As Celina stepped out of the bath room, fully dressed after a long hot shower, she noticed it's not raining. Despite that, the clouds were hanging low, and it's still dark and bitingly cold. With a sigh, she still zipped up her jacket and wandered out of the room.
On her way to the kitchen, there was something buzzing and whirring in her ears.
Beth was the first one to greet her in a cable knit sweater that screamed the eighties and a cup of steaming tea. The young woman's lips curved in a warm smile, sinking into the nearby chair.
"I'm sorry for yesterday."
The housekeeper tutted her lips, waving. "I am
•Few Years Later•The dragon lumbered toward the Captain, swinging its long tail behind it. Turning a full rotation of the pen before it sank on the ground, folding its wings and letting out a smoky sigh. Lisa, a newbie who sat atop, gripped on the belly strap far too tight, lips still quivering as they landed."Ease the grip next time, Lisa", Celina mused, her hand stroking the bulge of her belly while staring at the poor dragon. It must be uncomfortable for the creature to endure that for more than an hour.Lisa blushed, shakily getting on her feet. "Yes, Captain"Someone cleared their throat from behind, the familiar sound making her smile.
Celina hesitantly stared at the balcony. There's only one in their entire cottage - it's small and cramped, but it's there. Its closer to where she slept, i.e. the living room. Her sisters had needed, so they took one room while her parents occupied the other one. She didn't have a choice. No one stepped enough in their balcony; her mother said that every time she stepped out there, she thought it was going to crumble underneath her. Yeah, it is a bit rickety, but Celina was wise enough not to go and lean over the railing or anything. It's just she enjoyed the view it provided. Mostly green lands of grass and the small tiny cottages alongside and another road connecting them to the Main Street.
They couldn't talk as they rode, which was fine by Celina. She had various thoughts going on around her head, mainly trying to figure out the weird behaviour of her family. They moved the horses at a brisk pace, through the forests that surrounded their home, until she lost track of where exactly they were. She knew they were following the river that came down from the northern mountains, but that was her only guide to where they were. Thomas had simply asked her to follow him, which again raised her suspicions, but she did. Eventually – when the sun was high in the sky - the forest gave way to a clearing alongside the river, and a rocky road came into view. That road always creeped her out, so she never stepped beyond that. Celina slowed her horse to match her father's pace, taking cues from him.
There's no way to know for sure from where the pianist was playing...not from her limited view, but the notes rang so clearly and distinctly in Celina's ears that it can't be very far. Maybe on the other side of the room. An urge to find out for sure pushed at her, but she stood still. This musician was not looking to be listened to if they're playing in the sacredness of a closed room. That's why she heard. Celina fluttered her eyes shut and let the music soak into her mind and replace the ugly exhaustion, frustration, and hurt that's festered inside her. She let the music soothe sink into her bones. Celina was not sure how much time passed as she stood there, breathing i
When Celina reached the kitchen, she noticed Beth waiting for her. The woman stood by the french window, dressed in a long pale blue gown, white gloves pulled to the wrists and an apron. Her grey hair was pulled in a tight bun, and she had a stern expression on her face. Something about the way she kept quiet for the first few seconds, merely narrowing her eyes at Celina made her shiver.
“First I want you to step closer” The Prince commanded, his voice sultry and barely a whisper. A shiver ran down the maid’s spine, toes curling around the harsh surface of the room.
The air around the castle was shimmering. It’s a delicate, almost invisible kind of thing. Stepping out of her room and in the living room, Celina noticed a fire in the hearth, larger than the one her family built before going out into the snow every morning. Then again, they lived in a cottage.
The maid almost jumped out of her skin, looking over her shoulder at the intruder. As soon as she spotted Prince Javier idly leaning against the wall with a smirk, she deflated. Still, her heart thudded against her chest, willing her to breathe through her mouth for a few seconds. "Your Highness" She greeted a little too late, her hand fisted by her sides. Despite her rude behaviour, i.e. ignoring the royal standing in front of her; Javier didn't seem bothered. He seemed to gawk at her through those eyes, a flash of brightness cutting through the night. The Prince turned to the railing and then looked up, before slowly turning back to Celina