She stepped lightly, so not to make much noise, as her shoes would give her away. It was late, but her father was a man of wealth. It got to his head often, to a point of weekly parties. There was a muffled and distant sound of music and the din of hundreds of conversations.

Celeste walked up the stone steps to her chamber, where she undressed quickly into another beautiful gown. It was a deep green velvet material, spiced up with priceless gems attached everywhere. It was her mother’s. Her sudden death meant that anything of any value was either stored in the stuffy storage room or was kept by Celeste. Her mother previously owned the majority of her closet.

Celeste walked down the steps once more, and this time, was drawn to the music in the huge hall. The closer she was to the hall, the more that the music blared, deafening her. Light seeped into view, blinding her. Against her intentions, people noticed her arrival. Had it ever been to her liking to draw attention? Just because your family inherited the title of royalty, doesn’t mean that you’re noble. Nobility is something by how you get to your stature. An older friend of Celeste’s, by the name of Harold, worked his way to his fortune. It wasn’t royalty, but it was close enough to consider it so. Harold was sure to be at the party.

The guests all bowed, something that Celeste never understood. She was a normal person like them, and she never once considered any of them less of a person, just because she had money. Truthfully, she enjoyed the company of modest people, instead of the pig-headed suitors who often tried to win her hand.

A man parted through the crowd and walked up to Celeste’s side. Sir Brian. He was one of her only “royal” friends. He was always making fun of her, and their prissy guests. He was the complete opposite of what his parents expected.

“Hello, m’dear,” he greeted, softly, with a bouncy grin, “and why is her Highness arriving late today? Not off again for another swim, I hope?”

They walked gracefully down to the thrones. She nudged him, playfully, “I cannot lie to you, Brian. You are so hard to fool.”

“Madam, I am a gullible fool, you know that. But if you go off almost every day, I must assume something other than you are visiting the town. I mean, what is there that you see so dire to see everyday? Your father would have your head.”

They walked up to her father, who was, despite his appearance, very stuffy and rude. He glared at her, viciously. He waved for the party to continue before he spoke to his daughter in his bass voice, “And where were you? Kitty checked your room, you weren’t there. You weren’t in the castle.”

“I went into town. I told Polly, but you know how she is. She’s a very forgetful person. But you can’t blame her. When you’ve been around as long as she has, you’re bound to lose something,” she joked.

Her father sighed, defeated, “We must think about Polly. She is very old, and I don’t know how much missed work we can deal with.”

Celeste stared at her father in disbelief. “You know, she might be forgetful, but she is the only thing holding this family, this palace together. You know that! She was around when Mother gave birth to me. She was around when the Siege of Hornday was in full force, nursing wounded soldiers to health. She saved Sir Brian’s life and you know Brian is your best and most loyal soldier existing. He would have died in battle if she wasn’t there!”

King Peters kept a tempered look on his face. He opened his mouth to disagree, but Sir Brian stopped him, “ With all due respect, your Highness, but your daughter is right. I still remember that deadly day. I was sure I was going to die, but your servant helped me. I am under her debt for life, I’m sure. The least you can do is keep her here, so she can be sheltered and fed.”

Brian was not only her Father’s best soldier, but also a trusted friend. The king considered his friend’s words wisely. “Yes, then. She’s stay with us, but when she is to no service to us anymore, I will have to put her out. You understand?”

“Yes, Father. I appreciate it,” she beamed at him. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I owe the noble Sir Brian a victory dance for his triumphant success.” Brian offered her a hand and they glided across the dance floor.

A slow song started to play, with a violin doing the lead part. Celeste leaned onto his chest, hearing his heart beat rhythmically. He was her best friend; they’d been through everything together. He’d pulled her out of so many sticky situations, and vice versa. They were a pair of troublemakers, so when one did something, there was bound to be something broken or out of place. But when the two were together on destruction, their parents never knew what was coming.

“Congratulations on the victory of Ilend, you deserved it. I kept on making sure I knew everything about the war, and your safety. It was brutal and you all were way out of your league, but you fought bravely. I am proud,” she spoke softly, so not to sound too vain or conceited.

“Thank you. So, tell me, how was Lake Onspead?” Brian asked.

“How did you know that?” she countered, suspiciously.

“You are very narrow-minded, Celeste. When you are a soldier, you learn to become a very good spy,” he claimed.

“So you were spying on me! Was it under my father’s influence?”

“No, I am very protective of you. Like a sister.” Brian spun her around.

“And you’re like a brother to me. Never once have you squealed on me.” She grinned, friskily.

“No, because I’ve done many wicked things myself, and you know every one of them.”

“Of what?” a new voice behind Celeste asked.