Guardian's Atonement

SEVEN | AGE

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After the talk with knight that was supposed to be her surveillance, Celestine walked inside the Von Reinsworth mansion taking in sight every unique piece of art that was display and the luxurious hallway. Black and yellow were mostly the interior of the Autumn estate it was also known as the main mansion where the Von Reinsworth Resides.

Celestine walked, the sound of her heels echoed through the hallway making everyone aware that she was there.

“A wonderful day, my lady. How was your walk?”

“Good morning lady,”

Her brows rose as she realized how polite the servants today, every time Celestine encountered them in the hallway, it’s either they will bow or they will greet her asking if she was having a nice day.

The previous Celestine would have been ecstatic receiving such treatment from the servants who previously mocked her but now, Erica who was living inside her, was displease. Why now? When that little girl was no where to be found?

Celestine did not like it at all however, she also assumed why the servant was like this.

It was because the second prince was here.

He was now living here under the Von Reinsworth Mansion and speaking of the devil, Celestine heard the sound of foot steps and the servants greetings once again. She looked in front of her. The luxurious hallway of the Autumn mansion of the Von Reinsworth seemed like to glow as he took his step.

A pause as their gazes met. Celestine was wearing her most modest clothes as she doesn’t like the luxury she was getting right now, but it was the opposite for the second prince.

He was wearing fabrics with a touch of gold and blue that shouts the dignity of a royal blood. His silver blue hair was a mess but the way he stands perfectly mirror someone who has a standing of a prince. He was tan. Celestine did not expect that but it does compliment every features the prince has. Especially his vast blue eyes that perfectly mirrors the perfect ocean.

Celestine was breathless. He was beautiful.

Sighing, Celestine felt a little troubled as she was dumbfounded but still she was standing tall as a perfect daughter of the three dukes just below the royal family. Managing her composure, she smiled, however, it did not reached her gold eyes.

She walked slowly to shorten their distance but when Celestine noticed how the prince was getting uncomfortable she stayed at the place she was standing. It seemed like she forgotten how the previous Celestine seduced any prince in her disposal.

Sighing once again, she realized that she was a little bit taller than the prince. So out of nowhere, she asked, “How old are you, your highness?”

The prince stared at her. He seemed like he was shock but then his timid voice echoed answering her question, “I am sixteen, my lady and will be having my birthday soon.”

Celestine blinked. Her smile was evident as if she was mocking him but that was not her intention. She was surprised knowing that the prince was three years younger than her.

How can you seduce someone younger than you!? ugh, Celestine!

“Too young. A child?” Celestine giggled.

The second prince frowned as he did not like the sound of it. “Are you mocking the royal family now, Lady Celestine? Because of my age?”

The second prince was known as a timid person. He doesn’t have any interest on becoming the king that was why he chose to become a priest at the very end enhancing his divine power. However, even though he was timid, he still walks with the air of royalty not letting anyone mock him.

Celestine shook her head. “No your highness. I just realized how naïve and disgusting I was trying to seduce such a child in the first place.” A mysterious smile appeared on her lips. Her eyes flicker as the sun reflected from the mirror into her eyes.

She was different, Alistair said.

“Please forgive my insolence and please be comfortable in our mansion. Rest assured that you won’t be seeing me frequently.”

“Also,” Celestine lifted her dress with both of hands and putting her right foot behind her left foot, she bowed, “Forgive my insolent act for not greeting his highness, star of the kingdom, the second prince.”

The second prince, Alistair was shook. This was different. Everything about her shouts mysterious and different from the Celestine he known. “Raise your head. Be at ease,” He said his voice sounded as if he was confused.

Celestine stood once again. “Please excuse me your highness.” She said as she walked passed him as if he was nothing but with a royal blood. Alistair did not like it all and when she was nowhere in sight did he realized he was holding his breath.

He blinked as he tried to understand what just happened and why did she suddenly changed. He was skeptical coming at the Autumn Estate at first for he knew that Celestine would be here but his eldest brother convinced him that it was necessary so he had no choice in the very beginning.

Pushing their encounter aside, he walked again as he previously wanted to take a stroll in the garden for it was beautiful.

--

Celestine entered her room, and her lady in waiting was waiting there as she slowly tidied the room. A scent of the fresh morning flowers greeted Celestine. She smiled as she felt that her fatigue was being erased by the scent.

The lady in waiting bowed at her but Celestine waved her hand. “What’s your name?”

“My lady, have I done something wrong?” The lady in waiting was quivering and Celestine stretched her lips. Was the previous Celestine beat her servants?

“Be at ease,” Celestine assured her. “I just want to know your name.”

“It’s Lyra my lady.” Celestine pricked her brows as she was interested. A smiled appeared on her lips once again.

“I see Lyra.” Celestine walked toward the sofa and sat there. “You have a nice name Lyra.”

The lady in waiting walked and stood at her side. “Thank you for your compliment, my lady.”

She said in a sincere voice. Celestine nodded. She was interested in her servant’s name for she knew that this servant of her’s was an assassin. According to the novel, Lyra was devoted to the real daughter once she appeared.

Knowing that an assassin was by her side, Celestine was not giving into fear for she knew she could run away if there was a chance. She would leave everything behind stealing some money and never coming back. She was just waiting for that moment.

Grabbing a book she opened it.

“What are my schedule this day?”

“None as the moment my lady for the Duke had ordered us to get you some rest for the hunting season is just around the corner.”

“Hunting season?” asked but her eyes was still on the book as she flipped the pages.

“Yes, my lady. It’s held at the end of this month.” Celestine stayed quiet. Nobles. She muttered inside her mind.

“Also my lady, the duke had requested once again of your presence at the dinning table later tonight.”

Celestine paused. A mocking smile appeared. “Tell him I will be resting early this day, so tell father I’m sorry.”

Lyra did not understand the actions of her lady but still, she nodded. “Yes my lady. Have you meet the prince?”

Recalling their encounter she giggled. “Yes, I met him on the hallway on my way here. He was younger than I thought. What was the reason he was here again?”

“We don’t know the exact reason my lady however, he will stay here for a while before going in the temple.”

“He planned on being a priest?” although she knew that, she still asked.

“Yes, my lady. He had shown talent for divine magic and the crown prince expect him to become an expert in the field of holiness.”

Celestine clicked her tongue. A gentle smile appeared on her lips as her eyes still glued from the book. “Poor child.”

“Pardon?” Lyra was in confusion because she did not expect this reaction at all. She expected her mistress would throw fit for she always seduced the younger prince for the lady hopped to become a princess. Being a priest meant he would not marry at all and devote his life on the gods.

“Think about it this way, Lyra.” Celestine moved her gaze outside where the garden was. The second prince was strolling the garden and a smile was plastered on his lips. The aura of such innocence was emitting on him she felt like he was indeed a child who was sheltered.

“Bearing such responsibilities at a young age would that make him feel that he was in prison. In his age he should be playing and enjoying his early years before it’s too late.”

“However, my lady, the prince is now sixteen years old.”

“Exactly, Lyra.” Celestine looked at the book again. “He’s just sixteen.”

Lyra did not answer anymore and just stood there. Today, her mistress was different.

--

Evening came and Celestine felt like she can’t sleep. She tossed and turned several times trying to find the right position to sleep however, it seem like something was trying to keep her from sleeping.

Feeling her head aching because of her movements, she sat at her bed looking at the garden glowing as the light of the moon shown. Her gaze then traveled on her room. It was big and there were many decorations that was quite extravagant.

Celestine can’t get use to it at all.

In her night dress, she stood up. Grabbing her coat as she walked outside. If she can’t sleep tonight, she will stroll in the garden and enjoy the cold breeze of the night.

The luxurious hallway was still sophisticated even though it was night. Some windows were open letting the cold air entered inside the Mansion. It was making her hair dance with the wind. She randomly touched her raven black hair. It was glowing under the moonlight.

As she walked, she saw a figure standing in front of an opened window. It was the second prince. His figure was being illuminated by the moonlight it was quite a sight. Like a beautiful painting which was too precious you can only view such beauty at night.

Alistair seemed like he was aware of someone’s presence so, gently, he moved his gaze from the moon to his left. His pupils shook as she saw Celestine’s figure. Looking straight at him as if she was looking deep down in his soul. He felt his flesh quivered.

Her hair was glowing even though it was black. Her gold eyes that most looked like a piece of high priced jewelry were glowing even brighter at the moonlight leaving him speechless. She never looked like this before.

Seeing that the second prince eyes were on her, Celestine moved gracefully as she made an attempt to greet him once again.

“Good evening your highness.” Her voice was mellow it made him flinched.

Remembering she asked his age this morning he returned the question, “How old are you this year?”

Celestine blinked. Not expecting the question but she answered. “I’m turning nineteen this year, your highness.”

“I see that’s why you told me that I am a child?”

“Yes your highness. I am far older than you.”

“Does it also mean you will not be pursuing me anymore?”

Celestine was shocked but she smiled as if she was confident. “Yes your highness. You are better with someone who was more younger than you or someone who was at your age. You’re still young and experience can hone you into a different person. Much better than before.”

“Did you realize that now? Or have you always been thinking like that and pursue me as a joke?”

Every question the second prince ask was not in Celestine’s expectation. Was her statement made him think like this?

“ No your highness,” Celestine crossed her hands over her chest. “Have the news about me drenched in blood reached your ears?”

The second prince nodded remembering the commotion at the banquet hall. “Yes.”

“That night, I remembered that I have been blind all along.”

“What do you mean?”

Celestine revealed a soft smile. “Your highness, it is exactly what I mean.”

A pause. A silence. None of them spoke as if they were weighing the heaviness of their conversation.

Celestine smiled. A glint of something sparkled in her eyes making Alistair breathless once again.

“Your highness, you seemed confuse about something.”

“Indeed I am,” He honestly answered. “I was hoping I can get my answers here in this estate however, it makes me confuse even more.”

“Ah.” Celestine exclaimed. “I know I might be rude for saying this but you ought to be carefree for your age.”

“You mean?”

“Your highness, you’re just sixteen. Am I right?”

“Yes.” Alistair answered not knowing why the Lady asked his aged twice. He was never insecure that he was young but now, he felt uncomfortable.

“Then, it meant that you should not be burden by emotions and confusion because at this age, you need to explore your heart and what your dreams is. You should not be burden by the things other people wanted from you instead, you need to be carefree enough to trample those things down for you are a royalty and a royalty will never bow into anyone.”

Alistair was rendered speechless once again. He was seeing Celestine in a new light it made him tremble. I don’t like this. His eyes stayed at hers for a few seconds before, “I should be going now.” The second prince said and Celestine nodded.

“Enjoy your sleep, your highness.”

However, before the second prince took his step, a figure emerge from the darkness. The moon turned into crimson and in an instant, the figure that emerged was strangling Celestine on the floor a dagger was pointed at her neck and blood was gushing out.

Celestine blinked trying to understand the sudden actions. She heard the second prince panicking and calling her name.

However, none of those things mattered as Celestine smiled as if she knew that this was bound to happened.

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