Chapter 17

2 months have passed since their academy acceptance letters came. Celestina has been preparing the things she must bring with the help of Mellisa and Matthew. Matthew taught her how to ride a horse while Mellisa taught her basic etiquette of nobles. Ginny stopped teaching her last months because Celestina's learning pace was so fast and she completed everything Ginny intended to teach her so Celestina joined the twin of their tutoring lesson.

"Remember to straighten your back, don't slump down." Mellisa kept on reminding her to straighten her back during their tea time. Mellisa has somehow pushed the habit of drinking tea in the afternoon, it was hard at first as Celestina has never did this but as time went by, she had gotten used to it and was even enjoying it.

"Alright." Celestina smiled slightly and straighten her back according to Mellisa's instruction.

"Father said the food festivals are closing soon, should we visit it one last time before going to the academy?"

"Alright."

The festival was even livelier than the last time she came, the colorful streets were filled with lanterns, mini games, attractions and of course, snack and drinks that all looked so fresh and inviting.

"Mellisa what's that?" A stand caught Celestina's eyes. It was a stand that sell potato balls filled with meat and vegetables.

"It's really good." After Celestina asked, Mellisa of course have to go and buy it. Not to mention, Matthew on her left also kept on whining to buy the said potato.

Mellisa held the money while Matthew and Celestina held nothing. Even though Matthew was a mature and smart boy, he spend money like water and has no idea on the value of money. Mellisa on the other hand, was the only one who could stop the boy when he went and buy everything he saw.

"Let's try that!" Matthew pulled them to a stand that was surrounded by people. It made Celestina remembered the last time they came, except that Matthew has grown to like her this time.

Matthew led them to a ball throwing stand where you have 5 balls to throw to make the six bottles stacked fall. Matthew took the balls and threw it to the bottles and on his first throw, only one bottle fell while the other bottles stood firm. He threw his remaining ball and didn't manage to even make the bottle move. While Matthew was playing his game, Mellisa and Celestina's attention were distracted by the colorful drinks sold next to the ball-throwing stand.

"What flavors do you have?" Mellisa asked while looking at the green drink that look so warm.

"Here's matcha, it's a drink that came from the faraway east. Its super delicious and healthy, would you like to have one?" The seller kindly explained and showed Mellisa his menu. "Choose your combination and we'll make it for you."

Celestina looked at the menu on Mellisa's hand, there's chocolate, strawberry, blueberry, plain, and milk.

"What would you like?" Mellisa shifted the menu so that she and Celestina could share it. Celestina looked at the menu for a while before choosing milk. She thought back of her old life when she used order matcha latte whenever she's sad. It used to be one of her go-to-drink.

"Milk, what about you?"

"Hmmm, I will try milk as well then. Mister, 2 milk and one chocolate please." Mellisa handed 6 bronze coin to the seller and the seller gladly took the coins before making the drinks.

"Mel! Celestina! Here you are, I almost got a heart attack." Matthew ran over with a mini doll he got from winning the ball-throwing game. He managed to throw 5 bottles and got a mini doll instead of the huge teddy bear he was aiming for. But he was happy with the mini doll, the doll was a rabbit with light green dress and ribbon which reminded him of Mellisa's wardrobe, his sister always wore green-blue and yellow combination, it used to be their mother favorite colors as well.

"Here's your drinks! Enjoy!" The matcha seller brought over 3 drinks and handed them to the 3 kids, Matthew looked at the drink in amazement.

"How do you know I am thirsty? Ahh this is so warm." Matthew asked Mellisa who obviously didn't buy the drink especially for him but instead of correcting him, Mellisa let him drown in his own imagination.

Celestina took a sip on the drink and instantly felt warm all over. The seller did a very good job with the flavor and combination, it wasn't too sweet and the smell was so good. It's also very warm and was just the drink they were looking for in this cold weather.

"Ahhh this is so good." Mellisa said and asked the seller where he usually sell his drinks when there's no festival. The seller gladly answered all her questions while Matthew and Celestina drown in their warm drinks.

"All right, let's go! Where should we go next?" Mellisa came over to them before they started to look like lost child.

Matthew looked around and found nothing that could interest him, Celestina replied in his stead, "Let's walk around and take a look on everything slowly!" Mellisa and Matthew nodded at her words and started walking while holding their matcha.

After walking for a while, Mellisa found a jewelry shop and walked inside, she bought a cuff link with red ruby that cost her 10 silvers. She didn't use the money they took for the festival and instead used her own savings. Celestina looked around the shop and found nothing that interested her. After they're done with their visit to the last day of food festival, they went home and Celestina was ushered to bath by Ginny who looked in shock at her messy appearance.

"Miss is going to Atkinsons soon, what should I do when you're gone?" Ginny muttered sadly as she combed Celestina's hair.

Celestina giggled at her words and said "Ginny will have lots of free time! Although... I will miss Ginny so much." Celestina said to Ginny who looked at her sadly.

"I will miss you too, young miss. Remember to study well and eat well. If you are ever bullied, don't ever hesitate to bully them back. If they're stronger than you, call the older miss or the young master!" Celestina was flabbergasted at Ginny's warm advice that ended with loud declaration.

"You are spoiling me too much, Ginny. How could I bully them? Besides, there'll be no one who would bully me." Celestina said confidently and stood up after Ginny was done combing her hair, Ginny tucked her to sleep and gave her the giant doll that Matthew won last time.

"Good night Ginny, sweet dreams."

"Good night miss, sleep well."