Court of Miracles?
The was a moment of silence between them. Clarence can only stare at the duchess back thinking if she was telling the truth or was she just joking.
They continued walking like nothing happened. But Clarence still looked as though he was in a trance. He was aimlessly following Neirin without any thoughts. It wasn't his fault. He was trying hard to calm down since earlier acting all composed thinking that the duchess clearly had a specific goal.
However, what he did not know was the duchess goal wasn't simply the salon but what was underneath the salon.
How could he process that? There was something underneath the entire capital!
The court of miracles. The lady said, the court of Miracles.
If he would try to think everything thoroughly, the passage that they came from was not a normal passage at all. Everything was carefully planned out. That's right, everything. From the words and phrases exchanged with each other and the room where it can deceive any normal person that would go inside.
He swallowed trying hard to catch up to the duchess footsteps. They were entering a dark hallway that he doesn't know where it will lead to.
There was no clock but Clarence felt like he can hear its sound very clear in his mind. The moment Clarence heard it, he suddenly felt like time turned backwards making him see his own figure in a bar in a far away kingdom. There had been circumstances where he often went out of the north lands and travel through different places in the continent.
In those times, he would often hear rumors, legends, gossips, and even myths. Some of those he considered to be true since he had witness it. There were countless rumors about nobles. There were also beliefs about what lies beyond the sea, the witches, and the gods.
They were all part of the romance and adventures that humans created for their entertainment.
He never had the opportunity to explore the sea so, it was still unknown to him what really lies beyond the horizon. However, an organization that can be paid with money or with fair equal values that does not fear the empire does not exist at all!
It should not exist!
Or so he thought.
Clarence thought that their descriptions of the court of miracles was too exaggerated for a story. In that bar and between people's lips who whispers rumors after rumors coated with lie, Clarence doesn't have any choice but to believe that all of those were just a story.
However, the court of Miracles really exist.
Here.
Underneath the capital.
It exist.
If his description was right, the court of miracles was a criminal organization that won't hesitate to kill or stir a war if they were given enough money. They were an organization consist of people who were all outlaws and do not care about the proper order of the world.
Another was, no one knew who the headmaster of the court of miracles. Instead, they all believe that everyone in this place was equal. Clarence thought that the rumors were exaggerated.
As Clarence thoughts wondered, the sound of their foot steps echoed inside the hallway vibrating their ears. He stared at Neirin's back. A back so fragile and small but for some reason, he was afraid of it.
A sudden realization made it to his mind again. The back that he was following and staring was the back who had the entire organization right in her palms.
The headmaster of the court of miracles.
Clarence trembled slightly. The Halsteads has this secret all along!
Then, does that mean that the former duke. Duke Sebastian?!
"You've been staring at my back for a while now, Clarence. Is there something you want to tell me?" Neirin broke off the silence atmosphere between them. However, she was still looking a head walking with only a little light to illuminate the floor.
Clarence blinked several times trying to find excuse. He was all different than before. He can't calm down.
"I-I'm just," Clarence almost choke his voice. He tried to breathe slowly. "I'm just a little bit surprise your grace that is all."
Neirin chuckled she stopped as she reached the end of the hallway where another door was place in front of them. This time, this wall was made with different types of metal and had markings as though different lines were drawn on its surface. "Then, be prepared to be surprise for more."
Neirin used the key she used back in the first door twisting the door knob and entering the room beyond the door.
In Clarence's eyes, a blinding light flashes almost blinding him. He squint his eyes and before he realized it, he heard someone no, people's voices.
"We greet the honorable headmaster of the courts." Right in front of his eyes, a chandelier hanging in the middle of the ceiling where different architectural designs and carvings were displayed and huge pillars that support the whole building revealed their selves to him without any humility. Even him who had a noble background felt like he was insignificant the moment he entered in this place.
Swallowing his saliva, he looked down and search for where he heard the voices. It did not take long for him to see that there were nine persons bowing respectively to the duchess. "We are the nine guild heads, your grace. And we are here to answer your summoning."
Clarence can't really believe what was happening right now. If this was a dream, it was too detailed. Too realistic but at the same time, it screams the impossible.
--
When was the last time Neirin had seen these nine persons in front of her? It was probably years already back in her previous life.
Neirin was a very ambitious person back then. She lived her life as a thief not having enough to have for herself as she was envy for all of the nobles who lived their life in luxury even though they were stepping other people's rights and life.
She thought that it was only fair to rob someone who was wealthy enough. She thought that she was doing favor for the commoners who feel wronged after being stepped on by the nobles who see them nothing as trash.
She thought that she was bringing revenge to those people in slums when she decided to rob and gain all of the possession of Vincent back before her previous life.
She felt greedy and want to exploit everything. Back before her previous life, she desired the ruined of the Halstead duchy and wanted to replaced its name to hers. She wanted to be at the top and wanted to rule everything this world has to offer.
She corrupted the servants and the vassals. She tried to gather nobles support promising useless things for her gain. They all favored what she wanted to achieve. She was getting there. Back then, she knew that if she only take a few steps, she would achieve her dream.
But what she did not know what the existence of the nine guild heads that the former duke had appointed.
Her greed that was supposed to be her weapon had become the knife that wanted her to be dead in the end.
The court of miracles stood up for Vincent at the very end telling her that they won't be converted to what she desired them to be. They told her that this organization was build but duke Sebastian and that it was rational to assume who their next owner will be.
Furious as she was Neirin announced their existence to the world knowing all of the criminal deeds they had done and framed Vincent in everything.
People and nobles begun dragging the Halstead duchy. Vincent stood in between the wars that was happening. Neirin saw how Vincent handled all of what she did not him. That was why she wanted to atone everything for him.
Him who cried for her.
Him who had been wronged from the very beginning.
"Is everyone here?" Neirin asked. She gave a nod of satisfaction looking at them. They were all wearing a cloak with a big hood that was why Clarence can't see their faces but Neirin was different. She remembered them all. Who they were and what position in the court of miracles they held. All nine persons here was important. Moreover, they all specialized in killing and manipulation.
But despite of that, they look so respectful and docile.
"Yes your grace. We have gathered the moment we heard that you arrived to the capital." the one in the middle answered. He had a dark cloak with white threads embroidery. The cloak was familiar to Neirin.
"Then that's good. I have specific matters to tell you. Let us proceed to the room of stars. The emperor gave me some troubling matters that is needed of your help."
All of the nine guild heads bowed once again. "Yes your grace." They said as they followed Neirin.
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