In a daze, Celeste watches the sunlight pour through the large windows. 

Theo has his head comfortably resting on her lap, fast asleep after joining her on the upholstered bench. Their surroundings are quiet, all except for his soft breathing. Her fingers fall into a rhythm, calmingly brushing through his hair as she goes over the events of last night. 

The sound of Anne serving freshly brewed tea breaks her from her reverie.

“My Lady, would you like to finally get some rest?” Anne asks. “All of the broken windows have been carefully replaced and– and Duke Ellis left his knights here to watch things–,”

Celeste finally looks away from the outdoor scenery to give her maid a smile. It is clear that the whole manor is still shakened by the attack, yet Anne still only focuses on Celeste’s needs. She can also tell how hopeful Anne is about her taking up the suggestion. 

"How are you, Anne?"

"They were not after me, My Lady."

A pause.

"I do not wish to rest yet," Celeste answers while motioning down at Theo’s sleeping form.

Her brother had been unable to sleep alone in his own room and she did not have the heart to interrupt the current arrangement.

“Are you hurting? Should I go get the ointment that the physician prescribed?”

“That is not necessary, Anne.”

She was lucky enough to leave with just bruises. If her father can report to the royal palace with his injuries, she can surely handle a little soreness while also sacrificing a numbing leg for her terrified brother.

“How is my mother?”

“Her Ladyship has not had much rest either, My Lady. She has been organizing His Lordship’s study since… this morning.”

From what Celeste has heard from the servants, along with the manor’s hallways, her father’s study was also in complete disarray. But her mother has turned down all assistance offered to her by all those who reside here.

Celeste hums in thought.

It is quite possible that Theo will be alright while she goes to lend her mother a hand. She will just have Anne stay with him. 

“Her Ladyship wants you to know that she does not require your help,” Anne clarifies.

“Did my mother truly tell you that?”

Anne nods her head. “Yes, My Lady.”

Not only has her father forbade her from entering the town for the time being and canceled all of her and Theo’s lessons, now there are not even chores to help with. Left with nothing to serve as a distraction, Celeste’s mind never calms and her head gets full with thoughts again.

Thoughts that usually start out with her asking ‘why?’ and never follows with answers.

*** 

Days pass, but sleep does not get any easier. 

Any little noise in the dark sends Celeste waking up in a panic. Then when she tries to hope for sleep once more, her racing heart only makes it difficult. She plays with the broken pendant in her hand. Like the previous nights, her anger will keep her up and the pendant will eventually comfort her enough so that she can close her eyes and drift off.  

Like clock-work, unwanted thoughts revisit. 

There still are not any news about the culprits. All that has come to the manor are countless ‘well wishes’ letters that Celeste could not trust or be consoled by. Gregory Smith may say a great deal of nonsense, but it has made her question what she has believed so far. When they heard of what befell House Lane, were they delighted? Did they laugh? Were they disappointed to hear House Lane survived?

Sitting up in her bed, she drops her face into her hands. A sardonic laugh softly leaves her lips.

She remembers the fear on her mother’s face, the painful injuries on her father, and her brother’s tear-filled eyes and she… suffers. She looks towards her window. It’s yet another day where she’s greeting the rising sun.

Suddenly, she jolts at the sound of her door opening.

“I knew you would be awake,” her mother gently greets her. “It has been six days.” 

Celeste does not know what to say to that. It is quite possible that she is running on very little rest and is not able to process her mother’s words. 

“Do you need more time?” her mother asks. 

Immediately, she realizes the significance of her mother’s question and this time, she lets out true laughter. “I have only just gotten used to the four walls, mother.”

“I could use your help now.”

Glad that her mother is finally reaching out, Celeste eagerly asks, “With what?”

“We have been receiving letters the past couple of days and I see no end to them. It is about time we respond.”

Her expression drops. “Why should we send a response? Their words lack sincerity.”

“We simply return what we receive, Celeste.”

“Should I bother getting dressed?” she asks. It is too early for Anne to be up and she did not want to wake the young maid anyway. Anne has been working especially hard these days following the attack.

Her mother motions at her own sleeping gown. “I personally do not plan to.”

Slipping out of bed, Celeste grabs a shawl and joins her mother in the drawing room. They sit at the table, taking turns to open the mountain of letters sitting in between them.

One after another, she shares her gratitude just like how her mother wants. Isn’t it selfish to expect a response from a family that recently went through a difficult time? Her mother's answer would be her fear of further scrutiny if they fail to show their appreciation. 

So, just as her mother said, she will return what they receive– meaningless responses to meaningless letters.  

A sudden knock on the door barely breaks their focus. Both mother and daughter strongly desired to finish before their evening meal.

“Come in,” her mother says without giving her hands a moment’s rest.

“Your Ladyship and My Lady, what are you two doing up so early?” Anne frantically greets them.

Celeste is the one to answer this time. “We could not sleep.”

Anne hesitates, unsure how to address the problem. “How about some fresh tea while breakfast is being prepared?”

“That would be lovely, Anne,” Celeste replies with a smile.  

The young maid quickly leaves.  

“Mother, are you aware of what people are saying behind father’s back?” Celeste asks once it is just the two of them again.

“I have heard about certain disagreements.”

It is more than disagreements. After the attack, Celeste had to slowly come to terms with the fact that not everyone will be happy with her father’s political leanings. In hindsight, the king approving and showing her father favor has done little to provide protection. Yet, at this point, she is willing to grasp at any salvation offered to her.

But what if King Benedict also changes his mind one day?

“What happens if father loses all support in the court?”

For the first time since they began, her mother pauses briefly before resuming her task.  

“That will not happen,” her mother answers.

How can her mother be so sure?

“What if it does? What if the duke turns his back on father?” 

They had only survived that night six days ago due to the presence of both Duke Ellis and his knights. She is only beginning to understand the fragile bonds between the nobility. Everyone has their own motivations and what if the duke eventually finds no use in his relationship with her father?

“Celeste.” Her mother takes her hand into hers. “The weak will get swallowed.”

Given her father’s position, she never once considered her family to be weak, but look at the state they are in at this moment in time. There are individuals who dare to launch an assault on their family and there has yet to be any punishment.

“Will we get swallowed?” Celeste asks with her voice barely above a whisper.

“I trust your father to hold his own in the royal court and we also need to do our part.”

“What can we do?”

“These letters– you are right about them holding empty words. They may also very well belong to people who desire the fall of House Lane... but as foolish as it may be, we need to answer them. They will not get their wish of seeing our family come to ruin."

"Will this be enough?" 

"Go to your social gatherings."

“Those silly things?"

Her remark manages to crack a smile on her mother’s face. “You should be establishing connections and finding your allies at your silly tea parties.”

She could not imagine after considering how unlikable the majority of the nobles are. Take Gregory Smith as an example. While seriously considering her mother’s words, she looks through the large pile of letters and finds one that is worthy of a second glance.

A letter from Emma Grant.

With some expectation, Celeste opens the letter and finds kind words of apology. Then at the bottom, an invitation follows.

Her mother notices the break in her movements. “What is it?”

“There will be a tea party.”

"Well?"

Understanding her duty, Celeste answers with a sigh. "I suppose I've had more than enough rest, mother."