CHAPTER 4.1: The Cottage

[PAST]

"What am I supposed to do? I can't raise a child. I don't even know what it means to be a parent. I don't think I can do this." Celeste Astnrhea, after the death of her two dearest friends, was devastated and did not know what to do, mainly because her two most beloved friends left behind their daughter and are now under her care.

They entrusted Celeste to take care of Andrea, but she is not confident that she will do a good job fulfilling the role of being that child's foster parent.

"According to their will, if anything happens to them, Andrea will be handed to you, and you will raise her as your own, but if you do not want the responsibility, we can put the child in the foster care system." The man who made the will, alongside Cedric and Aria, gave Celeste other options on what will happen to the child. He fully understands if Celeste does not want the responsibility of caring for a child that she did not wish for, especially if it is a child that is not hers.

"Foster Care System?"

"Yes. I understand if you do not want to care for Cedric and Aria's daughter. It's a heavy responsibility you shouldn't carry in the first place, especially if you have the whole Land of Deimos to take care of. Cedric and Aria considered that fact and told me they fully understand if you don't want the responsibility for their daughter. Of course, you don't have to worry about Andrea, I will find a home that will make her feel safe, and she will get everything she needs." Celeste hears that this man will put Andrea, her best friend's child, in a Foster Care System if she doesn't take the child under her care.

For some reason, she cannot trust whatever this guy is telling her. Deep inside, Celeste believes that Andrea will be put in a home that will only hurt her. Celeste cannot fathom that idea. If that were to happen, because she does not want to take Andrea under her care, she would never be able to face Cedric and Aria in the afterlife.

"I don't want any of those. I will become Andrea Solace's foster mother. I will take the responsibility of raising Andrea." Celeste had already made up her mind. She has no idea whether the outcome of this decision will be good, but she knows that she will never regret it. She also knows that she will be able to love Andrea like her own child.

"I'm sorry? I don't think that is the right decision here, Celeste. You know that you will be the next Leader of the Land of Deimos. What if taking care of Andrea will only hinder you from what you are supposed to be doing as the Leader? You should think about this more seriously."

"You don't think that I can do this, do you? What makes you say that? So what if I have more responsibilities than I initially started? That won't stop me from doing what I want. This is my decision. Whatever the consequences are, I will face them head-on. I will be her mother, I will love her to the point that she will not feel lonely, and I will also be the Leader that the Land of Deimos needs."