Restrains. Chains and locks on her wrists, ankles and neck. Or at least, that was what he could see. The chains of insanity held her down from living a happy life. The things she had to go through had dragged her down to the deepest dungeon of the mind - insanity. Octavi's concerned purple eyes scanned over his sister's body as she walked over to Octavi, her thin figure wobbling side to side unsteadily. Famine was obvious in her cheeks and her skin was an unhealthily pale colour.

She walked to the glass barrier between them and placed her shaky, boney fingers onto the glass, as if reaching out to him for help. Help to free her once again, like the beautiful mockingbirds that rejoiced in the morning sun back at the palace.

"O-Oliver..?" His big sister whispers under her breath, hitting a hard blow to somewhere deep in Octavi. She could barely even remember his name anymore and it seemed that her condition was only getting worse. However, perhaps it was best for her in the asylum. After all, one of the emperor's old enemies had attacked their home village and had tortured Octavi's sister to the point she was pushed over the cliff of happiness. Octavi had tried to find her therapists, some of the best in the country. However, it was to no avail. His sister was never going to get better, and it was all because of the enemy.

Working with the emperor would help him to get vengeance for his sister and perhaps, maybe he could lift a little bit of weight off his and her shoulders.

"My name is Octavi, dear sister." Octavi says in his emotionless and heartless tone that he always seemed to use before you got to know him. However, Octavi's lip quivered solemnly at the scene in front of him.

In the meanwhile, the restrains of endless work seemed to corrupt your mind. You were nearly finished with the outfits the emperor had requested and were just adding some final touches. Once again, the same record made by 'BLANC' was playing in the background, letting her beautiful voice sink into your ears and help make it feel like you had some company while Octavi was away.

As you were just about finished with the outfit on the stage, you gazed at the golden and red masterpiece in front of you. So much effort had gone into it and it really turned out to pay off. However, as you gazed at the outfit, you felt as though you were forgetting something. Then it suddenly seemed to pop in your head, you had forgotten the translucent fabric for the emperor to wear around his arms like an elegant scarf. It was a simple thing to make but was very popular with those of high class. If you made the long and translucent scarf, if would surely earn you more respect in the fashion industry and the emperor would be seen as slightly more trendy than traditional.

Agreeing with yourself, you decide to hastily run to the storage closet. You slide the door open and closed behind you before hurrying down the hallway, nearly bumping into a maid or two along the way, to which they responded with quite an attitude to. Once you approached the oh-so familiar wooden door with the golden letters, 'Storage Closet' painted on, you grabbed onto the door knob and pulled the door open. Inside the storage closet it was fairly dark, however light that bled into the room from the brightly lit hallway seemed to illuminate the storage closet much better than you had expected. Without a second thought, you hurried into the storage closet, only to remember about the step that was there, causing you to fall over yet again.

Memories of the many times you had done the same while Octavi assisted you only made you blush with embarrassment before you quickly swept yourself up onto your feet and started rummaging through the fabric drawer. The drawer was indeed dusty but fingerprints from your past visits were visible on the handles, suggesting that perhaps you were the only one who seemed to care about the existence of these incredibly expensive fabrics. You desperately search for the perfect type of fabric but to no avail. Checking over and over, you realise that perhaps they just didn't have the fabric. Pursing your lips with disappointment, you guessed that you would most likely have to wait a bit longer until you could finally relax.

A young maid hurries over to the storage closet door and grabs onto it gently, ready to close it. However, she jumps slightly as her crystal blue eyes spot you in the darkness, looking unusually frightening.

"A-Ah.. you're.. lady Fuyomui, the royal tailor. U-Uhm..!" She hastily curtsies yet her legs wobble from side to side. This maid was very short in size with large and round glasses on her face. Her hair was a neatly straight blonde that only went up to her jawline.

You laugh slightly and quickly step out the closet, hoping you didn't frighten her too much. You wave your hand nonchalantly, "No need to curtsy. I was just looking for some fabrics but it seems I can't really find what I need." You explain, an awkward yet confidently large smile plastered on your face. You thanked the heavens that you had hurried to the storage closet rather than walked, as you may had ended up with her seeing you fall over like the clumsy person you really were.

"I was wondering why this door was open and figured somebody may have forgotten to close it.. anyway, s-sorry for bothering you, it's just my second day working here and I'm still getting the ropes. On the other hand, I do know that there is another storage closet with fabrics inside. I think its down this hallway and to the right if you'd like to check there." She suggests, a smile reflecting yours on her lips.

"Ah.. I'll check there. I guess I'll have to order some or get them myself if I can't find what I'm looking for though. Perhaps I'll give it a try though." You ponder, looking down the hallway.

You jump suddenly however when she suddenly bumps into and starts to run away, directing your attention from the hallway back to her figure. "I-I'm sorry! I forgot that I have to clean the dishes before the head of cleaning decides to fire me!" She yells, running down the hallway, holding her long, black maid skirt up to enable her to walk more. In fact, all maids seemed to have the same uniform. They wore white blouses, black pleated skirts that went up to the ankles and black loafers. Some of them even wore black and white aprons that tended to have frills and lace decorating the edges. To you they seemed more like religious followers from the nearby temple but their outfit was still somewhat cute.

Reminding yourself of the task at hand, you look to your left and right, wondering which direction was 'down this hallway'. You decided to pick right in the end, living by the silly belief that the direction 'right' was always 'right'. You walk calmly down the hallway, deciding to prevent yourself from annoying anymore of the maids as they seemed to begin conspiring against you for always bumping into them. Besides, you had plenty of time on your hands to finish the outfit.

At the end of the corridor, you take a right once again like how she had told you to do so. You continued to walk down this corridor, finding that it looked exactly the same as the last once. Starting to the feel the boredom rush through your veins, you eventually pause at a strange looking door. It was a wooden sliding door like most of the ones in the palace, however it had birds painted in gold onto it. You let your curiosity overtake you and slid the door open without a second thought.

Beyond the door was a part of the palace gardens that you certainly had never seen. Your balcony could only let you see so much and obviously, it didn't show you some of the best parts of the palace. The gardens were always in perfect shape thanks to the gardeners hired to the palace. Once again, the palace only accepted the best of the best to work as part of the staff.

The garden in front of you had red and golden lilies near an elegant golden fountain that restrained a beautiful, young marble woman in stone. You noticed the woman to be one of the goddesses this part of the region greatly worshiped. Her name was Lu Shiko, the goddess of luck and prosperity. No wonder she would be made of gold, in an elegant pose in the middle of a fountain. From her closed eyes gushed heavy water, as it was believed that her tears would grant you eternal life. However, not in this case. As far you were concerned, this fountain only contained normal water.

You soon stepped into the garden, letting the flat stones that formed into a path lead your way along the luscious, green grass and varieties of flowers that you had never seen before. You smiled at the beauty of nature that surrounded you, entrancing you in the dance of the wind that made the flowers sway side to side in joy.

You ponder for a moment, wandering over to the extravagant fountain. You sit at the edge of the fountain, lightly touching the clear water with your finger tips. You hum slightly, looking calmly over the garden and it's beautiful colours that made you think, this was what it means to be alive.

Lyrics of a song from 'BLANC' were still stuck in your head from yesterday so you couldn't help but let your voice pour out. "When the waves carry my goodbye to you, when the tide brings you my sorrow, let my misery drown and pay back the time I spent pitying myself after you sailed away," You sang openly, sure that nobody was around to hear.

You slowly take your hand out of the fountain and begin caressing the red and golden water lily reaching out to you nearby. Your cheeks flushed as red as the colour of the water lilies at the fact you got to saw the emperor's real appearance a week ago. He had indeed kept you out of trouble and it most likely wasn't a big deal. After all, the only time he ever sheltered his appearance with the translucent fabric was in more traditional and formal settings.

However, you were blushing more out of embarrassment and surprise rather than being in love with the emperor at all. Sure, he was most likely the handsomest person you had ever laid your eyes on but he was not as beautiful on the inside. You would know, especially after your last formal meeting with him nearly two weeks ago. His long, black hair extended down to his tailbone and his eyes were as red as the lily in your hand. His skin was pale and overall, his emotionless personality truly did seem to fit his appearance splendidly. Every single outfit that you had seen him in was laced with the feeling of mystery and he wore it perfectly.

You continue singing the lyrics to yourself, deciding that you could do with a small bouquet of flowers on your desk. Perhaps you could even pin some flowers that held a special meaning to them onto the emperor's ballroom outfit that was nearly finished either ways.

"My cheeks are stained with misery but I wear it beautifully, there's a glimmer in my eyes that will never die, unlike the love you gave me," You continue to sing. You had to admit, you weren't the best singer in your perspective but you hoped that you could be considered decent at least. All you knew was that your singing voice wasn't terribly good but it wasn't terribly bad either.

"Your look at me is as blank as the evening sky when you said goodbye." An unknown voice finishes the song from behind you, yet didn't sing it. Instead, they spoke it. The sudden interference with your privacy caused you to jump slightly and whip around, instantly taking your hand off of the gorgeous lily.

You came face to face with the emperor himself, who's eyes were nowhere to be seen. Instead, you saw two black holes. He was wearing a white mask with red traditional markings and small golden details on it. The part where the eyes were went to be was slender and pitch black, however you presumed that he could see through it from inside. He wore the usual colours of black and red and his hair was now tied back into a ponytail unlike the last time you saw him.

"Where on earth did you hear that song?" The emperor questions, his voice showing no trace of anger, interest or will to socialize. In fact, he was a locked book that you could not read even if you tried your best. However you on the other hand, were as open as a book could be.

"The records in my room.. I played it on my record player. It's most likely one of my favourite records. The singer's voice is so beautiful. Why do you question me so?" You explain, obviously slightly nervous at the sudden question.

He stays silent, not answering your question. Then you finally processed the fact he was wearing a mask and wondered what the special occasion was.

As if he read your mind, he spoke. "I'm wearing a mask because I went to greet some townspeople and thank them on the success of an installment I made into town square. Tradition tells me I must wear a mask, so wear a mask I will do." He explains before walking past you, his expensive robes drifting in the wind, carried in an elegant and fiery dance.

Two palace guards tailed close behind him silently, not even batting an eye at your presence, as if you were never even there to begin with. A new installment into the town square? You pondered what it could be. He most likely put some sort of egotistical statue. You didn't know him terribly well, so you weren't really sure what he would've installed.

"I hope you enjoy my mother's voice." He says to you as he disappears through the sliding door, having it closed behind him by the royal guard. The last sentence he had said to you left you speechless, as you finally found the identity of your new favourite singer. She was married to his father, the former emperor.

She was a famous actress and singer amongst the high-class people of Yunoaiu. One day she had been hired to perform in front of the emperor himself and it seems that it was love at first sight. They frequently met repeatedly after that day and she eventually was proposed to by the emperor on a romantic vacation together overseas in Ferguinaloi, the country of love. Of course only the few people who were lucky enough to see her sing or act were high-class and so barely anybody other than them got to see her appearance. She did make many public appearances with the emperor after they got married, but you could remember that every time you saw a picture of them, they wore masks to hide their facial features from the lower class people. The only time that everybody was considered to be on the same class was when a royal family member passed away or if a special holiday was in session.

Whilst you processed all this information, the emperor approaches a balcony on the fourth floor of the palace. Once he had reached the light grey coloured balcony, he instantly noticed the tea table and two seats on either side. It seemed that yet again his grandmother had invited an unexpected guest to join him in brunch.

Muttering forbidden words under his breath, the emperor accepts his fate and sits down on one of the seats. A butler who had stood so still by the door to the balcony that he didn't seem to even be there, was finally noticed when he reached out to pour the emperor a cup of green tea. Taking the tea plate that the tea cup rested on, he held it in his left hand as he used the other hand to bring the fragile teacup to his lips, waiting patiently for whoever was to come this time.

Out comes the elite and lead general of the allied forces, as if on cue. He walks over to his chair and bows deeply towards the emperor before sitting down swiftly. The general was fairly old, with wrinkles beginning to form on his face and streaks of grey and white running through his raven black hair like rivers of time.

"What do you wish to speak with me about?" The emperor asks, his voice prying onto the general rather listlessly. The emperor takes another sip from his teacup, finding his mind feeling tempted to run elsewhere.

"Your Royal Majesty, I have come to inform you about an urgent matter. I apologise deeply for the sudden interruption of your schedule." The general says in a deep and raspy voice, his slim, green orbs focusing on the garden and kingdom that they overlooked from the luxurious balcony.

His majesty doesn't reply, signalling to the general to quickly get it over with. So, the general carries on speaking. "The underground Black Snake group have been growing more tacky with their work, leaving more and more clues behind with each attack they put onto us. However, I fear that this has just been to distract us from the fact that they are now trying to send some of their members to try and get a job in the palace, and hopefully assassinate you."

"Now, you won't let that happen. Won't you? Nothing gets pass the 'Emperor of Death' and his general. Close down staff recruitment for now and any workers that have already been given the job run a thorough background check on. If anything else happens, you know what to do." The emperor says, his body still like a porcelain doll in the finest dollhouse that money could buy.

"Heighten palace security and get more guards to assist my grandmother. This palace is supposed to be the heart of the empire, the safest and most valuable place. If we let some disgusting disease into it, things could only get worse. When the palace staff comes here to work, I promise them my absolute security. If you fail to protect my subjects or at least don't do as much as you very much know you can do, I will have you fired and banished to Greyunbui." The emperor harshly says before throwing his teacup onto the ground, very much reminding himself of you.

"Also, put the plan to exterminate them into action." The emperor mutters to the general before standing up and stepping on the broken shards of the teacup without a care. He very much knew that what he had just done would improve the general's performance, so he had no regrets to his harsh words or to the poor little teacup he had shattered. His royal majesty leaves the balcony, leaving his butler, guards and general by themselves.

The small emperor peaks through his grandmother's door, catching sight of the general in all his youth and neatly ironed, black uniform. Countless awards decorated his chest, glimmering with pride. However, his lips seemed to be holding back information with sorrow.

"Your Royal Majesty, I have come to inform you about an urgent matter. I apologise deeply for the sudden interruption of your schedule." The general mutters before getting onto one knee. He takes off his black gloves and places them on the floor before bowing his head deeply, hand on heart.

"The Black Snake group seems to have had connections with your daughter-in-law and son's death. It seems that even if our security was strong, there has been a traitor in the current palace staff who is leaking information. We are aware of the culprit and have locked him in solitary confinement before we receive your signal to carry forwards and put him through a 'thorough questioning'." The general mutters, breaking the terrible news to his grandmother.

"Murder them if you need to get the information you need. Do whatever you need to do. However, if the Black Snake group manage to lay a single finger on my grandson I will have you fired and banished to Greyunbui." The emperor's grandmother orders with venom in her tone.

"Your Royal Majesty, I am very sorry for your loss. We all miss them as well. We understand your pain." The general says before standing up and leaving his gloves at grandmother's feet as a sign of his eternal respect and loyalty to the royal family.

"That was quite a scene there. However, don't be looking so deep in thought under that mask again or you might get wrinkles." Eli states playfully, hoping to heighten the emperor's mood, knowing very well what that encounter had reminded him of.

"What else is on the schedule for today?" The emperor asks, brushing off his first assistant's comment, finding it fairly annoying how they knew each other so well that they didn't have to look at one another's faces to tell what the other was feeling.

"I've opened a specific amount of time for you to practice your Shinfuxi techniques and battle abilities before you must meet the general, head of the ministry of foreign affairs and the lieutenant for dinner. After dinner you have a stack of papers to sign for issues relating to Yunoaiu. A nearby elementary school have decided to send you letters as their language assignment, so if you find anything of the sort it would be wise to respond as it will have a positive social impact on the locals-" Eli begins.

"Why would I need to give a positive impact on children? If the locals begin to think I'm a positive and kind emperor they'll use it to their advantage." The emperor mumbles annoyed, however held a reminder to check for the children's letters in the back of his mind.

"Being kind does not always make you weak, great one." Eli responds, a cheeky smile resting on his lips as he walks alongside the emperor.

The emperor reaches the garden door with he same golden symbol of a bird on it before raising his hand. "This is as far as you will follow me. Come for me when it is time to get ready for the dinner with the three middle-aged bastards." The emperor says before sliding the door open himself and swiftly taking his leave.

Eli sighs, "Only you, emperor. Only you." Before walking away nonchalantly to take care of other matters while he had the time on his hands to do so.

During these events, you still were walking around the garden, finding it much larger than you had expected. There were many interesting statues that filled your head with knowledge of the past emperors and you remembered how you saw many useful herbs here and there.

However, you soon came upon a small building that had a hip roof that curved downwards then back up once again in a beautiful colour of shimmery gold. The walls of the building were wooden, built up with wooden joints that did their job better than you had expected, instantly noting how the building was also fairly old by the dusty windows that most likely were opaque by this century.

The building was surrounded with a large and open field of grass that seemed to be growing fairly taller than other grass you had seen around the palace, suggesting that the gardeners were perhaps neglecting this part of the garden.

You jumped slightly when a tall and pale young man stepped out of the building. He wore a white blindfold around his eyes, a white and sky blue casual-style yukata with traditional white pants underneath that were loosely fitted and rolled up to his calves. He had a sky blue belt that held a long and thin sword that was about half a meter in length. It was thin yet still was a few inches tall and incredibly sharp. This was the traditional weapon to the country, known as Yui. Shinfuxi is the battle style easily compatible with it, so when you use the two together in practice they mix together to become Shinyui.

The young man doesn't seem to notice you, especially since he was wearing a blind fold to help heighten his other senses and the fact that you were indeed peeking around the corner from behind a floral bush that was neatly cut on all sides.

He begins to do a series of warrior poses, moving so quickly that you couldn't even see him change between each position. His long, black hair was tied back fairly messily with a white ribbon to keep it back out of fear that he may cut it most likely.

His movements were sharp and fierce with meaning. Each swipe with his sword was swift and thirsty with the urge to kill. This impression made you believe that perhaps he was a high-level knight in the king's army, otherwise he wouldn't be able to have made it inside.

"I know you're there." He states bluntly before continuing with his moves. You jump slightly, rustling around the bush's leaves before swallowing nervously.

"M-Me?" You ask, a flustered and embarrassed look on your face from this sudden encounter.

"Who else?" He says before standing up straight and facing in your direction. You hurry over to him, wanting to apologise. However, you still took caution, knowing fully well that he could kill you with a single swipe of his sword.

"Alright, I confess. I may have been watching you. However, who couldn't? Shinyui techniques are so difficult to master yet you seem to do them with ease." You explain, pursing his lips. His height compared to yours was quite frightening, as you were only up to his chest.

"They're not difficult once you learn the base positions." He responds, before letting out a small sigh. "If you're the royal tailor, why are you watching me? I might need to report you to the emperor if you keep acting so suspicious." He teases, a small smile on his lips.

"Please, all that happened is that I let my curiosity come over me slightly. I just have some extra time on my hands and being cooped up in work all alone for too long isn't healthy for anybody." You explain yourself once again, cheeks tinted with an annoyed shade of red.

"Alright then, strawberry. However, you should leave me be. Don't let your curiosity make you meddle in matters that don't concern you, or you may get hurt." He responds once again, reporting your explanation before making his way back to the building. However, after he went just several steps away you lunge forwards to grab his arm and pull him to face you as if by instinct.

"Ah, I know I'm a handsome man but please control yourself." He teases you once again, however his face was still as emotionless as ever.

"I-It's not like that-!" You spit out, face turning as red as a strawberry, hence the nickname he had given you.

"Even if you are a beautiful strawberry, I prefer to take things slow. I'm not exactly looking for a 'service' woman either." He continues to mess with you, finding it amusing how flustered you were becoming.

"Be quiet, it's not funny. It was by instinct, my body moved on it's own! It's likely because I need somebody to come with me sometime to get some new fabrics. I'm not allowed to leave palace grounds on my own because the emperor has promised to keep all palace staff safe under his protection and contract." You state, a hopeful look upon him.

"I don't have all the time in the world. The only way you can get me to accompany you is with payment. I can assist you tonight, but you must be quick." He accepts your offer with a slight condition.

"How much are we talking about?" You interrogate, hoping the price wouldn't be too high as your grip on his clothes softened and eventually fell from him and back to your side.

"1,000 golden coins." The young man responds, a cheeky grin on his lips.

"That's so much-!!" You retort with disgust, despite knowing you could easily pay that with the sort of money you've been earning at the palace.

"For the emperor's best knight I think it's fairly cheap." He states back , his usual emotionless expression back on his face.

"You're the-" "Yes, I am. I'll take that answer as a yes. If you choose to do it for free with a regular palace guard, he'll not even carry the fabrics you buy and you'll most likely have to wait at least two months before a spot opens." He cuts you off, as if reading your mind and instantly knowing what your response was going to be.

"Alright then, fine. We'll go tonight." You accept his offer, wanting to meet the deadline for your outfit and make sure that every single detail was there and perfect.

"You'll know when I pick you up." He replies, confirming the set time of day. He then begins to walk back to the building, his flawless figure drifting away.