How things all began.

(This is essentially a flashback branch to the main one by CMW.)

Celeste POV.

12 years ago.

I was bored. Extremely so in fact. I couldn't believe just how stuffy everything was around here. My family and I were visiting yet another noble, an old family friend. This wasn't even their main castle! It was a castle built in a secluded, undeveloped area of land that was meant as a vacation spot for the snobs.

In truth, despite being born into nobility, I wasn't really cut out for that life. Perhaps it was due to the fact that I had actually been friends with many of the servants in my own family's estate, growing up. Of course, such a thing was discouraged by my family, but what can I say? I was a rebellious little shit. Still am, as a matter of fact.

I sat at the luncheon table, tuned out of the conversation my father was having with the nobleman, asking about his son. No doubt, he was making yet another attempt to marry me off.

After I had eaten enough, I stood. "Father, I would like to get some air, if it pleases you," I said, with **** politeness.

He waved me off, allowing me to head out. He clearly wasn't going to argue about it. He knew I could make it more of a headache than it was worth it he did. And he hardly cared anyway. Both he and mother saw me as a status symbol, not their daughter. Not as my own person.

I walked out, one of the servants getting the door for me. I hated people doing that sort of basic thing for me. It made me feel like people didn't think I could handle anything on my own. Not only that, but I much preferred making others happy to being served myself. Still, I knew he meant well, so I gave him a nod. "Thank you," I said.

The servant looked taken aback, clearly not expecting to be thanked for doing his job. He simply smiled and nodded after a second as I walked by him, unaware that my life... was about to take a turn for the better.