about the opposite.

He sat now opposite to her but very closely.

Oren: Don't. All these things you said about me have nothing to do with you. And... I don't hate the women, I hate only their manners. But you are not like them. What I have done for you was not due to any guilt, obligation or generosity. It was only a pleasure. You also disrespected the men, but do you feel in the same way with me? Have you helped in war schedules because of an obligation?