Seeing the tears building up in her friend's eyes, Meira quickly went towards the eunuch.
"May I be the one to hold on to the edict? Young Mistress is currently in shock right now." She said truthfully, hoping for the eunuch to understand.
The man looked at the pitiful young lady who was still looking far away, as he noticed the building up tears in her eyes, he nodded.
Indeed, it was such a shocking piece of news. Everyone in the Governor's residence knew of her circumstance. This was because some of the servants have witnessed the way a woman, her mother, has begged in the feet of the Governor to spare her daughter, but to no avail.
Their Master was indeed like a demon, dressed and covered in fancy clothing. Whenever he wants something, he will do anything in his power to have it. The reason is honestly quite simple. It was because he can. No matter how unfair his prepositions are, people can only accept.
The news spread like wildfire across the servants of the residence, the reason why they are no longer shocked to greet the young lady that arrived the day after.
Oh, how they wished for a day to come to see their Master crawl in the feet of someone higher than him. But somehow, it seems like that imagery is far bound to happen. For the cruel Governor will bow to no one. They could only hope for the Mandate of Heaven to grace them his presence, fulfilling their wishes, for it seemed like the wretched man would only bow his head to one that is close to being a God.
The eunuch handed out the scroll to Meira. Bowing before saying his goodbye, "I shall take my leave." He said, formally. Giving one last look to Celestine, and nodding his head to Meira, he finally turned his back to leave.
Closing the door behind the eunuch, Meira immediately returned to her friend, placing the scroll right by the ground. She helped the unresponsive Celestine to sit down, both of them sitting down on the carpeted ground.
Just like what Celestine did to her, she tried to calm her down. Though her friend's tear has not yet fallen, she knows that her heart has already shattered. It was such an unfortunate news for the young Celestine. To immediately be tied down to a man that she hates, it was all too cruel.
"It's gonna be alright, Celestine." Meira said, her voice small for she did not know the right words to say.
Suddenly, Celestine laughed. It was a menacing laugh, full of deep hatred.
Shocked, Meira was unable to move from her position. Her hands stayed at the back of her friend which slid down as Celestine moved, picking up the scroll at the ground before reading it aloud.
"Celestine Schleifer will be marrying Roux Maynard two weeks after the first snow has fallen in this winter." She read, her voice sarcastic.
It was such a short edict, yet it meant the world to her, quite literally, for it was her life on the line.
She thought of all the things that she has been used to doing. Compared to her life now, even though she was showered with the gifts given by Roux and is living in luxury, being provided with delicious food and beautiful clothing, she hated it. She hated everything in her life now, except her friend, Meira, who has been keeping her sane.
If she was left alone with this situation, for sure, she'll soon be driven to madness.
She'd rather die than be married and be a part of this distinguished-disgusting family.
With that thought, Celestine flashed a smile. What she thought of was indeed a bright idea.
Instead of living her life in misery, why not try to live it to its fullest by doing everything that she can right now? No one will be stopping her... Well, except one.
She looked at Meira with pleading eyes, she only wished for her friend to accept her decision. For it was not just for herself, but for her dearest friend as well.
Meira's eyes were suddenly filled with tears.
"No, Celestine... Please, don't do this." She said, tears falling from her eyes.
Meira understood what Celestine was trying to say, yet, she cannot bring herself to say yes.
She doesn't want to let her friend waste her life, but then, she understood that for Celestine, it was better to end things the way that she wanted to, rather than to spend her so-called life the way others have planned for her.
"Celestine... Please." She tried to beg once more, but her friend only smiled at her while shaking her head as she wiped her tears. "It's alright, Meira... Besides, it's not like I'm gonna die." Celestine tried to say it jokingly but that only made her tear up more.
Of course, she will! She will be committing treason! All the more reason for a grave punishment if she did survive her attempt.
"Then what are you going to do? Huh?" Meira said, trying to wipe out her tears, sniffing.
Celestine smiled, "Well, I'm just gonna be scaring that old man. Nothing more, nothing less." She said, shrugging with a smile.
Thinking about it, it seems like she's actually taking in everything well for today. Maybe because of the boredom that she has felt earlier, her childish side has been itching to do something fun yet dangerous.
She smirked. Indeed, what she wanted to do was fun. After all, aside from the ease and joy that she will acquire, her actions will be serving as punishment for the shameful actions that the wretched old man has done before. Though not enough, she will be doing everything that she can.
Once again, Celestine gave Meira a pleading look. She wanted to at least have her best friend agree, but Meira only shook her head. She was not going to let Celestine do such a brazen decision. An evident look of worry and concern was plastered on her face.
Still, Celestine's decision was already made. No one will be able to stop her.
Celestine gave her friend a bright smile, before standing up. With the scroll in her left hand, she grabbed her sword, holding it to her right.
She inhaled deeply, taking in the cold air that was flowing through her window. She felt calm. Finally, she felt free. Now that she has thrown all of her inhibitions away, she was relieved. It was the best feeling, after all, to have nothing tying you down, nothing to prevent you from being yourself.
Giving one last look towards her friend, Meira, she smiled, finally being able to be herself. She fixed her attire, quite annoyed that she's still wearing her nightwear but then shook it off. She was happy.
Celestine dashed towards her door closing it at her back, locking her friend inside her room.
"I'm sorry, Meira but I won't let you stop me." She said, whispering through the door, her answer towards the screaming voice of her friend, begging her not to go.
Turning her body, she was welcomed by the wonderful sight of the gardens. Though she hated the Masters of the residence, she cannot deny the beauty that was excluded by their land. Looking up, she noticed the sun shining brightly, it's rays spreading throughout the city, touching the trunks of the trees, which leaves have been falling, the small ones being taken away by the blowing wind.
She thought about where the damned old man may be. Considering that their workload has significantly decreased, he must be relaxing somewhere inside his luxurious residence. What perfect place could that possibly be?
Celestine smirked, knowing the right answer to her question.
Her long black hair flowed through the air as she made her way towards the Governor's chambers. She was a sight to behold. A woman in red, wearing satin nightwear, barefoot as she walked towards the Head Master's residence with a scroll and a sword in both hands, smiling.
Celestine was feeling her best. Though her stomach lightly rumbled for she has not yet eaten, she did not care. She knew that she was being extremely irrational. Surely, her actions will have a grave consequence but somehow, she did not mind. Just the mere thought of her successfully doing her objectives was enough.
With a smirk flowing through her lips, her eyes lit up as she saw the main palace of the Governor's residence.
Indeed. She was a sight to behold.
"Let the fun begin." She whispered with a wicked smile on her lips before finally walking towards the palace.
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