Ch. 6: Taken to the Castle

The concept of time that passed for Celeste blurred as she laid there on the floor of the cell. She couldn't begin to count how many weeks had passed since she was arrested. No one had been to see her, not even Bertha. She didn't even know what was happening in the outside world. All she knew was she was slowly breaking, just like the guard wanted.

A while after the guard had left in his fit of rage, another one came in and unhooked her hands from the ceiling. Before she could have tried to even think of running however, her left hand had been re-shackled to a heavy metal cuff connected to a long chain that was buried deep in the stone wall. After making sure she couldn't get out of the cuff, he left once again.

Celeste ignored her stomach as it growled and ached hungrily. She hadn't eaten a proper meal since the night before her and Edward had gone to the market.  Every day the guard, whose name she had finally figured out to be Lyle, would come in, carrying a plate of food. He would put it in front of her, and tell her that she could eat it, if she would submit to him. Every day she refused, it resulted in some sort of beating before leaving her on the floor, unable to do anything but breath through the pain.

Some of the guards took pity on her, and gave her some left over scraps from their own meals, but it was never enough to keep her healthy. Celeste looked down at the small gown she had been given by one of the guards. It was coarse and rough on her skin, but it hid her body from Lyle's prying eyes.

The loud creaking of the metal door to her cell broke Celeste from her thoughts, her eyes lifting to meet that of a strangers. She had met all the guards who worked in the prisons, knew all of their faces. But this one was new. He had grey hair and deep wrinkles, both laugh and frown lines, and piercing brown eyes. Looking down she also noticed his uniform was different. She stared at it for a moment, then paled and went into shock. It was the same crest as what was on her fathers shield. The Royal Guard.

"Get up." The voice was rough and commanding, and sent unpleasant shivers down Celeste's spine. Trying to get to her feet, she weakly stood, even though her eyes held a fury and strength she forgot she possessed. "Who are you?" Celeste's cursed herself for her trembling voice, but knew nothing could be done about it.

"I'm Leonidas. I'm here to take you to the castle." The man walked in, unlocking her cuff before grabbing her arm. Unluckily for Celeste, he grabbed right over a bruised muscle, making her cry out in pain. The cry made him stop and turn, lifting the loose sleeve of the dress. Noticing multiple bruises, he scowled before looking at her other arm.

"Why are you bruised like this? What did you do to warrant this kind of punishment?" His tone lost a bit of its edge, but there was still something akin to fury in the words he spoke. Was he mad she got beat? Or what he mad at her for getting beat? For a moment, she considered not answering his question. She didn't want to get any more bruises. She had been spared from broken bones or anything else, but the bruises would take weeks to fade.

"I-I don't know what I did to deserve them, Sir." The man scoffed, shaking his head. "Well we will discuss it with the King later. And before you ask, no. I'm not telling you why the King wants to see you. Because I don't know. Now come on."

Still holding onto her arm, more gently and by the wrist this time, he pulled her out of the cell and down the hall. Biting back a whimper as the rough stone floor scratched her feet, Celeste followed the man as quickly as she could. She didn't want someone else to come along and take her back to the cell.

They arrived in front of a large oak door, the man turning to her and raising a brow before shaking his head, as if having a debate with himself. He pushed the door open and for a moment Celeste was blinded by the sunlight in her eyes. The small window in her cell only provided enough light to see, but not much more. So the brightness of the outside world was a bit overwhelming on her senses.

After blinking a bit, her eyes slowly began to adjust, and she stared in awe at the red and gold carriage sitting in front of her. Before she had time to admire it tho, she was dragged forward, and pushed into the open and waiting door. Climbing in carefully, she looking in and saw the cabin of the carriage was empty, and she turned to look at the guard behind her.

"What're ya waiting for? Sit down woman." Sitting down on bench seat of the carriage, she watched curiously as the guard closed the door before climbing into the drivers seat. With a click of his tongue and a gentle flick of the reins, the horses pulling the carriage began to move, sending a small jolt through the carriage. Celeste had to grab onto the seat to keep from falling onto the ground, but quickly recovered and sat back.

A wave of exhaustion rolled over Celeste. She knew she wouldn't get an answer from the guard how long they would be on the road, so she laid down on the cushioned seat, finding the ornamental pillows worked quite well to lay on. Shivering, she also discovered a thick blanket that covered the back of the seat, and pulled it over her body. Feeling warm and safer than she had in the cells, she quickly slipped into a troubled sleep.

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A jolt from the carriage as it stopped caused Celeste to roll off the seat, and land on the floorboards with a small thud. Thankfully, the fall was what she needed to solidify she wasn't dreaming, and it had happened. Quickly scrambling to her feet, she looked up as the door opened. The guard stood there, and behind him she could see another mean looking woman and another two young girls, standing there as if waiting for her. The girls stared at her in curiosity, while the woman just seemed to glare and be criticizing her.

"Come now. We ain't got all day." The guards voice broke her concentration, and she blushed embarrassed. Quickly stepping out of the carriage, she stared in awe at the castle before her. It seemed almost like it was pulled out of a fairy tale. There were multiple towers, with spires aiming for the sky, the flags flapping lazily with the gentle breeze. Windows lined the walls at random intervals, the sun reflecting off the glass panes. If she looked hard enough, she could see some people running around inside.

A throat clearing brought Celeste's attention back to the three women standing in front of her. The elder woman, who looked to be in her early 40's, stepped forward and curtseyed to Celeste. A bit surprised, Celeste did the same, then frowned when the woman regarded her with a look of surprise.

"Madam Celestia, we've been awaiting you. I am Gertrude, your head Maid, and these girls are Lyla and Tina. They will escort you to your rooms. I'll have a bath drawn and a change of clothes waiting for you. Please follow me." Gertrude turned, nodding to Lyla and Tina, and the girls immediately turned and ran off into the castle. Once they had vanished from sight, Gertrude turned back to Celeste.

"I'm sure you're extremely confused. For now please rest assured all will be told to you when you meet with His Highness. Until then, please just trust me. I will guide you to your rooms now. Please follow me. And stay close."

Shaking her head, Celeste followed the woman obediently, walking into the castle with Gertrude. If she hadn't already planned on being silent, the sight of the interior of the castle would have stunned her into silence.

A total contrast to the plain grey stones of the exterior of the castle, the interior showed off the wealth of the royal family. The walls were white marble, with gold designs of flowers carved in it. There were torches lined along the walls at regular intervals, providing plenty of light as they walked. The walls were covered with pictures of differing scenery, one of a gorgeous waterfall with sapphire blue water, so clear you can see the rocks at the bottom below. Another of a mountainous area covered in snow.

She paused for a moment in front of a picture of a forest, where a small hidden cottage lay. It looked so much like her home that it sent a pang of pain through her chest. She didn't know what had happened to Edward, but she figured he had returned to the cottage, and stayed there. A sudden rush of fear ran through Celeste. If Edward was still there, had they found out she sheltered him? Was she here to be publicly humiliated and executed?!

"Madam, come. We are almost to your rooms." Gertrude's voice broke into her thoughts, making Celeste turn to her. She noticed the woman had stopped a few feet from her, and was regarding her curiously. "Come." Without waiting to see if she was following, Gertrude began walking once more. Shaking her thoughts from her mind, Celeste's hurried and ran behind the elderly woman, following her down a what felt like a maze of right and left turns.

By the time they stopped in front of a pair of wooden double doors, Celeste was hopelessly confused and lost. Her sense of direction was utterly messed up, and she didn't think she would be able to find her way back alone if she needed too. The doors in front of her had gold handles, but other than that seemed plain apart from the shining red wood.

Gertrude pushed the doors open, revealing a grand bedroom that left Celeste even more overwhelmed and dazed. A large canopy bed with deep purple sheets lay in the center of the room. The walls were painted a light blue, to give the room a more open feeling. The floors were the same white marble as the walls outside the room.

There were multiple throw rugs along the cool floor, placed in front of the bed and the large lounge chair placed in front of a large floor to ceiling window. It looked more like a place to curl up and read.

Turning her head, she saw a small library in the corner of the room on the opposite side of the couch, filled with all kinds of books. Further down the same wall was another set of double doors, that currently were wide open and allowed Celeste to see the three girls filling a large floor tub with water and oils. The steam and aroma of the bath reached Celeste's nose the same moment Tina appeared and curtseyed, saying the bath was ready.

"Come Madam. Let's get you undressed." Gertrude stepped forward to help pull the thin dress off her, but on instinct Celeste stepped back. Finally finding her voice, she said quietly.

"I-I'd like to undress myself, please. A-and please stop calling me Madame. I-it's just Celeste."

The shock on Gertrudes face made Celeste think she had asked something truly terrible, but a moment later a gentle smile broke out on the woman's face. "You really are different from the others. It's alright Miss Celeste. You can undress yourself as you please. We will let you bathe in peace. If you need me, just call for me."

Bowing, her and Tina both left, as well as the other two girls who had been in the bathroom. Letting out a breath of relief, Celeste stripped off the thin white dress, the bruises on her stomach making her pause for a moment before she shrugged. They would fade. Walking into the bathroom, she tested the water, feeling the temperature was perfect. Slipping in, she let out a sigh of relief, feeling cleaner just being in the water.

Seeing the soaps laid next to the tub, she grabbed one and began washing her body, watching the dirt and grime of the cell taint the water a murky brown color. Sighing, she dunked her head under the water, soaking her long hair. Grabbing another soap, she began to vigorously scrub her scalp, until she knew it would shine.

Rinsing her hair again, she got out of the tub after one more thorough scrub of her body. Seeing a large towel hanging nearby, she grabbed it, drying herself off. She called for Gertrude as she dried her hair, not expecting her to arrive as quickly as she did.

"My Lords! Child where did you get all of those bruises! How are you not in pain! Come now. Let's lay you down. You need to rest. LYLA!"

Gertrude's voice as she called for Lyla echoed through the room, and Lyla quickly appeared. After being told to go find the Doctor, Gertrude turned back to Celeste. Taking her hand gently, Celeste let herself be pulled to the bed and watched silently as the sheets were pulled back.

"Now you lay down and wait for the Doctor to arrive. I'll be back soon dear. Try and relax."

Celeste's head was starting to hurt with everything going on, to the point she easily obeyed. But the moment her head hit the pillow, she felt that familiar wave of exhaustion. Only intending to rest for a moment, Celeste wasn't even aware the moment her body surrendered to exhaustion.

For the first time in weeks, she slept in a bed, untroubled.