Celeste

4.

The first thing I do when I awake the next morning is stuff pastries in my mouth. I bought the packages up with me the other night in a huff after the brief words my father and I had exchanged. The words being his.

I didn't want to get married.
I wanted to...

Grunting in frustration, I devoured another pastry, raspberry jam bursting in my mouth.
I didn't know what I wanted to do.

I crumpled up the empty blue wrapper, reaching for a stark yellow one. The merchant had called them "sour balls" . They were covered in a fine bright yellow powder which stuck to my fingertips as I picked it up.
Shrugging to myself, I popped one in my mouth.

My eyes closed as the sour taste of lemon invaded my mouth. I squeezed them shut as I chewed. The sugar didn't help as I coughed a little as I swallowed.

"That looks savoury." Says a voice at the door.
I scowl as Gloria enters the room, a basket balanced on her hip. She's wearing a blue flowery apron with her drab dress, matching cap barley containing wild curls.

"If the wind changes it'll stick, and you'll be scowling forever." She laughs her deep laugh as I deepen my scowl. It's a memorable laugh, one that could echo everywhere.

Her face falls as a tear slips down my face. "Oh, sweetheart."
Putting the basket down, she embraces me in a hug. I lean miserably into her, the smell of bread comforting.
"I don't want to go."

She pats me, smoothing my bed hair down.
"I know sweet, but you have to. The seamstress is coming soon with a new wardrobe. I'll bake you some snacks for the way, though not as sugary as these," She reaches into the bag and pops one into her mouth. "Mmfff!"
She gave a cough.

I let out a giggle as she gives an exaggerated cough. "Where did you get these? Hell?" She splutters.

She soon calms down, looking at me with a strange expression on her face. "I will miss you. Your father told me to convince you to go." She looks at her hands, at the copper wedding band she wears. "I had an arranged marriage too. When I was your age, and I was so angry. I'm not like you, having money and power, my father sold me for some cows." She gives a short snort, but I hear the sadness behind it.

"He didn't want me either, but we learned to co exist, he worked his way to a stable hand, and I got a job here. It turned into love." Gloria looked at me with sadness.

"All I'm saying, is just to give him a chance, ok? It might be the best for you." Shes holding my hand with a sad smile.

The moment is shattered with matron newts shout, "CELESTE!! Breakfast!"
Gloria lets go of my hand like it's a red hot poker. "I've linens to press, cel. You aught to go.' With a brief touch of a shoulder, she left, sneaking a white bag of pastries with a wink into her apron pocket.

With a sigh, I dressed into a white and green affair, neatly braiding my hair back, adding hairpins. I chose a simple silver chain with white glittering flowers. Sighing into the looking glass, I picked up my parasol, a simple white affair with no lace.

I stepped into the dining room, noting that my father was looking clean and shaved, eyes stuck to the pages of the newspaper in front of him, glasses perched on his nose, a frown lining his face.

"Good morning father." I said politely, sitting next to him.

He didn't even look up from the page he was on, "good morning Celeste."

I flatten my scowl as gloria pours the tea and serves waffles with a wink.
I smile at her in reply. She gives a short half bow to my father before leaving.
I clear my throat, causing my father to glance at me.

"I'll do it. I will marry if it makes you happy." I force a smile into my face.
He only nods. "Good. I'm glad you've seen sense."

"How long till I get to highbrow? What's his name? Does he even know I'm coming?" I can't help but asking.

He neatly folds his glasses with a half smile.
"So inquisitive, just like your mother. His name is lord Alexander cordinal, he knows you are coming, his father and I arranged it via letter. It will take three months to travel with a fine carriage. The wedding won't be right away, it will occur after a week."

A though bubbles across my head.
"Are you coming to the wedding?"

His face falls. "I'm leaving on a mission from the king. I won't be able to attend, though I should dock in about a year after your wedding."

I feel the blood drain from my face. "Again? What does he want this time?"
Is all I can snap.

He gives a heavy sigh of exhaustion. "Celeste..."

I stuff honeyed waffle in my mouth so I don't snap at him again, wanting to hear more.

"The king... the king is a strange man with a want for power that doesn't exist. He wants the fountain of youth. It's his main goal to live forever. My ships have searched far and wide, going on longer and longer excursions but have found naught but pirates."
His lip curled as he said it.

I swallow the food in my mouth, sensing the tension as it seeped from him.
"Why not simply say no?" I asked, taking a sip of the cooling tea.

"I know too much, Celeste. They would consider me a threat, and I would have a wanted sign printed before I could say 'stop'." He explains calmly.

I leave him in silence, knowing that when he became calm it was only that his temper was rising. I turn my attention to a buttered scone, lavished with jam. I eat it quietly, hearing my father mutter as he scanned the finely printed columns.

Dabbing my face with a napkin, I stand. "Do excuse me father. I have embroidery in the garden today."

A rare smile spreads across his features. "Are you improving?"

I bite back a smile. "Not in the slightest."