17 Royal Birthday (6)

"Milady. Be ready." 

It was her butler's voice.

Night's voice echoed as he walked past her.

His unique and intoxicating aroma, to which she had unwittingly grown accustomed, wafted through the air.

She observed the dark-haired boy walking ahead, accidentally spilling water on Irisdina and diverting her attention away from Arthur.

While she understood the reason behind his actions, her focus lingered on Night and Irisdina walking together.

A hatred and anger that surpassed what she had felt a moment ago submerged her when she saw Night with Irisdina.

Why?!

Why was he with her?!

He was HER BUTLER.

He was HERS.

He should only be with HER!

Overcome with rage, she promised herself to find a fitting punishment for Night. When Night was about to look at her, she swiftly turned her gaze away and walked toward Prince Arthur.

No excitement or previous enthusiasm could be seen.

Halting her steps, she turned around.

He was still walking alongside Irisdina.

Celastrina bit her lips forcefully and resumed walking.

But she stopped again and turned around.

Night opened the door for Irisdina, and they both disappeared from her vision.

"Celastrina?" Prince Arthur's voice rang from behind her.

She had heard his voice lastly, a year ago, yet she felt no nostalgia or anything positive currently. She should be happy yet no. 

Celastrina's mind brimmed with unsettling thoughts about the potential interaction between Night and Irisdina, left alone together.

The prospect of Irisdina stealing Night away haunted her thoughts.

A pallor painted her face at the mere consideration of such a scenario.

Her heart pounded forcefully within her chest, gripped by an anguished turmoil.

"Hey, Seila? Are you okay?" Arthur's gentle and caring pat on her shoulders attempted to bring solace.

Usually she would have blushed but at that moment, blushing was the least of Celastrina's concerns.

Amidst Celastrina's panic attack, Arthur observed her closely. She exuded a captivating allure, akin to Irisdina, yet a subtle difference set her apart from the usual haughty demeanor she would usually show. In her current state, she appeared delicate and vulnerable, an unexpected charm in Arthur's eyes.

'Maybe I should kiss her?'

The thought lingered, accompanied by a tentative gulp.

After all, she was his fiancée.

The notion of seizing the moment to share an intimate connection crossed his mind. The secrecy of their actions added a mischievous gleam to his thoughts. He was aware that Celastrina, deeply infatuated with him, would hardly decline his advances.

'Perhaps I've been too harsh on her?'

Admitting a change of heart, Arthur found himself reluctant to let anyone else claim Celastrina's beauty. The idea of having both sisters by his side ignited a self-satisfied smirk.

Continuing to pat her shoulder, Arthur gently lifted her chin, his eyes meeting hers. "Are you alright?"

Celastrina, caught in a whirlwind of emotions, gazed at Arthur and nodded, her voice quivering. "Y-yes... Your Highness," she stammered, her gaze nearly moistened.

Confused and anguished, Celastrina grappled with her own feelings.

Even with Night within the same palace, he felt distant, especially now that he was with Irisdina.

Even within the confines of her mansion, she would incessantly summon him for the most trivial matters, despite the irksome nature of such interruptions. There was an insatiable desire for his constant presence by her side. Even with her maid, Anna, present, Night held a unique place. He was the only person of the house unafraid to voice his annoyance, creating an unusual sense of security around him. It was a safety she couldn't quite comprehend, akin only to the protection she felt in the presence of her grandfather.

Initially, she dismissed Night as a new toy discovered in her possession. However, she swiftly recognized this perception as a mere excuse to conceal a sentiment that had gradually taken root a few months after Night entered her life.

"Celastrina, hey? What's happening?" Arthur's inquiry persisted, accompanied by a presumptuous stroke of Celastrina's hair. His actions, exploiting the situation, would have been unacceptable to anyone else, even the Prince himself. However, Arthur, convinced of Celastrina's infatuation with him, felt justified. Robin refrained from intervening, her image of Arthur tarnished by the realization of his intentions.

Unbeknownst to them, Cornelius restrained himself from punching the prince for touching his granddaughter like that.

Feeling Arthur's touch, Celastrina instinctively retreated. With a deep breath, she shook her head. "Nothing, Your Highness." 

As she moved to leave, Arthur halted her progress.

"About the engagement, I need to talk to you, Celastrina," Arthur's smile belied the gravity of his words.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"I've decided to make Irisdina my first wife," Arthur stated solemnly.

Typically, Celastrina would have erupted in anger, but her thoughts were consumed by concern for Night, alone with Irisdina again. "I see..."

Arthur furrowed his brows, maintaining his smile. "Don't worry. After some consideration, I've decided to take you as my second bride. However, you'll need to accept Irisdina as my new queen. You must speak to your mother—"

"Your Highness, may I leave?" Celastrina's strained smile masked her hurry to leave this place soon.

Arthur's gaze darkened. "If you refuse, I'll ask Father to annul our engagement."

"Your Highness, you can't dissolve our engagement so easily. It was arranged by the King and my mother. I needn't explain the consequences of such actions."

"Do you truly desire to be my first wife that much?" Arthur asked, dumbfounded by her reaction.

"...Is that truly how much I mean to you, Your Highness?" Celastrina asked with a serious gaze.

Until this moment, such thoughts had never crossed her mind. However, the mere prospect of Night being away and with Irisdina prompted a reevaluation of her entire perspective. In a matter of minutes, her entire demeanor underwent a profound transformation.

"I'm asking you only one thing. Accept to become my second wife and I will give my bloodline as your mother wishes so–"

Arthur struggled to articulate his thoughts under the weight of Celastrina's chilling stare. Without uttering another word, she briskly turned on her heels and left.

Gritting his teeth, Arthur nodded in acknowledgment to Cedric, who stood nearby. Cedric flashed a subtle grin before motioning to his companions, who promptly trailed after Celastrina.

Alone in the hall, Celastrina's mind was in turmoil. Her heart raced as she wandered aimlessly, grappling with confusion and fear. She hesitated to confront the unsettling changes within her, unsure of what was transpiring.

"Night..." she muttered, her footsteps echoing through the corridors as she peered into each room. Suddenly, she found herself forcefully shoved into one.

With a slight grunt as she hit the ground, Celastrina turned to see three boys of her age. They were recognizable as nobles, especially Cedric's companions.

"What are you doing?" she asked icily.

"Just playing?" the lead boy replied with a smirk.

"Do you even know who I am?" Celastrina rose slowly, violet lightning crackling around her arms.

The lead boy gulped, taking a step back. His friends, however, murmured something to him and pushed him forward.

"I-I know! Your mother has been abandoned by Count Rainborn, and now the entire Kingdom despises you! If you... if you attack us, Lord Cedric will banish you from the Kingdom!"

Although thirteen-year-old Cedric, as the Duke's son, lacked the authority to enforce such consequences, Celastrina understood the precarious situation. If she harmed these individuals during the royal twins' significant birthday celebration, her mother would face unjust blame. Every noble in the Kingdom harbored resentment toward her mother, and regardless of her defense, she'd be accused.

This was the last thing she wanted to subject her mother to, especially considering the myriad hardships she already faced. In the past, she might have sought Arthur's assistance, but their recent discussion made it clear he wouldn't intervene. Moreover, she was in the royal capital, not her duchy, where she held a position akin to that of a princess.

Observing Celastrina's silence, the lead boy grew bolder and forcefully pushed her to the ground once again, causing her expensive white dress to grace the floor.

Celastrina remained motionless, absorbing the torrent of insults directed at her and her mother. She stared at the ground, fists clenched.

A faint, self-deprecating smile graced her lips unexpectedly. Three years ago, she would have swiftly retaliated, sending the three boys to the hospital with broken limbs, showing no remorse.

But when had she become so conscientious about the potential consequences of her actions?

The answer lingered, clear and undeniable: Night's countless reproaches criticizing her behavior, prompted this newfound awareness. 

Reflecting on it now, she felt an intensified sense of guilt for the hardships her selfishness might have imposed on her mother.

Still it was hard.

Celastrina was that much proud of herself and caring of her mother. She couldn't support this much humiliation. Rather, she would retaliate ruthlessly as soon this birthday was over.

As she thought that…the door of the room opened slowly with a creak.

"Hmm?" The three boys turned around and instinctively stepped back.

There was a boy of their age there standing silently in black butler outfit.