CHAPTER III

It was roughly more than an hour ago when the sun has set. However, the district that was buzzing with joy seemed like an infinite abyss of tranquility for the sisters. Even the stars were hiding, seemingly understanding the fear that was troubling their hearts.

Sighing while leaning on the window of her room, Celestine folded both of her arms in front of her chest. Her pose appeared to be so natural, yet it held a certain amount of elegance, which was coated by the feeling of anxiety.

Her beautiful face was only lit up by the faint candlelight coming from her bedside table. Looking up, she realized that it was going to be a moonless night, adding more to the troubling fear that she was feeling. Although she was sighing, nonetheless, instead of showing the myriads of her troubled heart, she tried to keep her face calm, adding more to the stunning quality that she possessed.

After a moment of silence, she could finally start hearing the faint laughter that resonated from afar. The night has just begun.

Collecting herself, Celestine added final touches to her newly bought robe, it was colored black, further showcasing her seemingly innocent face while adding a touch of maturity, it complimented her small figure and white skin but most importantly, it mirrored the feeling in her heart.

Hearing a faint knock on her door, Celestine approached and opened it, revealing her sister, Nesryn.

Startled, Celestine did nothing but close her mouth, looking intently at her sister.

"We're starting to have guests, prepare yourself." Her sister said curtly, rolling her eyes before leaving her behind.

Sighing, Celestine gave her room one last look before proceeding towards their waiting room, a room made for the purpose of separating their private rooms when they were on the job, all of her sisters were there too, waiting, except Odette.

"Our oldest sister is trying to take direct all of the other staff since Mama still hasn't arrived." One of her sisters informed her as she entered the room.

Celestine nodded, before proceeding to sit down on her designated seat.

"I'm worried about Mama." Matilda said, she was seated right beside her.

Looking at her sister, she noticed her glossy eyes. She immediately understood. Despite all of them sisters counting up to fifty, their mother never failed to equally treat everyone the same. It was not hard to care for their mother who took the duty to care for them as their child despite not being related, even by an ounce of blood.

"I am too." Celestine truthfully said, and then, silence once again reigned inside the room.

She knew that it was most probably because of her that their mother was summoned by that bastard son of the Governor. She was sure that something bad will happen, even the moon gave her a hint. However, she sincerely still hoped for the better.

She will not be able to accept if something bad happened to their mother.

"Roses, you now have designated guests, please do come and entertain them." A staff who entered the room said, all of her other sisters who were classified as Roses left the room.

Celestine noticed Nesryn, the one being the last one to leave, looking at the other remaining sisters while scoffing and muttering words that were inaudible before finally leaving.

She looked around, noticing that there were only twelve of them, as all of them are deemed to be the Twelve Celestial Roses of the House of Amora.

Matilda was the only one that she was closest to amongst all of the twelve, as much as all of her other celestial roses sisters are kind, they mildly separated themselves from others, as they were indeed focused on their duties as a courtesan. Each of them emitting various kinds of aura, all being magnificent.

Thinking back at what Nesryn said earlier, Celestine felt a pang of hurt at her heart. Somehow, she knew that what her sister was saying was true. It was indeed unfair for her, even though they were treated with equal love and care, she noticed that her mother did dote on her more than the others, therefore appointing her as a new Celestial Rose despite lacking in all aspects such as talent, and furthermore, the desire to be a fully pledged courtesan, as she does not want to sacrifice her so-called purity.

As the night continued to dive deeper, one by one, her sisters started to have their guests, each of them being led on towards a private room, leaving Celestine behind.

Biting her lower lip, she realized the reason why she has been the only one with no guest. As last night was her first night, it was only natural for people to try and flock, racing for her first night. However, it might have been made clear that she will not be serving as someone who provides nightly care towards the guests, thus, lowering her chances of being picked.

Nobody would want to pay a high price for a service that is not complete.

Sighing, Celestine decided to leave the waiting room and proceeded towards the entrance of the house to help welcome the potential guests, thereby gracing them with her beautiful figure.

Despite the wonderful sight that she has been exposed to, seeing not just their guests, but also the people having fun, Celestine still cannot help but feel discouraged, apart from her realization earlier, there was also her constant worry about their mother who has not yet returned despite it already being quite deep in the night.

As she continued to welcome and bid goodbye to the entering and leaving guests, an instant surge of cold feeling rushed through her spine.

Looking around, she finally knew the source of her fear. Her mother was walking towards them, holding what seems like a scroll in her hand, and is accompanied by a number of guards.

As she was right by the entrance, Celestine did not waste any time and ran to meet her mother, immediately asking if she was okay.

"What happened, Mama? Are you okay?" Celestine asked in concern, looking around her mother's body.

Noticing her mother's small smile and after observing that her mother's body and attire has not been left with any trace of damage, she finally heaved a sigh of relief.

However, still on her guard, Celestine looked at the people who were accompanying her mother, silently asking her mother a question.

"They are the Governor's men." Her mother briefly answered, averting her eyes as she then proceeded to walk toward the house.

Despite her mother's odd behavior, Celestine did not dare to question, as she has already speculated that something must have happened to result in her mother's current demeanor.

As they entered the house, the guards that were accompanying her mother stayed at the entrance, blocking all of the prospected guests. This action made Celestine's eyebrow rise.

"Excuse me." She tried to be as polite as she can, however, knowing that these people are servants of the bastard that she hates, she cannot help but slip and reveal her real tone of voice.

"If I may ask a favor, can you please step aside? You're blocking the entrance." Celestine continued, evidently looking annoyed. The men, however, only looked at her, before laying their eyes straight ahead.

"What, are you people deaf? Or all of you simply cannot understand such a simple request?" Celestine added, her tone was insulting, trying to make the men talk.

Contrary to her expectations, the men did not bother to answer nor even look at her for the second time. Feeling disrespected, Celestine blurted out what has been in her mind.

"Maybe all of you are just scum, a loyal dog of your bastard Master." She said, further attempting to reel them in. Noticing a man furrowing his eyebrows, Celestine couldn't help but smirk.

As she was preparing to say another word, she was shushed by her mother, who looked at her discouragingly.

"Young lady, is that the right way to treat a gentleman? I thought that I have taught you the right manners, however, seeing your actions right now, I can see that I am clearly mistaken." Her mother said, looking at her with evident disappointment in her eyes.

Feeling quite hurt, Celestine chose not to meet the eyes of her mother.

"Despite the sins of their Master, you have no right to talk to them as if they were the ones who did some fault against you. They are merely doing their duties." Her mother added.

Thinking about her mother's words, once again, Celestine felt ashamed for her actions. Despite her young age, she's already trying to act all mature, and yet, it seems like at the most crucial times, her childishness keeps being unleashed.

Her mother is right, it was not their fault that their Master was such a cowardly bastard, as she is sure that it also hurts their pride to be serving such a lowly man.

Bowing her head, Celestine went ahead and apologize to the men, "I'm terribly sorry for all the hurtful words that I have said." As she went back to look at them, she was happy to see them giving her a slight smile, while the other's nodded.

Celestine followed her mother inside the house, she was quite shocked when she ordered all of their staffs to assist all of the guests to leave the premises, either giving them a full or quarter refund depending on the services that they have already received, followed by ordering her sisters to gather towards the waiting room.

All the while, an evident confusion can be seen throughout all of their faces, including Celestine, who was not only confused but nervous as well.

She tried to talk to her mother but seeing that she was busy ordering the people around to do their respective duties, she remained silent. Looking sadly at the chattering guests that were either mad or disappointed as they were being escorted out of the house.

The house became quiet all at once. It was such a rare sight towards all of the people inside, as they were all used to the house being so crowded, accompanied by joyous laughter and the mixed scent of alcohol and perfume. Because they were unaccustomed to the atmosphere, it soon mixed with an abrupt eerie, and tranquil feeling.

They all gathered towards the waiting room, each of them seated accordingly with their staff lined up at the edge. Tanith was standing in the middle of the room where she can be seen by everyone.

As everyone watched in anticipation, they all hitched a breath when Tanith suddenly cleared her throat.

"I am sorry for the sudden call of meeting while we are at our peak of the night." She said formally, therefore further rising the uncouth confusion among the people.

"However, immediately effective tomorrow, our establishment will no longer be operating." Tanith continued.

The atmosphere immediately turned heavy. No one dared to talk, each of them wanting to know the reason behind the sudden awful news.

"As you all know, I was summoned towards the Governor's Office earlier, and I am sure that all of you may have worried about my circumstance. I am pleased to tell you all that as you can see, I am fine, however, I am bringing such awful news." She said, smiling wryly. Seeing the dark faces of her children, she wanted to give each of them a hug to lighten up their moods, however, she knew that now was not the time, as she also has her duties as the headmistress of the tower, right now, these people are not her children, but her employees.

She waved the scroll that she was holding on to her arms, showing it to everyone in the room. "This is the Governor's decree." She announced.

All of them released a heavy sigh. A decree means that everything has already been made official. It really is unfortunate.

"I was able to lessen the punishment that was supposed to be brought upon us, that is the reason why I was late to arrive, as I tried to come to an agreement towards the Governor and his son. However, the result has come with a price..." Tanith said trailing off as she looked at Celestine.

Closing her eyes, Celestine knew that everything was already bound to happen, however, she did not expect it to be so soon. Remembering Roux's threat, she cannot help but simply curse on that bastard. Curse him for being so powerful, being able to instantly coax his father to issue a decree, and even going as far as closing down their establishment.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed throughout the room. It was Nesryn, her eyes flaming as she looked towards Celestine with pure anger.

"This... This is all your fault!" She shouted, her veins, seemingly popping out of her forehead as she was also clenching her fist, seemingly ready to throw it at her sister.

The other sisters were quick to calm her down, their mother also joining in. "Nesryn, calm down, it's not Celestine's fault." Tanith said, however, that sentence only made Nesryn more resentful towards her sister.

"What, you're still protecting your favorite daughter? Can't you see what's happening right now?! It's because of that delusional bitch that all of us are going to suffer!" Nesryn continued, her words being much more venomous.

"I said, shut up! Calm down!" Tanith screamed. Seeing their mother who was always smiling, carefully tending to their needs, even the raging Nesryn felt quite scared, thus resulting in her not uttering a word.

As all of them calmed down, Tanith continued her speech. "As I have said earlier, the punishment was supposed to be heavier, but I have come to terms with the Governor regarding the matter, of course, it was with a price." She, once again, explained.

The people in the room started murmuring, they did not know whether they should be glad or not towards the news as they know for sure that what is happening right now is not right.

"We were supposed to turn in the land that the house is currently standing in towards the Governor's family, aside from that, we were to be banished from Maylea, not being allowed to bring anything with us." Tanith revealed, earning various reactions from the people.

All of them were in shock and rage. All of their hard work, seemingly turning into stone. As the commotion started rising, Tanith continued her speech to further inform them about what is currently happening.

"However, because of the preposition that they have given me, I figured that accepting so would be the best, thus, I just want to apologize, I'm sorry Celestine." Tanith said, bowing immediately after saying her apologies.

Celestine stood up, and went near her mother, helping her to stand straight once again. "Why, Mama? Why are you saying sorry?" She asked, lightly sweating due to the intensity of their current situation.

"I-I sold you to the Governor's son to save ourselves." Her mother said, looking down.

All of them gasped at the sudden revelation.

Celestine, who was holding on to her mother, slowly slid down her hands to her side, keeping them to herself.

She cannot believe what she has heard, thus asking her mother once again. "Wha-What did you say, Mama?" She stuttered, giving her mother a look of disbelief, she was hoping that what she has heard earlier was false, however, her world seemed to crumble when her mother shook her head and once again said, "I sold you to the Governor's son."

Celestine stood rigidly, shocked at the sudden revelation. After a while, tears had finally started to fall from her eyes. She cannot believe it. Her mother, who gave her knowledge about freedom, was actually the first one to take it from her. She shook her head, "No..." But her mother did not retract her words.

"B-But why?" She asked, looking straight at her mother. She wanted to ask so many things, yet, her mouth could only utter such.

She was then answered by a mocking Nesryn, "It was your fault after all, you have no right to question our mother's decision." She said, smirking.

Finally, Celestine's patience ran off, she answered Nesryn's mocking.

"Shut up! Just shut up! Enough of your jealousy! I'm tired of you, always throwing your bitterness at me! Why won't you just shut your mouth, huh?" Celestine shouted back, practically exploding because of her emotions.

Shocked, Nesryn was unable to talk back against her. She did not expect the quiet Celestine to talk back to her, after so many years of her sending her hate comments, this was the only time that she ever talked back.

Looking at her mother, Celestine tried her best to calm down, but to no avail, she continued to lash out. She was upset.

"Fine then! I'll accept it. It's not like I have any choice! Well of course I don't, as it has already been stripped away from me!" Celestine screamed, smirking, her eyes sharp as she looked at her mother.

Feeling the anger of her child, Tanith cannot help but regret the decision that she has made, however, she knew that it was already too late.

Silently, she gave the scroll that she has been holding to her daughter.

All of the other sisters and staff could only watch the scene that was unfolding towards them.

"Get out! All of you, leave me alone!" Celestine screamed throwing the scroll that was handed to her, she glared at all the people in the room, causing them to flinch.

All of them was shocked by Celestine's behavior, however, they understood her feeling. As someone who deeply values freedom and happiness, this news indeed only brought nothing but crumble Celestine's world.

They all looked at their sister pitifully, wanting to help but knowing that at the moment, nothing could ever soothe their sister's heart, they all followed Tanith's order for all of them to leave the room, giving Celestine the time that she needs.

Knowing that her daughter needed time, Tanith gazed at her daughter's back, giving her a loving yet apologetic look as she closed the door behind her.

As she noticed that she is finally alone, Celestine screamed and cried out her heart from the pain and despair.