Chapter Text
The thunderous and incessant ringing of bells echoed throughout the grounds of the Palais Mermonia as an army of soldiers marched forth.
A palace servant hastily ascended the stone staircase then ran across the carpeted hallway before stopping in front of a pair of large, thick wooden doors.
She knocked on the doors several times, her heart racing fast as the bells continued to ring. She tried the knobs, but the door was locked.
“Your Highnesses!” she yelled.
The young princesses were such heavy sleepers. Moreover, it was barely dawn, so they were still understandably fast asleep in their shared bedchamber.
The servant then urgently, and with shaky hands, took out a set of iron keys from her apron pocket and unlocked the door. She turned the knob and flung the door open, rushing into the bedchamber to wake up the princesses.
“Your Highnesses!” the servant shook the sleeping princesses’ bodies in their respective beds. “Please, you must wake up!”
A loud crashing sound came from outside followed by a roar of raucous cheers from the armed soldiers.
The servant peered out from the window and saw that the high palace gates made of iron and wood had been brought down.
She averted her eyes from the view when a bloody assault ensued.
Princesses Focalors and Furina yawned as they sat up on their beds.
They were the only children of Fontaine’s emperor and his wife, and Princess Focalors was the sole heir to the royal throne, being the older child. As for Furina, she was just a spare of her older twin sister who lived a life of splendor and luxury.
Unlike Focalors, Furina was less known to the world due to her position as the second daughter.
The servant pulled the princesses out of their bed and wrapped them in hooded cloaks before dragging them both out of the bedchamber.
“W-What’s happening?” Furina asked, her eyes still sleepy.
“W-We are under attack, Your Highnesses,” the maid answered her shakily. “I must get you both to safety.”
The princesses jolted when they heard the palace doors broken down. A swarm of armed soldiers entered the palace, killing everyone in sight.
The harrowing screams from downstairs made the princesses’ hearts race in fear, and they put more urgency into their movements, running behind their loyal servant, whose anxious and frightened expression was more vivid to them now that they were both wide awake.
The three of them swiftly descended the staircase where a royal soldier stood.
“The Emperor and his wife are gone,” the soldier reported.
Furina and Focalors’ eyes widened. There was a combination of grief, shock, and fear in their blue orbs.
They instinctively held each other’s hands in an attempt to comfort each other.
“You must take the princesses out of here and get them to safety—”
The soldier choked, blood spilling from his mouth and chest before he collapsed.
Behind him was a rebel soldier, holding a blood-soaked sword, and he had a wicked grin on his lips.
The female servant turned to the princesses, “Run!” before meeting the same fate as the fallen soldier.
Focalors and Furina placed on their hoods as they bolted across the hallway until they reached the exit that led to the palace gardens located at the west side of Palais Mermonia.
Furina was ahead of Focalors, who grabbed a shovel left on the ground beside a bed of flowers.
“W-What are you doing?” Furina asked her sister.
“Buying you time,” Focalors answered.
The rebel caught up with them and was almost hit by the shovel Focalors had swung at him from the corner.
Furina fearfully watched her sister attempt to fight off the rebel soldier.
Their eyes briefly met, and she knew that Focalors was silently telling her to go.
And Furina did.
When she reached the exit that led to the forest, she stopped for a second.
The last thing she heard was the strangled cry of her sister, as her blood sprayed the Rainbow Roses nearby. Focalors’ body collapsed to the ground, her blood soaking the grass beneath.
With a heavy heart, Furina forced herself to run away as fast and as far as possible from the palace.
She sprinted through the forest, only hearing the sound of her throbbing and terrified heart and her feet stepping on the pile of leaves and twigs that she did notice the cuts on her dress and skin caused by the thorns.
Tears rolled across her cheeks as she ran and ran until she reached a small road located at the outskirts of the city.
She was already far away from her possible pursuer but fear still took over her heart and mind, and it urged her to continue running.
Lady Arlecchino was no aristocrat but was known in Fontaine as the sole proprietress of the House of the Hearth, a place where courtesans and escorts were groomed from an early age and later, they took on wealthy and illustrious clients.
Despite not being born into Fontainian nobility, Lady Arlecchino was called “lady” due to her friendship with Fontaine’s emperor and his family. Through the courtesans and escorts she had raised under her, Lady Arlecchino was able to gather important information from various sources. She relayed these to the emperor in exchange for certain advantages.
However, the bloody coup that took place in Palais Mermonia that morning was something she had not foreseen nor heard from any of her people.
She mourned when news of the royal family’s deaths reached her ears.
A public announcement was later made at the city plaza, declaring Neuvillette to be the new emperor and apparently the man behind the revolution.
Fear struck the hearts of the common people and many grieved at the deaths of the royals at the hands of the rebels.
Many knew of Neuvillette; he was from a noble family that lived in semi-exile from Fontaine.
Several decades ago, Fontaine was ruled by Neuvillette’s family. However, the throne was usurped from them by a noble family chosen and supported by the neighboring and more powerful nation of Celestia.
Ever since then, the usurped family had vehemently declared that one day they shall retake what was rightfully theirs and the usurpers shall suffer the consequences of their crimes.
No one had anticipated that such a declaration would come to fruition and would be achieved through a violent revolution and the assassination of the royal family and their loyal servants.
As Neuvillette and his cronies settled into the Palais Mermonia and began to form their government, the people of Fontaine wept and bereaved for the loss of their Emperor and his family.
When night came, candles were lit, and flowers were placed outside the houses as the people prayed for the souls of all the lives that had been lost that morning.
Before Lady Arlecchino could close and lock the doors to her establishment, a hooded figure approached her.
“L-Lady Arlecchino,” the stranger spoke in a familiar female voice.
When Lady Arlecchino realized who this person was, she pulled her inside and quickly shut the doors.
“Princess Furina?” she asked, and the stranger removed her hood, revealing her face.
Arlecchino’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
“I thought…” she stopped herself when she noticed tears falling from the princess’ eyes.
Arlecchino led her to her drawing room for privacy. She made the princess sit down on a soft armchair and offered her a handkerchief as she bawled in her seat.
When Furina started to calm down, Arlecchino offered her water, which she took, drinking several glasses before recounting the tragic events that took place at the palace that morning.
Arlecchino listened to her story. Her heart ached at the loss of her friend and at the suffering Furina had gone through.
“I-I’ve been walking around the city all day with n-no food in my stomach, my dress torn, hiding from the soldiers, all while asking around w-where to find you,” Furina sobbed.
Arlecchino noticed her body trembling. It was probably due to fear and hunger.
She rang the bell on the table beside her and a servant appeared at the doorway.
“Prepare us a meal,” the red-eyed woman ordered; “And make it quick.”
“Yes, my lady,” the servant said with a bow before disappearing from their sight.
“You need not worry about her,” Arlecchino assured Furina; “Everyone working under me is to be trusted. You are safe here, Your Highness.”
Furina scowled at her own title. She knew for a fact—after walking around the city all day—that she was no longer a princess. That man called Neuvillette was the one behind the assassination of her family and servants, and he was now the emperor.
“I am no longer a princess so you can please drop that,” she said icily.
“Alright,” Arlecchino complied.
Several minutes later, dinner was served inside the drawing room and the two of them ate in silence.
Arlecchino watched the former princess devour her meal like an animal. Furina’s hunger made her abandon all her proper dining etiquette. It was perfectly understandable due to her situation, so Arlecchino made no mention of it.
Afterwards, she brought Furina to an empty bedroom. It was smaller than the one she was used to, but she was too exhausted at the moment to protest the color of the carpet and sheets as well as the insufficiency of pillows on the small bed.
She cleaned herself up inside the bathroom at the end of the hallway and received a set of clean clothes to change into.
Once she was all cleaned up, Furina retired to bed and slept.
The strangled cries of her sister would haunt her dreams thereafter.
Two days after the violent revolution that shook the entire country, Neuvillette single-handedly transformed Fontaine’s national government.
While he was still the emperor who had total and absolute control over all, Neuvillette created the Senate which comprised of senators handpicked by him to help craft laws that would improve people’s lives and regulate rights and properties.
To help enforce these laws, Neuvillette established the Magistracy which consisted of magistrates or judges who would resolve all kinds of legal disputes between the people.
After a month or so, the people’s views towards the new emperor began to shift towards a positive light as they saw the vast improvements in the country in all aspects of their lives.
And not long after, the people had forgotten the tragedies that had befallen the previous royal family.
Meanwhile, Furina languished and mourned at Lady Arlecchino’s home for two months.
She had changed drastically within that time. Her body grew thin and there were bags beneath her eyes from all the tears and sleepless nights. She could still hear Focalors’ cries at the moment of her death, and it haunted Furina every night.
She had even cut her once-long hair, sporting a short, wavy bob in an attempt to make her forget her dead sister. But it was futile.
Arlecchino was worried that the young princess might have given into despair, after having lost everything, Furina seemed to be without a purpose in life, only haunted by the deaths of her family. She did not want her to wither, especially since she was so young.
Then, an idea came to her.
“From now on, you will be trained as a courtesan,” Arlecchino told Furina one day while they were having afternoon tea in her drawing room.
“Huh?” Furina gasped, almost rising to her feet at the absurdity of the suggestion. “Me? A courtesan?” she scoffed. “Are you out of your mind?!”
Arlecchino placed her teacup down and regarded her with patience.
“And why not, pray tell?” she retorted; “As much as I understand your grief, it has already been more than two months since you came here. I think I have given you ample time to sort out your emotions and decide on what to do with your life, because—I’m sorry to say this—frankly, you are starting to become a burden to me and my very few servants.
“As you said before, you are no longer a princess, Furina,” Arlecchino said frigidly; “That is why I am offering to train you to become a courtesan. Once you have secured a wealthy patron to look after you, you may freely live in luxury and splendor, far away from here. You can begin anew elsewhere.”
Furina sank back in her seat, staring at Arlecchino as she sipped her tea in silence.
Though her words were a little painful, ultimately, Lady Arlecchino was right; it was time for her to find a new purpose and move on.
She had realized how much of a burden she had been, taking advantage of Arlecchino’s hospitality and graciousness. She had to get used to a simple life; she was no longer a princess living lavishly inside the Palais Mermonia.
While Furina did fear ending up as a commoner, she was thankful to Arlecchino for her suggestion. That way, Furina could find a way to live comfortably—even though it was not as the same as her old life.
“Fine,” she conceded. “I will become a courtesan. But I don’t want to be one of your little spies. I want to find a good man who can take care of me.”
Arlecchino’s lips curved upwards into a victorious smile.
“Splendid,” she said; “shall we begin your lessons?”
Despite her somewhat spoiled and arrogant personality, Arlecchino was impressed that Furina had many skills up her sleeve, and that the former princess had almost nothing left to learn.
Furina demonstrated to Arlecchino her many talents such as singing, dancing, and poetry. Surprisingly, she was even capable of cooking simple dishes and some of her favorite desserts.
She was also knowledgeable, too, having received outstanding instruction fit for a princess, even though she was not meant to be Fontaine’s next empress. Furina displayed her wisdom of the arts, history, and other topics that could impress the nobles and illustrious men she would soon be attracting.
Arlecchino had new dresses tailored for her—dresses that accentuated her womanly features in order to attract men. Furina had a beautiful face, but was not as well-endowed as the other young ladies her age. To some, she might even look like a child.
Thus, Arlecchino had her daughter Lynette teach Furina how to apply make-up and cosmetics to make her look more mature and sophisticated.
However, there was one last thing that Arlecchino needed to teach Furina and that was—
“S-Sex?!” Furina gasped, almost dropping her teacup when Arlecchino broached the topic of—
“Sex?!” Furina repeated in shock, her eyes wide.
Arlecchino nodded silently while stifling an amused smile at her naïve reaction.
“Sex is not mandatory in the life of a courtesan,” she said in business-like tone; “However, it is to be expected at times. As a courtesan, you would not only be someone’s companion or confidante, but you will be expected to provide… pleasure and gratification to your would-be clients or patrons, and that, my dear Furina, would be achieved by means of sex.”
Furina was appalled by the brazen use of the word “sex”. But she knew that sooner or later she would have to get used to it.
Still, she dreaded the idea of having sex with just anyone. She was still a virtuous maiden at heart who believed that she must only surrender her virginity to a noble man who has won her heart. She refused to just sleep with anyone for money, power, and other advantages until she would become known as a whore or a disgraceful prostitute.
Alrecchino could already sense what was going on inside her mind.
“I am not saying that you would have to have sex with your client,” she said; “I am saying that it is to be expected. You can always refuse if you aren’t comfortable.”
She continued, “My goal here today is to educate you on sex. That is all. Whether you would like to do it someday or not is entirely up to you. I just want you to know everything there is to know about this job.”
Furina calmed herself. She should have a little more faith in Lady Arlecchino. She would never let harm fall on Furina.
“Alright,” Furina said, crossing her legs and leaning slightly forward; “I’m ready to listen.”
Arlecchino smiled.
It has been two years since Neuvillette took the throne and became Fontaine’s emperor.
While he mostly kept to himself, his policies and manner of ruling had earned him the admiration of his subjects, who had easily come to accept him as their rightful ruler. How he had seized the throne through a bloody revolution had all but been forgotten and overshadowed by Neuvillette’s achievements.
During his reign, crime has been greatly reduced thanks to the new justice system. Some valuable possessions of the former royal family were sold in order to raise funds for the constructions of court houses and the Fortress of Meropide, where the convicted criminals were sent to be punished.
The economy had also boomed under his reign, making way for foreign investors to come to Fontaine and work alongside with local merchants which led to an increase of reputable jobs and factories outside the city.
Healthcare also improved with the establishment of several new hospitals across the nation, once again using the treasures of the former royals.
The improvement of the quality of life was palpable all over Fontaine and across the various social classes.
However, there was still one issue on Neuvillette’s plate that had been recently and frequently brought up to him.
“A wife?” Neuvillette stared at Wriothesley, his most trusted general and the current warden of the Fortress of Meropide. They were both inside his office at the Palais Mermonia where Neuvillette was currently going through a mountain of paperwork as usual.
Wriothesley was a much younger man than Neuvillette, and he had dark hair and greyish blue eyes. They have known each other for a long time and have developed a mutual trust.
Unlike Neuvillette, Wriothesley was more sociable, and he often kept Neuvillette in loop of what the other government officials were thinking or feeling.
And at the time, they were all concerned with the emperor’s lack of a wife.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wriothesley said; “Everyone seems to be insistent that you take on a wife so that you may produce an heir.”
Neuvillette wordlessly stared at his dark-haired friend.
“It is everyone’s view that you should have an heir, Your Majesty,” Wriothesley continued; “in order to solidify your position and to prevent any possible future dispute when it comes to succession. You wouldn’t want your throne to be usurped again, would you?”
Neuvillette narrowed his eyes at him.
“Fine,” the emperor answered begrudgingly. “Although, I must admit that I am ignorant and inexperienced when it comes to women. So, I’m afraid I do not know the first thing to do in seeking out a female companion even more so a wife.”
Wriothesley widened his eyes. He was mildly astonished that his friend, who was a decade or more older than him had never had a woman.
Then, a thought came to his mind.
“If that’s the case, then why don’t you visit some of Fontaine’s local courtesans in order to acquaint yourself with women,” Wriothesley suggested with an encouraging smile. “I’ve heard that they are highly educated and talented. Maybe you could try and meet with some of them to determine your preferences in finding a wife while learning how to talk to a woman.”
“Hmm,” Neuvillette stroked his chin; “That’s not a bad idea. I shall take it into consideration, Wriothesley.”
After Neuvillette finished half of his paperwork, he ventured into the city to visit the House of the Hearth, one of Fontaine’s reputable establishments where one can procure the services of a courtesan.
“Welcome, Your Majesty,” Lady Arlecchino greeted him cordially while hiding her shock at his sudden visit. She had no escorts nor agents working with anyone affiliated with the Palais Mermonia, so she was completely surprised.
It was normal for emperors and leaders to seek out the companionship of a courtesan. However, Arlecchino—and many Fontainians—had thought that Neuvillette was the type of man who disliked the company of a woman. The emperor—to his subjects—seemed like the type of man who was more devoted to his work and disinterested with women.
“Please, right this way,” Arlecchino said as she led Neuvillette inside an elegant drawing room where she usually showcased her courtesans to interested clients and patrons.
Neuvillette sat down on a large armchair, and he took a moment to admire the room. Apart from the usual furniture, there were also some instruments in the corner, possibly for the courtesans to use to display their talents.
“I would like to meet your top courtesans,” Neuvillette requested Arlecchino, who smiled as she nodded her head.
Then, she briefly exited the room.
Minutes later, the proprietress of the House of the Hearth returned with five young women, all elegantly dressed. Neuvillette stood up and walked up to them for a closer inspection.
They lined up in front of him, all wearing smiles on their faces.
Except for one.
Furina avoided his gaze, a pout on her lips. She knew who this man was but was forced by Arlecchino to meet him.
The corner of Neuvillette’s lips twitched into a tiny smile.
He found her expression cute.
Arlecchino noticed his lingering gaze on Furina and signaled the other girls to leave the room.
Furina stifled a protest when Arlecchino, too, left the room, leaving her and Neuvillette behind.
This was the first time she had seen him in person.
But she could not forget the tragedies her family suffered under his orders. She hated this man.
Furina had worked hard for the past two years to become a reputable courtesan in Fontaine society.
With her natural beauty, talents, and knowledge she had acquired from her upbringing as a princess, Furina had become the most sought-after courtesan in Fontaine.
Although she refused to have sex with anyone, choosing to preserve her virginity, that only made her more desirable in the eyes of men.
But still, even though she had garnered tons of worthy suitors, Furina was reluctant to take on a permanent patron. Her maiden heart was still waiting for true love, which she had hoped to find among her clientele. She would only entertain men within the walls of the House of the Hearth, and they would always leave wanting for more.
“What is your name?” the emperor asked her.
Furina reluctantly turned her head to face him.
She never imagined he would be so tall. He had waist-length, white hair fastened by a black ribbon with blue and gold ornaments. Neuvillette wore a blue suit with gold ornaments, with a ruffled, white jabot at his collar.
Furina heard from various people that the emperor was cold and serious man, who only cared about work, yet to her surprise, Neuvillette wore a soft expression on his face as he gazed down at her.
“Furina,” she finally answered him.
“Furina,” he repeated, testing the name on his tongue. “What a beautiful name you have, Miss Furina.”
“T-Thank you, Your Majesty,” Furina said with a reluctant curtsy. She didn’t want to show any respect to the man who had ordered the slaughter of her family, but it would be detrimental to Lady Arlecchino’s business should Furina slight the emperor in any way.
Neuvillette watched her move gracefully. He found her beautiful with her short, wavy hair, her unique blue eyes, and the elegant dress that she swore—albeit it exposed too much of her chest.
He wondered what this courtesan had to offer so he asked her.
Furina spent the next hour loathly showcasing her talents and doing whatever to keep the emperor entertained. She refused to give her usually one hundred percent, wanting him to go away and be disinterested in her.
Still, Neuvillette sat there, simply enchanted by her voice, her ability to play the piano, and her recitation of a love poem, which he surprisingly enjoyed.
He was equally impressed by her knowledge of current affairs and history, and he appreciated her fondness for the arts, a topic which she seemed to enjoy discussing.
Furina did not intend to talk more than she should, but Neuvillette had been attentive and encouraging that she was unable to stop her tongue from yapping about her love for the arts, especially the theater.
Once their time was up, Arlecchino reappeared at the room to check on them.
Neuvillette expressed his immense satisfaction to the proprietress before turning to Furina.
“I would like to ask you to come and live with me at the palace,” Neuvillette offered.
Furina and Arlecchino’s eyes both widened in shock and disbelief. Furina’s jaw almost dropped at the offer.
“M-Me?” she pointed a finger to herself; “Live with you at Palais Mermonia?!”
“Yes,” Neuvillette said with a nod of his head. “Of course, this would be exclusive—meaning that I would be your only patron. You are not to take any other clients, and you shall be mine and mine alone.”
She stared at him confusedly.
“But of course,” Neuvillette continued; “you are free to reject my offer. I will give you until tomorrow to decide.” He turned to Arlecchino. “I shall return here tomorrow at the same time, Lady Arlecchino. I bid you both farewell.”
The two women remained frozen in their spot while Neuvillette let himself out of the establishment.
“Did that just happen?” Furina asked Lady Arlecchino. “Did the emperor of Fontaine just asked me to be his exclusive courtesan?”
Arlecchino merely nodded at Furina.
“Will you turn him down?” Arlecchino asked.
Furina stared at her before turning to the mirror on top of the teak bureau beside the door.
Even with her short hair and make-up, Furina could still see Focalors in her reflection.
Her mind briefly replayed the events of that fateful day two years ago.
But unlike before, she was no longer overcome with sadness and despair.
Now, Furina felt rage.
An extraordinary opportunity had presented itself to her today: An opportunity to exact her vengeance on the man who was behind her loss and misery.
She could accept his offer and get closer to him, learn his secrets, and bring him down inside her former home.
Furina was no longer the spoiled and frail princess of two years ago. No. She had made a name for herself, a reputation. She had studied and honed her skills, built up her confidence. She could use her newfound skills and knowledge to bring Neuvillette down.
She turned to Arlecchino and said with a devious smile, “No. I don’t think I will turn him down.”
Wriothesley returned that night to Neuvillette’s office to inquire about his visit to the courtesans’ house.
He was taken aback by his friend’s happy expression and the smile that danced on his lips. Neuvillette almost never smiled.
“I take it your visit went well?” Wriothesley said as he took the seat in front of Neuvillette’s desk.
“Indeed, it did,” Neuvillette reported happily; “I must thank you for your recommendation, Wriothesley.”
“So you met with a courtesan and learned what kind of woman you wanted?”
“Even better,” Neuvillette said; “I found a potential wife.”
“WHAT?!”
“I said I found—”
“Yeah, yeah, I heard what you said,” Wriothesley interjected. He stared at his friend incredulously. “A wife?” he repeated.
“A potential wife,” Neuvillette corrected; “She is quite charming, educated, and cultured. I have invited her to live with me here so that I may become better acquainted with her.”
“And who, pray tell, could this courtesan be who has wrapped you around her finger?”
“Her name is Furina.”
“Furina,” Wriothesley said contemplatively. He raised his brows when he realized who she was. “Furina? The most sought-after courtesan in all of Fontaine?!” He stared at Neuvillette with wide eyes.
“Oh? I had no idea she is that renowned.”
“Furina is currently the most desired courtesan in the market. She made her debut more than one year ago, if I recall correctly. Anyway, countless men have tried to win her over, but no one has yet to pluck her flower, if you know what I mean.”
“She is a virgin?”
“It appears so. She has never slept with any of her clients, nor had she ever kissed one. She is quite virtuous and chaste, which makes her all the more desirable.”
“Huh,” Neuvillette uttered; “I suppose that is… a good thing.”
“Anyway,” Neuvillette changed the topic together with his expression; “have you received any information as to that traitor who gave the false orders to execute the royal family?”
Wriothesley shook his head.
“No, I’m afraid,” he told Neuvillette. “Whoever he is, he is quite crafty.”
Neuvillette hummed in agreement.
“I can’t believe you’re still looking for this guy,” Wriothesley commented. “It’s been two years.”
“He was the one behind the deaths of the former emperor, his wife, and his children,” Neuvillette said grimly; “He has committed a grave injustice and I do not intend to let him go unpunished. Even if all his victims had died, that is not a reason for me to abandon my pursuit of this traitorous criminal. Mark my words, Wriothesley, we shall find this man and make him pay for his crimes against the royals.”