Celeste adjusted her dress to her liking, and set out to the entrance of the manor.

"Margaret!" She called out. "I'm ready to leave!" She exited through the main door and awaited the carriage.

"Forgive me, my lady." Margaret panted. "I couldn't find-"

"It's no matter," Celeste smiled. "You're here to attend the Gala with me and that's all that matters."

"I'm afraid not, my lady." A handsome young man interjected. "I will be the one to accompany you from this point onwards."

"And who might you be?" Celeste asked, unfazed. "I don't believe we've met. Do you work for Father?"

The handsome man brushed his long blond hair behind his shoulders and kneeled before Celeste. "I do, my lady. I will be your butler from now on. My name is Kain, and it is an immense pleasure to meet you, my lady Celeste. I hope I can be of use to you in the future."

"Thank you Kain. Shall we be off then?" Celeste grabbed Kain's hand and was hoisted into the carriage. "I will see you when I return, Margaret!" She called out the window.

"Please, PLEASE behave, Celeste, my dear!" Margaret called out.

Staring out at the countryside, the rolling hills and lush forests of Rhelissa, the journey to the Main House seemed like a short one. The Main House is the largest House in Rhelissa, known primarily for being the most popular and expensive place to host parties. It's gotten so expensive in fact, that the only one who can afford to hold a gathering there is the Earl himself. So he rents out the entire house once a year for The Gala, a gathering for all of high-society to get together and congregate.

A sharp young man near the entrance caught Celeste's eye. Tall, muscular, and very handsome, his profile shone in Celeste's mind for what seemed like ages. His wavy black hair parted at the left and fell to his ears. His black suit and pale red cravat appeared to stand out in the crowd that he seemed to be the center of. At least eight women had him surrounded on all sides, looking as though they were begging him for something. The man was smiling. Smiling as though he knew some dark secret, and they were all his little puppets, doing exactly as he wanted them to.

"We have arrived, my lady."

Celeste continued to stare out the window at the young man, oblivious to Kain's words.

"My lady? It is time to leave."

"Ah, y-yes." Celeste hurriedly exited the carriage. Kain extended his hand to assist her out, but she ignored him and rushed immediately towards the entrance.

"Lady Celeste, don't run off like that. I must have an eye on you at all times, you understand-" He stopped short as he noticed Celeste was peeking behind a pillar towards a group of people.

"My lady-"

"Kain." She interrupted. "I've found him."

"Found who?"

She turned around to face Kain, pointed at the handsome young man she observed a moment ago, and with a triumphant smile declared:

"That is the man I'm going to fall in love with."

"That... I beg your pardon, my lady?"

"That man, with the red cravat. The one surrounded by society women. I will fall in love with him and deem him worthy to marry me or not"

Kain stared incredulously at Celeste, but could find no hint of jest in her beaming face. "Pardon me if I seem out of line, but why that man in particular? Not to say that he isn't more than suitable, it's just that... Sir Adrian is rather..."

"Adrian? What a name! Familiar, yet mysterious." She grinned.

"There's a reason his name is familiar my lady," Kain was interrupted by Celeste's sudden embrace. "Wha-? Lady Celeste!"

"Oh my, I'm so deeply sorry!" A raspy voice shouted. A young man picked himself up from the pavement and suddenly grasped Celeste's hand. "Please forgive me, I didn't mean to push you! I must have tripped over something." His warm hand nearly enveloped hers, and his smoldering hazel eyes seemed to water. She pulled away gently.

"It is no problem at all, sir." Kain interjected. "Come now, Lady Celeste. We must enter before the doors close."

"Yes," Celeste nodded to the young man, blushing. "I will take my leave now."

He stood dumbfounded, watching her as she walked through the french doors of the Main House. He ran his fingers from his forehead, through his curly brown hair, to the back of his neck, and whispered to his fingertips: "Celeste..."

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Author guidance for This story

Setting: The Kingdom of Rhelissa. In a time when there were only stage coaches, and large manors surrounded by large fields and forests to get lost in.

Celeste is a 19 year old girl with very long, curly, chestnut hair. Think Aisaka Taiga from "Toradora!", but normal height.

Kain is an average height male, about 30-something(but very young looking), with long straight yellow-blond hair.


Recommended Music from Youtube:
Chapter One: /watch?v=J-Ow5TAA_AI
Chapter Two: /watch?v=wOnXL6sCzaY
Chapter Three:
Part One - /watch?v=vG1sYkvtGYw
Part Two - /watch?v=FlA82aYRT1M
Part Three - /watch?v=KVVaclXOob4

updated Feb 19 by RoxyTocin