CHAPTER XII

As soon as the whispering spread throughout the room, the hushing sound of each of the officials followed through, now creating a deafening silence from the once buzzing in noise room.

The Emperor strode towards the Government's Office's hall. His chin was held high, his aura defining the difference between his power and status among the others. His handsome face was rigid and taut with his eyes flaming with anger, seemingly shooting daggers towards all of the other officials that his sight has laid upon.

At last, he arrived by his throne, which was grand and magnificent, perfectly suiting his wonderful visage. The air turned cold as he sat at his throne, his eyes looking down upon the officials who had bowed down to him as a sign of their respect.

"All hail, His Majesty, the Emperor!" All of them greeted in unison, their heads bowed down with their right hands on their chest.

Hearing the greetings, the Emperor clicked his tongue in irritation. "Rise." He said before waving his hand. The officials stood upright from their earlier position and looked at the Emperor, their eyes curious yet full of admiration.

It was the first time that they have seen the Emperor without his usual veil that was covering his face. Seeing his demeanor, they cannot help but look in awe. Even though all of them were men like him, they cannot help but be pulled in by his unearthly looks, for he was unlike any other man that they have seen before.

The silence was interrupted by one of the officials, it was the Vice Governor of Maylea, who cleared his throat. As soon as he did, all of the attention went towards him, even the Emperor's.

"Your Majesty, may we know the reason why you have decided to gather all of us for today?" He asked as he squinted his eyes, his tone quite assertive. He was feeling quite irritated since morning and even though he knew that he was in the presence of the highest figure in the country, he couldn't help but show his feeling by the tone of his voice.

The Emperor did not respond and only looked at him.

Because of that, he once again cleared his throat, lightly scoffing, "Your Majesty, as you may know, running a city requires our adequate attention. If you have decided to call and gather us without a clear motive, then... Aren't we just wasting our time?" He said, as he finally got to the point.

The other officials made several reactions. Some of them gasped due to the rude way of talking the Vice Governor has made while the other's nodded in agreement to his statement.

Slowly, the quiet chattering once again turned loud, as the other officials decided to join into the pouring complaints that the others did.

"Silence."

All of the people in the hall followed through as the Emperor's voice resonated throughout the room despite their noise. They looked at him in anticipation.

A shiver inadvertently flowed through their spine as the Emperor smirked, a cold scheming smile plastered on his lips.

"Indeed, running a city requires adequate attention." He began as he looked towards the Vice Governor. Mimicking his scoff, the Emperor continued, "And so does an entire empire." He said. As his eyes looked around all of the officials, he continued, "That is why 'I' am here." He announced, emphasizing his position as the Emperor.

Various reactions showed through the faces of the officials. As the Emperor stopped talking, the room was once again filled with different voices, all of them murmuring their confusion towards the Emperor's announcement.

"Your Majesty, what is the point in running around circles? Can't you get more direct to the point about your discussion?" The Vice Governor said, once again blabbering his mouth.

The Emperor looked at him in disbelief, however, that face soon turned into a smirk as his eyes sharpened. "Alright then." He said sarcastically, looking at the face of the Vice Governor.

With the same smile on his lips, the Emperor returned to look at the confused faces of the officials. "All of you will be relieved from your positions as of today." He announced, smiling brightly as he watched the confused faces of the people.

The crowd clamored upon his announcement. Loud confused voices resonated throughout the hall, some wondering why while the other immediately begged for the Emperor to revoke his decision.

"Your Majesty, what have we done to deserve this type of punishment?"

"Petition, Your Majesty! Please think about this carefully!"

However, the Emperor was cold, for he only laughed at the quivering voices of the people. He had a devious smile, with eyes that seemed to pierce through their souls.

"Your Majesty, you have no right to do this!" The Vice Governor retorted, voicing out the opinions of the other officials who expressed their agreement through nodding their heads and muttering of "Yes."

The Emperor laughed at the clear objection of his subjects. "But 'I' do have the rights. However, 'I' can understand your confusion about this matter, hence, 'I' will give you the reason so that all of you can understand the root of my decision." He said as he raised his hand, signaling his servants to give each of the officials a scroll in which they immediately opened as they received.

"According to the information that 'I' have gathered, all of you are involved in the corruption of funds in the City of Maylea." The Emperor began, as he smiled through the whitening as sheet faces of the officials. "Do all of you think that just because of the naturally thriving industry of the city, your acts will be kept like dust swept under the rugs?" He asked, amused by the shivering bodies in front of him.

Hearing that the Emperor has already known about their deeds, it felt like they were thrown into icy cold water, making them numb and quiver under his feet.

Immediately, trying to save their lives, all but one of them kneeled and bowed down, his actions followed by the others. "Your Majesty, we beg for your forgiveness!" They all shouted in unison, admitting their faults.

The Emperor wordlessly stared at the kneeling officials, before turning his head to the insolent man who did not even dare to beg for his forgiveness. His wrath was at the highest point of unspeakable. His temple twitched as veins started to be seen on his forehead. However, he still tried to collect himself and only masked his anger with a satisfied smile as he once again looked at the kneeling officials in front of him.

"Very well." He began. "All of you shall be exempted from the punishment that 'I' originally intend; death." He said as he smiled.

The officials, as if their heart has stopped beating looked at the Emperor, their faces pale, however, as the information that they will be spared sank through their minds, they released a relieved sigh, sweat falling from their foreheads.

Despite the Emperor's grace, the tension in the room did not falter and can still be felt.

"I know nothing about this nonsense." The Vice Governor insisted, his eyes looking straight into the Emperor's.

Clicking his tongue, the Emperor shook his head, "'I' will be lenient towards all of you, thus, like 'I' have said earlier, all of you will be spared from your death." He said as he looked among the kneeling men in the room. "However, the fact that all of you were involved in such treachery in my empire is unforgivable." He continued, "That is why, all of you will not be entirely free in regards to your punishment." He said, signaling his guards who arrived by the flick of his hand.

"All of you will be punished accordingly." He said as he emphasized each of his words, smirking, his words heavy with deep meaning in which the kneeling men immediately understood. All of them quivered as tears started to fall from their eyes.

"Your Majesty is merciful. Your humble subjects beg for your forgiveness!" They screamed in unison, bowing their head deeply as they did not dare to face the seemingly demonic image of the Emperor who was smiling as he sat by his throne.

The Emperor, however, seems to have a heart of stone, as he did not even flinch as he heard the men beg.

"And as for you, Vice Governor," The Emperor began as he looked at the man whose clenched fist was white and veins could already be seen, "or should 'I' say- commoner?" He said mockingly, he stopped before once again laughing, "What about slave?" He asked, smiling gleefully.

"Your Majesty!" The Vice Governor shouted, his eyes flaming with anger. It was too much for him.

The Emperor looked at the man, hatred filled in his eyes, "'I' want this insolent man to be punished for his actions." He said, clearly asserting his power, "Cut out his tongue to make sure that he will not be able to use that mouth to blabber such idiocy, and make sure that he sees nothing for all eternity." He ordered, his voice deep and icy.

All of the kneeling men shivered as they heard the order of the Emperor. They prayed deeply, hoping for the mercy of the Heavens.

"No! You cannot do this to me!" The Vice Governor shouted as he attempted to run towards the Emperor but was immediately stopped by his guards.

"I have done so much for the city. I have spent my life for all of this, and this is how you repay me?! You fool! All of you are fools!" He screamed as he continued to thrash, his arms flapping around as he madly looked at the Emperor's eyes.

"So you need recognition? I'll give you recognition." The Emperor said, standing up. "Make this man parade all around the city, with all of his 'good' deeds signed upon a big board that he will carry as he roams." He said, his words full of authority, not making any room for compromise.

"As for Ronald and his son, their punishments are currently being implemented." He said briefly as he looked through the direction of his brother, nimbly gazing through the woman that was standing near him.

Waving his hand, a troop of soldiers suddenly emerged from the entrance of the Governor's office. One by one, they took the kneeling officers by force as they were continuously begging for the Emperor's forgiveness.

Celestine could only watch the scene as it unfolds upon her eyes. Her ears were ringing due to the chaos that was created by the quivering screams of the people that were being dragged out of the room by force.

Because of her great resolution for making the men who made her life miserable pay, hearing the Emperor's words made her heart finally feel at ease. However, the fact that his cold and harsh words sent shivers down her spine did not change.

She cannot imagine being in the place of those men but she did know what he did was right.

It wasn't just her who was affected by Ronald and Roux's actions, but the whole city, because it turns out that they were the ones hindering the development of the economy, for they were keeping the funds for their wealth. Not just the Maynard Family, but all of the Officials of the city.

That's right.

She must not forget all of the pain that they have caused; to herself, her friend, and her family.

She closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply, remembering the good times that she had spent with her family. Her first and last day as a courtesan. The fear that she has felt from Roux's assault. Her fight between her mother and her sisters. Her leaving the house. The disgust from Ronald's amorous looks, and finally, the hatred that she felt for what he did to Meira.

They blabbered, showing pride for the wealth that they shouldn't even have, trampling over people, making them feel like dirt. Instead of sharing, and continuing to make the city thrive, they kept the money, resulting in various social classes, ignoring those at the bottom of the pyramid to starve.

She was lucky to be adopted by a caring mother, yet, not all people were as lucky as her nor her sisters.

Clenching her fist, she breathed out. As she opened her eyes, she looked at the Emperor in awe.

He was the opposite of her. She could clearly see the changes in his face as emotions started surging through his body due to the disrespectful words that the Vice Governor was spouting, yet, he did not resort to violence, just like what she did.

Instead, he punished them for their mistakes and is solely based on that. He was being extremely lenient in forgiving them to survive death, and experience the consequences of their actions. Yet, those men acted like they did nothing, only begging for forgiveness despite all of the wrong things that they have done.

They were not apologizing because they felt sorry, they were apologizing because they were caught.

Once again, Celestine felt pain surging through her heart, but knowing that the Emperor has already done something in regards to the men who have wronged her and her friend, she can now smile in delight.

Looking away from the Emperor, she faced Meira with a delighted smile plastered upon her lips, her joy evident in her eyes.

"We're free now, Meira." She said as she hugged her friend, who can only nod back and hug her in return, unable to utter any word due to happiness.

Jean looked at the happy figure in front of him with a satisfied smile on his face. He knew about what happened to Celestine, and he just found out what happened to her valued friend.

When he knew about their stories, he was heartbroken. And he knew that if their pain was able to transcend through his heart, then, they must have felt more than what he did.

Sighing, he shifted his sight towards the Emperor who also looked at him, noticing his gaze. They gave each other a nod, the Emperor looking at the two ladies that were hugging each other before descending from his throne, going straight through the door, leaving the Government's Office with his servants following him.

Lowering his head, Jean felt a pang in his heart, He was in pain. He knew how cruel the Emperor can be. Despite that, he firmly believed in his abilities, for he knew, somehow, he would be the greatest Emperor in Aurelia's history.

Masking his pain with a smile, she faced both of the girls and patted their heads, earning a pout from Celestine, and a shy gaze from Meira. He chuckled as he saw their reactions, patting their heads further.

"You're being annoying." Celestine said as she pouted, her eyebrows meeting, forming a frown.

Meira, however, was quiet. She only looked down and did not dare to say anything, yet, her blushing ears failed to escape from Jean's watchful eyes.

He was in awe. Despite all the torment that they have encountered, here they were, living a normal life.

After lightly bickering, once again, only the three of them were left inside the hall. The officials have been successfully assisted out of the office towards the Judicial Prison.

"By the way, Jean. What will happen to Maylea? Is it alright to immediately wipe all of those officials from their positions?" Celestine asked Jean, concern evident on her face.

"All has been planned well by His Majesty." Jean said curtly, though he was smiling.

Yet, Celestine refused to accept such a vague answer from the man. Raising her brows, she pursed her lips and only looked at his eyes, not saying anything.

Giving in from the pressure, Jean sighed, "I will be hailed as the new Governor of Maylea." He revealed, smiling sheepishly.

Celestine's eyes widened as she received the information. She lightly squealed in joy for Jean's success. "Congratulations!" She said, clapping her hands, her eyes beaming with pride.

"C-Congratulations, Sir Jean." Meira meekly greeted, though happiness was still evident in her face.

Hearing their words made him smile as he remembered an old memory.

"Don't worry, Jean! You'll soon have your own time to shine, just like Desidevious. I firmly believe it."

Clearing his throat, Jean continued, "And you don't have to worry about anything Celestine, for all has been planned well by the Emperor." He said, "The officials will be replaced by competent ones."

Looking at Celestine's expectant eyes, he smiled, "And everything in regards to your family has been resolved by the Emperor."

Celestine could feel her chest tighten, but this time, it was not from the pain, but from the joy and excitement of once again being able to meet and see her family.

From the bottom of her heart, she thanked the Emperor for his kindness.

A sincere smile floated around her lips as she thought of him.