If anything, Celeste felt a bit flustered stepping outside her bedroom door. Although she was anxious to meet Zant, she didn't feel particularly comfortable in her gown. In fact, it was not a style of dress she was used to wearing and it certainly revealed a bit too much for her liking.

The dress was beautiful in every way, but it was a style Midna preferred over multiple layers. Red, with a high split on each side of her thighs, Celeste took her time walking through the halls, ignoring the curious stares of servants.

Though she normally preferred her breasts hidden behind a bodice, Midna believed a black corset revealing a great amount of cleavage was the way to go, especially if she wanted to impress Zant, despite her initial hatred of the man. According to Midna, it was best to dress and impress than to dress and bore someone. However, on account of the small bruises lining Celeste's upper chest and neck, an alteration was made to the attire, and she wore a simple black cloak over top.

Black, red and silver earrings adorned her ears and it was complimented by a short-chained silver necklace, it's design mirroring Midna's taste, but it was pretty. In the short amount of time it took to get ready, despite touching up her makeup with daring red rouge, even her hair was let down, the braid no longer visible.

It wasn't long before she descended a long staircase and traveled down a long hallway that she caught the attention of the two maid servants, the women turning in surprise from their cleaning. Embarrassed, Celeste ignored them, feeling their stares follow her every step. Whether they were impressed or simply bothered by her change of dress, she kept her eyes focused ahead of her. Now wasn't the time to worry about what others thought, and she held the letter tightly in her hands.

When she entered the courtyard, the usual sentry on duty missing from their posts, she crossed the stone pathway and stood near the terrace. There was no sighting of Zant in the vicinity and turning her gaze upwards, she noted the changing of the Twilight Sky.

Not even a moment after her arrival, she heard footsteps approaching her from behind, and nervous, she turned with a timid smile. To her surprise, it wasn't who she thought it was; in fact, it was a particular man she tried her best to avoid these days. Joho.

"Celeste…" His drunken voice slurred.

Surely, this letter wasn't sent by him? As she looked around the courtyard, there was still no sighting of Zant; he wasn't one to ever arrive late and glancing down at the letter, she realized it must have been Joho all along. "Joho…"

"I see you got my letter. I was hoping we could have a chance to talk privately," He replied, stepping closer, his eyes noticing her dress. "I wasn't expecting you to dress up. You look beautiful."

The smell of alcohol wasn't difficult to discern from his breath, and she stepped away, her polite smile remaining. "Have you been drinking?"

"No," He replied, despite the sway on his feet and his flushed expression. "I've been celebrating my victory in the tournament with my men," He explained. "I left a bit early and wanted to meet you before the party began."

She nodded. It made sense he would celebrate, but it was a bit unusual he would call upon her nonetheless even while slightly buzzed. "I see. So, you wrote the letter?" She asked.

The question must have offended him and he struck her a slightly irritated look. "Of course, the letter was from me. Who else would it have been from?"

It was the first time he'd ever spoken to her like that and she became slightly uncomfortable, especially from his roaming eyes. "I see. I'm sorry Joho, but I have to go. I think there was a misunderstanding…" Before she could step past him and walk back inside the palace, he caught her wrist.

"Wait, Celeste. You haven't heard me out."

She turned somewhat apologetically. "Joho … I'm already aware of your feelings…" To her surprise, he only smiled and pulled her closer, much to her dismay. "Joho wait—"

"That's great. Then you already know what I wish to ask you then," He replied.

"Your letter said you wanted to confess to me. I assume you wish to confess your feelings. To be honest, I can't accept them. I'm sorry…"

His smile fell. "But Celeste. I love you. I've loved you since we were children. I want you to be my wife."

She felt his hand tighten around her wrist, and when he reached to grab her other arm, she pulled away. "Thank you. I'm flattered you like me, but I can't return those feelings."

"Why? Any other woman would have accepted without hesitation. Why do you reject me?"

Celeste winced. "You're hurting me…" She replied, but he did not let her go, in fact, he only narrowed his gaze. "I've said what I had to say."

"If you did not feel the same way, then why did you dress up? Why was it when I watched you cross the courtyard, you seemed excited? Could it be, you were expecting someone else?"

Well, he wasn't wrong there. "That's … not your concern…"

He scoffed. "I think you owe me that much Celeste. Who is he?"

"You're drunk. You are not in the right state of mind."

Unexpectedly, he pulled her behind him, further into the courtyard, despite her protests and it wasn't long before he pushed her against the wall, trapping her with his arms.

The situation frightened her, and she warily ascertained her predicament. "I'll scream…"


An ever-present smile remained on Midna's face, her feet carrying her down the halls, thoughts of earlier clouding her mind. It surprised her, the situation between Celeste and the Royal Advisor. Although she assumed the feelings were one-sided, an infatuation she predicted would soon evaporate overtime, it was clear the feelings were mutual. How surprising indeed. While it was difficult to wrap her head around this situation, Midna would respect Celeste's decision; besides, it was clear Zant adored her as well, as weird as it was to muse upon.

A shiver crept down her spine, a cold gust of wind blowing through the empty halls morbidly, but as she paused and searched her surroundings, there was nothing amiss. The corridor she stood before was silent, and as her amber eyes gazed upon the multiple closed doors, moving across the closed windows, she narrowed her gaze. Where had the wind come from? How strange.

With a shrug, her thoughts returning to this evening's party, Midna continued on her trek before ultimately arriving before a set of double doors. Upon seeing her, two retainers standing on either side of the door opened the way, both nodding respectively, and she stepped inside.

High onyx walls and lavish banners of velvet, gold and jade greeted Midna the moment she entered, the torches of blue flames near flickering as she passed through the room. Several feet away from her sat her father, seated in his regal chair encompassed by burgundy curtains, and beside him, she was surprised to see the Royal Advisor.

"Father, you summoned me?" Midna inquired, curtsying to his Majesty, seated in his regal throne like usual. When she arrived but a moment ago, she was bewildered by Zant's presence, standing quietly beside him, his expression blank and his eyes merely watching her. Why was he here and not with Celeste? Could it be, the letter was written by someone else?

"Indeed, I have. It's good to see you've finally come out of your room."

"Yes," She replied carefully, her hands folded before her. "My actions were not only reckless but also thoughtless; I thought about what you said, and you were right, father. Whomever you wish to marry me, I'll not protest."

His brows shot up at her reply, and he eased himself further into his chair. "Is that so? Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that. I suppose it's only natural to fuss upon these matters. Very well, then, this conversation will run more smoothly than I anticipated."

So, it was just as she thought; father wished to discuss her engagement, and she mentally braced herself. According to Celeste, the winner of the tournament was the infamous Joho, and she swallowed nervously. Did father intend to marry her to him? If so, then it would certainly relieve Celeste's constant worries, but then again, he wasn't exactly Midna's taste. Still, she remained silent as her father continued.

"As you may or may not have heard, one of our many talented knights, Sir Joho, bested a great many in the tournament, thus ending it with his splendid victor. We spoke earlier this morning, and we had a brief discussion, one concerning his reward," When Midna failed to reply, he continued. "Such a fine gentleman, strong and well deserving of his achievements, I was all, but surprised, when he refused my offer to marry you, Midna."

Surprised, she lifted her head suddenly. So, he refused her? "Father?"

"Sir Joho made it clear there was only one woman in his heart, one whom he hopes to wed someday, but has failed to attain certain affections," He explained. "Did you know he has a deep inclination for our dear Celeste?"

Midna bit her lip, but slowly nodded. Yes, in truth, she knew; she knew all too well. Hell, the man practically wooed her for years now, but couldn't understand the obvious hints Celeste dropped on numerous occasions. "Father, about Sir Joho—"

"I've always thought of Celeste as my second daughter, since the time we took her under our wing," He reminisced, smiling at the memory. "And, just as you, she is also of marriageable age; it would not look right if only one daughter were wed and not the other. So, I've decided to marry the two of you together. In a week's time from today, the ceremony shall be held."

Two ceremonies? What? Judging by her father's expression, he hadn't decided on this matter, but he needed to know that Joho was not suited for Celeste. She loved another, and that man stood beside his Majesty, quietly. 'Why isn't Zant protesting?'

When Zant failed to respond to her incriminating stare, merely withdrawing himself to look elsewhere, Midna couldn't help but bite her lip agitatedly. What was his problem? "Both?" She asked, her eyes returning to his Majesty. "Father … if I might ask, to whom will I be wed?"

As if to answer her question, he extended his hand towards his left, not noticing his daughter's startled stare. "Lord Zant," He answered. "He took part in the Magic Division, excelling greatly. I'll admit, I was dismayed when he dropped out, but I would have welcomed a battle between him and Sir Joho. Still, Zant's magic is, without a doubt, unparalleled, to even my own, Midna. As someone who rules Twilight, the ability to harness and use such powerful magic is key to extending one's rule. Zant did not fail to impress me, and he certainly has the makings of someone I can place my trust upon when my time draws close."

Stunned and left speechless, Midna's gaze shifted between her father and Zant. The man she would marry, was him? Him?! No. This had to be a mistake. "Father I—"

"Your Majesty, surely this has come as a surprise for the Princess. After all, I am merely her instructor…" Zant stepped in, choosing his words carefully so as not to offend the King. "Surely, there is someone better suited than I…"

"Nonsense!" The King responded, his palm falling heavily upon his knee with a loud smack, though his expression remained at ease. "There is no other better suited. You've been with my daughter since she was merely a child; with this knowledge, it's clear to me she would be in safe hands with someone she has grown comfortable with," He explained, suddenly scratching his beard thoughtfully. "I'm sure it can't be helped; it's bound to feel awkward at first, but I have faith you can rely on each other in time. So, as my final wish, I want the two of you to accept this, for the sake of this Kingdom."


Celeste was trapped, unable to move from her position with her back pressed up against the ivy-covered walls of the palace, her cerulean gaze glowering fearfully into Joho's amber gaze. He was so close, the pungent smell of alcohol fanning her face hotly. "Stop. Don't try anything. I'm warning you."

"Celeste," He began, despite the slight slur on his tongue, his eyes never once strayed from hers. "Regardless of your decision, it's already been decided."

Her brows drew together. What was he talking about? "I don't understand…"

A chuckle fell from his lips, the likes of which only drew on Celeste's anxiety. "Well … this wasn't supposed to be revealed until during the party in the next hour … but I suppose it doesn't really matter. In fact, this was the reason why I called you out. Celeste, the King has granted me permission to take you as my wife."

Stupefied and confused, she stood there, frozen in place. What? The King granted him permission? But that was impossible, and yet, somehow, she had a sinking suspicion something like this might happen. Joho's feelings were fairly clear to her, even days prior to now, but he never took the hint of her disinterest. Still, it suddenly came to this.

"Speak, Celeste. Are you not excited? You stare at me as if you wished it were not true. Could it be you are dissatisfied?"

Reaching for the hands on either side of her head, she grasped his wrists and pulled them away. Somehow, she wished Midna was here or even Zant, but she was alone, alone with Joho of all people. It wasn't like she hated him; he simply made her uncomfortable, and with him in a drunken state, she felt cautious. "Joho…"

A scoff fell from his lips, and he stared at her, as if reading her expression. "You are against it."

"I'm sorry. If I'm being perfectly honest, there is someone else…"

His eyes narrowed. "So, it is true. You have your eye on the Royal Advisor."

Again, her eyes widened. "How…"

"It's no secret. I've heard a few rumors whispered around from the maids to the guards," He began, suddenly leaning in close. "At first, I thought it was ludicrous. How could naïve and innocent Celeste lose her heart to such a cold man?"

A chill fell down her spine, her eyes widening worryingly at his stare. Somehow, she had a bad feeling. "W-what are you saying…"

"I'm beginning to believe those rumors are true after all. If I recall correctly, I remember seeing you disappear with Zant into one of the rooms in the upstairs corridor," He replied almost in a whisper.

He knew? No. How? Did he follow her?

"Surprised?" He questioned in her ear. "Yeah … I was too. I thought perhaps, maybe I'm misunderstanding their relationship, but you didn't emerge from the room for some time."

Unexpectedly, he reached forward and snagged the string tied to her cloak and pulled, the assemble falling open with ease, and shockingly, revealing the marks upon her neck and collarbone. "I never knew you were so easy. If it was like that, I would have taken you long before, had you only given me the chance."

Frantic, Celeste grasped her cloak tightly with both hands, but even still, he took her wrists with ease and pulled them away, his body inching further until he was practically pushed up against her, the heat of his body warm and discomforting. "No. Stop!"

"I want you. I'm even willing to look pass the frequent visits with Zant. Just say you will be my wife."

"No!"

"Celeste!" His voice warned in her ear, but on account of her struggling, his grip upon her only tightened.

Unable to pull away, she suddenly felt his hand reach around her throat, forcing her jaw up and then, immediately after, she felt his lips crash against hers. It hurt. She didn't want this. With all her willpower, she fought against him, pulling and trying to budge herself free.

Tears fell from her eyes, the feeling of his tongue forcing entry inside her mouth. She hated it. She hated his touch. She couldn't breathe. It was nothing like Zant. Zant's touch was gentle. This was wrong. So wrong.

When he finally broke the kiss, a heavy silence fell over them, and Celeste scornfully glared at him, her tears still falling. Although she was pressed up against the wall, his hands tightly grasped around her wrists, he did nothing else besides stare at her, and the tension only grew with it.

"Tonight, Celeste, be mine. Willingly."