The Emperor

Holy shit! I about spit my tea. The emperor wants a concubine from MY brothel!

I didn't think it was even that popular!!! I fix myself and nod. Now to think about this carefully.

I've been running this brothel only 5 years. I've been posing as the mute keeper for 6 and as a man for only 7. But if I am to see the emperor then... Holy hell.

Its fine. It's simple. I still don't speak. Just keep it up...if he doesn't know I'm lying he has no reason to have my neck.

I excitedly start writing the sign up sheet for my girls. I fully expect them to all come clamoring for the chance but in case some decide they don't want this they can opt out.

What I didn't think to prepare for was the journey. 3 day trip with my 5 girls. Then when I arrived the greeting party ready for us to freshen up.

"Sir, your towel"

I nod taking it and heading to the bath. The commonal men's bath. If course.

That's fine. I take to only washing my hair, I have no worries on it since my hair doesn't define my gender no matter the length. Besides that I take a washcloth to have a whores bath. I am set for whatever they throw at me. 7 years undiscovered.

I smile seeing my girls looking nice and excited.

"Oh sir! Look at these gowns! Aren't they gorgeous!" I smile and nod approvingly

"Im a bit nervous" another girl chewed her lip.

I gave her a light reassuring pat on the hand before we were lead to another room. The throne room.

Luxury, I know my girls will be well treated. I smile and bow the minute the doors open. When I looked back up though I had to tighten my jaw to keep it from going slack. I haven't seen the emperor in person before now. Yet he looks almost ethereal.

He wore red silks with golden edges. His hair was just as gold and his eyes were like amber.

His beauty ended with his bored expression, "More concubines? What makes these ladies so special?" He hummed

An advisor quickly stepped in, "Well sir Tamaki these are-"

He groaned frusterated, "Just Keigo. How many times do I have to say it"

"Keigo sire, these ladies come from a highly recommended brothel from a few towns away-"

"Brothel? You know I'm not much for brothels, always run by scumbags" he scratched his neck seeming in thought looking down the line.

Our eyes met, he didn't break contact until I was forced to look away. He's scarier than I thought.

"You, name"

"That's our master sir, he's mute" one of my girls spoke for me

"Mute? How odd" I could hear shuffling

I kept my view on the floor until my chin was forcibly grabbed and i was staring right back into the emperors eyes.

"How do you communicate then"

The girls made sounds of surprise and distress until one spoke up, "He assured we all learn to read and write so we can read his notices"

"I see. Sir, you do know it is Taboo for a woman to know such things?" He glared into my eyes

I nod slowly. Yup. Imma get executed aren't I? Tell my girls I love them and I wish them the best I guess.

The emperor suddenly burst into laughter letting me go, "How creative. To think. A piece of shit Brothel owner let his women read and write"

I was bewildered but about panicked when one of my girls came forward fuming, "Mr. (L/N) is not a piece of shit, he is the best brothel owner for miles! He gives us opportunity and treats us like human beings!"

I wave my hands trying to motion her to calm down. If this gets out of hand we could all be killed! Yumi is strong willed but she could really get us killed!

The emperor laughed louder slapping a hand on my back, "Well my fine sir, I stand corrected. Come, we must speak"

I was suddenly being guided away baffled by my situation that has gone far off the rails.

"Since you can't speak I guess I can form all my dialogue into yes and no questions. First and foremost on my mind, if you came here and I was a tyrannical cruel ruler would you have let one of those girls be taken by me?"

What the hell kind of question is that?? That's not yes or no! If that were the case I wouldn't have the choice of saying no. I sigh heavily but nod.

He stared curiously until he nodded back, "because you value your life?"

I nod

"But do you value hers?"

I nod again. This seemed to make him think again. He rubbed his chin before snapping his fingers making me jump, "I see, it's because you'd risk further complications?"

I nod a final time.

"I shall decide a concubine tomorrow. For today I want your company"

Fuck. Me. By that he meant I followed him around all FUCKING day!!! When he did his paperwork, food, walking the grounds, even time spent in the gardens. I could hardly keep up.

Plus the look he held sometimes...it wasn't right. He had the smallest smirk. I wanted so fucking bad to ask him what the fuck he wants.

I'm sure he's testing me. Seeing if I can remain mute. He had another thing coming though. I have lasted this long and I'm not breaking that now. If I do ill lose my fucking head.

I try to catch my fucking breath in the gardens.

"Can't you keep up? It's not much farther" he commented

His hill goes on for fucking ever! Why is it so steep too! I wheeze when we get to the top but about stop breathing as I look up.

Too much skin! I shield my eyes.

"Don't be prude" Keigo scoffed dropping his top, "How else will we enjoy the hotspring?"

I peek an eye open to gawk at the springs. Holy shit...oh shit.

"Hurry up now, join me"

I shake my head. As much as I would absolutely love to come into those inviting waters that's not in the cards for me.

He seemed to have no issues shrugging and going into the waters anyway completely soaking his pants in the process, "So warm, you could at least dip your feet in"

That wouldn't hurt. I roll up my pants and do so. The warmth is heavenly. I feel like I melt. This was well worth the fucking walk.

I don't realize I had shut my eyes until I was ripped from my seated place with a yelp into the waters. I came back up from the water now completely soaked to glare at the bashful emperor.

"Nice of you to join me" he smiled resting back as if he didn't just rip me into the water

I sigh but decide on enjoying the warmth despite knowing I will need to walk with wet clothes all the way back down that God forsaken hill.

"Say I was to choose from a different girl from your business, would that be fine?" He asked

He's been asking about the girls all day, yes and nos. I shake my head no.

"Are those who came all I can choose from?"

I nod. He hummed nodding back, "I see, then I guess I'll make my decision in the morning"

I nodded relaxing. The trip back was cold and I hurried to my assigned room. Fortunately there I was finally alone to change into dry clothes and go to bed.

The next morning I found myself helping my girls line up. They were absolutely bubbling in excitement. I couldn't help but smile.

When the emperor came in he took his time. The first girl he inspected her face, spent some time before moving on. He turned the second in place making a humming sound. As the third he inspected her hands. The fourth I got nervous. I had hoped to see more excitement in his face yet it remained neutral. The final girl inspected he nodded looking down the line.

"I believe I have made my decision"

I perk up with a smile. Finally, whoever he picks will have a good life here. She'll have the life any girl would dream of, being in luxury such as this-

"You" he pointed at me

I flinched, wait what? I shake my head

"Yes actually. I want you for my concubine"

The girls looked amongst eachother just as confused as I am. I motion to them but the emperor raised his hand, "Are we going to have a problem?"

"Sire he's a...well...a he, youll damage the fierce wing name a-" the advisor stepped in

"She" Keigo corrected, "And I don't care much for their gender nor my reputation. If I remember correctly you only stated I needed a concubine, not their gender nor identity" he hummed

I feel...oddly flattered by that, "H...how?" I mumble

"Your play your part well but unfortunately you seemed to forget your manorisms. On first glance I thought you simply effeminate but your facial structure and stance betrayed you. Throughout the day I pieced it together, at the ponds your yelp sealed my theory"

Fuck...fuck fuck fuck...fick fuckity fuck nugget! I try to take a breath but suddenly get spots in my vision. My world falls dark in that moment.

I wake up slowly. I'm warm. Everything feels soft. As I wake I notice one of the girls sat next to me. I start to sit up but feel more confused when I hear soft chimes as I move.

My panic floods my veins when I see I'm in women's clothes. Jewelry taps jewelry as I move.

The girls notice me awakening and stir.

"Si-maam. Why... didn't you tell us?"

"It was safer" I mumble removing the loud accessories.

"The emperor wants to see you"

I sigh heavily looking around until I see a thick wrap to pull around myself, "Im guessing you dressed me?"

"On the emperors order"

I nod, "I'll make sure you girls get back. No matter what"

I start out and am lead to the man himself by one of the guards, "I see you're awake" he hummed sitting at a table pouring an obseen amount of sugar into his tea.

"Not blind yet appearently" I retort

"Not mute appearently" fuck, he had me there.

"I am not fit to be a concubine"

"Lying to the emperor is treason. I could have your head on 2 accounts of it" he shot back

Shit, "Those fine ladies know more about being a woman tha-"

"Femininity means nothing to me. For me it's the company" he sighed, "Come, sit"

I tentatively sit across from him. He looks...too calm for my liking.

"No woman I've had brought to me has gone out of her way for others. None have risked their very lives for the sake of others with 0 recognition. That is the company I want to keep. Teaching women to read and write? Taboo. I read all about your business last night. Many of your girls go on to do better things. Most brothels take girls money for the rooms they use, for clothing, for every minut detail. You take bare minimum from them so they may save"

"I know. I'm the one who does it" I scoff

"I want someone like that by my side. Help me change things"

"Change how?"

"For the better"