retrospectxve:
“I hope I’m helping with you having a good time here. You’re not totally hating my company, are you?” Berlioz asked, giving her a small smile. “So you’re liking the independence, then?” That seemed like a good reason to enjoy being away from home. It probably helped dull the homesickness a little. When she apologized after hearing about how his mother had been single, he shook his head. “It’s alright. Everything turned out for the best, and my mom met someone she fell in love with and they’re more than happy together. Thomas is a better father-figure than I could have asked for.” He didn’t find his upbringing tragic at all, if he didn’t factor in the kidnapping and attempted murder. He had a mother who loved him and Thomas who felt more like a real father. “And you can tell me anything too. I like to believe I’m not a very judgmental person.” When he looked down at the maze with her, he caught the pair kissing. It felt like too intimate a moment for them to be snooping on, but he figured that it wasn’t such a bad thing. “I wonder too. Maybe they knew each other before and couldn’t be together where they’re from. I don’t know.” He looked over at her. “Have you ever been in love like that? Where you would sneak around, try not to get caught?”
“No! You’re ridiculous,” Celine nudged his shoulder with hers and laughed. “I’m very much enjoying your company, and this really does feel a bit like an adventure.” The roof might not have sounded exciting to anyone else, but anything new to explore was fun. “I am, I was treated like a child back home. Not purposely, I think, but just being the only sister. I was always protected.” Though apparently not enough, since she was at the palace now. “So your story has a happy ending, then. Good, I was hoping for that,” she smiled down at her feet. “That’s quite a romantic story. Two people in love finding each other no matter what. I didn’t take you for the romantic type.” Celine smiled down at the pair before looking away, not wanting to intrude too much. “I suppose I have,” she nodded. “I had a best friend from town, and we used to always be together when we were younger. Security tightened and I wasn’t allowed in town anymore...we’d meet in the woods sometimes, and just talk. I loved him, but not romantically, really. But it was the only time I’ve ever lied to my parents,” she shrugged her shoulders. “I was courted once by someone I nearly fell head over heels for, but I learned he was only interested in power. It definitely hurt,” she winced. “But I always wanted a love like that. Something real, not based on politics or negotiations. Someone who loved me just because I like to dance in the rain, or because I always bite my nails when I’m nervous.” She believed that could happen, one day. Whoever he was, he was out there somewhere. “What about you? You must have fallen in love at least once.”













