Akashi Seijuro x Reader: A Thousand Year Empire P2

After you had retreated back to the safety of the master bedroom, you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. How was it possible to feel so emotionally tired after 5 minutes of talking with Seijuro? You tried to stop them, you struggled with the last bits of energy you had but the tears came and rolled down your face in an endless stream.

You made no sounds. You sat silently on the bed that you and Seijuro shared. How long had it been since he slept there, you couldn't remember. He accused you of having an affair but now you were the one to get suspicious. Perhaps he slept in some maid's bed or visited another woman in the city?

It can't be true, mustn't be. He had too strong principles to do something like that. He reminded you of a strong stonewall, safe to hide behind and seek shelter in. That's what you had done in the beginning of the marriage. After the wedding you had regressed into a submissive housewife, just as your mother had instructed you.

Seijuro had appeared disconnected from you back then. He didn't verbally or physically harm you, but didn't look for your company either. The first year of marriage passed in such manner.

Then you changed and became the woman you are, the person you always were inside. It had been tiring, pretending to be something you're not. When you took hand of managing the maids along with other things, Seijuro greatly approved of it. You most of all noticed the difference in his behaviour. He had meaningful conversations with you and saw you in a different light.

It was a fact that Seijuro fell in love with you, after you stopped your forced role as a housewife, after you took your position as the Empress. He looked so proud. Maybe he still was but you couldn't tell. 

Since last May he had been quite impossible in your opinion. He completely shut you out of all political affairs and avoided the topic with you entirely. In a way, the stonewall that he was, had started to crumble. The way his emotions were presented now was far less tactful than it once was. He was clearly anxious and stressed.

But damn that man, he never told you the reason for it! Always the evasive answers! ''Don't mind it, my love'', ''We'll talk about this later, darling'', ''I'm quite busy right now''. The tears had finally stopped and you wiped your face dry. The room was tinted orange and red due to the curtains and fabric that hung in front of the window. The last rays of sunshine shimmered in the horizon. Sunset was maybe the most beautiful thing nature had to offer.

Slowly getting up from the bed you walked around the bed to pull a string. That would alert a maid downstairs, that you were requesting her presence. A minute later there was a knock on the door and maid curtsied when you opened it. ''Are you in need of assistance, your Highness?'' she asked.

''If you would help me undress, it would be appreciated.'' The woman nodded timidly and began undressing you from the layers of fabric that covered you. When the underskirt was off you sighed in relief, not much bothered about being naked in front of a maid. She presented a red nightgown to you before you even asked, which you thanked her for.

''Do you have any idea of where my husband is at the moment?'' you asked, trying to appear unconcerned, though it felt like you greatly failed in that. ''I only know what I have heard, madam.'' ''Then tell me what you've heard.''

The maid glanced around as if someone would be listening. ''After the dispute that happened in the library, the Emperor locked himself in the study room and said no one is allowed to disturb him'' she whispered. That didn't surprise you at all so you merely waved your hand dismissively. The maid gathered the clothes you took off in her arms and quickly fled.

'I most likely won't see him today anymore' you thought and pulled back the covers from the bed. You were too tired to care that it was only past 8 pm, your eyelids already felt heavy, as did your heart. You would go sleep with the sun like the ancient gods had done, or so your grandmother had once told you.

The room darkened around but you were already asleep, wrapped up in thick blankets to protect you from the coldness of the empty side of the bed.

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You woke up with shivers running through your body. Your eyes were blurry from sleep but it was clear that it was still nighttime. The window was open, the curtains creating shadows on the walls. The bed creaked almost imperceptibly, making your blood run cold until a warm hand settled on your shoulder. ''Turn your face to me, my love.''

Sharply turning your head, you came face to face with Seijuro who layed on top of the covers, still in his daytime clothes. ''What time is it?'' was the first question from you. ''It's past 3 am I think. I haven't checked in a while'' he said and brushed his fingers through your hair. You were so very confused. Was this a dream?

''Why are you here, I thought you wouldn't sleep here tonight. I don't know if you sleep here at all these days'' you blurted out. Seijuro moved himself closer to you, caging you in his arms with all the blankets still around you. ''I've had the ill-mannered habit of waiting for you to fall asleep before coming here.''

''I am aware that for a while now I've been a bad husband for you. I'm truly sorry for that. That fight we had in the library... I was so dreadful! Please, you need to understand that I didn't really mean what I said. It's because of everything that's been going on and I'm supposed to be able to take care of this but it's frustrating when it all seems to fall apart in my hands'' he told quietly.

''Is this because of the riot that happened in the north?'' you whispered against his chest. You were met with silence and could only feel his chest rise and fall. Seijuro sighed, resting his chin on top of your head. ''The common folks is causing trouble. This was the second year in a row when they lost their crops. They're blaming me, for not pleasing the gods. But let's not talk about it now, I just want to hold you close. It's been too long.''

You felt his arms tighten around you and his body trembled. He was in a vulnerable state. You wanted to hear more about the riot and what had happened after it, but you didn't have the heart to disrupt the peace that surrounded the two of you.

''I need to hear it from you. Say that you love me'' you whispered, scared of what he would answer. Seijuro pulled back to look at your face. His smile was filled with reverence and adoration. ''I love you and I always will'' he responded. His lips met yours so gently, so full of love. Seijuro rested his head on your chest and you could feel him fall asleep.

For a while you just stroked his hair, memorizing what it's like to have such bodily contact to him. His hair was softer than you remembered. You weren't sure when you fell asleep, but when you woke up you questioned again, was it all just a dream.

Seijuro wasn't there anymore. The bed was empty again. A sudden feeling of dread took over you and it took complete control. Something was wrong, so utterly wrong. The room was colored orange and red like it had been when you stopped crying last night, but there were no curtains in front of the window that was open. The curtains flew wildly in the wind outside.

Your legs felt like they might give in at any moment but you forced yourself up and out of bed. With shaking hands you put on a warmer robe and opened the door to the corridor. You could smell smoke in the air. If it would have been possible, your heart would've already escaped from your very chest in pure terror.

Yelling and screaming and the crackle of flames were deafening to your ears and you started running down the corridor. At the end of it you saw red, the best kind of red you had ever seen as Seijuro's head came into your view. He was frantically turning his head, eyes wide and his face smudged with ash. His eyes landed on you and you could see him sigh heavily.

''My love, we must escape! The palace is under attack! I have arranged a carriage for us, don't worry, I will take care of you!'' he shouted over all the noise. His hands were clutching your arms almost painfully but you didn't care about it now. ''Where are the servants? Are they safe? What about the guards, what will happen to our home?!'' your voice became hysteric the more you spoke.

''Everyone is leaving! I would never leave innocent people behind, you know that much of me, don't you?'' he said sternly, yet at the same time pressed butterfly kisses along your cheeks. Your ears picked up shouting that came from outside and you knew. All the farmers and poor people who had lived in hunger and uncertainty had come to relieve their frustration.

It was a timeless belief that the Emperor was the one most connected to gods and therefore responsible for keeping the people in their favor. As long as the gods were happy, the crops flourished and people were well-fed. Natural disasters were taken as a sign that Seijuro was no longer fit to maintain relations to the gods. 'This will take a big toll on his spirit' you thought.

Seijuro pulled you down the marble stairs that once were so grand. Now they were colored with black and grey as the flames hungrily licked the railings and climbed up to the ceiling.

You burst through the main doors and a gasp tore past your lips. The massive crowd behind the gates was close to breaking the whole barrier that surrounded the palace. Seijuro tightened his hold on you as he ran across the courtyard where a man was waving his hand. ''The carriage is ready! Please, your Highness, there isn't much time!'' the man screamed, his eyes darting to the gates every few seconds.

Seijuro froze and turned to look at you. ''This is most likely the last time we will see the palace. I'm sorry I have failed in you in such horrible ways, my behaviour as a husband and as an Emperor has been inexcusable'' he said slightly out of breath. You couldn't find words to say so all you did was wiping away the lone tear that had rolled down his cheek. He didn't let the coachman see it. Emperor or not, he would never show weakness to anyone else than you.

Heedless of the protests from the coachman, Seijuro took off his crown, his symbol of power... and threw it over the gate. 

It was quite a ceremonial gesture actually. His stance hadn't looked so relaxed in many months and you suddenly felt proud of him. The coachman hurried you both into the carriage, clearly about to lose his minds from Seijuro losing time. When the carriage jerked to movement, you looked back at the palace and the courtyard that was now filled with people, people who hopefully would have a better future with no need to take out their rage on you or Seijuro.

Seijuro's hand gently came to lay on top of yours and you saw him smile. It was a small, a bit sad smile, but a smile nonetheless. He brought your hand up to kiss it. ''Somehow, I think this was for the best. Maybe you don't have to suffer from my bad temper anymore'' he mused. You laughed at that, making his smile bigger. ''Love, I think I can handle a few tantrums from you, if you promise to never treat so coldly or dismissively again.''

A hint of regret appeared in his eyes and he nodded. ''I will treat you with all the love and respect you deserve'' he swore and kissed you. The kiss warmed you from head to toes, a feeling that you hadn't felt in a while. 

The palace would now be in the past, as would the lavish lifestyle you both had gotten accustomed to. In your mind you prayed that the maids and other servants would find work somewhere, and that whoever would rise to be the new Emperor would be as goodhearted as you knew Seijuro was essentially. 

Once again the ancient myths and tales of old times came to your mind. You had once heard from a foreign man about a bird called phoenix that died and was reborn from the ashes. Your life had grumbled down but now it would built up again, better than its precursor. You were still an Empress at heart, powerful and aware of what you wanted to achieve. 

Nothing was impossible for you.