Chapter Text
14-year-old Celestia enjoyed her solitude. This was despite having grown up in a family that loved to throw parties, and with parents who ruled an entire court and were constantly being stopped on the street by the citizens of Velaris to talk.
Mother and Father, as High Lord and Lady, were quite good at this. Celestia’s brothers, 17-year-old Nyx, and 11-year-old Archie were also quite outgoing.
When she was with her family and getting stopped on the street, Celestia would smile politely and answer any basic questions she was asked, but she left most of the talking to her parents and brothers.
Celestia was quite comfortable with her family: both her immediate family and the various aunts, uncles, and cousins who frequently visited - sometimes spending the night.
But she was also perfectly happy reading alone in the family library. She had a few quieter cousins who sometimes joined her, which was fun, but she was just fine sitting alone in the library, a cup of tea at her side, and the only sound being the turning of the pages.
When Celestia’s personality started to emerge, Feyre and Rhysand were somewhat worried about how she’d make friends. She had enough socialization skills from spending time with her brothers and cousins, but they knew it was important for her to meet children outside the family, too.
Fortunately, Feyre ran a children’s art studio with her friend Ressina and Celestia (and her brothers for that matter) had met many friends there alone.
And Celestia had them over plenty of times.
But she was perfectly fine alone.
***
Celestia was relishing in the quiet because that evening, Lady Estella, who was Celestia and Archie’s governess was going to be coming for supper. She would then meet with Feyre and Rhysand - first privately, and then with each of the children present, to discuss how their studies were progressing.
Nyx had been done with his studies for a year. He’d recently officially entered a courtship with Rosalind, the daughter of Tamlin, Mother’s ex-fiancé, and the High Lord of the Spring Court.
Rosalind was staying with Uncle Lucien, Aunt Elain, and their daughters, Violetta and Lucinda, and that’s where Nyx was having supper.
“We have plenty of spare rooms,” Nyx had protested, when Father announced that’s where Rosalind would be staying.
“Yes. And you have legs to walk to those rooms,” Father had retorted.
“And wings to get there even faster!” Archie had added helpfully.
Unfortunately for him, Mother had been standing behind him and promptly swatted him with the serving spoon she’d been holding.
It took the focus off Nyx’s red face and brought it over to Archie’s, who rubbed his backside and looked at his mother sheepishly.
“Sit down for supper, Archeron,” Mother said firmly.
So Archie did, scowling.
***
Celestia liked Lady Estella, and at this point she was used to having these conferences.
But she’d already had a full day: lessons from after breakfast to before lunch, a family walk (featuring Rosalind), and helping Aunt Nesta and Aunt Gwyn in the library at the House of Wind.
Before she left, she’d played cards with Cassandra and Warren.
And now she was relishing this alone time before the dinner and conference.
Suddenly, the door opened and a boy that Celestia didn’t recognize entered.
“Wow! It’s so big!” He exclaimed, taking in the full room.
“Excuse me?” Celestia asked, a bit sharply.
Who was this and what was he doing here? The only company coming that evening was Lady Estella.
Speaking of Lady Estella, before the boy could respond, the governess entered and began scolding him.
“Octavius! You were supposed to stay with me! You cannot just enter random rooms,” the female sighed.
Lady Estella turned to Celestia.
“I’m sorry, Celestia. This is my brother, Octavius. My parents had to go to Rask at the last minute and I was the only one who he could stay with. Your parents are aware and have graciously allowed him to join us for supper this evening. He’s going to behave himself.”
She eyed Octavius who sheepishly looked down.
“Hello,” Celestia said.
Octavius looked up and bowed.
“Celestia. Named for the stars. Like my sister was,” he turned to Lady Estella who smiled.
“Yes. Celestia, Octavius is fifteen, so he’s around your age. Perhaps you’ll have some things in common.”
Celestia just smiled politely.
Maybe they would.
Nuala entered the library and invited everyone to eat.
Celestia led the way to the dining room where Mother, Father, and Archie were already waiting.
“Archie,” Lady Estella said. “This is my brother Octavius, who will be staying with me for the next week. Your parents have graciously allowed for him to come this evening, and he’ll be with us during your studies, too.”
Celestia, who’d been putting vegetables on her plate, paused.
He’d be at lessons? The boy who’d so insolently walked into the library without being invited was going to be sitting next to her in that same library every day for a week?
He’d probably try to glance at everything she wrote.
Archie buttered his roll.
“Hello, Octavius,” Archie said.
Octavius lowered his head.
“Hello, Archie.”
The meal consisted of basic polite conversation: about lessons, hobbies, life in Velaris in general.
After supper, it was time for Lady Estella to meet with Mother and Father privately.
Father and Mother encouraged Archie and Celestia to take Octavius into the recreation room during this time.
Archie sat down and started building with his wooden blocks. Celestia sat on a sofa, and Octavius took a chair.
“What do you do for fun around here?” Octavius asked Celestia.
“I read,” Celestia said, pulling a loose thread off her dress.
“Surely that’s not all you do,” Octavius prompted.
“It really is!” Archie chimed in from the floor.
For once, Celestia wasn’t annoyed with Archie getting involved in her conversation. She did enjoy doing other things: taking walks, playing chess and cards, going to the theatre, and sewing.
But she didn’t owe Octavius anything.
Octavius turned to look at Archie and then looked back at Celestia, smirking slightly.
Before she could ask him what his problem was, the door opened.
Lady Estella stood there with Mother and Father.
“Who would like to go first?”
Celestia stood.
“I will!”
She’d have her conference, then go up to her room, saying she was tired. Archie could entertain Octavius, and then Octavius could entertain himself.
If Celestia wasn’t mistaken, she thought she saw a hint of disappointment in Octavius’s face.
But she didn’t care.
She headed down the hall with her parents and teacher off to the study.