Cielle

Caelestra, the capital, is the home to the prestigious Caelestrial family and Church. The place is renowned for its pristine waters, lush greenery, and diverse forestry. Exotic animals freely roam the outskirts of the land, creating a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Regardless of one's social status, whether royal or commoner, everyone receives the respect they deserve. The people of Caelestra are known for their grace, culture, and friendliness. They are always ready to lend a helping hand. In Caelestra, unlike other places in the country, the residents have a strong connection with nature. They prefer to be close to the land, allowing them to harvest fresh crops and enjoy clean, pure water directly from the source. The nearby ports provide an abundance of fresh fish, straight from the sea, making it easily accessible to the locals. The overall atmosphere of Caelestra is peaceful, rarely experiencing issues or violence, except for matters related to the Church. Sitting quietly in the back of the car, she gazed at the passing scenery. Her destination was the capital, where she was supposed to meet a group of other children. Her parents had been too occupied to bid her a proper farewell, rushing to prepare her for the journey. She clutched the small leather bag her mother had given her, along with other gifts. The Church had also seen her off and presented her with their own tokens. Surrounded by silence, she could only hear the soft purring of the engine, a comforting sound that brought a smile to her face. As she looked out of the window, the magnificent entrance of Caelestra came into view, just as her mother had described. It differed slightly from her imagination, but she could still picture everything vividly. The air carried a magical essence, sending tingles across her skin. Driving through the city, she observed the locals going about their daily lives. Friends gathered, laughing and conversing, while elderly ladies sold their produce in the market stalls. A mischievous cat carried something in its mouth, pursued by a dog, much to the obliviousness of its owner. Gradually, the cityscape faded, and they ventured into a suburban area, somewhat concealed from view. "We're almost there, Miss Axilla," the chauffeur informed her. She turned towards the driver's seat, watching the chauffeur through the mirror, and nodded in acknowledgement. Ahead of them stood a grand gated community, encompassing houses and mansions. The car came to a stop as the guard engaged in a brief conversation with the chauffeur. Taking in her surroundings, she marveled at the diverse trees and clusters of wildflowers surrounding the area. The neatly trimmed grass displayed various shades of green. The buildings exuded a modern yet antique charm. While the surrounding forests reminded her of home, the high gates and vigilant guards made it impossible to escape unnoticed. "Miss Axillia," the guard called, peering through the driver's window. "Please enjoy your stay here." He signaled for the gate to be opened, and she nodded politely in response. In truth, she had no choice in the matter. This was her designated purpose, or so she was told. The gate closed slowly behind them as they entered the premises. Pointing towards a tall building with a cross, the guard informed her, "That is the Church. The two buildings flanking it are the royal houses." "Okay," she replied, her interest waning. She assumed she would receive a tour later anyway. The car stopped at a roundabout, and a man in a suit opened her door with a slight bow. "Miss Axillia, I'm glad to see you have arrived safely," he greeted her. Stepping out of the vehicle, she offered a polite smile. "Thank you, sir." "You will be escorted to the Church to confirm your arrival and then to the Royal houses, where you will be shown your place of residence," he explained. Turning around, he began walking towards the largest building, indicating for her to follow. As she glanced back, the car had vanished, leaving no trace. She hurried to catch up with the man in the suit, who impatiently held the door for her. She was led to the front of the Church, where a figure draped in lilac from head to toe approached them. The man stopped, motioning for her to step forward. Pausing for a moment, she received a stern look from the man and hesitantly took a step. The cloaked figure laughed gently, extending their hands towards her. She delicately clasped them, offering a polite smile. "I'm Fae, and you must be Miss Axillia Angellic," the figure introduced themselves. "Yes, I am," she replied cautiously. Fae released her hands and produced a piece of paper seemingly out of thin air. "Miss Christiielle Leilani Axillia Angellic, Celestial Witch from the Land of Celeste," they stated. She nodded in confirmation. "Daughter of Princess Celestine Arthandor and High Ranking Official Kamonde Axillia," she added. "Due to secrecy, you will now be known as Cielle Angellic. This notice has been presented to the Royal houses at the request of your parents and the Church back home, regarding your mission. You will be grouped with other elementals of your age and reside in a separate housing facility," Fae explained, pausing briefly. "Separate rooms, of course. Any questions?" Christiielle shook her head, her confusion evident. "No, ma'am... or sir... I mean Fae." Fae smiled. "Please, I am known as Fae of Caelestra, that is all." They nodded to the man behind them and turned back to Cielle. "You are dismissed. Please enjoy your stay here." With a gentle smile, Fae departed. She followed the butler back outside, heading towards the Royal houses. Memories of her mother's words resurfaced, reminding her of the importance of these introductions and meetings. The Celeste family rarely traveled to the mainland without good reason, prioritizing their safety and distance from mainland politics. The butler knocked three times on a pair of large oak doors, and they swung open. "Cole," greeted the man inside, his brown hair slightly disheveled. He turned to her and smiled. "Princess Christiielle Axillia." She curtsied gracefully and returned the smile. "Your Highnesses." A tall man emerged from the back of the room, striding confidently towards her. His long, dark brown hair was tied in a ponytail, with a few strands framing his face. His eyes, a striking metallic blue, contrasted against his slightly tanned skin. He took her hand and gallantly kissed it. "Miss Christiielle, or should I say Cielle, as that is your new name, isn't it?" he asked. "Yes, sir," she replied softly, growing slightly annoyed at the prolonged contact. He chuckled at her discomfort and released her hands gently. "I am Prince Clementine, and this is my brother, Donovan." Donovan stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Cousin, it is an honor to finally meet you," he said, stepping forward to embrace her. She tensed momentarily, and Donovan quickly let go, whispering apologies. "Cole," Clementine addressed the man. "Your duties are done . You are free for the afternoon." Cole bowed and left the room without a word, closing the doors behind him. Cielle observed Donovan more closely as he attempted to fix his disheveled hair with his fingers. He was slightly shorter than his brother, with lighter-colored hair and bluish-grey eyes, darker than Clementine's. He seemed to be the more carefree of the two, unburdened by the weight of direct succession to the throne. He could enjoy some freedom within certain limits. "How was your journey, Princess?" Clementine inquired. "It was fine, Prince Clementine," she replied, wondering when she would finally be able to retire to her quarters. Exhaustion was beginning to take its toll. "Please, drop the 'Prince.' We are family, after all," he insisted, a teasing tone in his voice. "I only called you 'Prince' to tease you," she confessed, smiling politely. She had learned to navigate such encounters, understanding the importance of not upsetting the royal family while representing the Celeste land. Ending up in the royal dungeons would hardly be a suitable representation. Clementine regarded her thoughtfully. "You will be staying in the Royal houses since the other children haven't arrived yet. We can't risk any kidnappings; your mother would unleash hell upon us," he chuckled. "Donovan will escort you to your room since it's located opposite ours." "Donovan," Clementine called, and Donovan nodded, stepping forward to escort Cielle out of the office. "Do enjoy your stay, Cousin Cielle," Clementine bid her farewell as the doors closed behind them. "Elle," Donovan addressed her with enthusiasm. "Since it's your first time here, dinner will be brought to your room while you settle in." He looked down at her, ensuring she was attentive. She nodded slightly. "Dinner is at 7, so if you miss it, that's on you. But don't worry," he reassured her, a mischievous smile forming. "If you do miss it, I'll try to sneak something up for you." He chuckled, adding a playful rhyme, "Breakfast is at 8, so don't be late. Though I doubt you would be, given how competent and punctual the maids are here." "If you need anything, my room is just across the hall," he pointed out before realizing they had reached her destination. Opening her room door, he gestured inside. "This is your room, Cousin Elle. May I call you that? Elle?" Amused, she shook her head. "Something tells me you wouldn't stop even if I said no." He sheepishly grinned. "Well, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to freshen up." With a smile, she closed the door slowly. "Call me if you need anything," he called out from the other side before she sighed, realizing that this would be an long stay.