If asked, Celeste would say it was a fine meeting, a pleasant one even. But only once the duke left the manor did she breathe easier. With a big exhale and a drop of her shoulders, she returns inside. Awaiting at the top of the steps is her mother. She must have also been anxious while waiting for the end of the meeting as well. 

Regrettably, that does little to appease Celeste.

“How was it?” her mother asks with a nervous smile.

"Not much to say about it, mother."

Though this was not her mother's idea, Celeste could not completely absolve her of culpability. She has lost sleep and forced out of her comfort zone by the ploys of the older adults around her.  

With her young maid at her side, Celeste starts walking in a single direction.

Her mother tries to match her pace. "How do you feel about it? How does the duke feel about it?"

"We will find out if I receive a proposal," Celeste answers. "May I go to my room now, mother?"   

***

As if to make a point, Celeste had her dinner in her own room and a good night's sleep. The meeting with the duke proved to be useful when considering how much it drained her.

Fortunate for her mother, Celeste finds that she is nowhere near as upset as she was yesterday upon waking up this morning. So, she decides that the silent treatment can finally come to an end. After all, the meeting truly turned out reasonably well.

Entering the dining hall for breakfast, her mother looks up from her seat at the table.

“Good morning.”

Hearing Celeste’s greeting, her mother becomes eager. “Good morning, Celeste.”

She sits down and freshly brewed tea is served.

“This tea was gifted by the duke,” the server says.

“The duke?” her mother reacts with surprise. “That is thoughtful of him.”

She peers up at Celeste, who makes no movements to add anything.

“Well, was he, Celeste?” her mother asks with anticipation. 

“The meeting turned out fine, mother. Thankfully, I did not make a complete fool of myself.”

Her mother smiles, relieved to hear Celeste being more forthcoming today. “I knew it would be fine.”

"It was not what I wanted, mother."

"I know," her mother says. "You were so unwilling when I broached the subject of marriage the days before."

So, that is what she had been concealing all along. "I was spending hours of my days worried about what you were hiding."

"I am so sorry, Celeste."

Witnessing her mother's sincerity, she decides she couldn't stay disappointed for too long. 

Lifting the tea cup up to her lips. "I think the tea is wonderful." For now, she'll keep what she learned from the duke to herself. 

At the same time, her brother makes his entrance. He takes his seat across from her and the servants begin setting the table with various morning dishes. 

“Is sister truly getting married?” Theo finally decides to join the conversation.

Her eyes narrow in Theo’s direction as she can sense the mischievous tone in his voice. His question makes her wonder what he was doing during the duke's visit at their manor.

“Theo, what were you doing yesterday? During midday?”

“I was resting, sister.”

“Hm, so you missed the duke's visit.” Celeste decides to tease him before he can start his own antics.  

“The duke?”

Celeste nods. “Duke Ellis Stone.”

Her brother looks between her and their mother. “The duke was here? In our manor?” 

“If you treat me well, I will think about making him your brother.”

The news appears to have initially interested him, before he scoffs. “What makes you think Duke Ellis will marry you, sister?”

“I’m more than certain that he fell for my beauty.”

Theo couldn’t seem to wrap his mind around her words. In no possible world would someone like Duke Ellis simply fall for matters so superficial.

In the midst of their playful banter, a maid enters and goes to her mother’s side to remind her of the day’s schedule. There looks to be much to get done.

“I almost forgot– Aria sent word that she will be late today for practice, Celeste,” her mother says.

“I’ll come assist you after I’m finished with my lessons, mother,” Celeste offers.

“Sure, that’ll be lovely.”

“Lady Celeste, there was also this.” The same maid walks over to her side of the table to hand her a letter.

Interested, her mother leans forward. “Who is it from?”

“Isabel Fox?” She did not know that name. 

“A friend from teatime?” her mother asks before repeating the name. “Fox? The marquess’ daughter?”

Why would she send her a letter? They are not well acquainted. In fact, Celeste has never run into her at the tea parties she usually attends.

“It might be an invitation,” her mother says. 

“I’ll have a look at it later.”

Once learning of Aria’s arrival, Celeste heads towards the drawing room with Anne walking alongside. 

Aria, her instructor, works as a musician in the entertainment district. Her skills with not only the zither are known far and wide, though many do not view highly of those with a commoner background. Nonetheless, she was tasked by His Lordship to instruct on Celeste’s playing. Their days together consist of countless hours of practicing the zither until the tips of her fingers turn raw. Today, Celeste softly chuckles to herself as she catches sight of Anne’s head nodding back and forth as she struggles to remain upright in her seat.

“Your skills must have improved plenty if it puts your maid to sleep, My Lady,” Aria comments with a smile.

Her skills definitely have gotten much smoother with Aria’s help. Just not to the point where she feels comfortable sharing with others.

Aria likes to disagree.

Celeste returns a smile as she continues plucking the strings carefully.

Retreating back to her thoughts, Celeste wonders how her father feels about his reward from the king and her meeting with the duke. Would he think nothing of it? He is possibly already aware of the many meetings the duke is taking part in.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?" Aria asks.

Upon the question, Celeste makes a mistake, resulting in missing a note. She halts in her playing and shifts her attention onto Aria. 

“I apologize, my mind is elsewhere.”

“I heard about your recent meeting with the fearsome Duke Ellis Stone.”

Intrigued, Celeste leans forward. “Have you met him, Aria? Maybe he has frequented the entertainment district.”

“I have never met him, though I hope to at least once. Knights from the dukedom sometimes come and I hear stories from them,” she reveals. “They hold much respect for him.”

“I see.”

“So, should I be expecting news of your marriage soon?” Aria asks with a genuine smile.

Did it seem likely that Celeste and the duke would get married? Over a number of meetings she could count on one hand?

“No,” Celeste responds with a smile of her own. “However, I guess it would be an honor to marry someone of the duke's caliber.” 

“Many would say so.”

Celeste sighs.

“Are my impressions of Duke Ellis wrong?” Aria asks. What has gotten Celeste in such a mood? “Was he harsh towards you in any way, My Lady?” 

Celeste shakes her head.

They did not spend too much time together for Celeste to form a well-rounded opinion of him. The duke seemed to be a man of few words, but made himself and his intentions very clear. To be very honest, she was pleasantly surprised to see him so unlike the rumors, but the meeting took place in her manor’s drawing room and not a battlefield. She’s confident that the rumors did not form out of thin air. Where there is smoke, there is certainly fire.

Still, that doesn’t make up the whole reason for her reluctance.

“I think I am afraid of what marriage would mean for me,” Celeste reveals as her eyes shifts to a slumbering Anne. “I am well aware that my family allows me more freedom than most young noblewomen. I am afraid of losing it if I were to get married.”

What if her future husband places constraints on her? What if he confines her? Strip her of the freedom she has grown up with and is used to? 

Hearing Celeste’s concerns, Aria is unable to find her words right away. There aren’t many solutions. It’s almost just the luck of the draw.

“I understand your worries,” Aria says. “I never thought I would be sitting here, instructing a young noblewoman on how to play an instrument. It does give me hope there are like-minded individuals like Count Lane somewhere out there.”

“My father has great insight, doesn’t he?”

“Yes,” Aria agrees wholeheartedly. “Count Lane is an upright man and I’m glad His Majesty is recognizing him.”

There seems to be more left to be said, but Aria settles for a smile.

Celeste appreciates her words and returns the expression. She lifts her fingers back into place. “Would you show me a new song, Aria?”