Turned Table of the Phoenix

Blushing Red

"Katashi what's wrong?"

"It's none of your concern. Come, let's eat".

I hesitantly ate and continued to keep an eye on Emperor Hitoshi and his new bride. Katashi continued to look around the room and tapped his fingers nervously on the desk. There was nothing to ease his nervousness, because I didn't even know what he was nervous about.

"What will you do now? She's going to remain as empress...".

"I already have an idea of what I'll do, but I can't even tell you".

Katsuro frowned, "fine don't trust me then" he said, "I can't believe it though after all I've been through for you".

I looked over and glared at him, he held his hands in the air begging for innocence. He laid back down on the bed.

"It will only be a matter of time until you see my plan unfold. After the queen is gone, then I will tell you what I did to get the end result".

The morning came that the wedding was going to take place. I was woken up early by the maids to get dressed in the ceremonial attire. The weather outside was perfect for a wedding. The sun shinned and only a few clouds spotted the ocean blue sky. Birds sang and hummed their sweet songs. The breeze lightly touched everyone's glowing face. I walked down the corridor and after asking where Katashi's room was, I headed in that direction. I knocked lightly on his door and looked down the hall. A hand pulled me into the room and closed the door.

"I don't want this wedding to take place".

Katashi covered my mouth and continued, "I have bad feelings about this... I can't eliminate this feeling no matter how hard I try". I lifted my hand and moved his hand from covering my mouth.

"I don't want this to happen either," I whispered, "but I promise I will fix things after they are married".

"How will you do that?"

"I can't tell you anything just yet, but you will just have to trust me".

He held my jaw with his finger and lifted it up gently.

"I trust you"... he said as he drew in closer.

I felt his breath trace on my cheek and I looked up to meet his lips.

The door nocked and I withdrew fast, dashing around the corner of his room. A servant stood outside the door and called out, "Prince Katashi have you seen princes Eu-meh? The empress is calling for her".

"I'm sorry I have not, but if I run into her I will make sure that she is aware. Thank you".

The footsteps continued down the hall and I came out from my hiding spot. I reached for the door handle and started to open it, but a force stopped me from opening it. I looked up and saw Katashi's hand holding the door shut.

"Thank you Eu-meh...". He said as he then opened the door, pushed me out, and closed it again.

I walked down the hall and found the empress who was standing in her ceremonial gown that was as colorful as spring itself. Her face was perfectly powdered and she gleamed as if the sun.

"Eu-meh I have noticed that you have been spending more time with Katashi... how do you feel about him?"

"What do you mean? Why do you ask me that?"

"I mean do you have any feelings for him? I want you both to be happy".

"No I do not have any emotional feelings for him. We simply talk."

The queen looked down at the ground disappointed.

"Very well... I hope the boy says the same thing, now carry my train I'm about to take the throne once again."

The empress looked back at me and smiled, "you know the best thing about getting married is that you own everything the man comes with."

She chuckled as she walked down the hall, "Your father wasn't as rich as Emperor Hitoshi, but I must say he was better looking".

With that the empress yanked her train from my hands and walked into the room she was going to be married in. With the flick of the empresses hand, the guards shut the door, leaving me standing there on the outside. This nightmare would only be a short while until I could remove the curse that was causing it.
I saw Katsuro standing in the hall and called out to him, he looked up and smiled.

"Why aren't you attending the wedding ceremony, I thought that's why the queen was asking for you?"

"Apparently I wasn't invited, but it's given me more of a clear idea of what I'll do to eliminate her. But I think I have changed my plan and I might need you to do something for me"...

"Sure anything for you, go ahead and tell me".

I crawled next to him on the bed and leaned over whispering into his ear the plan that wouldn't be too long after the wedding, when everything would be final including Empress Saku Miyo's title as wife to Emperor Hitoshi. After her title was final and countries knew of the marriage then that's when the elimination process would begin.
He smiled wider and wider as I whispered the details. He backed away and held my shoulders crying out, "you're brilliant!" He kissed me on the cheek. My cheeks started to burn bright red and I leaned back. I turned away quickly not meeting his eyes.
"Well we better get some rest it won't be too long until our plan carries out... I've never asked you what is your motive? Why are you helping me eliminate her?"

"Well just like you I have been stuck in this game of power and I for once would like a ruler who cares for her people and won't sacrifice the townsmen... or the pawns. I want to see you rule and be the queen and the empress that you have dreamed of becoming".