Burning Embers in the Wind

The ceremony began with the beheading of the thirteenth courtesan.

The morning air felt cold as hushed silence surrounded the King’s court. The sun had risen early, the sun’s rays glistened like gold in the sky as clouds drifted by into the horizon. Yet despite its glory, not a single bird chirped, and the usual morning bell did not toll from a distance.

Servants hung their heads low as a woman’s wail tore through the silence. They said the woman was famous for her oriental looks and frolic personality. The King had noticed her for this reason, and he favored her. Yet nothing will stay the same way as it is, her beauty cannot save her head from treachery. The guards half dragged half carried the lady as she pleaded for innocence. No one dared to look her in the eye. The courtesan had betrayed her King, and no matter how much she prayed no one will save her from her misery.

Among the sea of attendees, Celestia Farren dared to watch the scene unfold before her. She stood along the sidelines with her concubine-sisters and watched with earnest eyes. The guards yanked the lady’s head with force and humiliated her with a knife through her hair. The sound of blade cutting through her ebony locks felt degrading enough.

Everyone may feel pity or remorse towards the thirteenth courtesan, but not Celestia. Celestia believed it was a privilege and a gift from the Seven Mothers to serve as a Royal Courtesan. Honor and duty, above all, must be upheld. Yet the woman wasted her talent and fertile femininity for pointless pleasure.

According to rumors, the woman fell pregnant two summers ago, yet she was not visited by the King for months. Nine moons after she gave birth to a son. As the boy grew, so did the speculation; the King intervened and later on learned that the boy was not his own. Rather he was a bastard, fathered by someone else, and his disloyal mother was a whore.

And whores deserved nothing but death.

Amidst the soundless chaos, there stood the throne of the King, yet it was not a bearded man who held the seat of power. A woman, a Queen, with strawberry blonde hair and emerald green eyes sat on the throne. With the King indisposed, Queen Lavryna was the King’s face of power before his Court.

The Queen was of magnificent beauty, crowning red locks of hair that fell to her waist like a waterfall. She sat straight and poised, her tall figure was proud with her chin held high. The silver of her gown made the greenness of her eyes stand out. Yet her cold demeanor reflected an intimidating aura around her.

A faint wind blew and behind her flapped the banner of the royal family. The Honoveres of Perian and Astralis. The banner held the raging stallion of fire.

The guards pinned the scarred woman down on the floor as a tall, brooding figure stood beside the dais. He held a giant ax and his face hid behind a black mask.

Sitting tall upon the throne, the Queen spoke. “In the name of His Imperial Majesty, King Aleikzander of House Honovere, I, Queen Lavryna of House Inglad sentence you to die on the grounds of treason and treachery. The bastard boy, the supposed eleventh son Prince Henrich will bare no rank and he will serve as a slave for the rest of his days. He will not own any land nor earn a birthright. His sons and daughters will be born slaves and will stay a slave until the end of time.”

All felt unease as the air got thicker with tension as the Queen had given the sentence.

The woman struggled against her restraints as she called out to the Queen. “Your Majesty I beseech you, spare my son for he has done nothing wrong with his innocent life. He is not a bastard, I swear it upon the Seven Mothers. I implore your heart to have mercy on him. He is the King’s eight son, believe me, he is a prince!” She cried as snot, tears, and saliva dripped from her chin.

The Queen sneered. The concubine trembled as a sob made its way to her and she could feel the Queen’s piercing green eyes on her. Unmoved, apathetic, cold-the look on the Queen’s face held no remorse. Not even the slightest hint of mercy graced her features. Rather the Queen felt unamused.

After a heartbeat, the Queen spoke with firm authority. “Your sentence is the consequence of your actions,” She cocked a smile. “Revel in it.”

With a wave of her hand, the executioner raised the ax in the air. Death grinned upon the woman as the ax glinted under the light. Everyone held their breath and with one swift cut, it rained blood as the sound of flesh and bones tore the tension.

Gasps of horror resonated throughout the room. Dark liquid pooled on the marbled floor as it slithered around like a snake. Its coppery scent of fresh blood mingled with the crisp morning air. The head rolled off towards the dais and the Queen looked back at the eyes of death. She did not even shudder.

Outside the birds began to chirp and the morning bell tolled late from a distance.

Feeling lightheaded, Celestia looked up to her Queen who now stood in her full glory. The Queen’s eyes met hers and Celestia felt herself tremble at the eye contact. Feeling ashamed, Celestia looked away.

“I presume this little show teaches a lesson.” said the Queen as she descended from the bloody dais. The train of her dress turned red like summerwine, the cloth sipped it, reddening with each step. Celestia looked to see the beheaded body behind the Queen, but none of the servants moved. Or rather the Queen wanted the dead body to linger within their minds for quite some time.

“Courtesan's life is more than the grandiosity and glamour. It is an art, a dedication in sustaining our culture, and this vast empire depended on your femininity. You are to dedicate your lives to your King until he draws his last breath.” said the Queen as she drew closer towards where Celestia stood.

The sound of heels echoed as the Queen left a bloody trail. Celestia noticed the girl beside her shivered.

“To live by the virtue of the Seven Mothers; to be the perfect, obedient and dutiful daughters of our realm. And of course, to provide your future King with an heir. True blooded sons and daughters of the Crown, or else I am sure you are aware of the consequences.” the Queen half-taunted.

All the young courtesans curtsied with reverence. “Blessings and glory to Your Greatness.” All said in perfect unison.

Pride swelled within Celestia at the thought of earning the rank of First Lady. Or known as the Imperial Noble Consort, a rank lower than the Queen Consort. Such a grand dream for a fifteen-year-old to achieve, but she was more than willing to take on the role. Besides, if the crowned Prince has not yet found a new betrothed, the First Lady will be his bride.

And Celestia relished in those thoughts.

“But there is no greater honor but to serve your King with unswerving loyalty and zealous service. All you have proven yourselves worthy and for that, you have given great honor to your Houses.”

And with that, the ceremony commenced. All fifty banners of each House the ladies belong to whipped against the wind, the pride of each family.

Celestia held her ground as her heart thundered against her chest. Only six ladies amongst the fifty of them stand a chance to earn this privilege. With this, adrenaline rushed through her veins upon the thought of seeing her family. Beaming with pride she would say: I have served our family and House with great honor.

After what she had seen, she was confident that she would not meet the same fate as that woman. Since then she only had one goal in mind: the crowned Prince. She will bear him sons and raise them to be kings, lords, and knights before the Seven Mothers. Her children and the new world she will build will glorify their empire with her by their side.

All the glory and power, she could already taste it. It was within her reach, but she has to remain humble and unsuspecting. Live by the virtue of the Seven Mothers.

Yet with each passing minute, her hands began to sweat as there were only two spots left. Only two women were not yet called for the title.

First Lady and the Sixth Lady.

Royal Noble Consort and Noble Lady.

The Queen held the amulet in her hands and watched, amused, as the Farren girl was sweating despite the cold air. The Queen Lavryna half-cocked a smile.

“Lady Celestia of the House Farren, the Mothers have chosen you to be His Highness’ Sixth Lady. May you serve him well as a lady of the Chrysanthemum Court.” Announced the Queen with a bemused face.

Celestia turned pale, her neck felt stiff as her ears felt hot. Her hands twitched as she did her best not to stumble with her curtsy. She gave the Queen a tight smile as she received the amulet with her hands.

“I am blessed with such honor, Your Majesty. I will live by the virtue of the Seven Mothers to honor His Imperial Highness.” Celestia said with a court-trained smile.

Yet deep inside, Celestia’s pride cracked with unresolved purpose.