Breakfast with the Count

Once the bags were packed and goodbyes were said, Beatrix and Celia got into a simple brown carriage while Tom climbed on a beautiful black horse that had an intricate model weaved in its mane with red strings and white beads. The driver of the carriage started prodding the horses and the carriage took up speed towards the glorious city that Celia only heard about in stories.

As they passed through various villages and smaller towns, Celia was bubbling with curiosity to see the many new buildings and scenery which were so foreign to her. Her small eyes sparked with interest whenever they stopped or slowed down on their way, looking for a chance to explore her surroundings. To her dismay, there were no chances to do that as the only breaks they took were to eat and change the horses after which they were once again on the road towards the Capital of the Kingdom. The giant was calmly riding on the right side of the carriage, sometimes asking for information of the driver that was manning the carriage or simply petting his horse whispering encouraging phrases that seemed to be understood by the lovely steed.

A day slowly passed while on the road and the sun was already setting when they finally reached the Capital. It took quite a long time to reach the city gates where the carriage stopped. Tom exchanged a few words with the guards and the gate opened for them. Celia who had fallen asleep on the way, stirred when she suddenly felt warmth wrapping around her, lifting her as if she was a feather. An unusual scent was tugging at her conscience, she didn't dislike it but she was not used to it, therefore, making her feel a bit apprehensive. She tried to move around but a firm grip took control and she was soon encased into what seemed to be a hard yet warm place that she could not escape from. She soon drifted back into her dreams under the domineering grip until the next day.

As several rays of light made their way over to Celia, she awakened with a start. She was laying in a bed three times her size, that resembled a gathering of clouds. The sun was hidden behind the heavy drapes and only a few faint lines of light shone through. Looking around, it took a while for her to register that she wasn't at home and to remember what happened the day before. Before she could fully grasp what was happening to her, she heard a noise in the hallway and a light knock startled her.

"Yes?" She asked when turning her head towards the door. As the door started opening, she grabbed the cover of the bed stretching it until it reached under her chin and pushed her own back towards the top of the bed. To her relief, it was no monster that was sliding its way in the room, but a small blonde girl about the same age as she was, who rushed into the room and stared curiously at her while arranging a small bonnet on her head. The young servant was quite small but her eyes shone brightly hidden behind a thick fringe of chocolate-colored hair.

"Good morning Miss." A high pitched voice said. It took her a while to connect that voice with the girl in front of her. "You are expected for breakfast with the count and Madam Beatrix." she quickly said while Celia was looking at her strangely. In a swift move, the young girl threw the cover that was covering Celia and ushered her to a neighboring room. There, to the shame and surprise of the young witch, the maid quickly undressed Celia and led her to a huge bathtub where she helped wash her body. Although intrigued by the happenings around her and strange customs, the warm water soothed Celia and her tightened muscles that were sore from the long day travel. She soon let the young girl do whatever she wanted to her. Without waiting for permission, Aria, which was the young servant's' name, helped Celia change into a light blue dress that stuck closely to her body without restricting her breathing and movements. Her black curls always so unruly were now neatly arranged and clasped into a simple hairdo which left her neck and shoulders free, with only a few strands hanging loosely around her face.

Once Arias's movements seemed to stop, she was lead to a long mirror near her bed. There a familiar young woman stood staring back at her.

"Is that me?" Celia asked in disbelief. Aria silently nodded and ushered her out of the room and down a long corridor filled with various paintings of people and nature scenes.

"We must hurry Miss, it's almost time for breakfast," she said and soon enough they were in a big room where a table was arranged with different kinds of food and drinks. The giant was seated at the top of the table and her grandmother was sitting at the right side of the table having a conversation with him while her hands were placed neatly near her plate which was filled with food. Seeing her, Celia didn't wait for Aria and rushed over.

"Good morning nana!" she said forgetting about her surroundings and taking a place in front of her grandmother and starting to place food on her plate. A nagging feeling of being watched soon made her shift her concentration from the plate in front of her and she almost choked on a piece of bread when she noticed the giant, Tom was staring at her with one of his brows raised.

"Good morning Celia," he said while stressing every word, not taking his eyes off the girl. Soon a light red wave tinted her cheeks making her feel unbearably warm.

"Good morning Tom," Celia muttered after managing to swallow the bread washing it with some water, while Aria made huge eyes at the young witch.

"Eat slowly, there's no rush," he added with a hint of ridicule in his eyes before switching his attention back to the conversation with her grandmother.

"If you have rested enough we can enter the palace in the afternoon." he started discussing with Beatrix.

"Sure, there's no problem. I need to gather some more information before I can do anything."

"He'll explain everything himself," Tom said while smearing a thin layer of butter on his bread.

"Celia darling, I'll be gone this afternoon, try not to get into any trouble while I'm away." she smiled and looked at the young witch who was heartily eating her breakfast.

"Yes, nana."

"Aria will take care of her, don't worry," Tom said while looking over the young servant who swiftly nodded.

"Are you meeting his Majesty nana?"

"Yes dear."

"Why?"

"He needs my help dearie."

"Oh..." Celia trusted her grandmother so everything she said she believed to a fault, not questioning anything.

"Tom, remember what you promised me." Beatrix suddenly looked at Tom with a straight gaze.

"I know, I promised and I will keep my word."

"I know you will." she simply stated and her eyes moved towards Celia showing only warmth and care, a look that spoke volumes of the love she felt towards her granddaughter.

"If you would like Celia, I will take you around town these days," Tom said remembering that this was the first time the young girl was in the capital. "There is a festival taking place in a couple of days and there will be many shops and market stalls open especially for the visitors. I'll buy you anything you want to eat as a reward for being such a good girl." He said when Celia finished eating and was sipping on her cup of tea with a bored look on her face. As soon as she heard his idea, her eyes doubled in size and a feeling of happiness and excitement came over her. Being able to attend a festival was something she could only dream of before.

"Then nana you should quickly finish what you have to do so you can come as well." She managed to say through shrieks of excitement while her grandmother nodded in response.

There are so many things she wants to see, things she read books about but never once experienced. Coming here was one of the best things that happened to her and before she knew it, she was making a list of what she wanted to try. She remained blissfully unaware of the grave expression that was forming on the face of her grandmother.