Celeste has always given little thought to her mother's daily schedule. This fact does cause her guilt at the discovery that not only is her mother handling the household matters during the day, but she is also staying up late into the night, waiting for her father's return from the palace. 

So, to somehow make up for it, Celeste volunteers to visit the town on her mother's behalf. An attempt to offer her some moments of rest today. Her father wouldn't be happy to learn she is going unaccompanied, but he didn't have to know. Besides, there is little chance he would uncover their secret from his current location in the border territory, As a result, she can afford to be at ease. 

Unlike other visits, both Celeste and Anne didn't have to enter the town in their usual disguises. They also didn't have to make too long of a trek to the apothecary shop, but a sudden greeting distracts them from their original purpose. 

“How are you today, My Lady?”

Without fail, she notes the familiarity of the person standing at the center of the small group of noblemen. A part of her comments his boldness for appearing before her again after how their last meeting ended.  

Regardless, she chooses to be polite and offers a smile. “Good afternoon, My Lords.”

The three of them appear happy with her friendliness. “We seldom see you around. How about joining us for a cup of tea?”

"What a kind offer, but I am expected to return after an errand."

Before she has a chance to say her goodbyes, they seamlessly block her escape. 

“Won’t you reconsider? We heard it is a shop that is popular amongst the other ladies."

"Why don't you ask the other young ladies then, My Lord?" she suggests with the same smile.

He refuses to yield. "What must I do for a moment of your time?"

"I am not sure what you mean."

"For my efforts to be noticed, do I need to be someone like the duke?"

Celeste eyes the man asking the question. His words nearly makes her laugh aloud. While he may be taking her rejection slightly personal, his two other friends unknowingly continue to chime in. 

"We have heard of his meetings with many prospective marriage partners." 

"Every noble lady in the kingdom is waiting with bated breath to have even a moment with him." 

"You will have your chance, My Lords," she remarks to the three of them, keeping her tone light. "What is there for you all to be concerned about? The duke will only take one wife."

For a second time, she’s perturbed by their insistence and their mention of the duke. Are they not worried about how their tenacity may look to others? Especially towards a single noble lady like herself? Celeste takes notice of Anne. The young girl is clearly feeling unsettled by the current encounter and Celeste takes hold of her hand to remind her not to intrude. 

"Though, I am curious. What are your chances like? With the duke, I mean," the man at the center surmises.

She did not intend to be confrontational, but he's making it awfully difficult to hold back. Her mind begins to race.  

"If I were in your position, I would have been disappointed to learn my turn with him was out of obligation," he says.

"I am curious as well," Celeste remarks. "What is it that you know about me? And who are you?"

The questions successfully provides her with a much needed break from his barraging comments. Just enough for her to recover. 

He is visibly confused. "We met at the royal banquet a while back. It is Gregory Smith, My Lady."

Like the first time they met, he is quick to anger. She had been taken aback then, but they aren't alone now. There is no reason for her to be intimidated. 

“I do not blame you for not remembering. It was very festive and you must have had something to drink,” he reasons.

Ah, the alcohol excuse.

Deciding to play along, she answers, “Yes, I remember— the nobleman who begged me for a dance.”

His two acquaintances let out a small chuckle. 

“That’s not very kind, My Lady. It’s discourteous to mock someone simply trying to be a gentleman.”

“You are the one not remembering correctly, My Lord. It makes me think you were the one drinking one too many glasses,” she corrects. “Would a gentleman get upset all because a lady simply refused a dance?” 

“Yet again, your behavior baffles me,” he remarks. 

"I would not call my behavior baffling... I have made myself very clear."

A scowl forms on Lord Gregory's face. “The apple surely does not fall far from the tree, does it?”

Somehow, the line seems to be a part of some uninteresting remark that only the three of them can reference to. Amused, they begin to snicker.

“You are just as unpleasant as how others find your father,” Gregory further snidely adds.

“Rubbish.” She thinks nothing of his words and she figures that he will only be happier if she reacts to it.

“Is it?” He grins before continuing, “Are you interested to know what the people think of your father? They thought so little of him that they hoped His Majesty would do us all a favor and send him into the battlefield."

To die.

Is that what he meant?

Her fists ball at her sides. 

“Know your place—,”

“Gregory Smith, William Hill, and Richard Green,” Celeste interjects. “I am aware that your parents serve some minor roles in the palace.” 

“Pardon?”

“A count’s daughter should know this much.” They were the ones who did not know their places. “You are right about what you said– about the tree and the apple. My father is no moron and neither am I, but there is one difference between us. My father is a serious man, so I wonder if he will find humor in your words today. How daring of you to mention conspiracies.”

The looks of pure panic.

It’s exhilarating.

“I will give the three of you one more chance. I will take my leave and if you try to prevent me from doing so or continue to annoy me, I will repeat your words to my father.” 

Leaving behind that warning and the noblemen, Celeste pulls Anne along. Coming down from her adrenaline, she finds that their words did enough to ruin her day. Her initial desire to explore the town after finishing her task is nowhere to be found. She now only wants to return home as quickly as possible.

Concerned, Anne calls out, “My Lady–,”

Still distracted, gives gives minimal effort to mind her speed or where she’s walking. She is only forced to come to a stop when she roughly bumps into what she figured was a wall. Her body is thrown back a couple steps and thankfully, the wall had gentle hands that reached out to help steady her.

Her apology is stuck in her throat once she realizes who it is she had run into. He always comes on the heels of that dreadful Gregory Smith.

“Your Grace, I apologize for my carelessness.”

What is the duke doing here? Shouldn't he also be at the border with her father? Anne sends a polite bow of acknowledgment from behind Celeste.

Duke Ellis removes his hands from her arms and takes in her appearance. “Is everything alright, Lady Celeste?”

Is she alright? She just experienced one of the most appalling interactions ever and is still reeling from it. How could Gregory Smith look down on her so much that he would dare utter those words proudly? Had it been the duke before them, would he have had the courage to speak such ill about anyone? She releases her clenched hands and finds her pendant within it. Its string now broken and while focusing on it, she doesn’t perceive that the duke has also taken notice.

“Yes, I was just on my way to the apothecary shop," she says after a moment.

“You are in quite a rush.”

Celeste forces a small smile to make her excuse more believable. “My parents both have been exhausted these days and the herbs I want are in high demand.”

Before he could respond, another voice could be heard coming their way. 

“Your Grace, what are you still doing here? I thought you were on your way to meet–,” A face emerges from behind the duke and he makes eye contact with her. “Oh! Is this the young lady you’re meeting today?”

The duke was not being excessive when he said the king had a list prepared. 

“Bart, be respectful. This is Lady Celeste,” Duke Ellis corrects him.

Bart bows immediately. “Greetings, Lady Celeste.”

She may have recognized him from the time she assisted them with the sick knight, but it doesn't appear he does. Still, she offers a smile in return for his greeting while bearing in mind that the duke is busy. She’s relieved to not have to prolong this conversation or façade for much longer.

“Well, I would like to apologize again. I would not want to further disturb the both of you.” She takes the chance presented to her and attempts to leave first.

“Bart, head to the shop with an apology from me. There is an urgent matter I need to attend to." 

Bart hesitates initially, but eventually agrees.

Confused by the turn of the events, Celeste asks, “Your Grace, about this urgent matter…,”

“Lady Celeste, would you mind showing me once more where this apothecary shop is? I had planned to my make my own visit if and when an opportunity would arise again.”

Though confused, she couldn’t possibly refuse and didn't have any reason to. “It will be my pleasure, Your Grace.”

Taking the lead, Celeste ignores how odd she feels being in his presence. Together, they arrive at the shop and she first begins inspecting the shelves. Engulfed by the various strong scents of herbs, her incoherent thoughts from before come to a pleasant stop.  

Finalizing her choices, the apothecary packages her herbs carefully and hands them to her. Turning around and seeing Duke Ellis right behind her, she is reminded once more that she did not come here alone. It was quite easy to overlook him as he had been considerate in maintaining some distance between them.  

Joining her and Anne outside, he comments, “The two of you aren’t in disguises this time.”

“We received permission, Your Grace.”

He merely hums to himself. “So, a carriage should be waiting somewhere close by?”

Celeste nods. 

“Thank you for your help today.”

“I hope you found what you were looking for," she says.

“I did, so I’ll be on my way now. Have a good day, Lady Celeste.”

She bows. “You as well, Your Grace.”  

Finally escaping, both Celeste and Anne head in the direction where their carriage should be located.

Anne rubs her arm up against Celeste’s. “The duke isn’t what I expected at all, My Lady.”