Celeste

Celeste's Epilogue

I looked outside my window, there was a nostalgia to it. I could be forgiven for imagining for a moment that it was all a dream. All twelve years at the charmed castle with Master. My face looked the same for one. If not for everyone else, it would be easy. Everyone else aged, and grew up. It was I alone who looked the same.

In the time between, Father had passed, and Mother retired, giving the title of head of state to Lydia. I smiled thinking about that, I knew she had the strength, but I was shocked to see that Samatha had actually lost. In the Ashford home, it was the women that held the noble status. Within this country that was not always true though.

Samatha was the first born, but she looked as if she might lose the race against me. Lydia was to shy to be of concern, and Catherine was only six at the time, so unless things went badly, she never stood a chance. At the time, I was much better than Samatha, I was all but a shoe in. It was on my way home for meeting for marriage proposals that I had met Master.

Apparently I had been reported as killed by bandits. So as far as my family was concerned. I was a ghost, but they welcomed me with warm arms, and questions. Questions I had yet to answer. I mean, what am I to say? That I was magically compelled to serve a man for twelve years? And that even now, I still wanted to cry for having lost him?

They’d want to send me to the bin. They just seemed to think I needed time to adjust.

I tugged at my sleeve, this was the worst part. My skin felt utterly horrible, like I was being smothered under blankets, and compared to Sofia’s work, these noble silks were still a bit rough. The lotions my family kept on hand were subpar as well. At least compared to what Master provided. But, mixing such things was simple enough. Rosemary had given me a recipe. She said I’d need it.

I smiled looking at the paper, Rosemary was something of a bittersweet memory for me. On one side I knew it was her that brought down the charmed castle, and some part of me would hate her forever. But the Rosemary that wrote this letter, she was the one that grieved with me. The Rosemary that would have murdered for Master. Master’s little seer. She was the one, he would have married. And I couldn’t hold onto anger thinking of that.

The clock revealed the time as ten minutes before ten. I made my way down dinning table, for breakfast. I sat next to the door and just put my hands behind my back. It was calming to stand by ready. Mother would be disappointed if I was late.

“Oh, Celeste, why aren’t you sitting down?” Mother asked.

“I was waiting for you Mother,” I said as I pulled out a chair for her. Samatha scoffed at me doing such.

“Celeste, you are not staff, sit, and leave the staff to do their work,” she said.

“Yes Mother,” I said as I sat down. I wasn’t staff. The words ached as I felt them. She meant to say I was more, that much was clear, but it felt like ripping part of my insides out. It just left me feeling empty.

Lydia came in last, she was slow due to the baby. This was her third pregnancy, but the other two hadn’t made it all the way. So we were all trying to provide her with a less stressful environment.

“Thank you,” I said as the maid poured milk for me.

Catherine smiled and said thank you as well.Which just caused Samantha to groan even harder, but it was clearly just bait. She wanted me to engage so she could shout. So I carried on as if I didn’t hear her.

“The Ozgood head is coming this weekend,” Mother said. “He is about forty, but he looks good for the age, and you are thirty two going on thirty three. He has good status, and after his wife died last May, he is eager for a new mother for the children. By all accounts it is a very stable household.”

“Yes Mother,” I said smiling. I didn’t really care. I felt miserable everywhere, so if it made them happy, it seemed to bring no bearing to where I was miserable. If nothing else, as the head wife for Ozgood, as long as I was careful, I could probably act more like the headmaid as well.

“Well, that assumes he wants you,” Samantha said, a mild tilt of her chin. “You are not the only Ashford worthy of marriage.”

I smiled. “Aw, I see. I wouldn’t want to get in the way. I shall be happy to provide my support dear sister.”

Samantha stood up as she slammed her hands on the table. “What nonsense! Are you truly my little sister? Celeste I raised was a noble! She’d fight for such things! She was not a kitten! It has been a month! You have held us in enough suspense! She is being a bad influence to Catherine!”

“Hey!” Catherine shouted. “I am not so weak-”

“Shut it,” Samantha interrupted. “Let me rephrase, even the kitten can manage to at least murmur a growl! I shall be faced to conclude you are some sort of body snatcher if you refuse!”

“Samantha! Think of your little sisters! This is why you have had such bad luck in marriage,” Mother scolded. She looked at Lydia, obviously concerned for the baby.

“You are three years older, big sister. I sought only to be supportive, plus, with my enhanced youth, I can likely get-”

“Enough with these excuses! Where is the fight! Where is the power that was once the future heir of Ashford!”

“I’m sorry to disappoint,” I said as I tilted your head.

“Celeste, sweetie, don’t apologize,” Mother said as she placed a hand on my shoulder.

Samantha just stared at me with drills in her eyes. I see, well, I guess I had a choice to make.