Guardian's Atonement

THREE | OWN TROUBLES

As soon as Erica Young realized she took possession of her, Lady Celestine, she tried to rummage her brain on ways how can this fantasy ( that happened in fantasy books) were happening to her. She was shocked at first but as time passed by, she realized one thing:

It’s not like there’s something for me to miss back on Earth anyway.

Erica- who was now Celestine looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes studied her reflection. She really looked like herself back in the earth except that in this world, her eyes had different color. It had the color of gold. It was like a rare jewel that shined brightly when the sun touches it.

Aside from her appearance, everything changed for her. Well, as she realized it now, being an illegitimate daughter of the Duke was maybe for the best. She had power and influence. And being the spoiled brat, Celestine was before, no one will reprimand her about her actions.

The only thing that was bugging her mind was about her death.

“Young lady,” the maid whispered. She finished wiping Celestine’s whole body and was now helping her to change her clothes. Celestine doesn’t possessed much strength compared to her body on Earth, thankfully, this maid was sensitive enough to know that her mistress was not okay.

This body that Erica was possessing was weak and vulnerable. She felt like she could die if someone would just toss her over. It was also sensitive for even the slightness force can make bruise appeared in her body.

Erica no, Celestine sighed as she looked at the bandage that was wrapped around her wrist. Since this world was inside a medieval fantasy book, anesthesia was not present and right now, her wound was hurting.

“My lady?” the maid raised her voice a little louder. She thought that Erica, no, Celestine did not hear her.

“Speak,” Celestine told her. Their eyes met in the mirror before the maid bowed down to her and slowly moved to her left. Celestine frowned because she was not really comfortably with such formality.

“ The Duke is looking for you.”

The duke. Lady Celestine Eleanor Reinsworth’s father.

Her father now.

Celestine paused and her eyes lingered on her own reflection on the big mirror. Black hair and gold eyes. Luscious pink lips and delicate white as snow skin. Jewelries placed on her ears and neck. The broach that signifies the Reinsworth’s power and influence was hanging on her dress.

Her reflection made her remembered her first time coming with his true father back on Earth. The maids on their house dolled her up just like this.

She does not like it at all.

“Remove all my jewelries,” She said in her cold and stern voice. The maid flinched. She started to over think.

Did I messed up? But the mistress always wants to put jewelries and dress extravagantly? What’s with the sudden change?

Such thoughts were occupying the maids mind but she still moved to complete the command her master was telling her.

“Also,” Celestine opened her mouth again and the maid listen attentively. “Tell my father that I’m am currently healing.”

Celestine contemplated for a short time. It was rare for her father, the duke, to summon her. According to the book and to her bodies’ memories, he never called her not even once. So, now Celestine was wondering what and why was the reason he demanded her presence in his study?

The maid doesn’t understand what was happening now but she received the command without any question. For she was afraid that she will be punish if she dare to question the young lady.

At the same moment, Celestine touched her face. The jewelries that she was wearing were now removed. She smirked at her reflection.

You’re really a princess. To bad, your such a damsel in distress, Celestine managed to mock this lady in front of her.

Sighing, Celestine put her hand on her forehead. She needed to think carefully to avoid her death.

Celestine then faced the maid who was standing next to her. Her hand was placed above her stomach and she was so stiff. Celestine studied her wondering if all the maid of the Reinsworth family was dignified and proper as this maid.

“What is your name?” Celestine asked. The maid was sweating as she answered,

“Lyra, My lady.”

“I see.” Celestine just nodded but she can clearly see how stiff and scared this maid was.

There were only two things that made this maid looked shocked right now. First was Celestine never act calm and always throw a tantrum if she was not in a good mood. Second was the former Celestine never decline the invitation of her father and her two brothers before. Even if she was weak, she will managed to find time and greet them but that was before she took possession of this body.

Celestine dismissed her and the maid gladly obeyed. As she closed the door, the sudden relief overflowed through her as she realized she’s now the only one in her room.

Surprisingly, Celestine has an easy way to adapt on her current life now. Biting her lips, she turned to her left to looked at her reflection again on the mirror.

She looked oddly young right now.

In the novel, it gave a brief introduction about this young lady. Those information were, she was not viewed as a proper princess or lady of the house nor she doesn’t have any authorities towards the maid but they all feared her.

Second was she tried her best to please her family and to see his brothers and father smile even though she was just an illegitimate daughter, she wanted love that she never felt before.

Celestine lived on the streets and was an orphan before meeting the duke. At that time, the duke treated her like a precious gem in the world and Celestine made up her mind to return the favor. But after her brothers never acknowledge her and her father never looked at her ever again.

It was quite a saddening story.

Lastly, her reputation was not good in social circles especially among nobles. They see her as a poisonous Cinderella who manage to seduce the duke thinking that she was his dead daughter.

For that reason, Celestine never behave nor mind other people’s thoughts about her and live the way she wanted but eventually, her family, the Reinsworth, draw a line saying that she was not a dignified daughter of the duke.

Thinking about all of these made Celestine think about her true father who was currently sick in the hospital. Would he care if I die? The bitterness spread inside of her chest but Celestine brushed it aside like it never existed.

As if he would care about me especially he’s dying right now.

I have my own troubles.

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