The emperor had grown desperate. His heir had rejected every marriage he arranged, and the royal line needed an heir soon. As a last resort, he purchased a courtesan. Ancient imperial law allowed children born to a royal and a courtesan to be legitimized if no official heir existed.

He chose Vivienne, a mature woman considered the best in the business. Nobles often claimed she could wrap any man around her finger. Though already in her forties, she convinced the emperor to give her a chance.

For Vivienne, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. A royal child would secure her future and spare her from being passed between nobles for the rest of her fading years of beauty.

Yet the heir ignored all her charms. She grew worried that if she failed, the emperor would replace her.

Her fears came true when he purchased another courtesan: Celeste.

Vivienne was stunned. Celeste was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen, with turquoise eyes, golden hair, and a figure worthy of a painting. She looked more like a goddess than a woman.

When Celeste met the heir, she seemed nervous and shy. Vivienne dismissed it as an act. But after watching her for several days, she realized it was genuine.

As time passed, Celeste began following Vivienne everywhere. She admired the older woman's confidence and survival skills, hoping to learn from her.

Vivienne found her annoying and couldn't help envying her beauty.

One evening, after another failed attempt to seduce the heir, Vivienne went to a room filled with relics to drink wine. Celeste followed.

They spoke about their pasts. Vivienne had been born poor and orphaned, while Celeste had been a simple villager whose beauty attracted the attention of powerful nobles. She confessed she was terrified of her future as a courtesan and wished she could be more like Vivienne.

Vivienne scoffed and admitted she wished she were more like Celeste.

Suddenly, a relic began to glow.

A flash of light filled the room, and their souls swapped bodies.

Vivienne awoke in Celeste's youthful body and burst into laughter.

Vivienne: "I can't believe it! I'm young again! Even prettier than I was in my prime! That little heir won't stand a chance!"

Celeste stared at her new reflection. Vivienne expected panic, but she only looked confused while looking at her new face, passing her fingers trough her new few wrinkles.

Celeste: "I... I'm just confused. You're so beautiful, so mature, so curvy... Why would you want to give up all that...?"

Vivienne rolled her eyes.

Then the heir entered and noticed the relic's ashes.

Vivienne immediately smiled and posed.

Vivienne: "Congratulations, handsome! You got the jackpot! I swapped bodies with little Celeste, so now I'm the full package. I have all the knowledge and experience... but also the youth and energy."

She winked confidently.

Celeste simply looked away shyly, embarrassed to see Vivienne acting that way while wearing her body.