Ink: Living Life as Serena Gleis

LXIII: Plans

"Everything will now go back to it's original plot." Celine whispered as she watch the sleeping frame of the Cynfael, a soulless doll she controls.  She stood up and walked towards him, putting her cold hands on his cheek. 

"It's surprising how your body can withstand my magic for this long. You really are perfect." She let out a sinister laugh as she felt triumphant or all the things she's done so far. The Empire is now on her hands, she'll most likely be the Empress and the new Emperor is wrapped around her fingers. Now, the only thing left that she still has to retrieve is the men that supposed to be hers. 

"This world id mine." She said with a creepy smile on her face. She went out of the room and walked towards the knight guarding it outside. "Make sure that no one will disturb Cynfael's sleep, he needs rest." The knight nodded. She walked away and wore her cape, with Serena gone, she can now retrieve what was rightfully hers. She sneaked out of the palace and rode a rented carriage. 

If Serena just followed the original plot and died without causing any ruckus, Celine doesn't need to reveal anything to Luca and it would be easier to get his support back. This will be really hard for Celine as Luca and the Gleis were now wary of her but who cares? She's the protagonist of this story, everything will go according to the plot and to her advantage. 

Draux, her home. 

She is still a Draux after all. No knight in the manor dared to stop her from entering the premises. She went directly to Esmeralda's office. She found the poor duchess slumped in her dark office, empty bottles of wine littered around the once organized place. 

"My, my what happened to you?" Celine asked mockingly as she sat comfortably on the sofa infront of the Duchess. Esmeralda looked up, she felt a sudden rage filled her whole being just with the sight of the monster she raised. 

"What are you doing here?" Esmeralda asked through gritted teeth, standing, she got her sword ready on hand. Celine laughed at the sight of her once dignified Aunt who's now a mess. Celine gave her an innocent smile, walking slowly towards her, not caring about the sword that was drawn. 

"Is that how you treat your future Empress? Besides, aren't you proud of me? I'll be the empress soon." She said getting closer until the tip of Esmeralda's sword were an inch close to her neck. 

"Go on, slash your sword." She mocked the Duchess. The Duchess knew that she could never harm someone from the Imperial family, as Celine will be the Empress soon. Draux has vowed through blood that they'll sacrifice their life into protecting the Empire as well as the family. 

She knew she had no choice.

"Oh yeah you can't."  She mockingly laughed on Esmeralda's face. The Duchess dropped her sword on the solid floor, shaking. 

"How can you do this? I raised you like you were mine." She said, her tears started falling. "Don't cry my dear Aunt. It isn't like you. Where's the strong duchess I know?" Celine asked. 

"What do you want?" Esmeralda asked, trying to stop her tears from flowing.

"We'll start my salvation. Kill anyone who dares to oppose me and the Emperor." Esmeralda's eyes widen, she can't believe a word that was going out of Celine's mouth. 

Celine who once was a sweet child. The child she loved so much has turned into something she doesn't even know what. A monster? a demon perhaps?

"You know I can't do that." Esmeralda shook her head. Celine walked around the room, pretending to think.  "Why not?" She asked innocently. 

"As the knight of-" 

"As the knights of the Empire, you had to follow the orders of the Imperial family are you not? Have you forgot the blood oath you made?" Celine interrupted Esmeralda who can't help but to look down. She knew that her people and herself as well cannot oppose the Imperial family.