☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆♤☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Celestine was exhausted. She had tried every tactic— small talk, feigned curiosity, even polite requests. But the young man at the door remained unmoved.
"My lady," Gaia murmured, stepping closer. "Let's just give up?"
Celestine's gaze narrowed. "Give up?" She couldn't, not now.
She glanced past Gaia. Then, saw Jane approaching with the others.
"We are finished here." she said pleasantly. "Shall we prepare to leave?"
Celestine's fingers curled at her side. She still hadn't seen what Lucian was up to.
"Did you not find anything you liked, Lady Celestine?" Penelope asked.
Celestine bit her lips, then shook her head. "No." The word came out softer than intended, almost inaudible.
A few ladies shared glances, sympathy flickered briefly.
Mary-anne, the Baron's daughter lowered her gaze and muttered. "There is always next time."
Celestine glanced her way and offered a soft smile. "You are right," she added. "We can always come back another time."
Mary Anne's eyes lit with warmth, her lips curved into a small smile.
Jane's voice suddenly cut through, gentle but firm. "Isn't Mary Anne really thoughtful?" she continued. " But we really need to be on our way, Lady Celestine."
Celestine nodded in agreement and stepped aside, as the other ladies settled their purchase.
Then, she spotted him across the room.
Lucian stood tall. His focus, pinned elsewhere.
Her body went rigid.
Quickly, she slipped behind one of the Noble ladies, pressing herself against the crowd.
Oh no…. He can't see me.
Jane turned just in time, to notice Celestine's body hunched and her shoulders tight. She tracked the direction she was looking, and it fell on a man.
She froze.
The silver crest gleaming on his coat. "The Duke of Northhill?" she muttered.
Jane's mind raced.
It was unusual.
Was Celestine avoiding the Duke? She thought.
Her gaze soon drifted past him. The handsome man she spoke to earlier appeared beside Lucian.
Jane's head tilted slightly. "Do they know each other?" She blurted out.
"Who?" Lady Clarice asked. Her brows raised in curiosity.
"No one–"
But before Jane could complete her statement, Clarice spoke out loud.
"Isn't that Duke Iksander?"
The ladies turned towards him.
Celestine froze.
A sly smile appeared across Clarice's face. "How fortunate, your fiance is here." she continued." Isn't that right, Lady Celestine?"
Their heads turned facing her
But she was gone.
Along with Gaia; her maid.
"Lady Celestine…" They called out repeatedly, catching the crowd's attention. "Where could she have gone?"
But, Celestine was nearly at the exit, hearing her name being called non-stop.
In her haste, she collided with someone.
The other twin.
The tray in his hand slipped and the glass on it shattered.
"Damn it…" Celestine cursed. She could feel the stares and prayed Lucian was not one of them.
Slowly she turned her head, and undoubtedly, Lucian's attention was fixed in her direction.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the noise around her seemed to have stopped.
Quickly, she looked away.
"Damn it.." Celestine cursed again. "He wasn't supposed to see me here."
She hoped he hadn't recognised her, but it was too late, one of the ladies had spotted her.
"There she is, Lady Celestine…." Penelope cried out.
Celestine wasted no time. She raced towards the door with Gaia behind her, running to cross the street, but at that moment….
She froze.
Unable to move.
As though her feet were out of her control.
DING DING DING
Her head rang with a familiar sound.
ALERT: Temporary system interference.
"What?" Celestine's spine ran cold.
The world around her blurred for a second. As though something had shifted out of place.
She knew this pattern….
Which made things even more frightening.
She couldn't move..
No, she had lost all control. Just like in her previous loops, she was trapped again.
Her heart pounded faster as she struggled.
Then—
A sound from a distance. A horse thundered towards her.
She struggled to break free from this system's hold.
And for a brief moment, she gained control. Falling to the ground, as the horse leaped past her. Barely escaping its hooves.
Then, she lost it again.
The wagon behind the horse broke completely.
The ladies rushed out, others gathered as they watched in shock, the wagon rolling down.
They screamed for Celestine to leave the way. But her body was unresponsive.
She was stuck.
Her eyes were red, she could only watch with tears dripping down as death approached her.
Unexpectedly, a figure burst into her vision.
Lucian moved before his thoughts could catch up. His coat–torn off, grabbing her without hesitation and rolling out of the wagon's path.
They hit the ground. Hard.
Celestine lay still, her eyes shut tight as Lucian shielded her completely.
One arm cradling her head, and his body braced over hers.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he finally spoke. "It's alright." he said softly. "You're safe now." The words echoed in her head.
Celestine slowly opened her eyes.
Her face tightened instantly.
Not at the near death experience. Nor at the man above her.
But, the glowing words before her eyes.
MISSION: Re-engage with the Duke of Northhill.
FAILURE TO COMPLY: Death.
TIME-LIMIT: D-21.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆♤☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Celestine fingers trembled uncontrollably beneath the table, curling into themselves as if she could force them still.
Cold crept through her veins, slow and suffocating. Her eyes were wide, fixed on nothing as everything blurred at the edges.
No single thought formed in her mind.
Only noise, too many, and too fast.
She had almost died.
No, she was going to die.
And in exactly 21 days. The number rang in her head.
Her throat tightened. Even the steaming tea placed in front of her, made her nauseous.
"Lady Celestine …" a distant voice reached her. Low and controlled. But her head didn't turn, not immediately.
"How are you feeling?" He asked. Her focus shifted slowly toward him.
Lucian sat across from her. Observing closely.
Her lips parted open, but not a single word came out.
"Your tea…." Lucian gestured to the porcelain cup. "If you don't drink, it will lose its warmth."
Celestine reached out for the cup. Her fingers trembled as she wrapped it along the edge. She held it close, but could not drink.
"It's a frightening experience." Lucian's voice came through. "Your current state is understandable."
Celestine's focus stilled on him. Her grip tightened.
It's your fault.
If you had just chosen–
She bit her lips.
Me…
Why did I have to write him this way?
Lucian watched her over the rim of his cup, as he took a sip. " If i didn't know better.." he said, "the look in your eyes screams rage."
"They do not." Celestine bit back. Her tone, cold.
Lucian paused, regarding her for a moment. "Exactly, they shouldn't." He added. "I am the reason you are alive, remember."
A hint of amusement surfacing at the corner of his lips.
Something in Celestine's chest twisted, as the words echoed in her mind.
And the reason I'll die…
Then she looked away.
Just then, the sound of footsteps carefully approached, stopping before them. "The crowd has been calmed. And I have spoken to the witnesses." Aziah reported.
"Everything concerning the accident has been properly handled."
Celestine's head lifted.
Then realization flickered across her face.
Gaia–
She was nowhere to be seen.
"What about my maid? Gaia." She asked quickly. "Is she alright?"
Aziah's expression remained still. Almost stiff. "She is fine, my lady. She will be here shortly. He responded.
"Thank you, Aziah. You may leave us now." Lucian dismissed.
Aziah bowed quickly then turned to leave, then silence followed.
It felt heavy. Her pulse hadn't slowed, the world still tilted faintly. As though deciding whether she was alive or or not.
Lucian's attention drifted back to Celestine. He folded his arm over his chest. "How are you feeling?" He asked again, this time softer.
Celestine didn't respond immediately. She observed quietly, "I don't know…"
Lucian exhaled deeply, then said no more.
Suddenly, a loud cry stole their attention.
"My lady…." Gaia's voice broke, hot tears streaming down her face. Celestine shot to her feet.
"Gaia…" she called back, her hands spread out for an embrace.
"I was so worried." Celestine said, relief flickering across her face.
"Me too, my lady." Gaia answered, wiping away her tears. " Are you fine? Are you hurt?." She asked, examining her quickly.
"No." Celestine responded. "Are you?" she asked. Her voice, soft, almost a whisper.
"My lady…" Gaia cried out again. "Worry about yourself first."
"But, I am.." Celestine replied, tears rolling down her cheeks. As laughter suddenly escapes their lips.
Lucian stood, watching for a while before he walked towards them. Their gaze shifted to him. Immediately, Gaia wiped away her tears and inclined her head.
"Thank you Duke Iksander," Gaia continued, "for saving my lady."
Lucian acknowledged her with a nod, but said nothing else. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a handkerchief as a small paper fell out. Gaia noticed.
He handed the handkerchief over to Celestine. "For your tears." He said. His voice, calm.
Celestine blinked, clutching the hem of her dress. Why is he acting this way? He usually isn't….
She hesitated.
Then slowly reached for it.
"Thank you." She murmured, keeping her voice even.
Gaia bent down. Picking up the small paper on the floor. Dusting off every trace of dirt. "My lord…" She called out, handing the paper back.
Celestine eyes fell on it. Her heart plummeted.
It was the orchid.
The same one, stitched into her handkerchief.