The court of miracles was a place were those who wanted to be free from the clutch of the royals flee. More specially, to those people who wanted to be free from the laws that do not seem to fit right and wanted to be more liberated.
These people have thoughts that the longer they stayed in the empire's land, vicinity, and power, they will never be free from the chains and hierarchy it was imposing them.
The court of miracles was a place for the wretched to take shelter into especially when they were being thrown to the streets and expected to die.
Some people also called the court of miracles to be a home for those who were wronged and to those who still move despite of the hopelessness. For most wretched people, the court of miracles was their grace.
However, the court of miracles was not a place fitting to be called hope and grace. This place was a place where the wretched may prosper, gain liberation, and even rose into power. However, it was also the most dangerous courts that even a wretched can die.
Luck was needed here. However, a person's shrewd ways of living was more important than luck. In the court of miracles, everyone, especially those who were wretched were free and equal.
Moreover, Slavery was forbidden.
And in the court of miracles, there is only one law.
The Headmaster whom was called the mother or the father of the courts was the law no matter how twisted they were. The headmaster was the absolute law.
In the court of miracles, the laws that which the royals had put in the whole continent do not matter. What matters more was the different concept of justice they put into practice.
Daytime is the time for the enemies of the courts while when the sun gradually sets and the moon begun to rise, those who were the citizens of the courts roam freely.
The night was the sanctuary of those who live in the miracle courts. In some nights were they held their festivals, the night was called crimson miracles.
There were many activities and events in these nights where many wretched participated into. However, no matter how big the prizes were, their life will be in danger once they played their part for blood stirs the crowd. And the night of crimson had only one goal: to be happy. This was their happiness. Blood was the proof of them being alive and blood was also their trophy.
There were nine branches of the court of miracles. It was also called nine underworld criminal guilds. Each branches deals with an important part of the courts. The nine guild heads of the courts all have eyes and ears through the entire continent and even the world.
These guilds are:
The guild of chance.
The guild of beggars.
The guild of Assassins.
The guild of Mercenaries.
The guild of smugglers.
The guild of letters.
The guild of thieves.
The guild of flesh.
And the guild of dreamers.
Each guild was led by their masters and each masters were required to report to the headmasters thrice a month or if the headmaster thought they needed to.
They are called the nine guild head members and were the ones who keep order and protection. They were the ones who reports what was happening to the courts and on the courts to the Headmaster. They were also the ones who give jobs and ways to earn to a person. And to ensure that there were no wretched person who threatens the safety and law of the courts.
The Nine guild heads were people who were picked by the duke who had passed his test. They were not just lucky, and shrewd but they were also heartless, manipulative, and they do not fear death. But what matters the most for the former duke was their loyalty that seemed to be unwavering.
Neirin was not naïve to think that she, who was just found by the former duke of Halstead a year ago, won't have any information leaked through the nine guild heads of the court of miracles. Moreover, she was once part of the courts before she rose to where she was right now.
A simple swindler nothing more nothing less. A thief, just like what they called her.
Neirin looked at the women who had a beautiful blue pairs of eyes. She was the head guild master of the guild of Flesh. Someone who took triumph over countless of men and made them all fall to their knees not capable of standing back up again. She robbed men with their priceless possessions and ruined different families just because she was beautiful.
She was known for her beauty, especially with her alluring scars that seemed to attract men who have different taste.
She was Roxanna Algerie. Her name signifies the dawn painted in red. And her flesh signifies the chains she put into every person she deals with. Roxanna excludes a different scent to every women Neirin had even encounter.
" In this life, simple principles were much easier to follow that being a noble. If you wanted money, then, follow the money. If you wanted fame, then, follow it. It's just as simple as that. No need for hypocrisy. There is no need for any complications nor anything that can make you feel so noble in front of a person who doesn't even know you. I took the hand of the duke that offered me life greater than what I can imagine. In return for that, I am here risking my life to protect his son, isn't that right? Isn't that a fair and equal exchange? My life has been save because of him. Hence, I will also sacrifice my life because of him."
Neirin deeply chuckled. Eyes on Roxanna. Her expression seemed to waver as she was not expecting such answer at all.
"Is there any more questions you wanted to ask?" Neirin answered Roxanna's question in a confident manner. Her gaze lingered at bit more. Roxanna went back to her seat without any more questions asked.
"There is not more question, your grace."
All of the guild master who was present nodded with her answer. From the looks of it, they understood what she meant.
However, Neirin wasn't expecting that the questions would stop soon. Just was she expected, another guild master raised his hand. Neirin shifted her gaze to the right. This time it was a man.
He had a blonde hair and green eyes. He was looking rather fair and pale. His lips do not have any color and he's all bones. He looked so skinny that it would not have been odd to see him being blown by the wind or even break if someone punches him.
However, despite of how he looks, he was a person who have a very precise control of his hands and knew how to act very well. He had countless of face. He loves the sight and smell of money especially if they came from those nobles he despised the most. There had been rumors that he was once a noble but no one was able to confirm that.
His name was Adlen Lenoir. He was the head master of the guild of thieves in which they take everything they want if they can.
"Yes?" Neirin said urging Adlen to speak up.
He stood up with confidence. "Your grace," he said with respect. Neirin was quite fascinated. Despite of their suspicions, they were all acting so tensed and respectful for the duke had specifically sought her out of all people. It also meant that she was more than qualified enough.
"I do not want to offend the headmaster but I would like to ask if you knew everything in the courts of miracles? The laws we practice were a lot different from the nobles and royals."
Neirin tilted her head a little bit as she tapped the table in front of her contemplating how she should answer once again.
Silence followed and the time ticked. Neirin then revealed a smile. "Of course I know," She said mysteriously without elaborating any further. But her confident gaze and smile had told them that she really knew what she was saying.
She had been here almost twice now. She tried to destroy this courts before but now, she needed to strengthen it in order for Vincent's future.
Just like what she said, she was only a tool and she understood that.
"Would you please elaborate it your grace," Alden, the guild headmaster of the guild of Thieves insisted even more.
Neirin smiled a little bit satisfied that they were willing to ask even further and not just be satisfied with half ass answer. They wanted to know.
Neirin felt their stare.
They were all looking.
They were all expecting.
"What should I say?" Neirin's words drifted. She was all confident not letting their stares get into her. Although she was really intimidated inside, she tried to shake it off of her system. "Should I elaborate the killings? The lies? The dirtiness?" She jest. "the money smuggled? Or even the fake laws govern by the courts?" Neirin asked continuously.
The nine guild heads glanced over each other over her questions.
Neirin continued, eyes were on them.
"Every wretched person in the courts relied on the power of the courts to protect them commit deeds that are worthy of death in the imperial law. However, this protection was all just an illusion. Each wretched person here survived either because of their shrewdness or perhaps, luck was on their side. The duke had build this place in order to create an invisible empire and an invisible law that seemed to miraculously work. This place wasn't a sanctuary at all, everything in this place was for the outlaws, the dirtiness and just a place for comfort to those who were outcast without no home to go into."
A heavy silence followed, "The laws of the court of miracles were nothing but an illusion made for security and comfort."
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