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Careful who you trust. If you trust the wrong person, you might get killed. However, if you trust the right person, you might get hurt. Your choice which is less painful.
---
I hated him already. I was here less than an hour and I already missed Yukaia. This Emperor was a jerk, one that was up to no good. The smirk that had taken a seat back on his face was impossible to miss. Not for me, nor for any of the other Kishijoten. Especially that girl Yshra kept on throwing quick glances at me.
I wasn't sure why, was it just to keep an eye on me or did she feel guilty?
I sighed soundlessly and placed my chopsticks down as all the other girls already had done. The only person at the table eating was the Emperor now and he most certainly took his time. My eyes wandered to the two samurais straight behind him. One was smiling, like he had just heard the most amazing joke ever. The other samurai looked the same, but he was better in hiding his smile.
Then I realised it too, many of these girls were tired from the trip and looked like they could fall asleep any moment. The Emperor was doing this on purpose, he wasn't only here to ruin my stay at the palace, but also the staying of all the other Kishijoten. He was eating so slowly I wondered how he could even swallow his food.
The girl on my right leaned a little backwards and before she realised we were just sitting on carpets without back - only the Emperor was seated on a zaisu, a luxurious chair in Mikayo - of course, she fell with her head hitting the ground. No one dared to move as the Emperor stared at her.
"Am I boring you, Lady Fuyume?" He asked as he placed his chopsticks and bowl with rice down. I didn't get to hear Fuyume's answer because my stare was too busy looking at the samurais again. Now also the second samurai cracked a smile and I followed his glance.
The bowl of the Emperor where he had eaten out the last fifteen minutes was already empty, it was so clean it looked like no one even put something into it.
I closed my eyes and grunted softly. I turned my head to Fuyume when I heard soft sobs. I had no idea what the Emperor said to her, but she stood up and left the room in an instant. I couldn't believe it, he seriously made her cry and there he was, that damn smirk still on his face.
"Now," he started, "everyone leave, the maids will lead you to your room. Lady Azalea, I will pick you up in an hour, have a nice stay." I have never heard someone say those last four words so sarcastic. No one replied, we all stood up and followed the maid that came to us.
---
An hour, he said, I had an hour to make a plan and make sure he knew I wasn't going to be one of his toys. That's what I kept reminding myself as I followed the maid, Jun Sayo, to the room I would call mine for the rest of the year. Well, if I could survive the Emperor then.
