The Emperor's Concubine

Chapter Forty-Six

(Trigger warning: Read at your own discretion.)
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Leaning against the window sill, I can't help but continuously sigh as I wait in my anxiousness. Fiddling my fingers, I try to find the correct words to say—if he accepts my invitation.

"It's okay... It's okay, once he gets here, I just need to be honest... Just be honest and clear up the misunderstanding." I give myself a pep-talk, steeling my nerves.
"I'll be concise and explain my feelings... I'll tell him everything." I whisper, placing a hand on my chest—my heart beating quickly.

"I never thought that you would have another man in your heart."

A cold-deep voice speaks from behind me.
Suddenly feeling the heavy-sharp presence that appeared, I look over my shoulder.
Standing on the window sill, he looks down at me—his stare showing his disgust and rage.

A black fog begins top seep into my room from the open window, his hand on the window panel. Gritting his teeth, he tightens his grip—the window bursting and breaking into pieces.
Falling back to cover myself from the shards of glass, I let out a terrified scream from the top of my lungs.

"My perfect Celeste... You dare follow a path of infidelity?" Micheal questions, his eyes changing into a heartless-crazed stare.

He slowly steps closer, jumping off the window sill. The second his feet touch the ground, I turn to run to the door.
The instant I turn my back, an electrifying shock rushes through my neck, through my body as I lose control over my movements.
I collapse unable to move or make a sound, stuck with the excruciating pain rushing through my body. The room grows blurry as a loud buzzing rings through my ears. A tightness in my throat, I can barely move to breathe as I realize the paralysis grows stronger.
Beginning to lose consciousness, the room doors burst open as guards rush in. Using my energy to take a desperate breath, my vision cuts to black.


Feeling as though I'm falling, I open my eyes to see a black abyss around me.
Unable to move my body, I stare at the void. Suddenly, a glimmer of light appears—instantly engulfing me.

Opening my eyes, I realize I'm standing in the middle of a ballroom.
The figures around me move strangely. Their bodies dancing, but seeming to be slowed as the music that plays, sounds distorted and slowed as well.
A shadow on all their faces, I look around.
My eyes widen as I realize where I stand, the castle of Avris—my parents ballroom.
Half the decoration in the room is covered with shadows, only some are clearly visible.
My jaw drops as I look ahead of me.
A young girl who stands against the wall, wears a dark purple dress, a sheer veil covers her face. Her hands crossed, her head kept down as she stares at her feet. Soft blonde hair that falls just past her collarbone, and through the veil her downcast eyes, a noticeable shade of gold.

"It's me?" I whisper, staring at my past self.
My head begins to spin as the music distorts further, slowly speeding up as the memory returns.

A faint memory I can barely remember, but the only time I was in a room with so many strangers. At the age of three, it was the only time I've ever been in the public eye.

'Was it a birthday? Or a celebration? Why was I allowed to attend?' I think to myself, trying to remember it more.

Suddenly, I make eye contact to the young girl who raises her head for the first time.
Her expression is evidently nervous, but her eyes stare ahead.
Taking a step to the side, I follow her gaze. Across the ballroom, I notice my father laughing with two nobles whose faces are blurred. A boy who appears to be around seven to ten speaking with them.
Suddenly, a ringing fills my head. Falling to my knees, I hold my head, struggling to focus on the memory.
Focusing on the group, I notice a small boy who stands hidden in the shadows of the older boy. His eyes a dark brown-red shade as he stares at the younger version of myself. His eyes widen until an innocent smile appears on his lips. Cautiously, he lifts his hand, giving a small wave.
I turn to look back at the young Celeste. A faint smile on her lips. Just before she can wave back to the boy, mother appears.
Grabbing her wrist, I watch as mother drags my past self away in a hurry.

An electrifying shock hits my body as I collapse, unable to move.
The memory begins to disappear around me, darkness begins to cover the room. Just before the memory is engulfed with darkness, I watch as mother hastily leaves the ballroom with me.


Feeling as if I've been crushed under a rock, my limbs begin to tingle as I regain feeling in my fingers and toes. A burnt-bitter scent of ashes, hits my nose.
Fighting through the pain, I summon all my energy to painstakingly open my eyes.
My mind in a daze as the memory of the strange dream lingers in my thoughts, I look around. My mind clearing up, beginning to register my surroundings.

My hands, chained and elevated above my head, my legs begin to ache as I realize I'm on my knees. In an unfamiliar ash-covered room, the building seems to be crumbling. The walls destroyed, the windows broken and cracked, and the tattered velvet curtains—scorched. The walls and floors have traces of burn marks, the furniture all blackened by the ash.

I soon forget about the dream as anxiety and fear washes through me.
My last memory coming back to me as I remember Micheal appearing. The broken glass around me, and guards rushing into my room just before I lost consciousness.