Guardian's Atonement

SIX | THEM WHO PROTECT THE KINGDOM

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As the morning arrived, Celestine woke up feeling refresh after spending time on her soft fluffy bed. She did not expect the feeling of feathers below her would felt like she was in heaven laying on the fluffy clouds. That was why she was smiling the moment she woke up but that smile was soon wiped out of her face as the maid brought her an unbelievable news.

“What did you say, can you repeat it?” The maid smiled in her mind as she saw the shock expression of her mistress.

“Yes, My lady.” The maid bow and said, “The duke requested your presence in the dinning room. He wished he could share breakfast with you milady.” 

The maid felt a sense of pride as she said the news again for the second time. Finally, the young lady who always wanted to attend and have a meal with her family finally has the opportunity to be with her brothers and father.

But, it was the contrary on Celestine’s mind. She could not find any reason for the sudden changed of behavior and she did not know how to act in front of the duke and her brothers. In that moment, Celestine’s mind was running in circles as she think of a reason to avoid such scene from happening.

She glanced at her wound, she thanked inwardly as she realized that she finally came up with an excuse. “I am not well, tell father that.” Even though her voice was gentle it was also cold. The way it echoed through out the room made the maid flinched as her eyes doubted if the lady in front of her was really Celestine Von Reinsworth.

Celestine motioned his head to looked to her right. The sun was shinning brightly it was giving Celestine the spring feeling however, her eyes were cold. The smile she was wearing a moment ago disappeared as if it never existed before.

“Yes, My lady.” The maid dismissed herself. But before she passed through the door, she glanced back to where her mistress was. It was like a beautiful painting. A maiden whose beauty was enough to bewitch countless men was sitting on her bed looking at the garden outside as the sun shown brightly despite of the snow. However, she was not smiling at all. As if her mind was occupied with curses and battles.

Sighing, the maid opened the door and excused herself.

In Celestine’s mind, she was remembering the time she had always waited at the dinning room waiting for his brothers, father and step mother. Her little eyes were beaming with expectations as she wondered when will they come.

She was just a little girl back then. Celestine no, Erica viewed her father as a savior who managed to save her from poverty after her mother died. She viewed him with capes and dignity the hero’s wear whenever they fight evil. That was why she wanted to be  a good person: A person who can save other people. A person who was reliable and responsible.

A person….

However, as the little girl waited and waited and waited, her family did not come. So, she ate alone. Another day passed and she waited again but they did not come at all. Her expectations was little by little shattered into pieces as she slowly realized that they will never dine with her.

A simple gesture. It was a simple gesture to others but for the little girl it was her dream.

Such useless thoughts.

Celestine mumbled at herself and decided to stand up. A knock was heard.

“Come in,” Celestine said as the maids in charge for her dress walked inside. Celestine’s eyes went from the maid to the dress they were bringing. It was extravagant and elegant she despised it. Sighing, she walked in front of the mirror, “bring me something simple for today.”

The maids were stunned for a moment. “Lady, this dress was given by the duke,” the maid said.

“the duke? My father?” Different thoughts surrounded her mind as she contemplated why would the duke bestowed her a dress this extravagant? She did not understood all the odd things that was happening, however, her decision was firm.

“I can wear that in special events for its precious. I want something simple for today.” she never like extravagant clothes for it reminded her how wealthy her original parents was.

“My lady, today is a special day.” the maid insisted. Celestine blinked. She was looking at her reflection inside the mirror.

“Special?”

“Yes, milady.”

“How so?”

“The second prince will be living here in the Mansion for sometime.”

Celestine paused for a bit. Feeling exhausted early in the morning, she grabbed the water that was sitting on the table and drank it. The nice feeling she was having when she woke up was completely gone. She was not enjoying the luxurious treatment at all.

“Why?” She asked once again as her mind traveled from the book’s plot. Since she traveled her earlier than expected, she doesn’t have any clue why the second prince would leave the comfort of the palace.

The maid bowed her head. The dress was still sitting on her arms as she replied, “We are not aware of the reason my lady. However, the duke and the butler in charge had said that he will arrive today.”

The second prince. Alistair Declan De Villareal.

 Celestine smirked inside her head. He was one of the male leads inside the story who had become a priest in order to save the one he loved. He has a power of divinity and was enough to crown him as a saint.

However, Celestine was not interested in such matters. “It doesn’t matter he won’t be seeing me anyway. Just bring me something simple. A clothes that will not restrict me for I plan on walking outside the garden for today.”

Realizing how firm the lady was, the maid did not insist anymore. “I understand my lady.”

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The garden was covered with snow, however, the flowers were still in full bloom. Celestine guessed one thing. It was because of magic. Magic was like a flowing water to this kingdom. It gives people the luxury and comfort she had on her previous world.

The sun was high however, it was not hot enough. It made the wind warm and cozy taking away Celestine’s irritation.

The news that the second prince had arrived made its way to her ears. Her father Duke Arnold Evans Von Reinsworth insisted for her to join their breakfast. But Celestine did not like it at all. She ignored her father’s summoning and instead, she walked on the garden admiring the new world she was having now.

This world was made of words and thoughts of an author. In Celestine’s mind she was wondering how such world exist. This world which still have royalties, prince, princess, heroes and knights, magic and divinity. Everything in this world seemed like anything would be possible.

Wind blew making her hair dance with the wind. Celestine walked at the big garden surrounded by flowers. Minutes later, she found herself in the training grounds where the knights trained.

Her figure was not that visible as she was surrounded with different bushes and tress making her presence  not noticeable. In that moment, her eyes traveled and surveyed the place.

The knights were in their black training uniform. Celestine was quiet as her eyes traveled. She remembered that a knight saved her the first time she transmigrated. She wasn’t able to say her word of thanks for she lost consciousness at that time.  

A ghost smile appeared on her lips. it was just a few seconds however, if people would see her smiling face they would probably mistaken her as a saint for she was beautiful.

Busy by her own thoughts, Celestine once again watched the knights trained giving their sweat, blood, and dedication on protecting their family and the empire.

The kingdom was consisted of three ducal household which were known as the guardians of the Yuviel Kingdom.

The first guardian was The Ducal family of Aernandez. They are called Minister of Crimson. They are the one who were in charge of politics in the kingdom preventing any unnecessary bloodshed and treason. They keep the nobles on the leash as they work together with the Sky of the kingdom, the King and the queen.

The second guardian was The Ducal family of Ein Leonharts. Also known as, Azure of the Seas. They trained knights to become the shield of the Kingdom. They are in charge of the boundaries and protection of the territory. They take pride of their combat skills and barbaric personalities. For their motto always stands with, Enemies aren’t allies.

Lastly, Celestine’s family. The ducal household of Von Reinsworth. They are called Veil of the Kingdom The family of Von Reinsworth transverses through the shadows seeking information eliminating possible threats that might harm the future of Yuivel Kingdom.

Even though the kingdom was not powerful enough to conquer kingdoms and empires, they are respected. However, Celestine knew that this kingdom only have a name for the current ruler, King Francus Amos De Villareal was greedy, selfish, and weak.

The knights being trained here in the Von Reinsworth training ground were also trained to become an assassin. Knights produced by the family of Von Reinsworth have a very  sensitive senses. That was why, Celestine already knew that even thought they are doing their training, the knights present was already aware of her presence.

Celestine curled her lips up. The wind blow making her hair dance with its rhythm. The world she was in was really a fantasy world. The details and everything was making Celestine believed that maybe one day she might woke up realizing that she had inherited powers.

Celestine tilted her head thinking of how absurd her thoughts was. In the first place she was the villainess in this fantasy world. A mere extra for the h****n to stand out.

A shinny reflection caught Celestine’s attention. Her gaze traveled from the garden back to the training grounds once again. The blade of the sword was reflecting the sun. Celestine’s eyes stared at the sword for a few seconds.

Should I purchase my own sword? She asked in her mind. Celestine knew she needed to protect herself from the future however, seeing how big and heavy to sword was just by looking at it, she hesitated. Maybe I should try purchasing a katana instead. I am more incline on that weapon since I always used it in the past.

The past? Celestine stared at her hands. It was not her hand but she imagined a crimson color covering her palms as she hold a dagger.

Celestine crossed her hand over her chest. In the corner of her eyes, she saw the leaves from the bushes moved. Sighing, her finger tips brushed her hair backwards before saying, “Come out and state your business.”

Nothing happened. Celestine smiled even more as she waited. Finally after a few minutes. A figure behind a tree emerged. He was wearing the Knight uniform of the Von Reinsworth. There were many complicated embroidery in his uniform and the  Black and gold color stands out the most since the Von Reinsworth family take pride of the almost gold like jewel eyes and raven black hair.

“My lady’s second brother, young master Jonas instructed me to keep an eye on the lady.”  Celestine turned to see the figure more clearly. He has a jet black hair and brown eyes. There were a scar on his cheek as his skin was tan.

But that didn’t caught much on Celestine’s attention, instead, Celestine was observing the eyes of this knight in front of her.

“Does he think I’m going to cause trouble? You don’t even like what you’re doing right now. Spying the useless daughter of the ducal household instead of going on missions and protecting the kingdom, am I right?”

“I-It’s not true!” Not true? Then, how can you explain the disgust reflecting in your eyes? Celestine squared her shoulder emphasizing her position in this family.

“Such nonsense. Do you think I don’t know how the knights trained by my family hated me? Stop lying for I know how every one of you feel disgust just by thinking that I am living.”

“My lady,”

“Enough and excuse yourself for I am not going anywhere.” Celestine begun to walk. “And report to my brother that I am doing well. If he’s worried if I’m going to cause trouble, fret not for my mind is occupied with different matters.”

Celestine said as he left the night standing there speechless. Ha, I can’t trust anyone in this household. I need to leave as soon as possible.

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