The Two Empresses
A Cup of Nostalgia and the Red Sun Festival

The morning had come, the rooster began to enliven the silence with its merdunya kokokan. But in bed, the witch was still asleep in her dreamland. Aunty walked into the room and opened the curtains so that the light of the sun came in.

"Good morning Miss. Today the weather is bright," Bibi said cheerfully. The witch frowned and opened her eyes, trying to get used to the light that was hitting her.

"It's Sunday. I'm still going to sleep" Saciel said.

"can't. It's a special day, remember? Red Sun Festival."

"...you're right. My God, my body went numb yesterday. Aunty, please prepare.." she said as she took off her blanket and found Kezia falling asleep hugging her. "...tehnya. Black Pearl is it?"

"Well, Miss," he said. After Bibi left, Saciel cautiously got out of bed and changed her clothes to official clothes. Long hair with a half-cluttered bun, plus a golden hairpin.

"What is true? I want to enjoy my vacation but still packed with duties...hm?" his eyes turned to an eagle perched on the balcony railing. On his back was a small bag capable of carrying a scroll of letters. "Oh shit. What do they want, anyway?"

His hand took a scroll from the bag, then gave a small piece of meat in return for the eagle. While the eagle was eating, he opened the scroll and read it.

A Wolf Girl Seen on Loreta Beach.

"This.search the news. There can't be no eyewitnesses, right? Duh, this is bad."

His eyes were fixed on the wolf girl who was still asleep. He smiled and burned the news without a trace. He rushed out and found Phillip eating the garlic bread provided.

"From your face, I think you just read the hot news eh?" chirps Phillip. Saciel just kept quiet, his hand took out a piece of scone and ate it. "You scared?"

"Little bit. Our country is tough on the demi-human race, well or to be exact almost all races. I didn't expect anyone to find Kezia before us."

"I think some tourists found it. But since Kezia is no more, I don't think they're going to look for him" Phillip said.

"They'll look for him. There's no way a reporter would let go of a big story like this."

"Then how? It's likely that the guards and security forces will be looking for him" Phillip asked.

"Nee, are they gonna get me?" chirped Kezia. He stood in the doorway with tears in his eyes. "Hiks.I won't."

"No no, I won't let you get caught" he said, hugging the girl. "Trust me."

"Good nee," he said, wiping his tears. He sipped tea and his eyes lit up. "This..teh Black Pearl?"

"Oh, you know about tea?" ask Phillip.

"Yes! I really like tea. Every morning Mama always makes me a cup of tea" said Kezia. "I didn't think there was a Black Pearl here."

"This tea is indeed a favorite for nobles, but because it is difficult to get not all can buy it. I got this tea from my realtor, but he never told me who he was" Saciel said.

"Black Pearl is tea from my country, in the southeast. It's in Lumos village."

"It's worth it to have more on the black market at fantastic prices" Phillip said. "The nobles always disguised their names so as not to be banned by the government. We call him 'black eye'.

"This tea is my sister's favorite, but I can't take it because I'm afraid of dragging her into trouble."

"Nee has a sister?" ask Kezia.

"More precisely twin sisters. Here's the picture," he said, showing an old photo.

"Hair is different."

"Indeed. Both have mother-like faces, father-like eyes, inherited hair, both" Phillip said. Everyone laughed without any burden.

"Miss and Young Master, breakfast is ready" Bibi said.

"Finally. Let's go down and eat." Everything went down to the dining room, where Bibi had prepared a French toast breakfast with honey and fresh fruit pieces. They sat down and ate a simple breakfast.

"Auntie, after breakfast get ready for the festival. I'll catch up after my work is done."

"Should I make tea for Miss Cerlina?"

"of course. I'll drag him after the festival" he replied with a mischievous grin. "And for you, stay here and help Kezia."

"Good Nona~" joked Phillip. Finished breakfast Saciel immediately got up and walked away from his mansion. He flicked his finger and stood in front of Careol's central building with a haughty gesture. He walked in and met the sour-faced Elder Erika.

"Oh, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to prepare for the festival," Saciel said.

"I'm here to watch you, naughty girl," replied Elder Erika. If you're not being watched, you could be doing something wrong."

"At least I don't corrupt power like you."

"So your mouth! Was not the punishment yesterday?"

"Well, you're so sadistic Elder Erika. Body wounding is your skill? Why don't you just be an executioner?"

"You..."

"Chairman Erika, Miss Arakawa, can you stop fighting your mouth here?" knock someone. The two turned and found a maid clad in sexy butler clothes standing before them.

"You...maid of the Palace of Stjarnan?" ask Saciel. The maid smiled and saluted.

"My name is Parvati, the chief maid at the palace. It's an honor to welcome two important figures here."

"Parvati? What a beautiful name for you. So you brought the stuff I need?" ask Saciel.

"Of course, Miss. All files are ready" Parvati replied.

"All right, let's work."

Arakawa Mansion

"What is Red Sun Festival?" asked Kezia while hugging the big doll in her cute style.

"Festival in honor of Lord Oorun who saved the refugees during the war hundreds of years ago" said Phillip.

"Do you know what his face looks like?"

"Unfortunately no. No one even described the appearance of a god."

"so."

"Yes so. Ah, you want to see what the festival looks like?"

"Can I?" kezia asked, his tail moving fast.

"Of course, but we have to hide your ears and tail. Hmm, I think Saciel has a potion that suits you. Bi, where's the potion storage room?"

"In the basement, Young Master!" said Bibi. The two immediately descended into a slightly dim basement due to the lights that began to dim. Several bats were hanging in the hallway.

"I hope Saciel will clean this place up" Phillip murmured.

"Dark, I'm afraid," whined Kezia. Phillip immediately held her hand and led her towards the large shelf at the end of the room. A variety of potions in glass bottles of various shapes fill that shelf. Red, white, green, blue, transparent can bewitch the little wolf to be amazed to see it.

"Well, now which one is the transfiguration potion?" chirps Phillip. He pulled out a piece of paper containing the potion note and the shelf number. "Hmm, shelf 13, wine bottle with black liquid? Alright, shelves..."

"This?" kezia asked as he pointed at the bottle Phillip mentioned.

"Ah, you're right" Phillip replied. He immediately took it with magic and double-checked to ascertain the authenticity of the potion. "Yep, this is what we're looking for."

"Is it safe for me?"

"Look down, it's safe. If anything happens to you I'll give you the antidote soon," he said, showing off a small bottle of milky-white liquid. He poured the bottle of wine into a sloki and gave it to Kezia. The little wolf girl hesitated, her hand holding the sloki and staring at the contents. He sank the potion in one gulp and placed the slok on the table. Slowly the ears and tail shrunk and disappeared, replaced with a pair of human ears.

"Ah, thank goodness it works. Let's see, this potion only lasts for 24 hours. I think that's enough for us to enjoy the festival" Phillip said.

"Horay! Play it!"

"Basic. Let's go back, I think Saciel's gonna be coming for us."

"OK," he replied. He ran quickly leaving Phillip agape at the sight.

"I don't think their speed is a rumor."

Saciel just went inside when Kezia lunged and made both of them fall on the terrace.

"Gosh, is Miss okay?" sahut Aunt.

"It's okay, just calm down. Oh, have you had the potion?"

"Yes, ehehe," Kezia replied. Saciel just chuckled and got up to his feet, giving her a shopping bag.

"What's this?"

"Shirt for you. Wear it" Saciel said. His tail swayed quickly and he ran into the room with a shopping bag in his hand. Phillip approached the witch with a sour face.

"How's your job?"

"That fucking iron was watching me. Luckily the palace attendant accompanied me, so I didn't get too tired of hearing that old lady's bullshit."

"It's so rough your mouth. Naturally, you are indeed the queen of rude speech. Did he talk about Kezia?"

"Of course," she replied as she untangled her hair. "He's even making out about catching him."

"Typical Erika. We're ready to go, I've even called a horse-drawn carriage for us" Phillip said.

"All right, wait a minute. Want to change clothes first," he said as he climbed to the top. He quickly changed his clothes and tied his hair carelessly. He got down and found the others already in the car with a smile.

"Come nee, hurry! The hunt will begin" said Kezia. Saciel rushed in and closed the door, and the horse carriage began to move leaving the mansion.

The hot weather did not dampen the excitement of everyone present in Quetzalcoatl Park. Young and old are present and hold red dahlia flowers.

"What do dahlias do?" ask Kezia.

"As an offering to Lord Oorun for his service to help us. The red dahlia to us is the epitome of the sun itself" Auntie said.

"And we don't know what Dew Oorun looks like" Saciel murmured.

"Hush, don't say that. You want to get punished again?" philip's insinuation was accompanied by a small reluctance.

"Yes yes, sorry. Ah, that's Cerlina," she said as she glanced at the line of nuns accompanying Cerlina. He let his purple hair down, but a dahlia-shaped hairpin adorned him. Her face was not covered by a hood, so many people were stunned by her beauty and sweet smile. His body was clad in the Great Priestess' oversized clothes, but there was still a gap to show off his curves like a model on stage.

"beautiful. Similar to nee" said Kezia.

"Of course, we are twins. I have to admit, she's prettier."

"Maybe it's because she's soft as a flower and you're barbaric like a caveman" Phillip said.

"Hahahaha, very funny," Saciel replied. The festival begins with a dance by Cerlina accompanied by several temple girls. The monks began to prepare holy water accompanied by red dahlia petals. After dancing Cerlina prayed in front of the temple and sprinkled holy water to the visitors.

"And this is the highlight of the show" Saciel said, flicking her fingers and fireworks out of her hands. Everyone present did the same.

"Wow, this is beautiful."

"Well, you can fuck if you want. Here," Phillip said as he put the money in Kezia's hands. "Good fun."

"Assyc! Auntie, come with me."

"Okay, Miss Kezia. Miss Saciel, be careful," said Aunt.

"Ahahaha, I must be fine," Saciel said. He rushed towards Cerlina's tent quickly. He transformed into a cat and slipped into the tent.

"Meow."

"Welcome bad cat. Please sit down" Cerlina chanted with laughter. Saciel returned to his original body and took out a small flask from behind his sleeve.

"Black jewels for Miss Grand Priest" he replied. He snapped a finger and two cups appeared on the table.

"You should have just kidnapped me from this tent."

"You crazy? I could have been slaughtered by your nanny" he replied cheerfully. He poured his tea and gave the cup to Cerlina.

"Ah, this scent is really like heaven. Full of memories of our togetherness," he said. He took a little and smiled. "Truly delicious."

"Now it's getting hard to get this tea. Well, you know this tea isn't Respher's. And it's hard for Ceshier's stuff to get in here."

"I know. I remember when Papa brought home this tea, full of cuts and bruises. Mama's angry, isn't she?"

"Yes, Papa is playing baku hitam as well as his guard. Obviously lost in a power struggle," he replied with a laugh.

"Yes yes, ahahahaha."

The two spend time together until lunch. Saciel hurriedly left before the temple girl came to bring lunch to Cerlina. He met his entourage with a smile.

"Nee!" sahut Kezia's. He hugged Saciel tightly, as if he did not want to be separated. "I miss it once."

"I'm just gonna go for a second, baby. Come eat, I'm so hungry."

"Happeningly. I saw your restaurant open stand there," said Phillip as he walked and followed by others.