บท 8: The Magical Forest

Cepheus grab Celestia hand and drag her somewhere deeper into the Wisteria garden.

"Where are we going?" Celestia asked with a hoarse voice.

But Cepheus didn't answer her, once they got deeper into the garden standing in the center surrounded by lilac willow trees and flowers Cepheus use his wind magic, and flew them into the air.

Celestia screams a little and quickly hug Cepheus tightly around his waist. Cepheus chuckles.

"It's ok, look you're safe. Open your eyes."

Celestia opens her eyes slowly and didn't realise she was sitting on the back of an eagle.

"What, how?"

Celestia look down and saw the beautiful garden getting further away as the bird is flying quicker towards the forest.

"This is my familiar, his name is Soul" Cepheus said gently

Celestia didn't realise that they were in an awkward position until Cepheus spoke again. she is currently straddling Cepheus with her head on his chest.

"Oh so sorry, I panicked and hugged you." Celestia said

She quickly shifts her position and is facing the front and her back is on his chest since she doesn't know if she could move on the back of his familiar so she stays close to Cepheus.

"That's fine, it was my fault I didn't say anything." Cepheus said

Cepheus stares at Celestia red ears. Celestia places her hands on the bird's feathers and realises it's warm and soft.

"So smooth and warm, But Cepheus isn't it bad if you show me your familiar. I thought you aren't allowed to show me your familiar not until you enter the magic academy." Celestia said innocently.

Cepheus just chuckle and wrap his arms around Celestia small waist pulling her closer to him.

"It's ok, since we're engaged, and don't worry Soul seems to already like you. If he didn't he would never allow you to sit on his back." Cepheus said gently as he is enjoying her warmth.

Now that he mentions it that is true, it was weird because in the game Cepheus eagle never got close to anyone and not even the heroine too, it was as if the bird didn't like the heroine at all. He will never allow the heroine to ride him and in the game one time when Cepheus try to let her sit on the Eagle, the bird flap it's wings and knock her off.

As Celestia thought about the scene when the heroine's charm didn't work on Cepheus familiar she laughs out loud.

"What's so funny?" Cepheus ask curiously.

Celestia shook her head while still laughing with teary eyes.

"Nothing I'm just thankful that Soul likes me, and didn't push me off his back."

Celestia pats the bird affectionately, Cepheus raises his eyebrows

"He wouldn't dare to, if he did I'll punish him." Cepheus said darkly, sending chills to his familiar back.

"You shouldn't punish him, your familiar is a good spiritual beast." Celestia said seriously as she still keeps patting the bird.

'Mistress you will never understand, how dark Master is.' Soul thought in his head as he slowly flew in the forest, and descended slowly in front of a massive luminous tree.

"Whoa, this is so pretty!" Celestia said as her eyes sparkles.

Cepheus use his magic as they both descended off Soul's back, the deeper they went into the forest the fireflies followed them and each step they took the flowers sprout from the ground like as if they are leaving footprints. However, the two people who were making it didn't realise it except for the familiar who turns into a chibi bird following behind them, who looks shocked.

Soul and Cepheus have been here many times however this was his first time witnessing this unbelievable scene. It was said that if a person who can make flowers grow surrounding them means they are blessed by the goddess of the tree of life, however that was just a rumour in both human and spiritual realm. Cepheus was lucky to even be able to enter this deep into the forest without getting hurt by the fairies of the forest who guards the mother tree, however, it seems Celestia is luckier by getting blessed by the tree of life.

Celestia didn't realise that she was holding onto Cepheus hands until she tries to run towards the tree of life, however, Cepheus tighten her hand in his palm.

"Wait you can't go further if you try and touch the tree the fairies and creatures in this forest will attack you." Cepheus said.

Celestia pout and felt like as if the tree wants her to go closer to the tree.

She felt lonely not being near the tree.

"Sky, the tree looks lonely and hurt." Celestia said unconsciously

She didn't even know why she said it but she feels like she's missing a puzzle in her heart.

Cepheus found Celestia acting weird ever since she came over to visit him, it was as if she's a different person.

"What are you talking about, come follow me I want to show you something." Cepheus said pulling Celestia to somewhere else.

Celestia follows Cepheus however the tree didn't leave her mind.

In the game and anime, it never reveals this tree or the center of the forest at all, as the heroine didn't get permission to enter deep into the forest except for Cepheus so he would only take the heroine outside of the border of the forest. Although the border of the forest was beautiful it was not as magnificent as the scene Celestia is looking at right now.

The waterfall that lights up brightly like the milky way with crystal rocks, cute creatures that swim in the water and playing in the field of grass and hiding in the flowers appear in front of her whenever she goes.

Celestia had so much fun in the forest that she didn't realise the moon was already high up in the sky.

"I love this, it's so beautiful." Celestia said with a smile as she looks up to the moon.

In the forest it seems like the moon is closer to the ground than normal. Celestia turns to face Cepheus and smile brightly at him.

"I had so much fun today, thank you Sky."

Cepheus heart skipped a beat again, and smile softly.

When they went back to the mansion Celestia's brothers question her, asking why she went out for so long, asking why she didn't tell them and she didn't take one of them with her. However Celestia didn't know what to say but just apologies to them, before she went back to her guest room since it's already late they had to sleep at the duke for the night and leave the next day.

This is actually what she planned though Celestia didn't think it will go this well since she thought it was going to be harder for her to be able to sleep at the dukes. Cepheus and the Duchesses visit his grandparents tomorrow, and they will pass the Septihanus territory so they can travel halfway before splitting up. Although she doesn't know exactly where the assassin will happen, she knew it was before his birthday, so possibly it will happen tomorrow.

Celestia had a bath, did her night routine and had a maid brush her hair with her jade comb that her mother custom made for her first birthday. Celestia treasures the comb and uses it every day to brush her white-silver hair. After that, she went into her bed but couldn't sleep, as she keeps staring out the window, so she got out of bed and decided to go outside to walk around the garden.

She grabs her robe and slips on her flats heading outside of her room. Celestia quickly found herself outside towards the lake near the willow trees, she sat on the grass watching the fireflies flying near her. Celestia was lost in thought thinking about the day she was reborn in this world, and how was she going to avoid her death flags when suddenly a soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Oh my, can't sleep?"

Celestia turns around and saw a beautiful woman in a robe walking towards her. Celestia knew the beautiful lady, it was no other than Duchess Whisterial, her beautiful dark hair and crimson red eyes proves that she is a royalty of the northern desert.

"Duchess Whisterial, why are you here?"

Celestia realises she was being rude so she quickly covers her mouth with her hand. Duchess Whisterial chuckle as she sat next to Celestia.

"I'm here because I have too much on my mind and can't sleep like you." She said

Which confused Celestia however she didn't interrupt her.

"Sometimes adults have so much on their mind that they need to think at night." Duchess Whisterial said as she chuckles softly.

Celestia kept quiet while starring at the moon.

"Duchess Whisterial I wonder what is on your mind that is making you lose your sleep?" Celestia asks curiously.

Duchess Whisterial thought for a second and sighed.

"It's nothing serious just something that will determine whether the person will die or not." she said in a low voice almost a whisper however Celestia heard her clearly.

When Celestia heard this her heart felt like it's being squeezed tightly.

"Duchess Whisterial, you make it sound like it's about you or someone close to you that's dying or going to die." Celestia said quietly.

Duchess Whisterial turns to look at Celestia beautiful side profile and chuckle.

"Well I am a Seer, I can see into the future although it may not be accurate I can still predict the events." Duchess Whisterial said as if she's talking to Celestia about the weather.

Celestia lip twitch, now I know where Xavier got his personality from, it was from his dearest mother.

"Duchess Whisterial are you suppose to tell me about your ability, what if I go tell someone else about your power and may put you in danger" Celestia said innocently with a cute frown.

When Duchess Whisterial heard that she laugh out loud with elegance.

"I know you will not that's why I told you, this is a secret between the both of us." Duchess Whisterial said as she winks her left eye.

Celestia sigh and nod her head.

"Tia, did you know after Cep met you he is acting more like a child and is a lot happier, I want to thank you for making my son happy. Please promise me that you will always stay by his side and keep him happy, even when I'm gone." Duchess Whisterial said with a sad gentle smile.

Celestia felt a chill down her spine as the atmosphere turns colder.

"No, I'll not keep that promise, it is also a parents responsibility to make their child happy. It's getting late so we should head back inside, goodnight Duchess Whisterial." Celestia said as she quickly got up on her feet and ran back inside quickly.

Duchess Whisterial watch Celestia small back getting further away from her.

"You can come out now Xavier." Duchess Whisterial said quietly.

Behind the willow tree Xavier walks out and ran into Duchess Whisterial chest and softly cry.

"Mommy are you really going to die, Xavier promise to protect you." Xavier said cutely with sobbing voice.

"I won't die, mommy was only teasing Celestia. Mommy will always be here with daddy, Cep and you." Duchess Whisterial said with a soft smile however Xavier could see she was lying.

The next day as the sun slowly rises, Celestia quickly got up and wore a pair of cute shorts with a button-up shirt with boots. she put her hair in a bun and got ready to change Duchess Whisterial fate and her death flag.

As Celestia walks out of her room she hit into a soft wall, Celestia rubs her nose with tears in her golden eyes and she looks up and saw the most beautiful red gem eyes.

"That hurt what are you doing in front of my room?" Celestia said as she continues to walk heading towards the dining hall for breakfast.

"Sorry, I came to pick you up I didn't realise you'll open the door and hit into me before I could knock on the door." Cepheus said feeling a little guilty.

As they got into the dining hall, they met all Celestia brothers who were all seated the Duke and Duchess and Xavier who was chatting with the Septihanus siblings. Celestia and Cepheus quickly got into their seats and started to eat their breakfast. After eating everyone started to prepare to leave before Cepheus got into his carriage Celestia grab his hand for the first time, making Cepheus feeling happy.

"What's wrong?" Cepheus ask.

Celestia didn't answer and quickly hand him a white small white moonstone.

"If you're ever in danger crack this stone it will alert your father, my father and me, we will automatically be teleported to you." Celestia said and quickly ran into her carriage before Cepheus could say anything.

After about 2 hours of riding the Whisterial carriage and the Septihanus carriage separated at the intersection of the road, Celestia panic and felt anxious as she watches the carriage getting further away.

Charlie notice her odd behaviour and ask "Tia are you ok, why do you look so pale?"

Celestia didn't know how to answer to her siblings

"Lee I, well yesterday I mean last night...I...Last night Duchess Whisterial and I had a talk she mentioned something might happen during her journey with Cepheus and I'm worried about them." Celestia decided to tell her brothers about last night events in a vague way.

Luciel could see that Celestia wasn't supposed to tell them anything between her and the Duchess so all he could do was ask one of his father's shadow guards to go and watch the movements around the Duchess and Cepheus until they reached the Kingdom safely.

While they were almost near the borderline of the marques territory, the stone in Celestia hand shine brightly blinding Celestia and her brothers. When the light slowly disappear Celestia and her brothers found themselves with the Duke and her brother watching a battle in front of the Duchess carriage. The Duke quickly reacted and summon his familiar to protect the carriage as he kills the 10 or so assassins while the Marquess quickly join in the fight.

Celestia quickly summons a strong protection barrier surrounding the carriage while she uses her potions throwing it towards the Assassins to make them fall asleep for 48 hours. Celestia repeated this movement as she quickly moves closer to the carriage to see if the Duchess and Cepheus was still in the carriage.