𝐌𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚

𝟎𝟏 || 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐄

𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐄, I sat beside my mother, my gaze fixed on the landscape unfolding outside the window. The scenery, though unfamiliar, was charming enough to make me forget the clamor of my former home.

A few days ago, I found myself enveloped in confusion and unease over my father's decision. Our home was as stable as a dragon's breath—no issues or disputes with other noble families. So why, in all the Seven Kingdoms, would he choose to send me away?

Knowing that my mother would be with me offered some comfort, yet the rationale remained elusive. We were joined by a handful of maids and knights, and with no septa in tow, I was assured a reprieve from my usual duties. That was my father's promise.

In retrospect, the tantrums I threw at my father seem inconsequential compared to the droning lectures and endless chatter of my septa. It’s not that I dislike learning, but—let’s face it—it does tend to bore me.

Parting from my father and brothers tugs at my heart, and I find myself hoping they’ll manage without me. May the gods watch over them.

I will miss them greatly, and the food especially. Food, in my eyes, is akin to family—an integral part of life that I cherish. Who doesn’t enjoy a good meal?

Glancing out of the carriage, I noticed a group of boys playing around. One of them was shoved, landing face-first into the muddy puddle below. Their expressions were obscured, their faces lost in the chaos. I observed them—some clad in yellow, others in red and black.

My mind raced, recalling passages from a book. I rubbed my forehead, trying to recall the significance of the colors. “Mother, do you remember the colors of each House?” My curiosity was palpable as I turned back to the window, only to find the boys gone from sight. We had passed them, and now the view outside had shifted to something new.

“We’ll sort that out once we’ve arrived,” my mother replied, her inability to answer my question leaving me frustrated. “You should have said you didn’t know,” I said.

“Look who’s talking,” she retorted, pinching my ear lightly. “Perhaps if you paid more attention in your lessons, you’d know.”

I sighed in defeat. “Mother, are we close? I’m feeling quite tired.”

“Not quite yet. Are you weary? You can rest your head on my lap if you like,” she offered kindly.

“I’d rather stay seated. The bumps and noise from the carriage made me dizzy last time; I couldn’t even sleep through it,” I explained.

“Very well. Lean your head on my shoulder, then. It will be night by the time we reach our destination, Celestia. Staying awake the entire journey will tire you out. I’ll make sure to wake you when we arrive.”

“Celestia, we’re here,” my mother said, shaking me gently to wake me. I yawned and rubbed my eyes, trying to dispel the last traces of sleep. Stepping out of the carriage, I was greeted by the night sky, a tapestry of stars that I’d never seen so clearly back home due to the persistent clouds.

Approaching the castle, I marveled at the intricate stone carvings. “This is more than enough, Mother,” I said in awe.

The servants carried our chests—filled with clothes and furnishings—with care, transporting them into our new home. The castle was grander than I had expected; I had braced myself for something much smaller, but I was grateful for its size.

Ser Jason opened the gates for us, while Ser Henry managed the knights, directing their positions to ensure our safety from any potential threat.

I dashed up the stairs to the second floor, finding a spot where I could see the moon clearly. I wondered about witches—could they really fly? As my brother claimed, using magic to enchant their brooms and swoop down to snatch their prey.

I decided to sketch the night sky, but in my search for my sketchbook among the newly arranged belongings, I realized it was missing. Frustrated, I scratched my head until it dawned on me: I had left it in the carriage.

I hurried down the stairs, eager to retrieve my sketchbook, but stopped when I heard my mother conversing with a servant. Peeking around the corner, I saw they were not looking my way. Seizing the opportunity, I slipped out quietly.

I hid behind a stack of empty barrels, climbed onto some wooden crates, and made my way to the tower. I climbed the ladder and continued upwards until I was outside—

“Oh...” I murmured, realizing the carriage was no longer in sight. It was parked among the crates I had previously overlooked.

Considering going back, I noticed something glimmering in the grass—the grass was almost my waist length, I saw bugs flickering like a small flame, circling around the grass.

I crouched to examine it more closely, moving carefully to avoid disturbing the bugs. As I reached out, I accidentally stepped on something soft. “OW!” a muffled cry escaped. I bent down and found a boy in yellow, the same one I had seen earlier.

“Aren’t you going to apologize?” he demanded, extending his hand.

“Why should I? Is it my fault for not crawling? that I didn't see you here hidden beneath the ground sooner?.”

“N—No! It’s about manners!” he protested.

I laughed. “That’s a weak excuse. Do you even understand what manners are?”

I shushed him before he could respond and returned to catching the lighting bugs. They fluttered higher as I reached for them, so I leapt to catch them. The boy pulled me down. “Stop it, you’re going to get us caught by the Blackwoods—”

“What? That’s nonsense. No one would dare trespass here; my father owns this land.”

“I couldn’t care less about your father. I’d rather drag you down countless times than face being pelted with rocks.”

“Fine. Hurry up and leave before I call the knights to drag you out.” I stood, straightened my dress, and dusted it off.

“Are you going to leave or should I—HELP—” I yelled, but the boy quickly covered my mouth.

“Okay, okay, I’ll go. Just let me stay here a bit longer. I need to avoid getting caught.” He resumed his hiding position.

“Why don’t you just—” I began, but was interrupted by another voice.

“Who are you talking to? Is it that the Bracken boy?”

“No, I’m talking to the grass, waiting for it to magically respond.”

“Are you daft—”

I rolled my eyes. “No, I’m not, but clearly, you’re not very bright. Your slow wits aren’t helping.”

“So he is here? I knew it!” The boy in red and black moved towards the grass.

“Move, and I’ll scream,” I threatened. His confusion was evident. “What?—”

“I’ll scream right now and put my acting skills to use, making sure you get a thorough thrashing.”

“Fine,” he spat, turning away angrily. “If you dare come back, I’ll—”

“Alright!” he shouted, without even glancing back.

I moved away from the grass, heading back to my chamber before my mother noticed its emptiness.

The Bracken boy tugged at my dress, making me turn around. “Why did you do that?”

“You owe me now. I expect a favor when I ask for it. You’re welcome”

_

𝟏𝟐𝟐𝟓 — 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ's ɴᴏᴛᴇ: ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛɪɴɢ! ɪ'ᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴏғ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʀᴇᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴs ᴀɴᴅ ᴇxᴘʀᴇssɪᴠᴇ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴs!