Chapter 1: A Typical Day in Batticul
"HEY!" A strong male voice rang out as Celeste tried to creep back into the gates. Cringing she turned around to see a guard. He walked slowly up to her, his face in a scowl.
Oh no, Guy was right! Celeste thought nervously as she bit her lip, the guard came to a halt in front of her.
"Celeste Haynes, what are you doing out here? Go inside and get breakfast before you're late for your chores."
"Y-Yes, Sir!" Celeste said as she quickly bowed and made her way over to the entrance, all of a sudden she felt a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"Relax a bit as well. Okay, Celeste?" The Guard smiled and winked at her as he left her standing there in shock.
What- what just happened?! I barely got away this time… I swear Guy is like psychic….
"Heh, Looks like you did get a break huh, Celeste?" Guy said as he came up from behind her.
"GUY!" Celeste jumped back in complete shock.
"Ha-ha, Seems like you are also a bit jumpy as well." Guy laughed as he ran a hand through his hair, meanwhile Celeste seethed.
"I can't believe you! You always freak out when I come close to you and yet you continue to torture me by constantly sneaking up on me!!" Celeste stomped her foot as she turned away from Guy and started to storm off.
"H-hey!" Guy said as he ran after her, when she stopped he still kept a reasonable distance from her, "Celeste it is not like I am exactly happy when I become afraid. It's something I cannot control. I don't know why I do it… Sorry I scared you Celeste." Sighing, Celeste turned to face him.
"I know, Guy." She then smiled at him, "That was a pretty close call wasn't it?" Guy raised an eyebrow.
"That was a fast recovery. And you bet it was, I think we call that luck?"
"Exactly," Celeste said with a grin. She was happy that she and Guy were such good friends. He was the only one she felt she could really trust in the Fabre household. They started to make their way to the kitchen to grab something to eat before they started their chores. As they passed the center court of the Fabre Manor Celeste was reminded of another one of her friends. "So have you talked with Master Luke today?"
"Not yet I haven't."
"Is he doing okay?"
"He is getting more troubled by those headaches of his, remnants of the kidnapping and all." Guy said softly, furrowing his brow. Guy was like Luke's older brother and was constantly worried and concerned with Luke's safety. Celeste was on pretty good terms with Luke, but Ramdas, the overseer of the Manor staff, hated it when she socialized with Luke outside her duties, as he thought it was improper for one of the Masters to be socializing with a servant. So it was often that Luke insisted that Celeste assist whenever he trained with his weapon. Usually as the sparring went on she watched and encouraged her friends as well as provide water for hydration and rags for sweat. Celeste loved these times, as it was a break from the often-cruel servant girls who had a mouth for gossip and made it their mission to torture Celeste for reasons unbeknownst to her. Guy would usually protect her from the other girls' spite by distracting her with other tasks or just being a friend like always. There was also, another benefit to what Luke was doing; this was the fact that sometimes Celeste was allowed to spar. It was originally Dorian General Van Grants' idea after seeing Celeste pay such close attention to the matches. Celeste soon became adept at using dual swords and was sometimes invited to further her skills by training alongside Luke and Guy. Even though it was forbidden for servant girls to be trained in weaponry unless authorized by the household Masters the Duke and Duchess, no one could argue that Celeste had the talent or the will of the Dorian General. So this ability was kept hidden from most people except for Ramdas, the Duke, and the Duchess. Unfortunately the other servants soon discovered this and the girls further isolated Celeste from their group. As they walked into the kitchen, Annette and Isabelle, two servants who grew up in Batticul from a family devoted to serve the Fabre family, were already there talking. Annette was in the middle of telling a story when Guy and Celeste entered the room.
"And so I said, that I must keep my honor so unfortunately I couldn't be seeing him could I?"
"But a guard from the palace? An officer no less!" Isabelle exclaimed in a loud voice as the chef started to prepare Guy and Celeste's meal. Just then did Isabelle notice the new faces in the room, "Ah! Guy I am so happy to see you again!" She said as she winked over at him. Guy, startled, attempted to shrug it off,
"A pleasure as always Isabelle…heh" Guy's voice trailed off as he took a semi-casual step backwards. Isabelle laughed and brushed a strand of her long black hair back behind her. She then took a small step forward and batted her eyelashes.
"So, Guy. What have you been up to?" She said, her voice low and sweet, a look of alarm emerged in Guy's eyes. Immediately Annette pursed her lips, and a look of jealousy pieced her beautiful facial features. Guy was fairly popular amongst the Manor servant girls. With his good looks and with the Fabre's favor, he became a sought after date. So his fear of women didn't help his case much.
"Isabelle, didn't Ramdas give you some chores to do? I think you better do them now," Annette said in a cold voice. A deep shade of red crossed Isabelle's face as she stared awestruck at her friend. Trying to compose herself, she turned back to Guy and bowed,
"I am afraid my friend is right, I shall see you again, Guy." And with those words Isabelle left the kitchen as gracefully as she could. It was obvious though, that Annette and Isabelle would be against each other for the coming day, but then like always they would become friends again. Annette, having noticed Guy's distress decided to turn her attention from Guy, to Celeste.
"So, Celeste how are you?" She asked, a glint of mean curiosity was in her eyes.
"Um, fine Annette, yourself?" Celeste herself became wary of Annette. Annette was one of the worst gossipers and if she wanted something she would not stop until she got it.
"Hmph, You know, I heard Master Luke was missing a few items from his room. Weren't you the one who straightened it up for him last?" Annette delivered her blow. Celeste stood in clear shock, Why? Why would she even suggest that!?
"Annette, You know Celeste isn't the type of girl to steal from Luke." Guy said sharply, his eyes flashed with anger.
"Among the missing items were some paintings, and priceless memorbillia. I bet if I looked in her room I'd find them."
"Only cause he asked me to clean them up Annette,"
"Clean?!" Annette seemed surprised, yet her shock was soon hidden. Her lips pursed into a smirk. "Doesn't matter, Anywho I believe I should be going now."
"They by all means, please do, we wouldn't want to keep you from your daily routine" Guy said, his eyes still hard with an evident disdain for Annette. Brushing her bangs from her eyes she strode out the door ignoring Celeste and Guy alike.
"Heh, she is no doubt upset that what she had on you was nothing, Celeste. Isn't that right?" Guy said glancing over at Celeste. He stopped when he saw her looking down at her meal barely eating. "Hey, don't let her get to you she is only jealous. Don't worry about it ok Celeste?" Guy said looking down at his friend. Celeste slowly nodded,
"Thanks, Guy."
"No Problem, but I have to go, chore time." Guy said as he made his way to the door. "Hey why don't you and I hang out later today. Also I heard that Dorian General Van Grants is supposed to be coming."
"What? But today is not a sparring day!" Celeste said in shock.
"I know, but I heard that something may be going wrong in the order of Loreli… so who knows right?"
"I guess so…" Celeste said trailing off.
"Well I am gonna go do some chores and visit Luke. You get yours done and maybe we can see if we can spar today as well." Guy said with a wink.
"Ok, see you around Guy,"
"Bye, Celeste." Guy said as he left the kitchen. Celeste smiled at the chef and quickly finished her breakfast. She then helped the Chef clean up.
"Celeste, you don't have to do this you know." He said with a smile.
"I know but every little bit helps correct?"
"You are a good kid, Celeste." The chef waved goodbye to her as Celeste left the kitchen.
As she bustled about the mansion she could not help but be excited about the possibility of training with Guy and Luke. Dorian General Van Grants was amazing, he was able to successfully train Celeste and get her permission to do so. It was about noon when she finally emerged into the central courtyard, having been released from her chores. There she saw Pere working in the garden. In the center plaza Guy and the Dorian General were standing there talking, she waved and approached.
"It's good to see you Celeste," Van said with a smile.
"And a pleasure as always Dorian General," Celeste said with a proper nod, since Van disliked her curtseying and Guy bowing. Pere was an elder gardener who loved to make things grow for the Fabres. He wore a plain work suit that was dusty with his work, his many wrinkles gave his eyes an almost closed look. Meanwhile Dorian General Van had a good posture, wearing official clothes from the Order of Loreli. He had light brown hair color, his hair was arranged in a spiky ponytail. Guy was talking about something to Van concerning a mission. It did not surprise Celeste, Van often asked Guy to do him favors, especially pertaining to Luke, they became a bit more ambiguous with their conversation as she had now joined their circle. Talking of the Oracle knights and how Guy needed to take Van's place with watching all of the inhabitants of the Mansion. Celeste became unnerved as Guy's usually carefree face was filled with concern and seriousness. All of a sudden Pere's voice rang out:
"Ah, Master Luke!" He said in pleasant surprise. The group turned and looked at the 17 year old approach. Luke had red hair that faded to an orange as it cascaded down his back. His usual bored expression turned into one of curiosity as he walked closer.
"Guy, Celeste, what's up?" He halted in front of the group; his teal eyes gave away a number of questions he was bound to start asking.
"Nothing really," Celeste said with a smile. Luke looked at her with expectant eyes as she began to giggle. Soon enough Van began the practice. Reviewing the mere basics with Luke. Celeste and Guy smiled at eachother as they watched Luke fight. Celeste would occasionally cheer as well. Everything was perfect, a typical day. Yet today was the day that changed everything, and it all started with an intruder.
