Cecily (Prince!SteveRogers AU)

13

The excitement builds with every mile we make of our journey to Falsworth Hall. I remember that going to Auburndale felt like a lifetime, but now through the trees I can see my childhood home into view and now gently shake Steve, who is looking over some parchments.

"Look!" I point and he does, a small and satisfied smile crossing his lips.

"Well, it's easy to see why father loved this place - and you too". He looks over to me. "This is the brightest I've seen you look".

I can't stop the smile that's on my face. I just want to jump from the carriage itself and sprint up the hill, just to get there faster.

"You will love it, honestly - it is like a haven of solitude". I assure him.

He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, eyes now on mine. "I'm sure I will".

The carriage comes to a stop outside the front that leads into the entrance hall, and Steve helps me out. I take a deep breath in. It's like the air is different here - I cannot explain how but just that alone feels like home to me.

As I look to the doors that are open and awaiting our arrival, I spot a familiar face. "Hilde!" I run to her as she now wraps her arms around me and embraces me, then forgetting herself and sweeping down into a curtsey. "Lady Cecily, I am so happy to see you here again". It's like she's almost crying.

"Thank my husband". I say as she mimics the same gesture to Steve who now joins my side.

"Sire, welcome to Falsworth Hall, and thank you for letting me return to my old position in the household".

I look to Steve. "You asked Hilde to come back?"

"I ask all the former members of the household to". He tells me. "They all agreed".

Hilde nods along, making a small "aw" as I kiss him and murmur a thank you. "Come along inside, there is ale and supper waiting for you".

She steps aside as I slip my arm through Steve's and lead him inside.

Everything is as I remember.

Everything is where it should be.

Now I realise he's looking at me with a smile. "Welcome back home Cessy".

"Come on, we'll eat and then I will show you everything!" I want to burst with both pride and happiness. 

We take supper in the banqueting hall before I show Steve around, from the tapestries to the long gallery where I used to run and play as a child, I show him everything. I want him to know me, to know how much love and happiness was shared here over the years - and hopefully whether the same will be done for years to come. 

We walked into a room that I never ventured into and look around. "This was my mother's private parlour..." I say, "my father always kept it locked after she died". 

Steve is silent for a moment. "Then you'll have to give it life again". He smiles at me. 

I nod and then realise that perhaps in my moment of haste to show him my home - or should I say our home, that he is tired from our journey, and maybe would have preferred to have done this tomorrow. "I'm sorry. I got a little carried away by the excitement of being here again, you must be tired". 

"I'm ok Cecily", he states, "it's your home, you have every right to be excited, plus I get to learn a little more about you, which is also what this is about, remember?"

"There are some changes I want to make, nothing major, but just the furnishings". 

He nods, the smile still on his face. "You propose what you want, and we'll see that it's done". 

"I'd like your input to. This is our place to escape after all". 

He smirks. "A task like this? It's woman's work. I trust you". 

I feel rather proud that I get to do this, as well as approve of things such as menus and whatnot. Although I'm the crown princess, I still have a duty to be in charge of my own household. Steve has already suggested that perhaps I do get a lady's maid, and I'm starting to think that maybe he's right. 

"I will show you the gardens tomorrow" I say, trying to hide a yawn. "Perhaps go for a ride". 

"In what context" His look is feral and now I hide blush with a little smirk tugging at the sides of my mouth. 

"That would depend". 

He chuckles. "Let's have Hilde bring us some more drink and we can head to our room". 

I'm not going to protest at that, and we go to retire early. Already in my mind I can hear the echos of children's laughter and feet running through the long gallery, and I hope it will not be long before this place hears it once more.