The Agreement with Lux

Selestia returned to the manor owned by the Imperial gates, her shoulders were heavy after lending the whole day to stack the building blocks for her victory. She have not yet started her duty as the Empress but her duty for Celeste continues. Countless reasons for the nation to meet its sublime would be the bearing fruit of her toiling since day one, she could not risk to miss a day without any progress.

The silence was a soothing cold bath shower in the night, it rung similarly to the pouring water from the faucet to a tub. She sighed bearing both heaviness and relief for whichever reason it is for.

During which was transpiring, a certain instance recurred vividly in her mind catching the glimpse of which seemed to be earlier that day's ownership.

"I want what's inside the Imperial palace." She heard Lux said.

"Which would you wish?"

"A manacle the Emperor wore. I wish for it to be retrieved."

Selestia was confused earlier on that day. "What could you want? There are many riches the Palace possess and you only wish for a manacle?"

"Do not question me, young lady. You haven't gotten that far yet into Thuhelda." Lux snatched the brooch from Elsbeth's hands. "Here, this shall not return not unless my hands are on that manacle."

Selestia scoffed. "You could have it, I fear no consequences for it."

Lux narrowed his eyes. "Young lady, do you not understand the drift? The significance of this brooch is the same amount of importance the Emperor lay at your feet for your life."

"Well, that's funny. I do not remember my life be at the same stake as a mere brooch."

"You'd be surprised to discover. Haste, I encourage you to get me as I want. Moreover, conglomerates will greet your hand, you have to need this. After all, this brooch is the only reason why they will be meeting you." Lux snickered.

Selestia sighed heavily, what a burden it was.

Selestia stumbled upon a bright light amidst her thinking. It was awfully bizarre for someone to bear a name as Lux had. "The men of Kalchet bear the iniquity of such name."

She uttered to herself. "Though Kalchet had already fallen down. But the people..."

She arose from the tub. Drenched body from the water, she peeked her eyes on the window within the bathroom. "Some slaves thereupon are from the land of Kalchet. And if I remember correctly, the slaves' stations are based on which kingdom they used to come under."

Her hands caressed the base of her chin subtly. "Could it be that the leader of that faction a Kalchet?"

Selestia dwindled the thought away, it was nothing but a trivial matter. Moreover, she should worry more about how she would get the manacle Lux wanted. In two weeks time, indeed it is a short period, how could it be when she wished not to talk to him? He was rather invasive, is he not?

Selestia sighed, not long after, a knock banged on the door. "Apologies, your Excellency but there's urgency that awaits you outside. I suggest you take your bath another time."

Selestia scratched her head. "What could have been outside? Is it a guest? Grandel perhaps?" She whispered to herself.

She wrapped her naked body under a robe and went her way out the bathroom. She looked at the handmaid with those heavy eyes of hers. "Prepare my garments. I will return to them once I confirm who interrupts me late this eve."

The handmaid looked speechless, terrified, she could only stay silent. Footsteps unheard, Selestia's weight lightly crashed on the ground.

"Who could you be at this hour?" She voiced, surprised as she found herself, Venemiah sat himself on the squab in the living room of the manor.

"Evening." His deep voice paved its way to her ears.

"What could you be doing this late at night, Emperor? Shouldn't you be at your Palace?" she questioned.

"Do you expect me to travel a distance worth half the day just so I could sleep?" His response was dry, unlike how he was usually with her since the marriage.

"You should be, no matter how exhausted you will get, you should be where your home is."

"Did that explain why you're here?"

Selestia's brows furrowed. "I have no home inside this conglomerate, I daresay."

"Feeling's mutual." He raised his brows for a moment.

She sighed and rubbed her forehead with her thumb. "Anyhow, do as you please, but I beg you to not disturb my peace," she said walking away.

Venemiah peeked at him. "Do you usually go out your way to meet a guest usually dressed with a bathrobe with nakedness underneath?"

His voice was stringent as it spoke. Selestia turned to him, infuriated. "In addition, I beg you to not meddle with my business, sire. As again, do remember, you do not own an inch of me."

Venemiah smirked. "Then, shall we play a game, then? For you to be fairly mine."

"Huh?" Her brows raised, irritation tingled through her nerves. "I wish to not waste my time on senseless and vexatious child's play."

"I heard you do not back out, Selestia. So why do you seem to do the opposite? Is there something you fear I'd take?"

She sighed heavily, maybe if she took gentle breaths in, she would reduce her anger upon his rebuke.

"You are a coward under your tough shell." Venemiah continued to provoke.

"I would not be enticed to risk something I knew I'd be played on," she responded, hiding under her wealthy composure.

He giggled. "How could you fear a game this simple and risk your life on a war that could amputate and severe numerous limbs and bones of yours? You puzzle me."

She looked at him. "What would I get from this, exactly?"

His eyebrows raised in bedazzlement. "Well..." he voiced about. "I will give you anything even if it costs me."

Selestia began to think that moment. Would he give her the prized manacle if she wins? Would playing along with him give an answer to such?

She stared at him. "No matter how important it is to you?"

He gently nodded. "Anything."