kiyo

Yuna became stiff while her eyes intently stared at the woman who seemed to be washing the curtains.

Isn't she a concubine? Isn't she supposed to be dead? Yuna thought as she continued to suspiciously eye the former concubine. It also dawned to Yuna that the former concubine has indeed dowgraded as a servant. Yuna figured that she was the concubine who ran away when Usagi's death was announced.

What was her name-

"Sora! Careful with that one!" The head maid suddenly exclaimed as she reprimanded Sora— the former concubine—from harshly squeezing the gigantic yet delicate curtain.

"Oh." Yuna exclaimed in realization as she heard Sora's name.

Another gasp escaped from Yuna's lips as she finally noticed the lifeless expression on Sora, it's like she was forced to rise from the dead— as per Yuna. On what used to be a flawless face, Sora's face was suddenly adorned with dark and heavy bags evident from the lack of rest and chapped lips that used to be glossed and hydrated.

Yuna couldn't wait to bring the news to Akira but as the day went on, she couldn't find the time since she was loaded with chores. During the emergency meeting for the palace personnel, a lot of staff were culled which resulted to a lack of manpower. According to Uraume, the culling was necessary as it was believed that traitors infiltrated the palace. Some were totally removed from the palace and some were demoted to more exhausting jobs. Yuna was sure that the culled staff were not only removed from the palace but from the face of earth.

Dinner among concubines went on as usual except for the fact that Akira has finally engaged in conversations. Ever since Akira's newfound resolve, the aura during dinner changed as well, somehow dinner became lighthearted; it might be due to the fact that the king has not joined them for dinner for more than a month now.

Yuna grinned at the joyful sight of Akira, it seemed to her that her lady has finally gave the kingdom a shot. Yuna grinned more when she realized that Akira's happily munching on the lechon de leche, afterall, it was Yuna who requested for such meal for Akira. Despite being exhausted for the overload of her workload, Yuna still find it energizing when Akira's spirits are high.

What a relief, Yuna thought as she noticed Akira, Rhee, and Aiko fully immersed in their conversation. Yuna's reliev

ed expression was suddenly replaced in a shocked one as she saw the former concubine serving the table with desert. No one was yet to realize the situation but when one of the concubines attempted to thank Sora, the dinner table suddenly became silent.

"S-sora?" One of the concubines, Yuki, asked in disbelief. The conversatiom between Akira, Rhee, and Aiko also came to a halt as they've realized the sudden silence. Akira's throat suddenly felt dry at the sight before her, she was confused, she didn't know that she would be relieved to see the woman alive or rather worried because she knew that Sora used to be naive with an optimistic personality but with the Sora before them, it was anything but that.

"Surprise!" She lifelessly exclaimed.

"Hey, join us." Yuki suggested as she shifted on her seat, her whole body gesturing at the vacant seats.

"Lady Yuki—" Sora was immediately interrupted when the head maid suddenly entered the hall; the concubines remained quiet at the head maid's presence, it was obvious to everybody that next to Sukuna, they are highly terrified of the head maid.

"What insolence!" The head maid exclaimed at the interaction. Sora immediately bowed at the concubines and left without a word while the head maid's intimidating vision remained at the concubines.

"I see you enjoyed today's dinner. The King ensured that the best services should be provided for his wives." The head maid stated.

"Lady Rhee, you raised your piglet very well. The chef has only hoped that tonight's menu is of the concubines' favor." The head maid added before she bowed towards the concubines and left. Akira stared at the area her plate was supposedly placed instead of her dessert.

"What?" Akira gasped in disbelief as she felt bile rise to her throat. Everybody else went on their conversations and dessert except for the trio.

"What was that supposed to mean?" Akira said as she glanced at Rhee who was as confused as Akira. Aiko knew where this is going. The situation was pretty much clear for Aiko and indeed she could confirm that piggy, tasted good although more than half of her was in guilt and a little bit gloomy at the situation.

Akira harshly stood from the table and ran towards her quarters which made the rest of the concubines surprised. The jog towards her quarters took her a while but as soon as she arrives at her bathroom, she didn't hesitate to puke her stomach out.

"Lady Akira!" Yuna exclaimed in worry as she hurriedly assisted Akira's crouching form through holding her hair from her face.

"What was that?!" Akira hissed as tears run through her face. Her eyes clenched in sorrow and disgust as she eyed her vomit.

"Akira?" A worried voice spoke from the distance. Rhee hurriedly entered the bathroom with Aiko tailing behind.

"Rhee!" Akira exclaimed, tears still streaming down her face.

"I thought piggy was domesticated!!!" Akira hissed as she aggressively wiped her mouth with her sleeves.

"Well... I loved piggy I swear! But I..." Rhee mumbled in sorrow and guilt.

"She practically stole piggy from the food farm." Aiko stated, glaring at Rhee.

"What?!" Akira hissed, now glaring at the concubines.

"Hey! It was Rhee!" Aiko defensively said.

"I grew attached to piggy too! At first... I just thought I could cheer you up with piggy but I didn't think you would really enjoy her presence..." Rhee mumbled.

"Piggy was not your pet?!" Akira exclaimed in disbelief, she truly felt played at the moment.

"No..." but when Rhee noticed Akira's expression she knew she had to take it back.

"—because piggy is like family!" Rhee immediately added which made Aiko scoff bullshit.

Rhee always knew she was in trouble when Akira often finds her days spending with piggy. Rhee thought piggy was just there for temporary fix but to her misfortune...

"But how?! Why did you not— how could you allow her to end up like this?" Akira interrogated.

"I didn't know! I swear, I never thought that they would grill her this soon!" Rhee honestly said.

"Oh god..." Akira groaned with her hands covering her face.

"On the bright side... piggy won't have to live in constant anxiety... like she won't have to be on egde anymore just to anticipate when her time is up because you know..." Aiko mumbled, attempting to soothe and comfort Akira which only resulted a sharp glare from Akira instead.

"A-and, on the bright side, she really tasted good! I am sure piggy is honored that you get to be the person whom she was served!" Aiko added as another attempt on saving her face.

"Are you kidding me??" Rhee groaned in disbelief.

"I can't believe you Aiko. Atleast pretend you give a damn about the poor pig." Rhee added, still in disbelief.

Akira's frown deepened at Aiko's words which made Aiko gulped in nervousness.

"H-hey—"

"Aiko just shut up." Akira sternly said as she interrupted Aiko from saying anything further.

"Damn..." Aiko mumbled in defeat.

Akira couldn't sleep well that night, she found herself twisting and turning on her bed. Her lack of sleep was evident as her eyes were swollen during the ceremony on the following day. All the concubines found themselves glancing at Akira from time to time. They had heard the news on why she ran off during the night-before's dessert time and most of them refused to believe that it was about a pig... or as they would call it, pork. Some were even laughing, thinking that they were just messing around but seeing the concubine before them with swollen eyes, they slowly believed on the ridiculous news.

"No way..." Ivy mumble as she stood beside Yuki while doing her best to not make her staring seem obvious but unbeknownst to her, it was truly obvious and the rest of the concubines could only scoff at the behavior.

"What?" Akira deadpanned as she felt Ivy staring intently at the side of her face from her right.

"Are you okay?" Ivy hesitated to ask but did anyway. Akira only sighed at the question as her eyes remained at the vacant throne before them.

"C-condolence." Ivy mumbled which made Akira roll her eyes in an attempt to stop her tears from flowing. Ivy gulped in guilt and nervousness for having to be the person who reminded Akira about a certain pig's death. The concubines gasped in chorus, it was during that moment that the news was affirmative. Akira was indeed mourning for the loss of her pet. Akira rolled her eyes in annoyance as she heard the audible chorus of gasps among the concubines.

"Why are we here anyway?" Aiko boldly asked to stir away the attention from Akira and Akira was thankful for that.

"I don't know but my lady-in-waiting said that the King has something to announce." Rhee replied, this time diverting her vision from Akira to the vacant throne before them.

"Bow at the presence of the shining sun of the empire, his majesty, the emperor, Sukuna." Uraume suddenly announced and in unison, everybody bowed their heads.

"Emperor?" Akira muttered in confusion, her brows became furrowed while she remained in a curtsy like everybody else. When Akira pointed that out in a mumble, the concubines situated close to her realized the change of title.

"Rise." The king said.

As he began talking, it was clear that all eyes were on him because if otherwise it is treason. It is spoken with pride as he announced that he has successfully dominated every neigboring land and the kingdom will slowly transition in to an empire. Everybody was in awe as the charismatic now-emperor continued to speak. Some of the vassals of the king of curses will be hailed as dukes to various dominated territories.

It is clear that he is the emperor of the rising empire but nevertheless, his title as the King of Curses remains. It was never mentioned by him but everybody knew the difference between two titles.

From time to time, Akira could feel his eyes lingering over her a little longer than it should and everybody knew that as well. She was embarrassed and she thought that everybody felt the same with her but unbeknownst to her, everybody is worried and it is due to her swollen eyes, they were sure that the king— the emperor won't sit idly with the idea of her darling in discomfort. Everybody gulped from time to time as his vision would linger a little longer on Akira, as if he has noticed something.

"My lady!" Yuna exclaimed as all of the concubines and audience went on their separate ways. Akira rubbed her forehead in distress. Recently, she has been feeling that the days have been passing her by quickly than she could comprehend.

"I have a surprise!" Yuna exclaimed, hoping that her so called surprise could somehow lift Akira's spirits even a bit.

"I -I appreciate it..." Akira mumbled. It is obvious that she is still feeling disheartened with the recent incident.

"Darling." A voice interrupted making Akira and Yuna go stiff, most especially Yuna since this is the first time that the King of Curses has talked to her lady in public.

"Your majesty, the emperor." Yuna said as she bowed while Akira soonafter followed.

"Surprise..." Yuna mumbled nervously although she meant for the desert that she made, she also feel like the king of curses' presence would cheer her lady up. As they have risen up from bowing, the intent stare of the king to Akira made Yuna feel that her presence is no longer welcomed and with that she announced her departure and left; rubbing her temples as well as she hoped that her lady's mood would be uplifted by the king's presence.

"Sukuna-sama." She said, with a hint of gloom in her tone.

"What's going on?" He firmly said almost as if irritated.

"Nothing..." Akira mumbled, not in the mood to interact; and most certainly almost forgetting that it is indeed the king of curses before her.

"Answer when being asked." He demanded which made Akira sigh.

"I- piglet." Akira said, taking a deep breath once more.

"P-piglet is dead and I ate her." She mumbled in distress, the tightening in her chest reoccuring.

"The what?" The king asked as if he misheard with a a huge grin on his lips as he stops a chuckle from escaping.

"It's— it's nothing." She mumbled; feeling disheartened because she knew it would seem funny to people— or even to curses.

"I wouldn't dare to burden the emperor with such idle worries." Akira firmly added which made the king frown instead.

"Your eyes are swollen." He said as he reaches out to caress the bags beneath her eyes; while fighting the revolting feeling and the urge to crush her skull. It just so happens that whatever Akira's been feeling would make him oblige to empathize due to the unfortunate spell casted on him; he would feel atttaction and a strong sense to provide security towards Akira that whenever he plans to do the opposite, it would provide an immense pain on him.

"You ate... pork?" He carefully asked; in compliance with the spell and fortunately, whenever he complies to such affection, his chest would feel light as if he is rewarded.

"What?" Akira almost gasped in disbelief at the insensitivity of the king; but what is she really expecting? It's the king if curses after all, he is not supposed to give a fuck about some random human and a random pork at that. He sighed, genuinely not understanding on what he is supposed to do. If it weren't for the constant searing pain on his chest, he wouldn't be even doing this. He swears to himself once more that he would kill the culprit and probably Akira- rightafter he deals with the culprit.

Not knowing what to do, he proceeded on crashing his lips on hers. The keen observing servants who are eavesdropping bulged their eyes at the sudden affection. They were in awe to have witnessed a different side of the king... a soft and gentle side.

"I'll give you all of the piglets this world has to offer. Do you want it right now?" He whispered against her lips; his other hand now resting on her waist as his thumb rubbed her there in circles while his other hand remained on her cheek.

"I can and will, give you everything, just say it." He added.

"Thank you Sukuna-sama, you don't have to." Akira said with a faint smile on her lips. She couldn't deny that she found what he said hilarious and if it was announced in another situation she would have laughed boisterously.

"Your words of concern is more than enough." She assured. Somehow, such words ignited intrigue within the king, he has never met someone who has deliberately rejected his offer. He is hailed as the most powerful being and is currently known to be the richest man in the land. How could she not take advantage of such offer? Not even for diamonds and exquisite linen? Or hectares of land? Why wouldn't she ask for it?

Unbeknownst to the king, Akira has been fighting the strong urge to ask to be held that's why she decided to fiddle with her fingers instead until he held her fiddling hands and redirected her attention back to him. The king then pulled a single hand from her to intertwine with his which made him shut his eyes in distaste. It puzzles him how a stupid spell that seemed to almost defy the laws of jujutsu— be this idiotic and effective in irking him; most especially when he reminisced his earlier days and remembers zero to none in being this affectionate. This is indeed an insult to his highness.

"Join me for dinner, my darling." He spoke as he moves toward the hallway to where his chambers are located.

"It would be my honor, Sukuna-sama." She said as she laces her fingers firmly to his as well. Akira then decided to make the bold decision to kiss his knuckles and contrary to what the king is supposed to feel, his heart fluttered at the gesture; once again, another consequence of the spell.

Dinner felt awkward, atleast for Akira. The king couldn't help but feel irked when he notice Akira fidling with her food for a while. Lately, he has been on edge as it was only recently affirmative that he was indeed trapped in a spell that defies the laws of jujutsu. What aggravates him more is that despite the culling of servants, he still couldn't pinpoint the culprit which meant that the culprit has remained hidden in the castle walls. He was sure that this ploy couldn't be orchestrated by his dearest darling because it wouldn't make sense— for him how someone like Akira would go unnoticeable for a year and would suddenly be the star of the night— or does it?

He rubbed his temples simultaneously releasing a distressed sigh. Whoever made the spell must have been truly prepared for the consequences of his wrath. He was starting to suspect that one of his concubines must have been the audacious culprit; but nevertheless, no solid evidences would lead him to that conclusion unless he would indulge himself with hearsay and rampage at the concubines's quarters.

He hummed while deep in his thoughts as he realized that all of his concubines are quite replaceable— except for his darling of course. Should I just aim for the kill? he thought.