Capítulo 11: Celestine von Trier Deserved Better

"I'm here because Celestine was left with no choice." I answered him in a matter-of-fact tone. The old man stiffened. Seriously, if this goes on any longer, I'm afraid he might end up as a statue. It seemed like Toni kept the old man in the dark. Damn, this is gonna be difficult. I mean, he's an elderly and someone who is very much invested in Celestine's well-being.

What if he has a heart attack or something after hearing the details of the circumstances? Wouldn't that be on my conscience then? Not to mention that I have a particular soft spot for this old man who resembled the chief. It's better for me to ask and make sure.

"Before I elaborate on that, Your Grace, do you have any illnesses that I have no knowledge of? I'd be really guilty if something happens to you due to shock." Count Halcyon blinked at me in surprise before letting out a small smile of assurance. Although I could still detect a semblance of anxiety beyond that. I chose to ignore it though. At least, this shows that he finally concluded that I mean no harm. There were no more murderous looks directed at me.

"It is alright, young lady. Please say what you need to say. I will be able to take it." He said in assurance. I nodded at his statement. Well, if he says it was fine then so be it. He did have the right more than anyone to know about what happened. He doesn't really have any other option but to listen to me anyway.

"Why... Why was Celestine left with no other choice? What happened that led to this situation?" I felt the slight impatience in his tone. It was quite evident that he was holding back the urge to bombard me with more questions. He was just trying not to be so obvious about it since it would be quite rude. Must be due to his want of upholding the dignity of an elder and a noble Count.

"Toni... I mean, Celestine was afflicted with the Equinox Flower disease." I started in a mellow tone, trying to soften the blows as much as possible. Despite that, a look of shock and horror flitted across the old man's geriatric face. Then followed by a flash of pain. This made me sigh deeply. Man, it seems like I've been sighing a lot in the past hour.

"E-equinox Flower disease? H-How? Why...why would she..?" Count Halcyon had difficulty processing the information. I'm not surprised. Just the short explanation Toni gave me about the disease back then made me feel horrible. What more of a grandfather finding out that his granddaughter contracted such terrifying ailment?

"I know that she's pretty gifted in divination. She bragged about it, actually. I don't know how it works but it seems that she had a prophetic dream about her...how do I put it? Hmm. A prophetic dream about her not so bright future. Hence, she tried divining a way out of it." I explained as concisely and clearly as possible, adding a little bit of euphemism here and there. We both know what I mean with 'not so bright future' though. Anyone with a working mind would figure out that there was more to the statement. Well, that was as far as my eloquence could take me.

The old man slumped in his seat in defeat. A look of understanding in his face. Guess he got it. Smart people are a joy to deal with, truly.

"She tried to pry out the secrets of heaven. She wanted to go against fate. It is of no wonder she was punished. The Equinox Flower disease is already lenient. If she was not a magister, she would have died on the spot." Count Halcyon sighed. He looked as if he had aged another ten years in a span of a minute. He gestured for me to continue.

"Toni told me that as well. She said she had been too reckless and forgot your reminder. She's a tough girl though. Despite suffering from the disease, she tried to find a way out. Which she did. But a complication came up." I paused and glanced at the Count who was listening to me in rapt attention. Okay, I think I was being too brief.

"She... uhm. She researched ways to remedy the disease and ended up discovering an arcane spell that was capable of healing the soul. With her knowledge about soul magic, Toni was able to deal with the necessities of the spell that others aren't able to. But she missed one crucial thing. Her soul doesn't have an anchor. The only way for her to live on was to change the vessel. One which does not have an anchor, as well. So, here we are."

My reiteration of the story sounded as if it was something that didn't concern me. Maybe it was some sort of defense mechanism on my part since I was still touchy about the anchor thing.

"No anchors." Count Halcyon whispered and looked at me complicatedly. I couldn't figure out the emotions behind his look but I'd rather have that than outright pity. It's not really a pleasant feeling. Being pitied.

"I see. I... I should have done more for her." The old man said in a trembling voice full of regret. I felt indignant at his statement. Truth be told, Count Halcyon had already done his part and more for Celestine. It was the others who were supposed to say those words of lament.

"If I may say so, you have done enough. It's the others that should realize that. Sorry but I won't be apologizing for saying this. They were the ones who drove Toni to a corner. I blame them for this. Toni deserved better. I may know her from the brief conversation I had with her before each of us went back to our new bodies but I have her memories. In a way, I've lived her life with her. Celestine von Trier deserved better."

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