Arranged

19: A New Acquaintance

Lena squeals, Tessa manages to look up from her novel and engage in the company around her while Ophelia stopped marvelling to follow Celeste and the rest of the girls up the matching marble staircase. The railings were gold, and glimmered magnificently under Kalia's fingertips.

As they progressed up the steps, Celeste made small talk and told the girls about how the castle had been maintained from the early 1700's, redesigned and developed in some ways to keep up with modern living needs. Kalia listened with undeniable curiosity, and touched just about everything that fascinated her, from the patterned concrete walls to the pale pink flowers that were placed in gold pots, beside grand gold mirrors hung up high, twisting like vines around the gold railing.

They stopped at the third level, where a wide hallway at either side where charmed with cream doors with gold patterns and written numbers differentiating each and every one, and guards in white scattered across the floor, large and protective in appearance.

Celeste made her way over to the room Seventy-Three printed in solid fancy gold lettering.

"Come, my darlings. This will be your room over your stay." Celeste used a key just below the knob and then twisted the door open to reveal two enormous king-sized beds, one covered in pale pink and the other in purple silk sheets. A large golden framed mirror hung between them on top of the double wooden side tables, with gold handles and carved patterns. Decked with furry rugs, a balcony overlooking what looked to be the garden and a bookshelf to satiate Tessa's daily needs, it was safe to say everyone was ecstatic at the room they were appointed. Kalia wondered how she would get any sleep for the wedding the next afternoon sleeping beside Lena and her ability to sleep talk.

"If you prefer separate rooms, that can be arranged, too, of course. I just thought you would prefer to be together."

Lena pattered across the wooden floorboards and hugged Queen Celeste, her arms only reaching up to her waist.

Ophelia and Tessa were quick to thank the stunning Queen, Kalia not too far behind them as she stepped into the large feminine space.

Celeste touched her shoulder lightly, stopping her in step. "Kalia, darling. You will be staying on another level dear."

Alone? She wanted to ask, but caught herself before she could be a case of embarrassment. She was an adult now, to be wed tomorrow. She had to be independent and strong if she didn't want Celeste's impression to change of her, and she really felt the need to stay on her good list, though she wasn't sure Celeste even had a bad list for her to risk being put on. She had proved to be made from nothing of pure kindness, and further exhibited her nature when she smiled reassuringly at Kalia. "It's not very far, don't fret my beautiful girl. Come."

Kalia said good night to her sisters, reluctant to leave them, but followed Celeste up another flight of stairs before they were stopped by a young lady with platinum hair.

"Your highness," she bowed before them.

"Kalia, this is Tia. She works on this level, so you will be seeing her quite often if you decide to remain in your single room."

"It's very nice to meet you, Tia," Kalia comments with warmth.

"I'm honoured to make your acquaintance, Princess," she bows again. "You are needed briefly on the seventh floor, your highness. There is an issue with the Prince's suit."

Kalia's ears perked up at the mention of the Prince. She hadn't thought of him for a solid five minutes, and now he was embedded in her mind again, along with those unwanted nerves. She inwardly cursed.

"Oh! How horrific, on the night before the wedding," she stressed. "Kalia, I must leave you for a moment, but Tia will show you to your bedchamber."

Kalia looked forward to the girl, who she now knew as Tia, and mirrored her kind but shy smile with a little more confidence.

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