Lost Soul

Unhappy Holidays

Translations:

Je t'aime. : I love you

Je t'aime aussi. : I love you too

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The carriage ride back to the manor was relaxing for Celine. She tore off the veil when she was out of sight, and kicked off her boots. To Ash's displeasure, she opened the windows of the carriage and let the cold wind burn her cheeks. By the time they arrived at the manor, her face was a a pinky-red while her lips were turning a pale blue. She hurriedly put her boots back on, and trudged through the freshly fallen snow.

"Go get warm, we don't need you sick again."

"I wasn't sick!" Exclaimed Celine.

"Mhm." Ash teased. Celine huffed, and went inside. Harriet was waiting to lead Celine to her room. Harriet had a mousy look about her, and her hair was a bland brown. Her large brown eyes gave her a look of constant surprise. She was tall and uncoordinated, like a puppy with too big of feet. Harriet opened the door leading to Celine's pale green room, and started a fire in the ornate marble fireplace.

"Your mother should be back by Christmas, Miss." Celine's eyes widened, and she gasped.

"Harriet, when is Christmas?"

"In a days time." Harriet sifted the logs, and stood up. "Would you like to change?" Celine smiled, and nodded.

"Do you know where Elijah is?" Celine felt the back of the dress be untied, and fall to the floor. Harriet steadied Celine as she stepped out of hoop. She pulled the crown off, and undid the tight braid. Celine's pale hair fell in gently tousled waves down to her waist.

"The last place I saw Master Elijah was out in the gardens."

"Put me in something warm then. He's probably sulking somewhere." Ordered Celine. Harriet obliged, and dressed her in a a black frock with a fur over coat, black gloves, black stockings, and a black hat.

"Would you like me to take you there, Your Highness?" Harriet rushed forwards, and opened the door for Celine.

"No, thank you." Celine dismissed the mousy maid with a wave of her gloved hand, and made her way to the gardens. She could finally navigate the expansive manor with out help, and made it to the gardens in record time. She opened the door, and a gust of cold December air greeted her. The sun had just set, and snow was falling. The once green hedges were a sickly brown, and covered with a generous amount of snow. The wind whipped Celine's hair wildly around her.

"Elijah? Where are you?" Celine called out, her breath coming out in a white cloud. She could hear the faint playing of a viola drifting through the air.

Elijah. I remember when he would play the viola at night for my birthday. Holy, I'm going to be fourteen in two days.

She continued thinking about how old she was going to be, and wandered further into the gardens. Celine followed the slow, melodic music emanating from Elijah's viola. She stopped walking when the music was closest to her.

"Elijah?" The music suddenly stopped, and Elijah opened his dark blue eyes.

"Oh, hey Ellie. What're you doing outside?" The wind tousled his raven black hair into his sculpted face, and he brushed it away.

"I want to ask you something." A knot of anxiety blossomed in the pit of her stomach, and her mouth went dry.

"I want to visit the manor." Elijah was astonished. He ran a hand through his hair.