Southward Celeste

"How dare you be reckless amidst watching yourself?" Selestia reprimanded. Fritz gave an apologetic smile toward her as he scratched his neck.

"You could've easily found me if you prioritized grabbing your brother first than my best friend." He enticed though with a warm smile on his apertures.

Selestia gazed at Grandel for a thought, but her shoulder bore a subtle chill on them whilst she felt something immensely surging from behind her. Though there was only absence behind her back, no one but her husband, Venemiah was there. She could have only been daydreaming.

To such suddenness, Selestia found a child closely hidden beneath Fritz's coat. She glared at them and pulled her from the coat there yonder.

"Mellow out, Selestia." Fritz tried to calm her.

"Whose child is this?" She inquired, glaring at the child with such censure.

"She was hidden behind the broken barrel closest toward the door. I was mesmerized to see her tightly holding on a stake, for an unknown reason she was the only person left here." Fritz thoroughly explained.

"The workers informed me of their movement. Since the winehouse was found, they have to search all of Celeste for a region that hasn't been open to anyone, leaving me behind to inform you." The child gestured.

"Could you tell where they went?" Grandel gently squeezed the girl's cheeks, a smile engraved on his countenance occupied with the young child's attention. "You're brave to be left alone here."

The child nodded. "My parents told that they were headed to the open gate on the south, nearest to Shamar and Beryak. I heard they mentioned that the Urvashis bear a lovingly bond amidst the wine workers for the efforts of making the alcohol. They aforementioned that building a winehouse closest to the Urvashi tribe would be safest."

Selestia thought for a second. "It is indeed true. The Urvashi tribe who lives by the foot of the mountain on the border gates of Celeste, in the southward part of Loatia provides great protection and defenses from enemies. Not to mention that the tribe bear bad blood with strangers, it would be difficult to trespass then. Moreover, in percentage, by almost two tenths of the wine's consumers are from the tribe itself. Providing them the nearest access would somehow save the disarray that was caused in the retails, the tribe bear no beliefs amidst reputations whatsoever that is why, even if rumors come after another, it would be ineffective against them. Though the downright side would signify that the vineyard would be further from the manufacturing building."

Fritz and Grandel nodded in agreement. "Moreover, we have to regain the reputation of the winehouse or else our demand and trade would fall down the drain for more than half of what we usually procure before. The foundation would be at loss if this happens." Fritz brought in addition to Celeste's notion.

Grandel carried the young child into his arms, he does not wish to occupy himself with any more affairs but to only provide himself with leisure.

"Say, what is your name?" he smiled.

"Clair. I'm Clair Dreidel..." Her smile glistened enthusiastically. Selestia rolled her eyes seeing the sight. It was the same feeling she harbored before, the same exact notion she felt when she once saw her father holding on to another child that her mother have not begotten. Since then, Selestia did not have a heart for young girls, moreover that they were passioned with so much vehemence.

"Shall we go?" Selestia raised an eyebrow.

"How could you be this galling and unpalatable to a young child?" Grandel asked.

Selestia sighed. "I shall go home by myself then."

Fritz looked at Grandel apologetically in behalf of his sister. Venemiah followed behind Selestia silently and obediently. Right as they walk through the woods, Venemiah finally found his words.

"Were you always uncongenial to young children?"

Selestia continued to walk keeping her pace, rather this moment, she was composed. It was surprising that way.

"I deemed so. Children are not my stronghold," she responded.

"Why so?" Venemiah inquired.

"I simply wish to not be involved with immaturity. Moreover that children such as them only knew how to run around with no care of the world."

Venemiah tilted his head. Selestia stopped herself from stepping any further. Her apertures were heavy as it become.

"I was envious of them. How could they live their lives so carefree of any burden whilst I, exhausted of over and over vying to fix the disarray my family caused? Occupied with the duties I hold, insecure that I'd be surpassed by someone who holds nothing but illegitimacy. How could they live with no care in the world when I from the moment I was born cared too much of what was transpiring amidst the kingdom? How could they be like so? How could reputations and statuses be so unfair?"

Her voice felt as if they were ice, cracking after every words. Somehow, it hurt so much. It was quite burdensome for a child to grow only to mature and cover the holes her hell for leather father brought in the midst of it.

For the first time, Selestia's countenance drew a contorted sketch of solemn. For the first time in her life, Selestia felt the freedom to speak of her burden. Though why so? Why is it so easy when it's him but so difficult when it was to her brother who she knew all of her life? What caused this sense of such familiarity to make her feel this welcome and vocal for speaking her commiseration?

It was as if she was drawn by a strong current, although it brought an uncompelling motion. She bore no emotion to be forced to speak of her mind, it was as if to her own accord. Though such presence of his brought her great comfort. This is indeed so baffling. Why him? Of all people, why him? Him who she just met three days ago, he who was introduced to her and married to her not long ago. To this point, he is still yet a stranger, though why was his heart so accepting? Why of all people?

"You strain yourself with heavy weight, Selestia. You were miserable to fix what you did not break, come, shall we return to the manor and have you rested." Venemiah hung her hand on his shoulder and led her out of the woods. Her head was down and so was her heart. To her wonder, his introduction to her life was immensely baffling.