spaceCeleste paused briefly when Awstin replied, back stiffening in shock. She turned to meet her brother's eyes, and the two of them shared a look that was equal parts shock, amusement, and exasperation. Celeste simply hummed, effectively passing the ball to her brother, while she continued to chop vegetables. She hadn't intended to bring up the details of what happened so quickly, wanting to ease him into talking to them, sharing. But, it seemed he had other ideas. Which would be fine, if the Ministry official had already left. As it was, they didn't want to say anything until it was safe.
spaceSorin took an obnoxiously loud bite of his carrot, smirking slightly at his sister before turning his attention to their new house guest, winking at him. "Best save that discussion for later, I think," he said, his sister offering a noise of agreement. "But, we understand."
space"More than you know," Celeste added on, tone impossibly pleasant for what she was implying. Of course, there was a chance Awstin knew about the scandal that had resulted in her expulsion and would think they were referring to that. But, the two situations were hardly comparable, so she reasoned he would guess there was more to it than all that. "But, no one will bother you here. Grandmother doesn't put up with any of it. Our grandfather is in prison for... Well. Let's just say she's well-versed in turning reporters away."
spaceSorin nodded. "You're free to leave the house, of course," he said dryly, "but she'll probably insist on an escort, at least for a couple months. Not us, since we're not allowed to go much of anywhere ourselves." Hilariously, Awstin would have more freedom than either twin did; Victoria didn't feel quite the same need to keep a lid on his nonsense, they assumed. Probably because there was no worry of his being discovered, since it was already common knowledge. "No one in this house has a job, though, so it's not like anyone's too busy to take you anywhere. Grandmother and Mother both have places to be sometimes, but it's all social nonsense, rubbing elbows and the like. They'll make time for you." Mother moreso than Victoria, since she was enjoying having freedom of her own for the first time in her entire life, thanks to the twins. Not that she'd thanked them for it.
spaceCeleste had half-considered ignoring the summons from her grandmother. In the past few years, the old woman had grown increasingly strict. It seemed impossible, considering from the day she'd been expelled, Celeste had been granted no freedom whatsoever to leave the house or even be out on the grounds without supervision. But over time, Grandmother had begun restricting Celeste's freedoms even within the home, often going so far as to lock her in her room. She didn't know that Celeste was more than capable of escaping without a wand, which had worked in her favor, but she still had to carefully time her excursions to avoid this being discovered. At some point, she'd caught on to Celeste's manipulations, and had all but clapped her in irons to make it stop.
spaceShe sighed, stopping just outside the door and smoothing her skirts before she knocked firmly on the study door. When she was told to enter, she did so with her head bowed, partially out of deference she did not truly feel, and partially to hide the anger in her eyes."You summoned me, Grandmother,"she stated, lacking the inflection to make it a question. This did not go unnoticed, apparently, based on the chiding noise her grandmother made in response.
space"Shut the door behind you," the old woman ordered, tone brokering no argument. Celeste did as she was told. "Sit."
spaceCeleste looked up just enough to see where her grandmother had directed her, and sat in the chair indicated. She didn't speak again, knowing she would be scolded for that, as well. She didn't know what this summons was about; there were many, many things that came to mind. I've discovered you've been sneaking out, Grandmother might say. I know you've been impersonating me in the ministry, perhaps. I know about all the murders you've plotted, even. And those were the big ones. For all Celeste knew, this was about leaving her shoes in the drawing room, or something equally frivolous. Nothing ever seemed frivolous to Grandmother.
spaceThe Kinsley matriarch stared her granddaughter down for a long moment, as if trying to break her with silence and disapproval alone. It wouldn't work, of course, because Celeste didn't care for her grandmother's approval, and never truly had. But, it was a nice attempt. Then, finally, she spoke. "Celeste," she began, voice laced with a sneer. "I have been doing some thinking. I'm getting on in years, you know, and I can't be expected to look after you and your brother for the rest of your lives. But, I clearly can't expect you to look after yourselves, either."
spaceCeleste just barely repressed the urge to roll her eyes. They'd been looking after themselves for years, thanks very much, long before their father had even died. Looking after themselves was what had gotten them into this mess to begin with; not because they'd done anything wrong, but because they'd been unlucky. It happened. They could've moved past it long ago if their grandmother hadn't completely overreacted. But then, their family had always been dramatic.
spaceVictoria, for her part, continued on after another short pause, not seeming to notice her granddaughter's disdain. "I've been thinking on what I could possibly do with you. Sorin, it's difficult to say. He's a young man, technically the heir. I'll have to get creative." She sighed, clearly choosing to do so. Again, dramatic. Suppressing the eye-roll was more difficult this time. "You, on the other hand, it's quite simple."
spaceHer tone had gone from sneering to downright cruel, and it was enough to make Celeste look up, just a little, to see her face. She felt a pit fall in her stomach at the expression there, eyes darting down so her grandmother couldn't see the way they hardened, the way her jaw tightened. Her mind was racing, already trying to find an out for whatever solution the old woman had come up with.
space"Well, go on, then, dear. Aren't you going to ask me what I'm going to do?"
spaceWoodenly, Celeste asked,"What will you do with me, Grandmother?"She forced herself to remain neutral, to relax her limbs and keep her tone mild. For all the carelessness she displayed, her grandmother had never known her to be outright rebellious. This was the only thing that had kept her safe, for a long while. It wouldn't do to blow her own cover just yet.
spaceIt wouldn't do to murder the old b***h in a fit of rage, and be tried for a crime she couldn't adequately cover up.
spaceThey had a plan, she and her brother. They'd been working on it to some extent for years. Mostly, she had been working on it, and he had been agreeing to it. But, she'd thought they had time-
space"You recall your betrothed," her grandmother said, breaking her from her thoughts. Celeste almost betrayed herself then, having to bit down on the inside of her cheek to remain quiet, to keep from lifting her head to look her grandmother in the eye. "I have realized I was, perhaps, too hasty, when I allowed your betrothal to fall apart. I thought to protect the family name, and as shameful as your own expulsion was, allowing you to marry a man with no true prospects for his career and station due to his own expulsion would have been far worse. But," again with the dramatic pauses. Celeste spent each one imagining increasingly creative deaths, "You have no other prospects, and allowing you to remain unmarried would be far worse. For all his faults, Hermeloas would at least keep you in line. He failed to do so before only because he underestimated you, after all. And he was a child; I'm sure he's learned his lesson by now." Her tone indicated by exactly what means he must have been taught that particular lesson. If she hadn't hated the idiot so much, Celeste might've felt bad for him. Instead, she was annoyed he'd learned it well enough to live.
space"You intend to have us marry,"Celeste surmised. It was smart, she supposed. And cruel. The boy Celeste remembered would certainly still blame her for what had happened to him, for his disgrace. His family was wealthy enough he need not work; doing so would have been for the prestige, nothing more. He would have no social engagements to worry about, no career. His life would be free for him to dedicate as much of it as he liked to making her pay for his own pride when he was fifteen.
spaceShe shuddered.
space"The preparations are already underway," Victoria replied. "You are a perfectly matched set. I resisted for a long time, but I believe this is what's best for all involved. The wedding date is not set quiet yet, but it will happen before the New Year. You'll be out of his house, and out of my hair. And I can focus on your brother."
spaceBreaking her brother, is what she meant. Sorin was the weak link, and their grandmother had always known it. Celeste fought for a moment to keep control, then simply replied,"Yes, Grandmother."
spaceThere was a long silence, and then finally, "You're dismissed." Celeste rose steadily, exited the room at the proper pace, made her way down the hall leisurely,
spaceand collapsed, back against the wall as she shoved her fist in her mouth to muffle her scream. Oh, this wouldn't do. This was a disaster. They had plans! Good plans! But now it was ruined, everything was completely ruined-!
spaceCeleste allowed herself a moment to fall apart, to scream into her fist and slap a hand against the wall. Then, she stood, smoothed her skirts and hair, narrowed her eyes, and made her way to her brother's room. She let herself in without warning, meeting his eyes as he turned to face her.
