Chapter 12: The music box and wedding day confessions

Celeste fidgetted nervously with her white gown. "Do you think he'll like it?" She murmured shyly.

Elyon stopped fussing with her own hair long enough to embrace her daughter. "He will love it. And you. Celeste, excuse me for asking, but...are you okay with Cedric being your father?" She asked gently, coaxingly.

Celeste looked up at her mother. "I already told you. He may have fathered a child, but he will never be my father. Palar helped raise me. He loves me and Elrin." She said stubbornly, but her trembling chin betrayed her strong speech.

Elyon sighed. "Oh, Celeste. I think you need a moment to pull yourself together. I'm going to go find Elrin; you stay in here and rest. The last thing we need is a sad bride!" She added gently.

Celeste sat down on her bed and reached for a music box she had possessed since birth. It was a gift from her father. Humming vaguely, she pulled out the small key and turned it, making music begin playing. It was a lullaby from her childhood, very soothing. But then her sharp eyes fell on something. There was a silhouette of a snake on the lid of her music box.

Celeste found a knife and carefully pried a layer off her music box lid. A piece of paper, yellowed with age, fell into her lap. She laid her knife aside, slipped off her long white gloves, and unfolded the paper.

My darling daughter,

I have been told that soon I will be arrested and barred from ever seeing you. This is a devasting blow. By this time, no doubt, you will have learned what I gave you. I urge you to not feel less than human. If anything, I am less than human, for I am a criminal.

I will pay the price for crimes I carelessly created. But I now regret them. I would gladly give up everything to be with you, to see you take your first step, say your first word, learn that you can become a snake. You are my daughter, and I will never be allowed to see you grow up.

I want you to know that I do love you, although I'm not sure that I ever loved your mother. I love you, and I will think of you everyday.Please, my child. Do not think evil of me. I think enough evil about my self. Do not sully your mind with anger. Think of me often, little one.

Love, your father,

Cedric.

Celeste wiped away her tears. He lied, then. She thought. He did think of me. She pulled on her gloves and shoes, then checked the hallway. Now all I can do is beg his forgiveness for being a spoiled brat. Like a ghost, she ran down the hallways until she reached the dungeon.

"Cedric?" She called softly. No answer. "Cedric?" She repeated. Finally she knelt on the side of the well and stared down into the inky blackness. "Father?"

"What now?" Cedric's familiar voice replied sarcastically. "I was told you were marrying soon. Did you come to tell me that you've decided to kill me?"

"I found your note, Father. In my music box." Celeste replied. "Did you mean any of it?" She held her breath, wondering if she would die of sorrow if he laughed and denied writing any note.

"I meant every word of it, little one." Cedric said quietly. "But I don't want you hanging on to me. You've grown up acting as rebellious as I did--and I wish I could change that." He stepped into the sunlight and smiled up at her. Oddly enough, he looked much younger when he grinned at her. "Good luck, little one. I'm barred from seeing you even today, but I'm glad you came. Bring my grandchildren to visit me, okay?"

Celeste smiled back. "Okay." She agreed as she ran off.

A second figure stepped out of the shadows and stood beside Cedric.

"Won't she be surprised to see you?" Elrin asked softly as he held a ladder.

Cedric sighed. "I just wish she wouldn't marry that guardian's son." He admitted as he began climbing.

"With all luck, and our influence, she won't." Elrin replied softly.