As she had intended, rumors spread throughout the kingdom that the duke was furious upon learning of the poisoning. Additional rumors suggested that he was up in arms when the interrogation of the culprit was assigned to someone else other than him.  And all she had to do was answer a few curious letters here and there, revealing the tiniest bit of information so that others can fill in the gaps on their own. After the talk with her mother last time, she has gained a whole new perspective and kept busy. 

Until news arrived.

She has held onto that same anger for the very day that she would learn the details surrounding the incident. It has only now come to light that the culprit came in the form of a server at the shop. The woman insisted she had acted alone and on her own irrational emotions. She didn’t know Celeste directly, but she could not accept that a mere count’s daughter will be marrying the kingdom's duke, a war hero. She knew Celeste would prove to be trouble, considering her father is causing uproars in the courts, and simply wanted her to learn her place. 

When it came time to find out that Celeste's father requested harsh punishment for the crime of attempted murder, the excuses poured out of her mouth. She admitted she wanted to a play a simple prank, one that should have ended with Celeste suffering from a minor stomachache. She hadn’t expected the dose to be so strong that it would have gotten the young lord of House Lane so severely ill.

She argued that he did not actually die, so is it right for her to receive such punishment? She claimed that this is Celeste's fault after all. If only it was her that had been the one to eat the pastry in his stead like it was originally intended.

Essentially, the culprit neither desired to show any remorse for her actions nor did she want to take responsibility for them. The law does not require her to do either. Nothing will change the fact that she will remain in custody to await her sentencing. 

Her father did not want her to learn of everything that had been said, but they weren't anything she hadn't already thought herself. It was not shocking by any means now that she has come to terms with what happened. Instead, she decides to focus that energy into helping Theo get better.

                                                                                           ***

Celeste sips on her tea.

Not only does she have to thank the duke for doing what she had asked, she learned the person who made the actual arrest was Pierce Hall, Lady Maude Hall’s older brother. She never paid too much attention to House Hall to know anything about him, but she will be sure to show her appreciation when she has a chance to meet him.

“Sister!”

Her bedroom door is thrown open. Unperturbed, she greets her brother. “Theo, you mustn’t forget to knock. Without a word of argument, he closes her door as she asks and waits for permission. “You may come in," she says.

He rushes to the chair across from her at the table. Like clockwork, Anne places the cup of medication in front of her brother. It took him some time to get used to its bitter taste, but he has adjusted quite well after drinking it daily since waking up after the incident. He has also made a point not to complain about the special diet he’s on to assist in his healing. It might have something to do with him getting occasional stomach pains that encourages him to not skimp on his regimen. Overall, she would say he is back to his usual self. 

“Sister, our parents said I am well enough to attend your wedding with the duke.”

Theo has gotten quite close to the duke with him visiting more often. Celeste and Duke Ellis may not share many words, but he gets along well with her brother.

“Only if you promise to not worry mother there.”

There would definitely be an assortment of food and refreshments that wouldn’t fit in his treatment. Would a 14-year-old show enough constraint? 

“I will be well-behaved.”

He promises and she wants to trust him, but he never truly listens.

“I will choose to believe you."

***

For a while, life goes back to normal for the most part.

Celeste worries for her brother, but she has no other choice but to get back to her planning that had slowed down considerably. She ignores the criticisms directed at her for allegedly prioritizing her wedding to the duke over her own brother’s well-being. They are unaware that she’s more afraid of worse things occurring if she considers delaying the marriage.

Fortunately, the duke continues to stop by long enough to play the part of a happily engaged man. Somehow, this eases the disapprovals from the public. But not enough to prevent the knights from being more vigilant when she is out and about in town. She finds they are usually no more than an arm's length from her and she is expected to not have anything to drink or eat outside the manor in fear of a repeat. Again, she does not protest.

And just as fast as one can blink, the long-awaited day finally arrives.

“My Lady! You look terribly gaunt!”

“Terribly?” Amused, Celeste responds, “That is kind of you.”

The sun is barely up and that is quite a greeting to receive first thing. She barely has the energy to be offended.

Leading her by the hand, the maids sit her down at her vanity. “Did you sleep, My Lady?”

The truth of the matter is, she barely had any. She does feel some guilt now that she is being confronted about it. All the effort and pain-staking labor put in the last couple of weeks has led to this very day. In exchange for everyone’s hard work, Celeste was responsible for one thing and one thing only: she was instructed to sleep well the night before the wedding, but the assignment turned out to be tougher than thought to be.

“You just had to ensure a good night’s sleep, My Lady!” they remind her.

Celeste was convinced no one would question it too much. But the more she wanted to fall asleep, the more sleep escaped from her. A terrible cycle.

“What is powder for if not to cover up blemishes?” she asks.

“Look at your dark circles!” a young maid gasps upon closer inspection.

Will powder not even save her? “I am too excited.” 

The other maids soon join in and a myriad of complaints are heard coming in from every direction.

“Did you forget you were getting married?”

“And to the duke, no less.”

“Not to say you aren’t beautiful, Lady Celeste, but you are not in your best form.”

Since she could offer no further excuse, she accepts the verbal beatings graciously. After all, it would not improve her current state. Closing her eyes, she allows them to carry out their tasks without any hindrance.

Creams and paints are gently applied to her face and while her hair is brushed and twisted into a style they had agreed upon. Beautiful pins are added to her hair, each carefully finding their specific place and a handful of jewelries are slipped around her neck and wrists. Eventually, she is pulled up to a standing position as they dress her carefully with the tailored gown she had previously chosen.

She runs her hand across the white fabric. How beautiful, she thinks as she takes in the sight of the gown. She soon becomes lost in her thoughts as the maids work quickly and efficiently. She wonders if Duke Ellis also lost sleep before today.

What did he think when he awoke and while being dressed by his servants?

A maid soon notices another issue as she adjusts the white wedding gown. “How could this turn out so loose on you?” she mutters to herself, somewhat doubtful of her own sight. “Well, no matter. There should be a quick fix for it.”

After hours upon hours of work, she is relieved to find the many hands are no longer touching and prodding her. Instead, Anne helps her to a mirror so that she can have a look at herself.

The person staring back at her is unrecognizable. She looks like herself, but it just wasn't ever an image she imagined. She thought she would feel a certain way considering this is a big life decision and milestone, but she feels no different.

“Lady Celeste, how did we do?” they ask with wide grins.

“Wonderful job,” she answers. “Truly.”

They line up beside one another, each with a beaming face, and showing pride in the results.

“You’ll surely steal Duke Ellis’s breath away.”

To ensure Celeste will reach the palace in time, the maids are quick to complete the finishing touches before assisting her out to the front courtyard and to the awaiting royal carriage. Her family greets her at the bottom of the steps and she laughs at the sight of tears forming in her mother’s eyes.

“Were you not anticipating this day, mother?”

“It feels surreal now that it is here.” They hug tightly before her mother reluctantly lets go. “I wouldn’t want to wrinkle your beautiful gown.”

Her father offers a hand to help her into the carriage. “We will be right behind you.”