Yes, her father had been a weak king. There was no doubt about it and even as his daughter, she was able to admit it. Had her mother been alive, perhaps she would have been able to talk some sense into his head. Without a wife and a queen to rule Vaandom, he had lost his grip on Sajedene a long time ago. Now she was sitting on the bed of the Emperor himself, her kingdom gone. Did she still hope to change his mind about the war? She was beginning to doubt her capabilities. As a personal servant, she felt like she shouldn't give any advice to Daishoga unless he specifically asked for it.<br/><br/>She watched him walk over to the bed and look at her from head to toe. This was a chance to take a good look at him as well and she wasn't disappointed. It was new for her to be like this with someone she wasn't passionately in love with and she was beginning to think that perhaps she was degrading herself for doing something like this. Of course, Daishoga was good-looking and he was treating her kindly, but she had met him yesterday and despite all the strange emotions he created in her, she wasn't sure of her actual feelings for him. Nonetheless, she allowed him to sit in front of her and as he did, he answered to her earlier compliment. Sajedene blinked with curiosity at his words. "Even if I were a princess in disguise, would you ever think that I would gain anything from pointing out an undeniable fact, your Highness?" She asked him, knowing that playing with the truth could get her into trouble. "There are enough people like that and I refuse to be the same. I, too, have had my chance to witness the arrogance of the nobility. But there's nothing for me to gain. I've already lost for all I know."<br/><br/>Even if the war did end, where would she go? It was a question she tried not to think. Her kingdom was in pieces.<br/><br/>"Of course we are not perfect, your Highness." Sajedene admitted. "But that is precisely what makes us likeable to each other." She let him take her hand and listened as he carried on with his words. They were words she certainly hadn't expected to hear, not from him or anyone else. Well, especially not from Daishoga. She allowed the words to flow from his mouth and listened attentively, until finally they were left with silence and she began digesting his words. "What you did yesterday, your Highness, was hardly an illustration of what you are. Having had the opportunity to speak with you heart to heart, I say this with confidence. I do not see you as a monster, nor do I consider you soft, your Highness." She tilted her head. "You are a person, like me. There is much more to you and that is what I am interested in, with all honesty. I am also not asking for your heart or your affection. In fact, I ask nothing of you. I expect nothing of you. I simply am not in the position to do so and even if I was, I've learned to live without expecting so much. Therefore... I want to apologize if I have made you feel uncomfortable, your Highness. As your personal servant, you must understand that my aim is the complete opposite. If you find happiness, so will I."<br/><br/>She never imagined that she would be speaking out her honest feelings while in his service. In any case, it had happened, the words had been spilled from her lips and there was nothing that could be done to take them back. Sajedene was a bit confused as to why Daishoga would be nervous around her, but she figured that maybe he was just going through some stress. She didn't think he would care for her, more than as a servant, but sometimes she doubted that idea. Sometimes she felt like she genuinely cared for him, or more precisely for his happiness. If he could be comfortable and satisfied even for a little while, then she could be happy for him.<br/><br/>Sajedene felt his hand on her arm, travelling to her shoulder and she looked at him curiously. If only she could read his thoughts. And then, before she could speak, he leaned in just like he had yesterday, but stopped barely an inch before her lips. She didn't move, she was completely aware of what he was about to do and she looked into his eyes in an almost reassuring manner. Their lips met in a gentle kiss and this time she accepted it without struggling. She even returned his kiss, before the nature of it changed completely. He kissed with much more passion, and the fire that Sajedene craved and lived for, that made her let go of everything as it lit up inside her. This was dangerous... and crazy. What would he think of her when he would see the fire within her? Would he push her away? She pulled him closer to her and deepened their kiss, her fingers finding their way to his hair to grasp him tightly. She wanted him and needed him, truly and badly, but a small voice of reason callled out to her from inside her head.<br/><br/>Somehow she managed to pull herself away from him, the fire clear in her eyes and her breathing heavy from her aroused state. "No." She managed to utter and shook her head. "No, please forgive me, your Highness. This isn't right. I am not... right. A proper servant would not act with such passion and for that I am sorry." Sajedene swallowed and looked over to him, unsure of what she meant by those words but they were closest to her feelings right now. She was afraid of his reaction, of how he would perceive the woman she became when desire took over her.