Chapter 40
The sunlight streamed through the curtains of Celestina’s bedroom, casting an unforgiving glare over her face. She groaned, turning onto her side as a dull pounding in her head reminded her of the previous night. Her mouth was dry, her stomach queasy, and worst of all, she remembered everything.
Every embarrassing, vulnerable moment with Kael came rushing back—the bar, the drinks, and her drunken proposition. Heat crept into her cheeks as she pressed a hand over her eyes.
“How could I?” she muttered to herself, cringing.
There was a soft knock on the door. Before she could respond, Lila entered with a tray of water and tea.
“Good morning, my lady,” Lila said with a faint smile. “Or perhaps I should say, barely morning. It’s nearly noon.”
“Don’t remind me,” Celestina groaned, sitting up slowly. “My head feels like it’s being crushed.”
Lila set the tray on the bedside table. “Drink some water. It’ll help.”
Celestina obediently sipped the water, but her thoughts were elsewhere. “Where’s Kael?” she asked hesitantly.
“He’s downstairs, overseeing the guards,” Lila replied. “Should I let him know you’re awake?”
“No!” Celestina said quickly, then softened her tone. “No, I’ll speak to him myself.”
Lila raised an eyebrow but said nothing, leaving the room quietly.
After dressing in a simple blouse and flowing skirt, Celestina made her way downstairs, her steps hesitant. She found Kael in the gardens, talking with a group of guards. When he saw her approach, his expression softened, and he dismissed the others with a quick nod.
“Good morning,” Kael said, his voice calm.
“Morning,” Celestina replied, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. “Can we talk?”
“Of course,” he said, gesturing to a nearby bench.
They sat in silence for a moment, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Celestina took a deep breath and turned to him.
“Kael, I… I want to apologize for last night,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “What I did—what I said—it was out of line. I was drunk, and I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
Kael’s gaze was steady, his expression kind. “You don’t have to apologize, Celestina. I understand.”
She shook her head. “No, you don’t. I wasn’t fair to you. I shouldn’t have put you in that position.”
Kael hesitated, then spoke softly. “You’re going through a lot, and I know you’re hurting. I don’t blame you for what happened.”
Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. “Still, I’m sorry. And thank you—for not taking advantage of the situation.”
“I’d never do that,” Kael said firmly. “Not to you.”
After a moment of quiet, Kael glanced at her with a faint smile. “How about we go for a walk? Fresh air might help clear your head.”
Celestina hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. But only if we stay within the palace grounds.”
“Of course,” Kael said, rising and offering her his hand.
She took it, the warmth of his touch grounding her as they began to stroll through the lush gardens. The scent of roses and jasmine filled the air, and the sound of birdsong provided a soothing backdrop.
Kael kept a respectful distance as they walked, his hands clasped behind his back. “How are you feeling today?” he asked gently.
“Like a fool,” she admitted, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “And my head feels like it’s been split open.”
He chuckled softly. “That’s what happens when you drink half a bar’s worth of whiskey.”
She shot him a look but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “It wasn’t that much.”
“I’m not so sure,” he teased, his tone light.
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the tension from earlier slowly dissipating.
As they reached a secluded part of the garden, Celestina paused, her gaze drifting to the fountain ahead. The sound of trickling water was calming, but her thoughts were anything but.
“Kael,” she said softly, breaking the silence.
“Yes?” he replied, turning to her.
She hesitated, then met his gaze. “Do you think I’ll ever feel normal again? Like myself?”
His brow furrowed, and he stepped closer, his voice gentle. “I think what you’ve been through has changed you, Celestina. But that doesn’t mean you’ll never find yourself again. It just means you’ll have to redefine what ‘normal’ is for you.”
She let his words sink in, her chest tightening with emotion. “It feels impossible sometimes,” she admitted. “Like I’m stuck in this endless fog.”
