Everyone Needs Help Sometimes

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Nirmala asked, her voice concerned.

Right then, a knock came on the door, and someone entered, pushing a trolley with the requested beverage.

What Celeste thought would be warm tea or coffee was instead a glass of whiskey and a bowl of ice.

"Ah, just in time to get things melted in here," Nirmala said cheerfully. While she poured a glass for both of them, all the memories from the past started to come together and made perfect sense.

How else was he supposed to gather all those men to look for her? What about the basement? Those prison cells weren't normal. And the beating? How routinely they treated violence.

Celeste felt as if she was about to throw up. This was worse than just Tiel being physically abusive. Now she would have to shape herself to fit this new world—a world she only ever read about in books or watched in movies.

"Here, sweetie, some hard honey should help you stomach things."

"Ah, thank you," Celeste said, with a weak movement. She took the glass quickly, then raised it to mimic Nirmala. The other woman seemed to sense her distress but chose to remain calm.

"Well, I think since my husband took a liking to you, it's a good idea to keep his good graces on your side. He can be… aggressive, as you've seen today. After all, when he sees the bill for the wedding that was supposed to happen today and realizes he needs to pay double, he might just hate you for it," Nirmala casually mentioned, a smile lingering on her lips as if she were just mentioning what a great vacation she had. Celeste nodded, understanding the gravity of her actions.

"Not to mention," Nirmala went on, "the humiliation we have to endure now that people are told the wedding is postponed. Why? Because the bride ran away. We didn't say it, but people talk. Our people talk, and there's just too many of them to keep track of, you see. Word spreads like fire." She chuckled, as if it were a funny story, though with a hint of annoyance.

Nirmala stirred the whiskey in her glass with a gentle turn of her wrist, eyeing the sparkle of the golden liquid.

"How can a Brightwell let such disrespect happen? Well, because it didn't." Nirmala said the last sentence with emphasis. The joyous glint in her eyes disappeared, replaced by a cruel hardness that reminded Celeste of Erickson. Like stone, her face remained stoic.

Celeste took a large gulp of the drink, feeling its warmth take over. She wasn't going to let fear control her again. No. This time, she would face it with a mask of bravery, even when it was false.

"I understand your concerns, but I will make sure to fulfill my role as Tiel's wife. I might not know how yet, but I will learn. The rumors… they will go away once they see I am not the type to run away," Celeste said with a fierceness that warranted a satisfied look from Nirmala.

Nirmala leaned back, more relaxed. "I'm glad we speak the same language, my dear."

Celeste nodded, appreciating the drink in her hand. She knew there were burdens to think about at the moment, but the lightness in her mind helped her let go of those worries.

"Speaking of working together, if you can do your work well and help me get rid of these nasty rumors, I'll do my part to help you as well, my dear. What do you say?" Nirmala continued, finishing her glass already, while Celeste's was still half-full.

Celeste looked at Nirmala with determination in her chest. She didn't think things would take a turn for the better for her—if she could think that—but she would take any help she could get. Celeste nodded.

The two women then stood, one in her youth and one older. They shook hands in understanding.

It was good to have allies in treacherous waters.

======= < + > =======

Tiel leaned back against the cold wall of the hidden bedroom, sitting on the single bed laid against the wall, and cursed at Celeste and Nirmala for taking their time.

He was tired, hurt, and dirty. All he wanted was to go home, shower, then sleep some more.

But that need did not outweigh his need to avoid coming out looking like this.

Although he couldn't deny he must have looked pathetic already, lying on the floor in a fetal position, and—what's worse—collapsing afterward. Fighting back wasn't an option when one was beaten as punishment. Still, he didn't think Celeste would understand.

Next to his big brother, he must have looked like a loser. Someone who couldn't handle a little beating, someone who needed protection.

Tiel then chose to lie down, staring at the white ceiling.

After everything he put her through, she still went out of her way to protect him. Something not even Asti had done for him. She had watched him get punished countless times. Sometimes, after some punishment, she would still scold him for being grumpy from the pain. Sometimes she would leave him until his wounds healed so she didn't have to deal with it. Scabs disgusted her, after all.

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Nirmala's concerned voice disturbed his busy mind. Before, he couldn't understand what they were saying, but now Nirmala had started to speak clearly. Tiel quickly rolled over and peeked through a gap in the old shelves, feeling stupid and like a child. But he couldn't help himself.

He looked at the two women with curiosity and listened in. He couldn't believe what Nirmala was saying. She was openly threatening Celeste, dangling the fact that the wedding preparations had gone to waste and a new schedule needed to be set. But Celeste did not even flinch.

The scared girl he had seen weeks ago was gone, replaced by this daring woman whose eyes shone with fierceness and determination. A small smile pulled at the corner of her lips. No. There was no fear.

The same as when she had suddenly appeared at Jordan's office. He had never had anyone throw themselves at him like that, and definitely not challenge him right after—as if she wanted him to do more so she could show him a world of pain. Something he was too familiar with, but for someone like her, it must have been out of pure anger.

Celeste would run away to save herself, but she would come back to save those she loved. What happened to her in those two days had changed her mind.

Tiel couldn't help but smile. He didn't know what they were planning on doing, but he wanted to know more about her—all the sides of Celeste. Her past, her present, and their future, Tiel thought.

Their future.

Right then, his phone buzzed. Multiple text messages and phone calls had been left unanswered, but the last one was from Asti.

- When are you coming home? Just forget that girl. I need to talk to you about something. It's urgent. -

Tiel replied.

- What's urgent? Spare me the suspense. I have things I still need to do. -

There were a few minutes in between before an answer came.

- I think I'm pregnant. -