**Ardenia**
Celeste was resting her head on the table while sitting on one of the chairs in the dining hall.
Her cheeks turned red and her lips pressed against the table. Her hair was sprawled on the table. A glance could indicate that she was completely drunk.
The only thing remaining was gibberish escaping from her full lips.
She was not yet willing to return home, as she had informed her parents that she would spend a day or two with her friends before returning.
Agnes had instructed her daughter to act responsibly, but the girl ignored her advice and was now despondent in the dining hall.
Fortunately, Alistair made it to the dining room late at night to get a cup of water because he was thirsty.
He moved closer to the glass of water that was next to Celeste's head and filled his cup with water.
Downing the content, he reached for another.
He noticed Celeste turned her head towards him. She must have been alerted by the sound of rushing water.
"Alistair" She mumbled. A hiccup followed after.
Alistair's eyebrows raised.
After having sufficient water, he placed the glass on the tray and turned his attention to her, "Had enough drink yet?"
Celeste's lips widened, "I need more. I'm not content yet"
He scoffed. Of course. How he wished her mother was present, then she wouldn't have a reason to become so wasted.
He understood the fact that she was depressed because her best friend was away from them, but she shouldn't end up like this.
Who else was going to lead her back to her chamber, if not him?
Celeste must have a fondness for seeing others clean up the mess she made!
Alistair's eyebrows creased. "You sure are content" He responded in a flat tone.
"What's left for you is to sleep, got it?" He whispered, giving her forehead a flick.
Celeste did nothing but giggle. She yelped softly, feeling her head being gently lifted from the table by Alistair.
He then wrapped an arm around her shoulder and attempted to lift her.
Who knew that this delicate-looking princess could weigh more than a bag of rice!? He shrieked internally.
As if reading his thoughts, Celeste countered, "You're not just strong enough"
A chuckle erupted from her lips receiving an annoyed look from him. Alistair bit the insides of his cheeks to calm himself from raging.
"I would've left you to sleep here and be the guest to flies. But on second thought, I decided to take you to your chamber"
"Hmm hmm" She mused. Alistair successfully got her up on her feet, and he tried to steady her before they could take the first leap.
Celeste wasn't making things easy. Her body and head easily swayed to the side, Alistair thought that she was no different from a cloth spread outside in the open. The only thing contradicting his theory was her weight, she seriously weighed more than he could imagine.
Alistair continued, "Please, be respectful of my decision"
Celeste's blurry vision wandered around the large dining and all she could see was the chandelier swinging back and forth as her head swayed to the back. Nothing was moving, she just was imagining things.
She chuckled once more at nothing. Alistair shook his head unbelievably, he was certain they couldn't get to the chamber quickly because of her, her movements were too laggard for his liking. In the end, he could only do what came across his mind, he placed an arm over her legs and lifted her in his arms.
Phew!
Now they could move!
Hurrying, Alistair was quick to reach her chamber in no time. He pushed the door open with the side of his shoulder and entered into the room. He walked closer to the bed and gently placed her on it.
Celeste was yet to sleep, instead, she kept her eyes open and was staring into space.
She lay on the bed with arms and legs wide open, appearing like a starfish. Her hair was sprawled over the pillow. She looked disheveled.
Alistair moved to the side, to tuck her in the bed.
"Although I'm sad that she had to go this soon, I'm also happy because she is following her heart" She mumbled.
Alistair bared his ears, listening to the things that escaped her lips. He reached for her legs and tightened them together before drawing the sheet up her body.
"Alistair. If that Lloyd hurts Hermione, promise me that we're going to detach his head from his body"
Only you.
Surely, Alistair was going to be mad if anything happened to his sister. He loved her and would always want to protect her. There were other methods to punish the guy if he broke his sister's heart, rather than severing that prince's head.
If they did that, it meant they were demanding war.
Alistair supposed that King Benjamin wouldn't sit back and watch his child die for nothing, especially the one who had a striking resemblance to him.
"Of course" Alistair chipped in.
"Ah," Celeste let out a loud sigh, "Hermione deserves the happiness of marriage. I wish her good luck, I miss my sweet-looking best friend"
Alistair nodded in response. He then brought her arms closer to the side of her body and pulled the cloth over her chest till it reached her neck.
"Seeing Hermione dressed in that white gown, I feel like getting married also" She stated with dreamy looking eyes. Inwardly, she began to imagine what her prince charming would look like. He'd be tall. Very strong. And nice, to just her and no other woman!
Right, Alistair thought.
"Your husband would be disappointed to find you in this state" He spoke with mockery laced in his tone. He rose to his full height and was about to leave the room.
Celeste chimed, "He's nothing like you, so don't worry"
Alistair couldn't help but scoff at her before walking out of the room in gentle strides to not disturb her. Once he was outside, he pulled the door handle together and ensured that it was locked.
Alistair stood behind the door for a while eyes fixated on the polished door. He breathed out heavily.
Once he took a turn, he was startled to find his father standing beside the pillar facing the room. He had a mug in his hand.
Was he drinking chocolate by this time? Wait till Mother catches him!
"You seem to care a lot about her" Zephyr observed. His gray eyes were directed at the mug in his hand and he gulped down a portion of hot chocolate.
"I do" Alistair admitted.
He added. "She's like my sister"
Zephyr casually shrugged his shoulder, as he had no business with what was going on. However, he walked closer to Alistair and handed him another cup of chocolate.
Alistair looked down at his hands, bewildered. "I didn't ask for a cup"
"Just drink" His father urged him.
Alistair shook his head. A fit of laughter was about to erupt from his lips when he got a whiff of what his father was doing. He wanted them to be accomplices.
"Nah, man. Don't worry I'm not going to tell on you"
Zephyr responded with a stern look, "Drink, even if it's just a sip"
"Do you not trust me?" Alistair asked, with a hand placed on his chest.
Zephyr shook his head.
Alistair couldn't help but drink out of the chocolate, and once the liquid slid down his throat, he began to crave more. He drank more than he was instructed to drink.
Zephyr was satisfied. A smirk tickled the corner of his lips, and he leaned closer to whisper. "Just for the record, it isn't because I didn't trust you. I just need to be guaranteed that you'd not betray me"
Over a cup of chocolate? Alistair wondered.
Sometimes, his father spoke to them like he was in the courtroom. He must have been used to it.
"Or I could just deny when being caught and say, You're the one who brought the cup of chocolate to me" Zephyr added. He silently chuckled before turning on his heels to leave.
Alistair shook his head.