Emperor's Reckoning

One of the rooms in Sverine Inn was luxurious.

The square space was made entirely out of pure real wood with two large glass windows installed. The light ambient light brought relaxation to one's eyes. The scent of fresh spring sprung around the room as the sunlight basked the fur carpet on the floor. The ceiling was adorned with a beautiful painting of earth and a single great tree with thousands of branches. A small vase by the side of the queen-sized bed and twin flowers of red and blue said hello to the ones at the door.

Cecile found herself standing with her right hand carrying the unconscious fortune-teller. The latter's mouth still had blood drooling out and the former couldn't even be bothered. She threw the woman right on top of the bed and bounced twice.

"It seems like it is not enough for a fledgling to know her whereabouts, huh," muttered Cecile before she let out a disappointed sigh.

She snorted before she walked toward the windows and crossed her arms. She could see the entire landscape of the garden from this room but her mind lay elsewhere. (Maria, please be safe)

"Ngh.."

Cecile slightly rose her brows as she turned around. She heard the moan coming from the lady that she had just thrown on the bed. Her cleavage was visible as the robe was slightly loose due to the way Cecile carried her in the first place.

"You don't know how lucky you—.." Cecile furrowed her eyebrows before she approached the bed.

Her eyes squinted before she contemplated inside her head (Did he steal her undergarment?).

She noticed that the woman was not wearing any type of undergarment upon closer look.

Vivi's eyes fluttered before she slowly opened them.

"Huh? Where am I?" her vision was blurry before she noticed a familiar figure standing beside her with her arms crossed. She got up on the bed before she gently massaged her temple, "Cecile, where am I?"

"So you woke up," said Cecile. "We are inside your room."

"Oh? I thought we were in the garden—!!" Her eyes snapped open. "What happened?!"

"You painted the grass red with your vomit," said Cecile as she chuckled.

She squinted her eyes before she felt a little wet on her chin. She gently wiped it off with one finger before her pupils shrunken (Blood?!).

Cecile furrowed her eyebrows as she said, "It seems like your clairvoyant skill is not adequate to locate her whereabouts."

Vivi proceeded to wipe the blood out of her lips before she glared at her. "Did you do this on purpose?"

"What makes you think so? Stop jumping to conclusion Vivi," said Cecile as she shrugged.

Cecile then sat beside the bed as she looked at the woman with her sharp auburn glance.

"W-What??" Vivi slightly leaned back with her hands pulling the blanket to cover her body.

"What did you see?" asked Cecile. "What premonition? What signs? Tell me everything."

Vivi's blush instantly vanished as she caught the wrong idea. However, contemplating and having the memory of the reading resurfaced she said.

"I see nothing. I feel my heart thumping rapidly as I sink deeper and deeper into the clairvoyance art, however, it was darkness all the way," said Vivi before she bowed. "My apologies."

Cecile shook her head. "It's alright, it's my fault that I asked a Red Jewel seer to seek for her only by using her name."

"Who is she, if I may ask," said Vivi. She noticed the hint of sadness behind the auburn eyes. (She must have meant tremendously to her, is it her sister? Maria Myris, even the name radiant kindness).

"She is my sister, well, you can say that since we are bound to the same man," Cecile chuckled.

Vivi immediately lost the sympathy in her eyes as she furrowed her eyebrows, "What do you mean?"

"She is Lyon's other wife," said Cecile as her eyes slightly turn distant.

(Oh my... What?! Wait... What?! Is this an affair? Are my words going to determine their relationship?!) thought Vivi as her eyes turned more vibrant than before.

"W-Wow, I uh, I never thought someone that seem to caress you that much would have another woman."

"No, she is not just another woman, she is his official wife," said Cecile.

(What!? So like... you are the mistress?! Wait a minute, how about that woman Lumina?! This is too complicated... and exciting) screamed Vivi inwardly. "I-I see..."

"Well sorry to bother you," said Cecile before she stood up.

"W-Wait," said Vivi. "I might not be able to help you due to my lack of skills, but my older sisters might be of help?"

Cecile shook her head, "If they can help they must come to me. However, I know you seers are not bound to any kingdoms, but rather to promises, because of karma or fate or whatever."

"W-Why must they come to you?" asked Vivi.

"For this is Maria Myris," said Cecile as she furrowed her eyebrows. She took a deep breath before she said, "Forget it."

(Who is this Maria Myris...) thought Vivi.

"How many Red Jewel seers are there in Heaven?" asked Cecile.

"Huh? I-I'm sorry but I cannot disclose that matter," said Vivi. (How much did she know about our group? This woman is really mysterious, just like that guy in that place).

"Heh, no hurt in asking," said Cecile as she shrugged her shoulder before she headed to the door.

Her hand was on the doorknob but her head turned as she faced Vivi with a smirk.

"Can I leave you a message for a dear friend if you meet her?"

"Huh? Uh.. sure?"

"Tell her this, word for word, 'Your secret lover has come back.'"

Vivi couldn't utter a single word though she could be seen trying. "W-Wh-Wha? Who is this person?" (How many affairs does he have?!)

Cecile turned the knob before pulling the door open. She looked at Vivi with a smile.

"A seer, her name is Luce Veritas."

Cecile closed the door but the bang was felt inside Vivi's mind rather than her ears. Her lips were trembling as her pupils shrunk to a dot.

"Ma,ma,ma... Mother Luce?!" Vivi exclaimed.