The New Empress: The Nightmares Begin

“Empress Yukina… Come with us… Come Empress…”

I saw a figure holding my hand but I can’t seem to make out their face. I wanted to ask who they were but I couldn’t speak.

“Empress, over here.” The figure pulled me to the edge. Before I could ask, I was shoved.

“Have fun in Hell!” 

I suddenly jerked awake. That dream. It felt so real.

I was starting to hyperventilate. I could feel my chest tightening. I held my chest and tried to focus on my breathing. The moonlight shone bright through the window.

“Are you okay? What happened?” I felt a hand on my shoulder. I jumped at the contact. I look to my right and saw Sora. I forgot he slept here next to me. I couldn’t answer him. 

“Why are you crying?” He placed his hand on my cheek and wiped my tears. I hadn’t realized that I was crying. I pulled back away from his touch and quickly wiped my tears away.

“I… I just had… a nightmare… I-I’m sorry I woke you.” His face… why does he look… sad? Without a word of warning, he pulled me close to him. We lay back down on the bed yet he still hasn’t let me go. He caressed my hair so gently, I actually felt safe in his arms. We didn’t talk. The room was silent yet I felt relieved. It’s as if he comforted me through his touch more than words could ever do. 

*lub dub lub dub* No, I shouldn’t feel this way. 

Before I knew it, I fell back asleep… in his arms.

I woke up to an empty space next to me. He must’ve left early. He is the Emperor. I should be happy that he left. But why do I feel… sad?

I brushed the thought aside and stood up. 

“Good morning Yukina, I heard there was a commotion last night regarding the young prince. Are you okay?” Aino strolled in with tea in hand. 

“I’m fine Aino. I was able to be with my son for the first time last night. That was all that mattered to me.” She set the tea down on the table. 

“I see the Emperor made you move here. And he also slept with you last night. Did something happen?” She spoke in a teasing tone. I poked her forehead.

“That is not your business young lady.” She giggled. 

“It seemed the other concubines were in a foul mood when they found out that the Emperor slept with you.” I rolled my eyes. 

“They can have the Emperor. I’m not interested.” Am I really not interested? 

“Aino, draw me a bath. I’d like to bathe before I eat breakfast.” She bowed and went to the bath. I followed suit and she helped me undress. After the bath, Aino chose a very sophisticated kimono for me to wear.

“Isn’t this too much?” I asked. She shook her head.

“Yukina, have you forgotten that you are to visit your family with the Emperor? Your father heard what had happened to you and requested the two of you to visit them.” My family? No, it’s Yukina’s family. 

I am the only daughter of Shogun Senju Hizashi. My family has powerful military control that’s why I was wed to the Emperor. My mother is Senju Kana and I have two brothers: Senju Yorihisa and Senju Yorisane. My father and two brothers lead the soldiers in protecting our Northern border but since the war has died down, they are often home.

I got dressed and went to the dining hall. The Emperor was already waiting for me there along with the Empress dowager and the other concubines. I sat down next to the Emperor and I started to eat.

“We are to visit your family today.” Sora spoke. I simply nodded and continued to eat. The atmosphere was tense. I could feel the other concubines staring at me. If looks could kill.

Suddenly the atmosphere changed when Yukio strolled in. When he spotted me, he immediately ran up to me and gave me a hug.

“Mama! You’re here.” I kissed his forehead. And he sat on my lap. 

“Have you eaten breakfast yet? Would you like me to feed you?” He nodded and gave me the sweetest smile. 

“Young prince, you should behave yourself when we’re at the table.” Lady Hiwa tried to talk to him but he wouldn’t listen. The looks of the people around the table were beyond shock. They couldn’t believe what was happening. 

After breakfast, Yukio and I went outside. He saw the carriage and looked at me.

“Are you leaving? Where are you going?” I knelt down and gave him a pat on the head.

“I’m going to see your grandma and grandpa.” He pouted.

“Can I come?” I was taken aback. I don’t know what to say.

“Well, I--.” I was suddenly cut off.

“You may come along Yukio, but be on your best behavior.” Sora was standing behind me. He wasn’t smiling. He had his usual poker face on. On the other hand, Yukio was ecstatic. I held his hand and we went together to the carriage. The Emperor got on first and then I helped Yukio up. I was about to climb on myself when Sora offered his hand. I graciously took it and he helped me up.

The journey didn’t take more than an hour. We arrived at my parents’ palace. Seeing the entrance, a flood of memories came rushing in. I suddenly felt a sharp pain on my temples which quickly went away.

“Are you okay mama?” Yukio put his hand on my cheek. I gave him a smile and nodded.

“Mama’s fine. Let’s go.” Once again, Sora was first to come down. He helped Yukio down and he was about to take my hand when I shook my head.

“I can do it.” But as soon as I jumped down, I stepped on my kimono and lost my balance. I was about to fall face first but Sora was quick on his feet and he caught me. Damn kimono. 

“Uh thank you.” He didn’t say another word. Yukio held my hand and we went inside. We were greeted by my mother and father.

“Yukina, I’ve missed you so.” Mother hugged me so tight. Sora greeted them respectfully. My mother saw Yukio hiding behind me.

“Don’t be afraid, my sweet pea. She’s my mother and she’s your grandma.” Yukio stepped in front and bowed down to my mother.

“Hello, my name is Yukio.” My mother smiled at him tenderly. 

“He looks so much like you my dear.” My mother pinched my cheeks and gave Yukio a hug. 

“Enough of the formalities. Let us go inside.” My dad, looking rather pleased, went ahead inside. 

We went directly to the main hall where my two brothers were waiting.

“Yuki, you’re finally here.” They both ran to me and put me in a headlock. What the hell? Even brothers from this time period are annoying. 

“Itai! Let me go, you rascals!” They let me go and proceeded to laugh.

“You guys haven’t changed a bit. You’re still annoying as always.” They looked at me and noticed Yukio was behind me.

“Oh is this our nephew? Hi there. I’m Yorihisa and this is Yorisane.” They patted his head and Yukio gave a little bow. 

“Now then my daughter. Please tell me. I have heard that you nearly lost your life.” We sat in front of the general and my two brothers sat in their place next to our mother.

“Forgive me father but I seem to have lost my memories regarding the incident. I could not remember what happened before I woke up.” my father and mother both looked equally worried.

“Your majesty, have you investigated the matter?” Sora still had his poker face. Nothing seems to faze him. Except my smile. 

“Yes I have. It’s still being handled by my men. But so far, no one has seen the Empress before she fell into the lake.” My father looked displeased. 

“Please look into it. I do hope that it was just an accident and not something done on purpose.” I’m on it Father, I’m going to find out what happened to your daughter.

“Now enough of this talk, why don’t we gather by the garden and have some tea.” Mother requested.  We went to the garden and mother and father sat down by the gazebo. Sora followed them but Yukio and I went by the lake to look at the flowers.

“What kind of flower is this, Mama?” He asked, pointing to the sweet pea flower.

“This is sweet pea. This is mama’s favorite flower. Mama loves this flower so much that’s why mama calls you her sweet pea.” He picked one up and put it on my ear. 

“Yuki, come and practice with us. Let’s see if you still know how to use this.” Yorihisa tossed me a spear. I looked at Yukio and he had a confused look on his face. I glanced at Sora and saw that he was looking at me. He must not know that I know how to fight. I walked over to Yorihisa and gave him back the spear.

“What? Are you scared?” He teased. I grabbed him by the ear and whispered.

“Urusai! The Emperor doesn’t know that I know martial arts. I’d like to keep it that way.” I let him go; he and Yorisane looked at each other.

“Why?” I looked over my shoulder and saw Yukio looking really confused.

“Why don’t you go to your papa for a while and I’ll follow you. I just have to talk to your uncles for a bit, is that okay?” He nodded. Before he could run to the gazebo, he picked up another sweet pea and flower and went on his way. When he was out of ear shot, I pulled my brothers aside.

“One of the Emperor’s concubines, the daughter of General Taketoshi, knows martial arts. She tries to harass me in the Palace. Nobody knows that I know martial arts. All they know is I’m weak and defenseless. I’d like to keep it that way. She often attacks herself and blames it on me. If they knew that I knew martial arts, they’d believe her in a second.” They both looked at each other.

“What?! Why don’t you fight back? Doesn’t the Emperor care about you?” Yorisane raised his voice a little and Sora turned his head in our direction. 

“Keep your voice down. The Emperor doesn’t care about any of us. But the Empress dowager heavily favors the other concubines. So I have to be careful.” They lowered their heads and stayed silent.

“I don’t like to point fingers but I believe one of the concubines was behind my accident.” Their eyes widened.

“So, what are you planning?” 

“I have to find out what happened before I fell into the river. Someone must’ve seen me.” They both nodded and put their hand on my shoulder.

“We promise to stay out of your way sister. Just be careful, okay? We don’t care about this stupid alliance. We just want you to be safe.” I hugged them both.

“Okay.” Don’t worry, I’ll find out everything.

[The Emperor’s View]

“Your majesty, I take it that my daughter is being treated kindly in your palace. I’d hate to see her unhappy.” The general took a sip of his tea and looked at me. I suddenly remembered the time Lady Tsuya accused Yukina of hitting her. Has she been dealing with that sort of treatment in my palace?

“Yes general. She’s taken care of in my Palace.” Her mother poured me another glass of tea when Yukio ran to me.

“Papa look; it’s a sweet pea. It’s mama’s favorite flower.” He handed me the flower and I held it in my hand.

“Oh yes, ever since she was little, Yukina always had an affinity with this flower. That’s why we planted so many of them around the garden. She loves them dearly.” I didn’t know they loved her this much.

“Mama calls me sweet pea too because she said she loves me just like how she loves the flower.” Seeing the smile on Yukio’s face makes me… happy. I’ve never seen him this happy before. Yukina’s presence seemed to have affected Yukio so much. 

“Should we plant these in our garden?” I asked Yukio. He nodded furiously. I looked over to Yukina and saw that she was talking to her brothers. They must have a close relationship. 

The more time I spend with Yukina, the more I want to get to know her.