Celine watched as Prince Laith struggled to speak amongst the superficial woman flanking his side. She saw that he had noticed her and became disgusted by his awful timing. His face had brightened when they locked eyes for a split second.
She grunted inwardly, for she hated giving him any sort of satisfaction or attention.
I look like the other woman right now! Celine lamented.
Thankfully, Hala had tugged her arm in an attempt to pull her away from the scene. When she met Hala's anxious eyes, Celine's mood worsened. Hala was usually never nervous, unless the matter was related to the emperor or Sir Viliga. Considering how it was late in the evening, Celine deducted that the emperor had sent for her again.
Back then, Celine was exceedingly anxious, especially since she was facing an emperor. After she became a victim to the his assault, the emperor became a constant reminder of the harsh reality she lived in. She would remember that she was living in a world without advanced technology; a world where women weren't respected and democracy didn't exist. Upon realizing how she would never return to her comfortable, previous life, Celine felt an overwhelming feeling of anguish. She was crushed by the grim reality she faced and constantly lived in fear.
However, Draco had returned to her side, offering Celine warmth and protection. She felt secured with the reassuring fact that her familiar would continue to defend her. Her attitude had become more optimistic, and she didn't feel the need to overthink trivial matters as much.
Her nervousness was replaced with the feeling of excitement. Celine's breathing was slightly abnormal, and her hands seemed to sweat profusely. A strange sense of haziness clouded her vision, yet her surroundings was clearer than ever.
"Hala." Celine sounded breathless, walking as if she was in a daze.
Hala was alarmed. She expected her master to melt down, yet she couldn't find a trace of panic in Celine.
"Tonight might be the start of a new reign." Celine chuckled historically.
"My lady! You can not say that!" Hala gasped, startled by the traitorous words.
They had already reached the emperor's private quarters, where Hala was forbidden from entering. Emperor Michaelis had deliberately driven out every servant, stationing guards outside of his chambers to ensure nobody interrupted him again.
The guards urged for Celine to proceed, blocking Hala from following in. Celine faced her servant once more.
"Don't call for the Second Prince." She issued a warning and nonchalantly walked in.
As soon as her master was engulfed into the darkness of the room, Hala ran for the Second Prince's residence. She ran as if her life depended on it, for she recalled Celine's expression after she had defeated her father. It had been similar to the expression she wore moments before entering the emperor's chamber. Her multicolored eyes gleamed fiercely, and luminous figure appeared lethal. Almost as if she had become inhumane.
Hala was afraid that Celine would truly commit a terrible deed and become evil.
Zayden was reading a text on the windowsill when she barged into Prince Zayden's small room and skipped the formal greetings. He immediately snapped the book shut as he frowned upon Hala's intrusion. He wanted to comment on Hala's impoliteness towards a royal family member, yet she interrupted him again.
"The emperor has called for Celine again! She entered his chambers just now!" Hala burst into tears.
She hiccuped and shivered in fear as she saw Zayden's reaction. The tense air suffocated her, and she lowered her head with widened eyes. "P-please help.. l-lady Celine.."
Prince Zayden wore a murderous expression that was more frightening than her master's. She seemed to be conscious of her mistake and knelt to the floor. Even though she had watched the Second Prince since he was a child, she was scared of him for the first time.
Hala gulped.
****
The emperor wore loose garments that barely covered his wide figure. He was already drunk, face as flushed as an apple. He sat on a luxurious couch, holding a bottle of liquor while his guest forward.
Celine bowed. "I greet your highness, Emperor Michaelis I of the Great Zionitte Empire."
"I have been waiting for you." He motioned her to step closer and slapped the seat next to him. "Why don't you sit next to the emperor."
For Emperor Michaelis, he didn't feel the need to rush, especially since his perception of time had decreased due to his drunken state. His movements were slower as his grin widened at Celine's appearance.
He waited until Celine finally seated herself next to him.
She still seemed to shine inside the dimly lit chambers, glimmering like a mythical creature.
"Why did your majesty call for me?" She asked softly. The emperor was too captivated by her dark lips to notice the dangerous glint in her eyes.
"I hear that my son has refused to bed you. You are a special woman. That coward doesn't know how to use a good woman when he sees one." He spoke slowly, dragging out each word as if it was difficult to pronounce.
"..."
"I was surprised when Laith requested a concubine. He had returned to the empire just for you. Was the reunion so awful that he needed another woman?" He laughed at his own words and nearly fell back.
"The Crown Prince?" Celine tilted her head. "He never came to visit me. I believe you are mistaken, your majesty."
"You dare say that I'm mistaken?" He attempted to raise his voice, and his words came out as slurs.
"Forgive me, your grace. I have made a grave mistake. I do recall meeting him now." She lied.
Celine was momentarily distracted by the sudden news. She recalled how Prince Zayden had believed he saw the Crown Prince when they visited the night bazaar. Had he truly seen the Crown Prince that night? Did he misunderstand their relationship and believe she was unfaithful?
That explains why the Crown Prince treated me coldly. He believed I was a cheater and his conservative self couldn't handle the jab to his pride. He truly misunderstood all by himself.
Celine restrained from rolling her eyes. She still couldn't understand the Crown Prince. Why did he care? Didn't he love Zavia?
"Come closer so that I can admire my son's woman." She glanced at the emperor's wicked smile, as if this title of hers entertained him greatly.
Celine closed the distance and leaned closer. Her lack of hesitance surprised the emperor since she usually avoided him.
"Have you become a loose woman? I knew I should have taken you as my concubine instead." He commented.
"General Vil-"
"I'm sure you already know that you have no blood relations to my closest companion?" He reached out and stroked her chin, allowing her to sit next to his side. "Surely, he wouldn't dare reject my proposal."
He roughly pulled her onto his lap and paused as if he needed to recover his strength. The alcohol had thoroughly scattered his mind.
"Your majesty is the emperor of the Zionittes; the sovereign ruler of our empire..." She murmured.
Her hands momentarily trembled, and she managed to hide her excitement by stroking his crisp hair. The smell of alcohol filled her nose, yet Celine grinned seductively and ignored the stench.
Emperor Michaelis widened his sinister smile, pleased by her gentle tone. His eyes drifted towards her chest, wanting to knead the beautiful breasts hidden underneath the satin gown.
"The pillar of our country; a symbol representing the people and promising everlasting protection..." Celine continued, and Emperor Michaelis didn't seem to mind.
He was focused on undressing her. His aggressive motions tore the soft fabric immediately.
"But would anyone really miss you?" She questioned.
Celine's words were drowned by the ripping sounds of her torn dress. The emperor wasn't able to hear her last sentence.
She was nearly naked, wearing nothing but her undergarment. The cold air brushed against her bare skin, and she shivered. This gesture seemed to entice the drunk man.
Before he could even touch her, Celine stepped away from his reach. "Your majesty, you must see my familiar. May I show him to you?"
"That fish?" The emperor frowned, wondering why she would mention her familiar. He was frustrated by the distance between them, yet he couldn't steady himself. His movements were especially slow due to his intoxicated body.
"Yes." The emperor was lost in her alluring appearance, failing to notice Celine's shadow contorting into a terrifying shape. He wanted to admire the woman's shape before ravishing her.
Meanwhile, Celine waited for him to reach out, itching to wipe the smile off his face.
Unfortunately, as soon as her shadow finally revealed itself, the Crown Prince burst through the heavily guarded doors.
"Father!" He yelled angrily, then froze in his tracks.