Chapter 52
Kael had promised Celestina that he would wait, and he meant it. Despite her uncertainty about his proposal, he didn’t let her hesitation deter him. Instead, he continued to show her, day by day, that he had truly changed.
Gone was the aloof, self-centered man she once knew. In his place stood someone patient, thoughtful, and surprisingly playful. He didn’t push her for an answer, didn’t demand more than she was willing to give.
But Kael wasn’t about to give up, either.
One sunny morning, Celestina stepped out of the palace, dressed in a casual yet chic outfit—a white sleeveless top tucked into a pair of high-waisted beige trousers. Her hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, and oversized sunglasses shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight.
She spotted Kael waiting for her by a sleek golf cart, wearing a polo shirt and khaki shorts that gave him a relaxed, approachable look.
“Golf?” she asked, raising an eyebrow as she walked toward him.
Kael grinned, holding up a golf club. “It’s a classic sport. Relaxing, challenging, and—if done right—a lot of fun.”
“Hmm,” Celestina mused, tilting her head. “Are you any good at it, or is this just an excuse to embarrass yourself in front of me?”
“I’ll let you decide that by the end of the day,” he quipped, opening the cart door for her.
She slid in, smirking. “Fair warning, I’ve never played before. You’re in for a challenge.”
“That makes two of us,” Kael said with a chuckle.
The golf course was stunning—a sprawling expanse of lush green, dotted with trees and bordered by rolling hills. The faint scent of freshly cut grass lingered in the air as the warm sun bathed everything in a golden glow.
Kael handed her a club and positioned her in front of a ball on the tee. “Alright, let’s start with the basics. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, grip the club firmly, and swing smoothly.”
Celestina adjusted her stance, following his instructions. “Like this?”
Kael stepped closer, his hands lightly guiding hers. “Almost. Relax your shoulders a bit.”
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Are you always this hands-on with your lessons?”
“Only when the student is as charming as you,” he replied smoothly, earning a laugh from her.
“Careful, Veridan,” she teased. “Flattery won’t improve my swing.”
“Worth a shot,” he said, stepping back.
Celestina took a deep breath and swung the club. The ball soared a few feet before landing unceremoniously in the grass.
Kael clapped dramatically. “Not bad for a beginner!”
She shot him a mock glare. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely,” he admitted with a grin. “Your turn to laugh at me, though. Watch and learn.”
Kael lined up his shot with exaggerated confidence, making a show of inspecting the club and taking practice swings.
“Are you going to hit the ball, or should I bring lunch while we wait?” Celestina called, smirking.
“Patience, my queen,” he replied, winking.
When he finally swung, the ball shot forward with impressive precision, landing neatly on the green near the hole.
Celestina’s jaw dropped. “Show-off!”
He laughed, tipping an imaginary hat. “Beginner’s luck.”
“Beginner?” she repeated, narrowing her eyes. “You’ve done this before, haven’t you?”
“Maybe once or twice,” he admitted with a shrug.
As they moved through the course, their banter flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and the occasional misstep. Celestina hit a ball into the water hazard at one point, and Kael gallantly waded in to retrieve it, soaking his shoes in the process.
“Dedication,” he said, holding the ball aloft triumphantly.
“Or foolishness,” she countered, grinning.
When Kael’s ball got stuck in a sand trap, Celestina couldn’t resist snapping a photo with her phone.
“Blackmail material,” she declared, waving the phone at him.
“Use it wisely,” he replied, brushing sand off his shirt.
