The atmosphere immediately turned heavy. No one dared to talk, each of them wanting to know the reason behind the sudden awful news.
"As you all know, I was summoned towards the Governor's Office earlier, and I am sure that all of you may have worried about my circumstance. I am pleased to tell you all that as you can see, I am fine, however, I am bringing such awful news." She said, smiling wryly. Seeing the dark faces of her children, she wanted to give each of them a hug to lighten up their moods, however, she knew that now was not the time, as she also has her duties as the headmistress of the tower, right now, these people are not her children, but her employees.
She waved the scroll that she was holding on to her arms, showing it to everyone in the room. "This is the Governor's decree." She announced.
All of them released a heavy sigh. A decree means that everything has already been made official. It really is unfortunate.
"I was able to lessen the punishment that was supposed to be brought upon us, that is the reason why I was late to arrive, as I tried to come to an agreement towards the Governor and his son. However, the result has come with a price..." Tanith said trailing off as she looked at Celestine.
Closing her eyes, Celestine knew that everything was already bound to happen, however, she did not expect it to be so soon. Remembering Roux's threat, she cannot help but simply curse on that bastard. Curse him for being so powerful, being able to instantly coax his father to issue a decree, and even going as far as closing down their establishment.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed throughout the room. It was Nesryn, her eyes flaming as she looked towards Celestine with pure anger.
"This... This is all your fault!" She shouted, her veins, seemingly popping out of her forehead as she was also clenching her fist, seemingly ready to throw it at her sister.
The other sisters were quick to calm her down, their mother also joining in. "Nesryn, calm down, it's not Celestine's fault." Tanith said, however, that sentence only made Nesryn more resentful towards her sister.
"What, you're still protecting your favorite daughter? Can't you see what's happening right now?! It's because of that delusional bitch that all of us are going to suffer!" Nesryn continued, her words being much more venomous.
"I said, shut up! Calm down!" Tanith screamed. Seeing their mother who was always smiling, carefully tending to their needs, even the raging Nesryn felt quite scared, thus resulting in her not uttering a word.
As all of them calmed down, Tanith continued her speech. "As I have said earlier, the punishment was supposed to be heavier, but I have come to terms with the Governor regarding the matter, of course, it was with a price." She, once again, explained.
The people in the room started murmuring, they did not know whether they should be glad or not towards the news as they know for sure that what is happening right now is not right.
"We were supposed to turn in the land that the house is currently standing in towards the Governor's family, aside from that, we were to be banished from Maylea, not being allowed to bring anything with us." Tanith revealed, earning various reactions from the people.
All of them were in shock and rage. All of their hard work, seemingly turning into stone. As the commotion started rising, Tanith continued her speech to further inform them about what is currently happening.
"However, because of the preposition that they have given me, I figured that accepting so would be the best, thus, I just want to apologize, I'm sorry Celestine." Tanith said, bowing immediately after saying her apologies.
Celestine stood up, and went near her mother, helping her to stand straight once again. "Why, Mama? Why are you saying sorry?" She asked, lightly sweating due to the intensity of their current situation.
"I-I sold you to the Governor's son to save ourselves." Her mother said, looking down.
All of them gasped at the sudden revelation.
Celestine, who was holding on to her mother, slowly slid down her hands to her side, keeping them to herself.
She cannot believe what she has heard, thus asking her mother once again. "Wha-What did you say, Mama?" She stuttered, giving her mother a look of disbelief, she was hoping that what she has heard earlier was false, however, her world seemed to crumble when her mother shook her head and once again said, "I sold you to the Governor's son."
Celestine stood rigidly, shocked at the sudden revelation. After a while, tears had finally started to fall from her eyes. She cannot believe it. Her mother, who gave her knowledge about freedom, was actually the first one to take it from her. She shook her head, "No..." But her mother did not retract her words.
"B-But why?" She asked, looking straight at her mother. She wanted to ask so many things, yet, her mouth could only utter such.
She was then answered by a mocking Nesryn, "It was your fault after all, you have no right to question our mother's decision." She said, smirking.
Finally, Celestine's patience ran off, she answered Nesryn's mocking.
"Shut up! Just shut up! Enough of your jealousy! I'm tired of you, always throwing your bitterness at me! Why won't you just shut your mouth, huh?" Celestine shouted back, practically exploding because of her emotions.
Shocked, Nesryn was unable to talk back against her. She did not expect the quiet Celestine to talk back to her, after so many years of her sending her hate comments, this was the only time that she ever talked back.
Looking at her mother, Celestine tried her best to calm down, but to no avail, she continued to lash out. She was upset.
"Fine then! I'll accept it. It's not like I have any choice! Well of course I don't, as it has already been stripped away from me!" Celestine screamed, smirking, her eyes sharp as she looked at her mother.
Feeling the anger of her child, Tanith cannot help but regret the decision that she has made, however, she knew that it was already too late.
Silently, she gave the scroll that she has been holding to her daughter.
All of the other sisters and staff could only watch the scene that was unfolding towards them.
"Get out! All of you, leave me alone!" Celestine screamed throwing the scroll that was handed to her, she glared at all the people in the room, causing them to flinch.
All of them was shocked by Celestine's behavior, however, they understood her feeling. As someone who deeply values freedom and happiness, this news indeed only brought nothing but crumble Celestine's world.
They all looked at their sister pitifully, wanting to help but knowing that at the moment, nothing could ever soothe their sister's heart, they all followed Tanith's order for all of them to leave the room, giving Celestine the time that she needs.
Knowing that her daughter needed time, Tanith gazed at her daughter's back, giving her a loving yet apologetic look as she closed the door behind her.
As she noticed that she is finally alone, Celestine screamed and cried out her heart from the pain and despair.
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