CHAPTER XIII

It was a full moon on the night of winter.

The bright round ball of light heavily illuminated, outshining the twinkling stars on the jet black sky. The cold winter air, touching the rose-colored cheeks of the people who are walking in the buzzing streets of Maylea.

Under the brilliant light, the people who are busy, both as merchants and customers who are already donned in their winter clothes, babbled their mouths, both trying to add or lessen the prices of the products that they were willing to sell and buy.

Celestine smiled brightly as she observed the annoyed faces of her sisters who were busy tending to their customers.

"I told you, we cannot lessen the price anymore. We've already given you such a big discount!" Sandra shouted with a frown on her face. She was already feeling quite irritated for she has been explaining the current circumstance to the customer, over and over again.

"Sister, please, calm down." Matilda said as she rubs Sandra's back in order to calm her down. She can understand her sister's feelings. This customer was indeed quite stingy, asking for a lesser price despite being already given a discount due to her bulk order. Yet, she knew that they have to be patient.

"I've ordered so many things, yet, your store's discount is very low. These items cannot even justify the amount that I am going to pay!" The customer retorted, pointing towards the fabrics that she was going to buy.

Sandra's eyes widened, flaming with anger, "Then leave! Don't you dare insult our store any further, you witch! You're just stingy as hell!" She shouted, her face red as she pointed at the other stores, "Just go and buy somewhere else, bitch!"

"Oh, I will. I'll leave! I don't have time to fight against you, witch!" The woman shouted before storming out of the stall.

"Ugh, I hate her!" Sandra shouted as she ruffled her hair, growling.

"It's okay, Sandra. It's normal to have customers like that. We just have to be patient and besides, we do have a lot more to learn, since we're new to the field." Odette said, calming Sandra down.

"Big sister is right, Sandra. Just try to be more patient, okay? We need to earn the trust of customers, and unlike before, they are girls like us too. That should give us a little benefit, right?" Matilda said, backing up Odette.

"Alright, I understand." Sandra said before rolling her eyes again, "It's just that, that girl earlier is so stingy! She wants half the price of the fabric that she's buying! I already gave her, what, like almost a quarter of discount, yet she doesn't want to accept! It even seems like she was expecting the thing to be free! Such a stingy witch!" She continued to complain, still feeling irritated.

All of the other sisters in the stall just laughed at what she said.

"True. I mean, I do understand that we have to be patient towards our customers but even I wanted to scream at her too." Odette said, chuckling.

"If not for me thinking about our image, I would have already punched her in the face." Sandra said, seemingly holding a grudge.

The other sisters continued to share their opinions from the customer earlier, all of them laughing at their imaginations about beating the girl up.

Looking at her sisters' laughing faces, Celestine couldn't be more at peace.

It has already been a month ever since the incident between her and Ronald.

A month after Ronald and Roux, and all of the other officials who were stripped from their positions have been punished by the Emperor.

A month after the reformation of the government in the city of Maylea.

In the span of a month, all has been well for her life. She was freed from her undesired engagement to Roux, Meira's justice has been served, and most importantly, she was now together with her family.

She can still vividly remember Ronald's face, as he walked alongside his son, Roux, and the Vice Governor in their parade of shame. Aside from them being stripped from their position as officials, their clothes were stripped from their bodies as well. They walked all around Maylea, naked as the day that they were born, with all of their sins written all over their body, as well as big boards of wood that they carried with them.

Her speculation was right. When the people saw the punishment that was given by the Emperor, one by one, their victims from various crimes have surfaced, gaining courage from the Emperor's decision. Thus, those who have wronged so many people are currently in jail and is to serve their sentences until who knows when.

Because of the sudden changes within the government of the city, the almost time of vacation that she has observed from the residence of the father and son duo is now long gone. Jean has started his move in regards to the reformation of the city's internal affairs, thus, with all of the new officials being elected, one could only imagine the chaos that is currently happening inside the Government's office.

Her eyes met with Meira's who smiled at her as they both listened to her sisters laughing about their last customer. As she looked at her friend, who seemed to finally let her strings loose, little by little, she cannot help but feel happy.

All of her wishes were finally fulfilled.

Though she missed the House of Amora accommodating male customers and providing entertainment, their current profession as merchants does not bother her for one bit, and neither does her sisters.

Their mother, Tanith, after seeing the decree of the Emperor; revoking her engagement with Roux, and once again giving them back the house, decided that they should finally change their way of living. Now, here they are, from courtesans to merchants.

It was indeed hard at first. All of them were used to providing entertainment and flaunting their beauty to attract men yet, the change doesn't seem bad at all. Because now, they don't have to worry about hurting themselves nor other women. They were finally free.

She cannot help but feel grateful towards the Emperor. If not for him noticing the discrepancy in the city of Maylea, she never would have been saved from her doomed fate. It was thanks to him that she was able to be free and be together with her friend and family.

"Celestine, Meira, both of you can go home and rest now. We'll be taking over. Both of you have been here since the afternoon." Odette said, noticing Celestine and Meira who was only quietly looking at them.

Nodding her head, Celestine replied with a smile, "Thank you, big sister." Looking at her other sisters, she waved her hand, "I'll be going now, all of you, take care, goodnight." She said.

Meira bowed her head towards all of the other sisters, "Thank you, sisters. Please take care." She said, smiling as she waved her hand, "Goodnight."

Both Celestine and Meira looked at each other, nodding their heads as they both stood up, preparing to leave.

"We love you, Celestine, Meira!" Her sisters shouted in unison.

The two ladies looked at each other, shocked, yet, both of their hearts seemed to swell with joy. Smiling sincerely, they both replied, "I love all of you too.", lightly chuckling as they looked at each other once again, they said the exact words at the same time!

"Thank you, sisters." Meira said, expressing her gratitude.

All of them waved their goodnight towards their youngest, and the new addition to their family, wishing both of them to sleep well and dream of good things.

Both of them slowly walked away from their stall.

"Meira, you can go home first, I just have somewhere to go." Celestine said as she faced her friend.

"Where? Aren't you tired?" Meira questioned, her face, full of concern.

"Well... I am?" Celestine answered as she lightly cringed, unsure of her own feeling, "Don't worry about me. I'll be back, as soon as possible." She said, ensuring Meira, who only answered with a sigh.

"Fine. I know that I can't change your mind anyway. Just take care, okay? And don't be too late." Meira answered, her voice quite strict.

Celestine lightly chuckled as she heard her friend's answer. Meira deeply resembled her mother in terms of their way of talking, though Meira is still quite discrete, which was only a given since she was not used to talking about her own feelings, yet, little by little, she has started to seen improvements in regards to Meira's attitude.

"Alright, Mama." She said as she hugged her friend, waving her goodbye as they both walked through different directions.

Now that she was alone, Celestine found herself to be walking through the market. Even she did not know where to go. Luckily, Meira listened to her without many queries.

Somehow, even though she was tired, it seemed like she still had something to do... something to find.

Indeed, she was happy. She was elated to finally be able to bring her life back to its place... but still, something feels lacking.

Though she really does not know what it is, for even she cannot explain what she feels.

Thus, with the unknown feeling in her heart and mind, she walked through the buzzing streets.

As she looked around, seeing the happy smiling faces of the people and laughter she cannot help but form a knot on her forehead.

She's already free and happy. Yet, why was she feeling like something is missing?

Shaking her head, she decided to leave the market and go through the quiet forest near the East Lake.

Sitting down under one of the trees that has evidently lost its leaves, she closed her eyes, feeling the soft hustle of the wind through her cheeks. It was quite cold. She listened through the quiet, rhythmic sound created by the crickets which made her yawn.

Shaking her head to keep her from falling asleep, she looked up to the sky.

How she admired the stars that were shining so brightly among the dark sky, but for her, the moon was the one who was the most brilliant of them all.

It reminded her of the Emperor.

"You can call me Desidevious."

She lightly blushed as she remembered her encounter with the Emperor.

In all honesty, she was shocked. Why would the Emperor let her call him by his forbidden name? Though his actions made her feel glad and honored, she knew her place.

"I have no right." She thought sadly, looking at the brightly lit moon.

She knew that she had no right and she accepts it, but still, her heart cannot help but skip a beat as she remembered the handsome face of the Emperor, and aside from that, he was kind. He was such a capable man, it was as if all of the good qualities have been gifted to him by the heavens.

"Desidevious..." She said, the name flowing through her lips naturally.

She smiled. His name was quite long to say, yet, it did not bother her at all. In fact, she would gladly call for his name, all-day-long— "What am I even thinking?!" She thought, slapping herself in the cheeks.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

"Huh?!" She reacted, feeling her hand smack onto something as she instantly looked towards her right side, it was where the voice came from.

She looked closely at the person. It was a man, donned in a white as snow robe. His unearthly, splendid beauty, seemingly able to put the proud full moon in the sky in shame. His black, long, and silky hair, flowing behind his back like a waterfall, adding to his stunning charm.

Squinting her eyes, she observed the man's demeanor. He was so handsome yet so beautiful at the same time. Yet, it seemed like he was in pain, for he was holding his right cheek with one hand. Both of them looking at each other in the eyes,

"Your Majesty?!" She screamed, shocked, as realization finally hit her, hard.

Her mouth was gaping in awe. She did not know what to do.

"Y-Your Majesty?!" She once again screamed, earning a light chuckle from the man.

"Wh-What is the Emperor even doing in here?!" She thought to herself, failing to realize that instead of keeping it to herself, she actually voiced out her thought.

Thadump! Thadump! Thadump! Thadump!

She could feel her heart, thumping out of her chest. Sweat slowly started to form on her forehead as her mouth and throat ran dry. Seeing the Emperor's current figure, it downed into her, she slapped him—and in his face, nonetheless!

"I-I'm so sorry!" She shouted, before once again realizing that she has made another mistake.

She lightly slapped herself in her cheeks before quickly getting on her knees as she bowed down, her head low into the ground.

"Your Majesty, your humble subject deserves to die." She said, trying to calm her voice down.

She cringed at the thought of her hurting the Emperor. Aside from the fact that she has been rude towards him on their first meeting, now, she has slapped him. Is this how she was going to repay him for his kindness?

"If I were the Emperor, I wouldn't even mind to let my head roll away from my body." She said, displeased with her own actions.

However, contrary to what she would want to do, the real Emperor in front of her kneeled, giving her a hand to lift herself from her bow.

He heard what she said, and in all honesty, he was amused.

"Shh. You don't have to act like this, Celestine." He said, smiling.

But she shook her head, "But Your Majesty..." She said, trying to reason out but only trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"As of now, I am not the Emperor. I'm just a normal civilian, just like you." He said, his hand touching her by her cheek.

She could feel her face heat up under his touch. Forcing herself to look back into his eyes, she swallowed. "B-But... Your Majesty... I-I can't do that..." She said, stuttering.

Celestine bit her lip. She did not know what to do. The Emperor was right in front of her, she slapped him, and now, he's holding her cheeks?!

"Are you going to slap me?" She asked, "Of course not." She answered.

Even with her right mind, she cannot process what is currently happening.

The Emperor was looking at Celestine, his eyes were bright. He was delighted by the entertainment that the woman in front of him was providing.

"Am I dreaming?" She suddenly asked, the question pointed towards herself, shocking the Emperor.

The handsome man looked at her, his eyes quite wide in amusement.

"I think you're drunk." The Emperor answered, but Celestine only shook her head.

"I think, I am dreaming." She said, answering her own question.

The Emperor lightly chuckled as he further observed the woman in his arms.

"Of course, I am dreaming. Like honestly? The Emperor is right in front of me, and he's holding me in his arms! With his hands! His hands! What right do I even have?! Goodness!" She ranted, her mind clouded, as she believed that she was already asleep and is only dreaming.

As she finished talking, she pursed her lips, remaining quiet, only looking at the eyes of the Emperor.

"How wonderful..." She uttered, chuckling.

The Emperor's eyes were as dark as the sky, yet, it seemed like it shined like the proud round moon. It was glistening under the light that was illuminated from the stars.

Celestine smiled, her hand lightly touching the cheeks of the Emperor. "Thank you, Your Majesty." She said as she smiled sincerely, voicing out her deep gratitude towards the Emperor before finally falling asleep in his arms.

The Emperor's face was one that contained both amusement and shock.

He was amused, seeing that the girl was so nervous that she did not know what to do, therefore, panicking, and shocked, because she believed that all of the events were a dream. But then, he understood. He has been observing Celestine for the whole day and indeed, she has been working hard, too hard for his own liking.

She was probably tired of all of the work that she has been doing for the past month, and it was only a given since she was not used to using her strength to earn money.

If all of his collected information was right, she was only eighteen, and before that, has only been training as a courtesan. On her first night, Roux attempted to have intercourse by forcing her and was ultimately able to coax his father into creating a decree. A decree which forced her to leave her family and live inside the residence of the damned Governor. Since Roux failed to make her fall in love with him at will, he once again asked his father to make a decree, one that can bind both of them together in marriage.

However, remembering how quick Roux was to throw Celestine away as he tried to protect his and his father's image, he cannot help but think, it must have only been an infatuation.

A knot formed on his forehead.

He was quite disgusted at how Roux acted but then again, it's not like he was one to judge. He was the same. Yet, unlike him, he knew how to play his cards right.

Carefully, he carried the sleeping Celestine in his arms, holding her tenderly as he sat down under the tree, positioning their bodies to a light embrace.

He smiled as he attentively observed the peaceful sleeping face of the woman in his arms.

"Dream of me, my sweet rose."