Beautiful Morning
The warm rays of dawn pierced through the thick velvet curtains of Celeste's rented room at the inn. She stretched, her golden hair tumbling down her shoulders, and took a deep breath. Today was her first full day in the town, and excitement buzzed in her veins. She wanted to explore the bustling streets, taste local food, and—if luck would have it—encounter something that felt like it belonged in one of her beloved novels.
Her thoughts briefly wandered to Kael. She frowned, recalling his rough demeanor and how he had dismissed her as weak. Who does he think he is? Yet, she couldn't deny his strength. That beast had been terrifying, even for her, and he had brought it down without using a single spell.
Celeste quickly dressed in a comfortable yet elegant outfit, blending practicality with her noble heritage. She pinned her golden hair back in a loose braid, grabbed her satchel, and decided to head out. She hadn't heard from Kael since they parted ways, and she didn't expect to—he had made it clear that he preferred the solitude of the forest.
---
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Kael stretched under the shade of a massive oak tree. He had slept soundly on a bed of leaves, the earthy scent of the woods calming his mind. The quiet hum of the forest, interrupted only by chirping birds and rustling leaves, felt like home to him.
The encounter with Celeste the previous day lingered in his thoughts. "A noblewoman," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. She was unlike anyone he had met before—confident, bold, and stubborn. Yet, he had sensed something deeper beneath her proud exterior, a vulnerability that intrigued him.
Kael shook his head, brushing the thought away. "Not my problem," he said to himself. He grabbed a makeshift spear he had crafted and headed toward a nearby stream to catch his breakfast.
---
Back in town, Celeste strolled through the cobblestone streets, her eyes wide with wonder. Merchants called out to passersby, advertising their wares—everything from fragrant spices to sparkling jewelry. She stopped at a stall selling flowers and admired a bouquet of wild roses.
"You're not from around here, are you?" the merchant asked, his voice kind but curious.
Celeste smiled politely. "No, I'm visiting for the first time. Your town is lovely."
The merchant beamed. "Welcome, then! If you need any recommendations, just ask."
Celeste nodded, bought a single rose, and continued her walk. The town's energy was infectious, and she found herself enjoying the simple pleasures of being among people. Yet, as she observed couples walking hand in hand and groups laughing together, a pang of loneliness struck her. For all her beauty, power, and wealth, she had never truly connected with anyone outside her family.
She shook off the thought and decided to find a quiet spot to contact her parents. Retrieving the magical communication orb from her satchel, she walked to a small park and sat on a bench. With a soft incantation, the orb glowed, and her mother's face appeared.
"Celeste, my darling!" her mother exclaimed, her white hair shimmering in the orb's light. "How was your first night in town? Were the accommodations satisfactory?"
"They were fine, Mother," Celeste replied with a smile. "The inn was cozy, and the town is charming. I'm enjoying myself."
Her father's face appeared beside her mother's in the orb, his piercing blue eyes filled with concern. "You weren't bothered by anyone, were you? I could send some guards—"
"Father," Celeste interrupted, rolling her eyes. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. You know that."
Her mother chuckled softly. "Leave her be, dear. Our Celeste is a grown woman now. She's more than capable of handling herself."
Celeste hesitated before continuing. "Actually, something did happen yesterday. I ran into a beast in the forest."
Her father's eyes widened. "What? Are you hurt?"
"No, no! I'm fine," Celeste assured them quickly. "A man named Kael appeared and dealt with the beast before I could. He was... interesting."
Her mother's expression turned curious. "Interesting, you say? Tell us more."
Celeste frowned, unsure how to describe him. "He was strong and skilled but incredibly rude. He called me weak!"
Her father scowled. "How dare he speak to my daughter like that!"
Her mother, on the other hand, looked amused. "Perhaps he doesn't know who you are. Did you tell him?"
"No," Celeste admitted, a hint of defiance in her voice. "He didn't need to know. Besides, I don't think he cares about things like that."
Her mother's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Well, it sounds like he made quite an impression on you."
Celeste blushed. "It's not like that! He's... infuriating."
Her parents exchanged knowing looks but said nothing further on the matter. They ended the call with promises to send more supplies if she needed them, and Celeste tucked the orb back into her satchel.
---
As the day wore on, Celeste explored more of the town. She visited a small library, where she found a treasure trove of romance novels. She spent hours reading, losing herself in the pages until the librarian gently reminded her that they were closing.
On her way back to the inn, she couldn't help but glance toward the forest. Part of her wanted to see Kael again, to prove to him that she wasn't weak. But another part of her was nervous about how he might react.
---
Kael, meanwhile, had finished his hunt and returned to his makeshift camp. As he sat by the fire, roasting a fish he had caught, his thoughts wandered back to Celeste. Despite her noble demeanor, there was something genuine about her. She wasn't like the arrogant aristocrats he had encountered before.
"Why am I even thinking about her?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head.
The forest grew quiet as night fell, the only sounds being the crackling of the fire and the distant hoot of an owl. Kael leaned back against a tree, staring up at the stars. He preferred the solitude of the wilderness, where there were no expectations, no judgment.
And yet, for the first time in a long time, he felt a strange pull—a curiosity about someone other than himself.
---
Back at the inn, Celeste lay on her bed, the single rose she had bought resting on the nightstand. She stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. The world outside the castle was more complicated than she had imagined, but it was also more thrilling.
As she closed her eyes, she thought of Kael again, his rough edges and sharp words. She didn't know why he lingered in her thoughts, but one thing was certain: her journey was just beginning, and she was determined to write her own story, no matter how unpredictable it might be.