The weak fear happiness itself. They can harm themselves on cotton wool. Sometimes they are wounded even by happiness"
-Osamu Dazai
It was now nearly 3 days after the incident of the purple smoke. Currently all those students have been rambling about those weird thoughts they had. Unknown to them on how they received them, they wondered many questions about Xiaomao.
All this commotion was so great that even the Emperor was caught up to speed.
"Imperial Majesty, may I come in." Maximillius said, knocking on the door. He was currently working, his badge and suit in tip top form.
"Come in Maximillius, what old friend have you got?"
Maximillius went inside, taking off his hat and bowed. He walked to Emperor Aranthor's desk, placing a thin file of paper.
"These are the things that have been trending with the people." He crossed his arms waiting for Emperor Aranthor's expression.
The emperor faintly touched the file, "Is there anything we need to erase? Any Code Black?"
"Not at the moment Imperial Majesty."
The emperor huffed, "Then Maximillius, have you just come to tell me what the latest tea was?
Maximillius suppressed his laughter, coughing to hide any discern Aranthor might suspect.
"Why who taught you the Sunflower lingo ey?"
The Imperial Majesty chuckled, "Why it was Yumi who did." He crossed his arms, questioning. "How could you tell that I learnt this majestic form of speaking?"
"It's just not expected of you Aranthor." Maximillius laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head.
"Imperial Majesty." Aranthor corrected, he gave Maximillius a sharp glance."Remember our terms Maximillius, you may refer to me Imperial Majesty at all times except when we are in public."
"My apologies, Imperial Majesty." Maximillius bowed, biting his tongue. He knew it was far to early for the informal tone.
He just messed up.
"Back to what I was saying," Maximillius gestured to file. "There has been some speculation on a young lady. You might have heard of her."
After a small pause Maximillius changed his response. "Matter of fact, I believe you met Little Miss."
"Ohh! Little Miss, the schizophrenic! Ah yes I remember her." The emperor said with a little snap. He remembered the girl that was talking to herself in the aquarium.
Maximillius scrunched his eyes in confusion, then responded in a nonchalant manner. "I'm not even going to bother."
He continued, not letting time be at waste, "Rumors have been created that Xiaomao is not someone who we think. People have come to believe that Xiaomao was sent from the heavens to decieve us."
Aranthor hummed processing all the information. "Well? What's the people want?"
"They come to you asking for a trial."
Emperor Aranthor groaned, "These people..." He muttered, "So much for a peaceful day."
"What are my orders, Imperial Majesty."
"You give the people what they want. Give them a trial." Aranthor said rubbing his temples. It seemed like he was very unhappy about this decision. But who cares? He was emperor he should learn that things won't always go his way.
Just because he was emperor didn't mean he was the one who chose every decision.
Soon Maximillius gathered the battale for the trial.
Eunuchs were told to surround Xiaomao's dorm. Keeping watch to see her whereabouts.
Xiaomao also understood what was going on, earlier when she visited the doctor, Naveen he completely ignored her and left the building as soon as he saw her. She didn't understand then, but now she knew.
There was a gag order going around.
The orders never really mentioned directly, were made by the people. Once there was even a faint thing someone could suspect, the person would be considered an outcast.
Even with enough evidence to show that the victim was innocent, it's of great difficulty to go back to the ranks of society.
Xiaomao sighed then called out, Second Reality.
"What is it?" You respond floating admist the air.
How many more days till then?
Second Reality brought up 3 fingers, gesturing it was 3 days till then.
She sighed once more, nibbling on a piece of pocky.
She had already reviewed plans for the weekend and completed all her chores. Consort Nari as well dismissed her tasks for the week. She had nothing and no where to go.
She had already made arrangements if she were to be put in a holding cell, having all her files and notebooks stuffed inside her clothes.
Stretching, for one last time Xiaomao got up.
Little did she knew, was that the eunuchs just recieved an order. So just before Xiaomao could do anything else, all the eunuchs broke in and captured Xiaomao.
"Oh my-" She said, her eyes showed of great bewilder as she tried to move away from the clutches of the eunuch.
"I order you not to move. Xiaomao, I hereby declare you as a fugitive of Law and of the Flower Palace. Adjourned to law, you must adhere bid to a trial."
A voice from behind the eunuchs spoke, slowly as the eunuchs moved aside Xiaomao could recognize the face to Maximillius.
Cracking his knuckles, he spoke without hearing Xiaomao.
"Knock her out."
Loosing conscious, Xiaomao was lifted from the ground on to one of the eunuchs shoulder. Her slumped body lay motionless while the unnamed eunuch walked out her dorm.
Just about a while later, Xiaomao found herself infront of a court.
She awoke to find herself tied to a chair, unable to move. She didn't even bother to speak, as a large piece of cloth was stuffed in her mouth. Swallowing it later on for digestion nor spitting it out would be not inevitable, but not possible.
"Well well, if it isn't Little Miss." Emperor Aranthor chuckled crossing his arms.
Xiaomao looked around the court. At the front Imperial Majesty acted as head judge. To his side was Maximillius as his working deputy officer.
Three eunuchs worked as writers, recording everything that occurred. Xiaomao wondered if they were to record if she let out a little cough. If only she were able to test that theory.
What a shame.
Ren stood on the opposite side, standing as a witness to her unnamed crimes. He stood there due to his father's request, truly he wouldn't dare try harm Xiaomao. Even if it meant through lies or deception.
He would take care of her his way.
Xiaomao finally noticed who was her line of defense. From catching her eye Xiaomao was baffled that she would be speaking up for her.
She honestly thought she wouldn't have cared.
The person standing as defense was Matsuri. One of Xiaomao's cherished companions. But as cherished she was, Matsuri didn't share the same amount of enthusiasm.
Little did Xiaomao know, and till this day she would never know about this. Now Reader, I must say as Second Reality, as Xiaomao's brother that it was I that blocked this piece of information to Xiaomao.
It would grief her with unbearable pain if she knew.
Matsuri was Xiaomao's line of defense because of Ren. She didn't want to be here. Ren gave her a pouch of gold coins in order for her to stand as defense. Even then Matsuri still hesitated only accepting after a huge argument with Ren.
You see why I would never want her to know. Right?
Matsuri smiled Xiaomao whispering laced with pure kindness, "Don't worry Xiaomao. I will throw hands if you get sentenced to anything. You are too kind and naive to so such a thing anyway."
Xiaomao nodded in return not caring about the sandwiched insult that was flung at her.
A loud knock was heard from the courtroom doors. Acknowledging who it was the Emperor permissed the eunuchs to come in.
With the eunuchs, came up two bruised traitors.
Li Shen and Naveen.
Shocked that they were brought to Flower Palace in such a bloody state, Xiaomao could help but stare with such widened eyes.
The two traitors were thrown to the side welcomed to punishment aligned with their false daughter. After the two men had been discovered after the first rumors Xiaomao was upheld for, more investigation was done to the family.
Trumpets blared, sounding the beginning of the trial.
From the windows, around three Dreamless Azure men climbed up. They stood next to the Emperor, not daring to move an inch.
"To begin the starting of this trial Miss Xiaomao, I would like to have you answer a few questions," Emperor Aranthor then motioned to the eunuchs to release the gag from her mouth.
After the gag was removed, Xiaomao took a deep breath and gave one last look to Second Reality.
"Starting off, the charges you have recieved is that allegedly you are not who you say you are. Many of the citizens are concerned for their security that you came to decieve the heavens."
Imperial Majesty took a breath, "Question number 1: Is your name really Xiaomao?"
Xiaomao automatically answered, "Yes"
One of the Dreamless Azure answered right after, "Gray zone. Truthful but as deceiving at the same time."
Emperor Aranthor noted something down but paid no response to the Dreamless Azure. His ability emanated throughout the whole courtroom. He could tell the state of every 21 people's aura. Except Xiaomao.
"Question number 2: What is your date of blooming?"
She responded, feeling deep down something was going to be off, "June 19"
"Gray zone again." Spoke the same Dreamless Azure, this time he was backed up by his fellow colleagues who also found a gray zone.
Emperor Aranthor scrunched his eyebrows thinking to himself, a person can't have multiple birthdays can they? How can this be...
Just who is this Little Miss?
"How splendid, that was just a while back. Question number 3: Who are your parents?"
Speaking a bit too quickly, she responded "Nazeeh and Li Shen."
The Dreamless Azure answered in return, "Red. This is incorrect and deceiving."
"Let me ask again. Xiaomao of the Flower Clan. Who are your parents, I assume you know of course." The Imperial Majesty said uncrossing his arms. His legs were lifted, now to be on top of each other letting the Emperor be at ease and comfortable.
Xiaomao glanced Li Shen and Nazeeh unable to speak.
Understanding this, Li Shen took herself to the stand.
"Brother, may I speak?" She said softly despite her pains.
"If you think now is the time Li Shen you are mistaken. Now is not the time to be calling me that." He said bitterly, with a faith tone of belonging.
Consort Suki glanced at Li Shen giving her a subtle faint nod.
"Just let me speak. Will you hear me through?" Li Shen pleaded, her eyes glistening with shame, forgiveness, and hope.
Nazeeh placed a hand on Li Shen's shoulder, the startled lady glanced at Nazeeh. The man who cared for none, was beginning to show comfort. And even if she knew it was all for Xiaomao, she still accepted it.
"Go on, but make it quick." The emperor said feigning his disgust towards her.
"The truth is, Lady Suki and Emperor Aranthor are the true parents of Xiaomao Lui Jiken."
The crowd went silent, the silence crawled into the crevices of time, freezing everything with it. Nothing moved, no one could. Not with the continuous shock.
After a moment, a Dreamless Azure spoke up,
"The absolute truth. Pure green."
Silence roared, no one could believe her. But from the Dreamless Azure confirming it was the truth, they had no idea what to feel.
Specks of words flew everywhere, ensuing chaos.
"She's the princess?"
"The lost heir?"
"I knew she was the princess she was such a kind soul."
Matsuri stared at Xiaomao with a moment of panic, shock, and feigned acceptance.
"Amazing, who knew I had befriended a princess."
Ren stood on the opposite side, completely frozen from shock. He couldn't help but glare that he didn't know her true identity dealing with extra work that was never intended for him. He was hurt, dealing with the loss of trust from her believing even for a little bit she would have trusted him.
"SILENCE. Order in court!" Emperor Aranthor yelled, banging his gavel.
Waiting for the court to be silent, he finally spoke again.
"Li Shen, I don't know who you think you are but you cannot speak merely just because you want to. You understand that on the day of the fire. It was you who brought me my child, the child who died in the fire. Xiaomao is not my child."
Nazeeh spoke up defending Li Shen, "Aranthor, you were the one who brought us here. Don't expect us to nice about it when you accuse our daughter to be a criminal."
Aranthor laughed, "Your daughter? Li Shen just confirmed that Xiaomao is no daughter of yours."
Xiaomao stood up, Matsuri immediately holding her back, "Blood doesn't bring family Emperor, not for me. Blood is nothing but a sign that inside the human body is just scars to bleed from. Nazeeh has been a far better father than I could ever have from blood."
She continued, finally sitting down, "Surely if you were my father, I would have chosen a pack of Venus Flytrap than you if you had acted like that."
Upon hearing this, Nazeeh couldn't help but wipe his tears. Li Shen followed his actions as well.
"Outrageous, you hear me? You better hope you aren't my daughter because as soon as I find out, you and your wretched, pathetic, traitorous family can leave this kingdom."
The Emperor yelled, not afraid to speak in his ugly tongue. Consort Suki sat within the audience with her lips pursed.
Maximillius whispered something to the Emperor, to which he smiled greatly.
"Yes, yes. That's an amazing idea."
Emperor Aranthor stood up, walking toward Xiaomao. He cut open all the ropes and brought her to the front.
"If you really are my daughter, then the spider lily should emanate once the power is unleashed."
Standing in the middle, Xiaomao watched as Beast Asterism surround her.
Four flowers surrounded her, all representing the Beast Asterism. The Spider Lily on the front, The Black Dahlia on the bottom, The Julliette Rose on the left, and The Romeo Rose to the right.
Then one member of each flower chanted, each following an ancient language 欺瞞 or Giman.
While the Dreamless Azure chanted, a eunuch dropped flower petals. The flower petals were not from a singular flower, they varied to all flowers ever.
Slowly, the petals of the spider lily glowed, levitating in the air. They circled around her, finally stopping to turn into a flower crown.
Immediately, people roared out to Xiaomao. Mostly due to shock that it was really Xiaomao.
Xiaomao was the true heir to the throne of the Flower Kingdom.
"It's her"
"The crown princess"
"Xiaomao?"
Everyone around her was energetic. Xiaomao was pulled to the front by Lady Suki to be embraced to a tight hug. Everything was running so quickly Xiaomao, and myself nearly got confused.
Emperor Aranthor changed his attitude completely, pretending his hatred for Xiaomao never existed.
"My dear daughter, I knew it was you." He said walking over to Lady Suki, he patted Xiaomao's arm.
Xiaomao ignored his words, and faced Consort Suki. She smiled at her and put a hairpin inside her hair.
"My, Xiaomao will you let me finally see your pretty face?"
"Well I-" She begun to say, but before she could continue, loud vibrations moved through the marble wall.
Electric charges zapped the wooden floor. And if air had a visible embodiment, it felt as if the figure of air shifted, splintering throughout her whole peripheral vision. Outlines doubled, blinking in and out.
Lady Suki pulled Xiaomao back in a defensive manner, "Stay back Xiaomao for me,"
Emperor Aranthor immediately transformed his walking stick, turning it into a staff. He immediately activated it, creating a spherical orb inside the courtroom.
All the Dreamless Azure members inside ran to position, creating a strong shield protecting everyone inside.
|Verity Pulse of Asterism Lvl ?? : Activated |
"Xiaomao, member of the Spider Lily clan. Changer of paths, and outlander of this world. You are not welcome here anymore." Spoke the Asterism, their booming voice echoing throughout the room.
|■□■□■|
More glitches appeared, creating sparks of light. Vision flickered creating tunnels of darkness. People panicked, screams in the background as Emperor Aranthor tried to assess the situation.
"■p□■□ror ■□■ a■l t■□e ■ou ■□■□■ed us. ■o□ dare ■□■. Y■u ■il■ ■■■!!"
Ren ran over to Maximillius who began to destroy the rifts that grew on the sphere. Seeing Ren run over, Matsuri copied his move and begun helping remove the rifts.
Xiaomao silently moved away from Consort Suki and signaled to Second Reality.
Now
Second Reality nodded and placed his hands together.
|Reality Manipulation Lvl ?? : Activated|
Xiaomao placed her hands together as well, carefully taking a seal out of her pocket.
|Roses in Diguise Lvl ¿?¿ : Activated|
|Blossom of Writer's Intuition Lvl ? : Activated|
As if time slowed down, the glitches froze. Everyone stopped moving, including Xiaomao.
Finally a faint glowing light emerged from inside of Xiaomao.
Think whatever you what about this, but to 'name' this light it would best be called Xiaomao's soul.
Her whispery and flowy soul gracefully moved swiftly from inside Xiaomao's body.
The soul of Xiaomao followed Second Reality, rewriting the world to anew.
After they finished, the soul of Xiaomao placed her hands on her heart, then mimicked the noise of a water droplet reaching the floor.
|Rewriting ■□ Lvl ¿?¿? : Activated|
Then after a minute,
|Rewriting ■□ Lvl?? : Deactivated|
A large flash of light hit everyone, causing them to rub their eyes.
Xiaomao woke up finding herself tied to a chair, unable to move she looked to see she was in a courtroom.
Ren and Maximillius on the opposite side spoke quietly under their breath, eyeing Aranthor every so now and then.
Matsuri, behind Xiaomao patted her shoulder whispering, "Don't worry Xiaomao. I will throw hands if you get sentenced to anything. You are too kind and naive to so such a thing anyway."
Xiaomao looked away, not caring about the sandwiched insult Matsuri threw at her and stared at the corner.
Her eyes widened as she recognized some faces.
Nazeeh and Li Shen.
Xiaomao was outrageous at why they were sent here, not only was it nowhere near their fault but they seemed to be badly bruised as well.
Alright, we completed it correctly right?
Second Reality nodded, "It's gonna happen in just a little bit. Wait for a bit."
Xiaomao gathered all her attention to the Emperor, who seemed to be signaling to the Dreamless Azure the start of the trial.
However, just before Aranthor could speak, the people in the crowd began to yell.
Darting to look at the crowd, Xiaomao noticed that people were starting to fade.
Her eyes widened, Aranthor sharing her shock. People yelled as they noticed their companions screaming in pain, until falling unconscious, then to finally disappear.
Sparks grew on the unconscious bodies, their color fading away.
It felt as if something was sucking the life out the poor citizens.
"Everyone please evacuate out the building this instant!" Yelled Aranthor, gesturing to the Dreamless Azure to tie me up and place me in a holding cell.
Xiaomao was able to hear a couple faint words of, "No time to waste... trial not complete... holding cell"
She watched as she saw Matsuri and Ren run outside, glimpsing a faint image of the sky.
The sky was a shade of black, no star being visible to the naked eye. Thick smokey clouds filled the air making it difficult to breath.
Gas masks were distributed immediately by the remaining Dreamless Azure, gathering everyone outside to fend off for themselves.
Emperor Aranthor climbed the Statue of Flora, and cleared his throat. Most of the city folk gathered up to hear his words.
"Everyone, please do not panic. I understand everyone's concern, and yes to verify this is Bleeding Sky. The team of Dreamless Azure are out there at the gardens, protecting every flower and destroying every rift, I assure you."
He continued, taking a deep breath. His eyes were red, and his clothes were drenched of sweat.
"To stay safe, I advise you to stay away from the rifts and to please seek shelter at our Palace Academy."
With that, he jumped off the statue running off to give more orders.
As everyone was evacuating and making preparations incase of kingdom invasion, Xiaomao was stuck inside a holding cell.
The holding cell was absolutely boring, a small room with only a window to provide light.
Forget about food, but there was absolutely no way of opening the lock from inside.
The echos of people groaning etched inside Xiaomao's head as time passed by.
By now she knew what was truly going on outside the holding cell.
The Bleeding Sky apocalypse was a lethal extinction route brought by the Titans of the Flora world.
As the people of the Flora planet live or die, a corresponding flower exists the same mutual way.
So with this logic you can say that everyone part of the Flora palace has their own individual flower.
Not only did the Titans eat the flowers that contained the life force of the people but they were damaging everything in their path as well.
Xiaomao now understood what truly was going on.
She had just kick started an apocalypse, on purpose, mind you readers. And she was stuck in the middle of a prison.