It was the birds that woke him every morning, the song outside his window announcing that dawn was coming.
Castiel groaned, pulling himself up. His muscles were a lot more tense this morning. He'd fallen asleep by the fire again.
If he were smart, he'd move his blankets and thin mattress by the fire, winter would be arriving soon and being sick would help no one. He'd still have to work either way.
He looked around the kitchen, the fire was out, and the room was still dirty from all the cooking for the dinner party that Abaddon threw last night. It was a bit confronting, since he had been working he'd gain more muscles and hard lines. It drew attention from intoxicated guests that was not welcome.
He missed Mosley, the woman was almost a surrogate mother. The kitchen was always alive to him, heat and love filled it, all thanks to her. Now it was just a room of bleak cold stone.
Castiel got up and set to getting ready for the morning. Specifically, he set to getting breakfast and tea ready for Abaddon and the girls. He should stop referring to them as girls, Lilith, was ready and looking for marriage at 21. Ruby was doing the same even though she didn't have the pressure to do so.
Ruby, he found would be a lot nicer if she wasn't around the other two, it was just her spiteful and cunning nature that made her such a pain. Almost as if she had to prove she didn't like Castiel as much as the others.
Lilith was the most open in her dislike for Castiel. He still was not sure of what he did to draw her hatred. When they were young she was subtle about it but she couldn't care less. He would find his belongings strewn across the grounds. Precious dishes and cups smashed, for that he'd miss meals. Even once he found a snake placed in his bed.
Castiel at twenty, still lived at the house.
He wanted nothing more than to leave but he had nowhere to go. Abaddon reminded him constantly that he was lucky that she hadn't kicked him out onto the streets, blaming him for his father's death.
It was probably true. He was spoilt and sullen when he was younger. Being difficult when Abaddon came, all for what? The loss of his mother? Was he jealous that his father didn't focus on him as much. Whatever it was he was paying for his earlier bullshit now.
Castiel, a few years ago, sold most of his possessions that his family did not want. He was left with his two sets of clothes, old and rough fabric, his journals that he devoted time into writing and as always, Meg.
…..(-_-)...
The household morning routine was simple, Castiel would get up, wake up everyone and get breakfast ready. Once everyone is dressed and ready he serves breakfast, cleans around the room till they're done. Get the dishes, eat then wash up.
Castiel set out breakfast on the table, the woman were talking about the party last night and the Royal Court. The three of them frequented the balls thrown there and Lilith had her eyes set on the Prince Dean. Ruby just wanted to land a better husband than Lilith.
Castiel placed down Abaddon's plate, it landed with a thud. Castiel stilled and Abaddon looked up at him with a raised brow.
"Something the matter, Castiel?" She asked coolly
His step sisters looked at the pair of them, waiting for the entertainment.
Castiel stepped back and shook his head, "No, that was an accident-"
"Don't give me lip, Castiel" she snapped, "You know if there is something wrong, you can tell me Castiel"
She placed her hands in her lap, frowning slightly "I mean, I do my best for you, yet it's like you don't appreciate me at all. Your Father's finances were weak when he died and I couldn't afford help. I thought you would be glad to help out, since you don't have any aspirations at all."
"But no, you don't seem to care to look after your family at all."
Castiel set his gaze at the ground, talking back didn't help so he wouldn't. Best not to rock a disturbed boat. He didn't like confrontation.
Well, Castiel? Anything to say?" She looks at him expectantly at him. Castiel clenches his jaw, and shakes his head. No, he didn't see the point in rebuttal. "Good, go get the mail."
Castiel turned heel and fetched the mail, placing it in front of the Matriarch before clearing the table.
He had only set the dishes by the sink when a scream drew him from the kitchen. He grabbed a broom just in case. The scene in front of him however was not one of panic but of elation.
A bit more shocking, he was expecting to walk in on his sisters trying to kill each other.
Placing the broom down wearily he walked over
"Dean!"
"Oh my goodness, can you imagine"
"He'll pick me of course, I am the most beautiful." Castiel fought the urge to roll his eyes.
Abaddon hushed them and Castiel took his chance to speak "What's going on?" he asked approaching Abaddon.
Ruby took his hands, squeezing tightly "Can you believe it? We're going to meet the Crown Prince, and he will marry someone" she squealed and Castiel smiled, it was strained and unsure but good enough for her.
He turned back to Abaddon, "when are we meeting the prince?"
He only had one memory of the prince, unlike the girls he hasn't seen him since he was a child. The queen's funeral, he was fixated on Dean when they emerged to address the crowd. It was understanding not pity that he felt for Dean, he too had just lost his mother
"You?Castiel no, you are too funny" she said covering her mouth in attempt to look modest at her amusement. "As if you'd be going."
Castiel frowned, walked up to her and took the Letter. The paper was thick and had the golden wax seal of the Winchesters, the Campbell's was replaced when Mary died.
To Whom It May Concern,
The Royal Palace will be holding a meeting Ball for all High Status young people, for those of marriage age. His highness, the Crown Prince Dean, is looking to wed and has extended the invitation to the Lords and Ladies to meet in consideration of marriage.
Tomorrow, 6pm
"I'm going" Castiel said quietly, he and handed back the letter. "My father was was granted Lordship before he died , So I'm basically obliged go. Did you want to be rude to the Prince. Because I don't"
He was being manipulative, Castiel knew that but, he didn't care right now.
"Fine" Abaddon said after moments of silence. Castiel stared at her and his mouth nearly fell. "You may go, if and I mean if you get the house clean and spotless and find something acceptable that won't embarrass us then yes, you may go."
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