Part 2

They couldn't talk as they rode, which was fine by Celina. She had various thoughts going on around her head, mainly trying to figure out the weird behaviour of her family. They moved the horses at a brisk pace, through the forests that surrounded their home, until she lost track of where exactly they were.

She knew they were following the river that came down from the northern mountains, but that was her only guide to where they were. Thomas had simply asked her to follow him, which again raised her suspicions, but she did. Eventually – when the sun was high in the sky - the forest gave way to a clearing alongside the river, and a rocky road came into view. That road always creeped her out, so she never stepped beyond that. Celina slowed her horse to match her father's pace, taking cues from him.

Why would her mother be waiting in such a strange place?

Her father dismounted and brought his horse down to the river where he lashed the reins up on a tree branch so the horse could have access to the water and some of the grass. He looked back at her and smiled, motioning forward. "Tie your horse and follow me."

It was awkward sliding down her horse. Over the last year, Celina had gone through a growth spurt that made her relating very much to newborn foals with their too-long legs.

The young woman lumbered over to the tree and got her horse tied up before she turned to her father, who forwarded his glove covered hand towards her. Alright. She slipped her hand in his and let him guide them towards the rocky side of the road.

Celina took in the sight of her surroundings. To the other side of the road was an untended garden, barren due to the winter. Few feet away from that, she spotted her mother, taking shelter under the roof of an abandoned cottage.

"There she is" Thomas sighed as they stopped in front of her mother.

Grace, her mother bit her lip and pulled Celina in for a hug. She squeezed her tightly and sniffled. What's with her family hugging her? Celina thought with an amused curve to her lips. Granted they were affectionate, but this random burst of hugs was a bit too much.

"Honey, I'm so sorry." Her mother hiccuped, voice strained and heavy. "I should have told you."

Celina blinked in confusion, her lips pressed together. She inhaled her mother's warm cinnamon and lemongrass scent. "What do you mean mama? Told me what? You're confusing me."

"Sweetheart," She said. "The man you're about to meet is going to take care of you, okay? He's a Prince and owns a castle at the edge of our town. We've talked about this. You need to serve them, and they'll take care of you." Her mother pulled back, and her face was red, lips quivering as she held her stare. "We just, we can't afford to take care of you anymore, my darling. Forgive us. The Prince...he offered our way out of the debt and also gave us what we needed and more."

A gasp slipped out of her lips at that, her hand flying to conceal her sob. She looked over at her father, who had a pained expression. He was looking away as if he was ashamed to admit the financial ruin he and his wife were experiencing. Celina knew that they were not doing well for about years now as they couldn't even afford to send her to school. They'd fallen on terrible times, and she had to do what was best for her sisters.

Fat tears dribbled down her cheeks. She never thought that they would just sell her away like that. Like she's nothing but a piece of accessory to be owned. The knowledge bought fresh tears to her.

Celina wheezed, biting on her lips to control her sobs. "Why? Just why, mama?"

She tried to wrap her mind around everything they said. Metallic taste flooded her tongue, and she cringed at that.

"Don't be scared, my love. The Prince just needs some help around, sort of. You need to provide the duties that you were born to provide and keep him comfortable. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. You'll have everything you've ever wanted, darling. I promise."

Celina cried harder. "Not like this! Please, mama, I don't want to go. Don't send me away."

Her mother stepped forward and pulled her close to her. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she pressed a kiss to Celina's forehead before turning to her husband.

Just then a car raced towards them, from the rocky road and stopped only a few inches away for them. With a bated breath, Celina noticed a guy dressed in white step down and stride towards them. He adjusted his collar before addressing Thomas.

"Sir, this vehicle is sent for Miss Celina. Your Highness asked me to fetch her to the Palace."

Celina sniffled, her throat closing up. It got even more real.

Her mother wiped her tears, handing the handkerchief to Celina. The eighteen-year-old was given another crushing hug. "Just be kind to him," She heard her mother whisper. "Do what the Prince says, and he'll treat you right."

Grace stepped away, making room for her husband. "Listen to your mother," Her father advised. "We love you." He stepped back and hesitated. "We were told to leave right after saying goodbye. Keep in touch, sweetheart. Letters, anything. Just don't forget." He wrapped an arm tightly around his wife and led her away.

Yeah, how can she forget that they sold her to some rich Prince?

***

The entire car ride she refused to talk, staring at the windows and looking outside as the unfamiliar trees passed by. Her stomach was a bundle of nerves, mouth dry and bitter. She felt so disconnected and detached from it all that Celina almost missed the car halting.

She heard the engine stop and the driver pulling the door open for her.

"We are here."

***

Celina nodded her head, blinking back the tears. The last thing she wanted was the Prince to think of her as an emotional mess. She stepped out of the car and stood in front of the grand castle surrounded by dense trees, squinting her eyes against the bright sun reflecting off the mountain. Through the trees she could just barely make out a covered roof.

No wonder the place has been talk of the town for several years now.

Celina often heard stories about the Dark Palace at the end of the town. They might as well have been baseless rumours because she didn't see any snake greeting them at the entrance. Besides people love to talk about others who doesn't fit in their category of normal. Celina never understood the reasoning behind that. Why cant they just let them live however they please? It's not that strenuous.

The driver interrupted her train of thoughts. "Please follow me."

She was led through the door with no guard in sight. That's odd. With a place as grand and huge as this, she expected at least a bunch of them to be standing in the front. On either side of the paths, there was barren land, rocky and filled with mud. Her mouth twisted at that. It could have turned into an incredible garden judging by the rich soil.

After what felt like ages, the driver managed to show her to the entrance. Once inside, he asked her to wait in the living room. He had to inform the Prince about her arrival.

Standing in the middle of the room, Celina sensed disconnected and detached from it all. Rage curled in her stomach, burning her inside until she realised there's no way out of it. She had to work in the Palace. Her parents did what they had to do, and she cannot escape her fate. They did not think about how she'll cope in the new place without any familiar face.

Her friends and her sisters will never see her again; that's unless the Prince is kind enough to allow visitors.

Lost in her thoughts she almost missed the notes curling into the air. The rich tone was harsh against the day, and she froze, lips parting in confusion.

That's a melody.

Celina gaped as the sound only got louder, overtaking the silent atmosphere with powerful notes that reverberated through her mind, sliding down her throat and settling in her chest. She could feel it in every part of her body.

Suddenly the young woman realised that she wasn't lost anymore.

Piano, she thought with a low gasp. Someone was playing the keys of the piano. Before she even realised it, she's shifting onto her feet, awkwardly craning her head to find the source of music. The driver strictly asked to wait, so she didn't move an inch, simply enjoying the sound of music.

***