Chapter Text
Ah duo was sat across from the empress — Anshi. Her mother Suiren stood respectfully, but too close to be considered formal. Ah duo was unsure why she had asked for the two women, though it was because her mind had had a terrible thought. Yet, she knew in her mind the empress would agree. Somehow.
Ah duo cleared her throat, and took a breath. Her body still weak from giving birth about three weeks previous, Anshi appeared in better in better state. Not shocking, she didn’t lose her womb.
Ah duo finally spoke as she drifted from thought, “Your Majesty, I asked for you here for an offer of a proposition.” Her eyes slightly drifted to her mother, though she couldn’t speak her name, not in this setting.
Anshi’s act slipped for a second, yet she placed that plain look onto her face again. The face that had seen too many dark nights. She replied, “what is it, Ah duo?” It may sound rude if you didn’t know the empress, but that’s her being abrupt and blunt. Not mean.
“We both gave birth, what three weeks ago now?” Ah duo sipped her drink, deliberately. Her mind wanting to keep her baby safe, she didn’t know the baby yet. But, she would grow to love it.
Suiren didn’t like where this conversation was going, yet she couldn’t move. Not now, not here.
Anshi just simply hummed in agreement, yet her face darkened for a second. Not at Ah duo, maybe the baby? No, Ah duo knew it was aimed at the ‘father’. The pathetic man, himself.
Anshi picked up her cup of tea from the table, almost trying to clear her darkening mind.
Ah duo continued, feigning ignorance to the darkening face of the highest woman of the country in front of her, “do you love your baby, Your Highness?” Her eyes trying to meet Anshis eyes, but Anshis were running from Ah duos.
Anshi bleekly said, “I am not sure I am capable of loving someone, especially one I birthed unwillingly.” Anshi allowed her eyes to glance at Ah duos, just for a split second.
Ah duo knew she didn’t love Yoh, but she did care. Anshi was a lot like Ah duo in that regard. Would she be able to love her baby though, even if it didn’t come from the emperor. Ah duo was sure, at the very least, she would protect her baby. And, that was enough for the silently pleading woman.
Ah duo decided to go a-bit more blunt with her question this time, “do you love my baby?” She knew the answer, it roared in her mind echoing in every dark part. Yes.
Anshis head shot up, she was shocked by the question. But, she didn’t show any signs of not loving him. She hadn’t even met him yet, yet she somehow had more love in her eyes when it came for her grandchild instead of her son. Ah duo knew this woman too well, maybe because she to is too alike.
Anshi nodded, with a warmth look in her eye. It was the first time in the conversation Ah duo and Suiren both saw that look from the woman. A motherly look, she’d never looked at Yoh in that sense. Ah duo knew she was making the best choice she could, it may not be a good one. But they are two trapped women, one can’t beg. Maybe plead.
The consort decided to ask the question, “Your Majesty, would you be willing to do something that is possibly considered treason?” She took another sip of her tea, as if that would soften the blow. Not to Anshi, but to Suiren.
Suiren looked shocked, for the first time in this entire conversation. Yet, she stayed still like a servant should.
Ah duo did wish she’d hear the moaning from her mother after this conversation, but ever since she became higher in society than her own mother, her mother had changed. No longer her mother, just a passing servant with history.
“what would that be, Ah duo?” Though he face was still so painfully blank, Ah duo could tell her face was filling with conflict and maybe curiosity.
Ah duo took a breath of hope and guilt, “Your baby becomes mine, mine shall become yours. A simple trade of duty, and reasons.” Neither would speak of their reasons, but they could meet in the middle. Two women, holding onto a slither of hope.
Anshi sat still for a minute soaking in the statement, almost shocked that it was a statement. As if the consort knew Anshis answer, before she even thought of the question.
But, just as Ah duo intended, she almost whispered, “I’d be more than happy to.” Her head looked down to the floor, almost searching for a hole in the ground.
No one would mutter a word of this day again, as much as it pains Ah duo.