The Emperor walked towards Celestine, immediately bringing out his handkerchief, applying it as a first-aid towards the woman's bleeding neck.
Celestine accepted his kind actions, only slightly hissing as the cloth made contact with her wound.
"Fighting a government official is an unforgivable crime." He said, looking at her intently.
Upon hearing this, Celestine slapped his hand away, the bloody cloth falling into the bed.
She scoffed. She knew that he would never side with a lowly girl such as her, and yet, for a split second, his kindness has gotten into her. She was immediately reminded by the man himself of her standing, her hopes immediately being crushed.
"To fight those scoundrels, Ronald and Roux, was my idea, and I am not regretting it for one bit!" She shouted at him, her rudeness making the Emperor's servants gasp.
"Alright." The Emperor said, calmly, which surprised his servants who were watching the scene, they have thought for sure that the woman who has rudely answered His Majesty will be ending up dead and yet...
"Are you satisfied now?" The Emperor asked her, looking at her eyes.
Rolling her eyes and scoffing, Celestine answered, "Of course not. Not until I'm sure that the both of them have been convicted to pay the price for their wrongdoings, I will never be satisfied." She said, looking straight at his eyes but then later looked down, clenching her fists, "But then again, it's not like you'll be siding with me." She mumbled. "I should have killed him. I had my chance." She whispered, looking at her hands as she formed them into fists.
However, the Emperor, in all of her surprise, chuckled. Looking up, once again, her eyes met with his. "Don't worry, I'll be siding with you." He said with a smile flowing through his lips.
His sudden announcement made Celestine gasp. Her face making an expression of disbelief.
"However, do you really think that what you did earlier was the right thing to do?" The Emperor asked her, making knots to form on her forehead.
"Of course. That scumbag deserves to die. In fact, for all the things that he has done, I believe that death is not enough." She answered through her gritted teeth, once again remembering his sins towards her and Meira.
The Emperor nodded in understanding, "But hasn't it crossed your mind, that you will be committing the same thing, if not, more than as he did if you succeeded in your attempt to kill him?" He asked her, his tone gentle and sincere.
That question made Celestine stop.
She looked at him, realizing that he was right.
Swallowing, once again, she looked down at her hands.
Earlier, she was holding her sword against someone's throat, threatening and attempting to kill him because of his sins, not even realizing that she would be making the same mistake as the one that she hates.
She breathed heavily, tears forming in her eyes.
She knew that she was out of options, resulting in her rash decision. However, she should have at least tried a little harder to find a way to solve the problem correctly.
Meira even tried to stop her, and yet, she locked her up in her room.
That's right! Meira!
Suddenly, it was as if she was thrown into iced water. Her whole body felt cold. She involuntarily shivered, disgusted with herself.
"I-I'm sorry..." She apologized, stuttering. Celestine clutched her chest, feeling it tighten, conflicted.
She knew that what she did was wrong, yet, her heart seemed to disagree. Because despite her feeling apologetic, she cannot help but feel happy.
Ronald deserved it, and so does Roux.
She breathed heavily, trying to come to terms with her own feelings, her clashing thoughts made her frustrated.
The Emperor, with a gentle hand, raised her chin, making her look at him, "It's alright, don't cry." He said, lightly damping his fingers towards her tear-stained cheeks.
His calming words, however, only made Celestine cry even more.
Once again, she has failed to implement freedom's real meaning. She had tried to assess the meaning of her beliefs by doing something that is morally incorrect.
She hasn't learned anything at all.
Seeing that the girl is not calming down, the Emperor ordered his servants quietly, "Immediately fetch a physician to properly tend for her wounds." He ordered as he picked up the bloody handkerchief in the bed, carefully placing it against the wounded neck of the lady.
After a few minutes of crying, Celestine has come to a sudden realization.
She has been crying in front of the Emperor, and apart from that, has talked rudely against him earlier.
Images of her death flashed through her mind, making her shiver involuntarily.
Far from her earlier fierce demeanor, she sheepishly looked up towards the Emperor who has been tending towards her.
"I deeply apologize, Your Majesty. your lowly subject deserves to die." She said, before looking down again. Her hand at her chest as a sign of respect.
Seeing the immediate change in her attitude, the Emperor laughed aloud, shocking Celestine who only peeked up through her eyes as she was still looking down.
"Don't worry, I understand." He replied, smiling at her.
"Apologies, Your Majesty." She once again said, apologizing. Her face, showing pure confusion, for she cannot understand why the Emperor has been kind to her... Too kind, in fact.
She was grateful that the Emperor has been kind towards her, however, she did not want to act more familiar with him for now that she is already in her calm state, she has realized all the things that she has done and doesn't want any more things to add up to the guilt that she is currently feeling, thus resulting in her awfully formal tone despite the curiosity and confusion.
Smiling towards her confused face, the Emperor shook his head, "For now, may I ask your name?" He asked.
Nodding her head, she answered, "My name is Celestine Schleifer, Your Majesty." She said with a small smile.
Seeing the nodding head of the Emperor, Celestine tried her best to keep her mouth shut.
"Well then, Celestine. As you know, 'I' am the Emperor of the Aurelia Empire." He began, emphasizing his position.
His words made her nod as she swallowed anxiously.
Smiling, he gazed deep into Celestine's eyes.
"You can call me Desidevious."
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