Nope, Celeste needs to do this alone

I filled up the last potion bottle for now. Everything was complete, I had thought for two days about how to do everything in a way Helina would approve of. Lydia came into my potion making room and shut the door. She let out a deep breath. She was never in the best health, so even the early pregnancy had gotten to her.

“Hey big sis,” she said smiling.

“Little Lydia,” I said.

She snickered. “You remember that? Before we lost you. Those were good times. I miss those times.”

“Oh no, I must be getting old, my little sister is thinking of the good old days,” I said.

“It must be jarring for you, since your fast looks the same,” Lydia said.

I touched my cheek. “A gift from Master’s little seer.”

“You said master again,” she teased me. “I don’t mind but you know Mother would be upset by it.”

I looked away. “I know. Just… a few more days.”

“I’m sorry,” she aded.

“Hmm? What do you mean?” I asked. She was the only one I wasn’t upset with. Well, Katherine too, I guess.

“I couldn’t give you a stable home. I am the head of house. If I did a good job, you would have come home with me in charge. I could have appointed you as our headmaid. If only-”

“If only,” I paused. If only Master was alive. If only I could go back. What terrible words. “If only I had never been taken, then you would not have had to bare the burden you have, and the guilt for not having prepared this home better.”

She let out a huff. “So not even in apology will you allow me to win?”

This time I snickered. “You have accepted what I am. That is the only apology I need.”

A tap came at the door, and Helina came in, she had a package for me. I unwrapped it and I nearly lost my balance at seeing it. The purple glow. Fresh Jaka flowers.

“Something the matter?” Lydia asked.

“I will tell you later, for now I need some time alone please,” I said.

Helina helped Lydia up and both left the room. Jaka flowers. This was my chance. This felt like fate. But could I? Could I do this. My hands were nearly shaking. But I thought back to Marianne. Calm, not in haste.

Okay. Time to get to work. Jaka flowers took a while to process, I remember every step Rosemary had shown me. From boiling the water, to how to mix them. Where to cut, how fine. They needed to soak as well. And they became toxic at this point. Brewing a toxic plant into tea was delicate work.

It took me all day, And into the night. Helina was worried about me, but I needed to do this. I was not going to find sleep while I had such a rare gift waiting for me.

It was near midnight when everything is complete. I had enough for four cups. I was just thankful it was enough. I carefully took the pot to my study, and pulled our three chairs and set up cushions. I didn’t know if Gods valued that, but it felt right. I poured the three cups of tea. Steam rising from them as they sat at their empty placeholders.

Please. Accept this offering.

(Author Note: The intention here is that if they don't. Then she has to make due with what is around her as you presently understand it. In any way she can manage things. But, if they do accept her offer, then magic beyond her imagination can become part of her future.)