Celeste's History
Kayla was happy. Her eyes burned with a bright fire, pouring out energy and passion, which is quite characteristic of a person of her age But another reason that made her cheeks blush, and his eyes gaze dreamily into the distance, was Count Noctus. Gallant and courteous, he was smart, slender, and possessed a wonderful, albeit somewhat dark sense of humor. Kayla was truly fascinated by him! It's a pity that the mother didn't share her daughter's joy.
"He's no match for you, Kayla", said her mother. "You'd better break up."
"Why, mother? What's wrong with him?"
"Our family has always worshipped the Sun, and the Count, as I see it, is inclined to the opposite."
"That's prejudice! Your faith is stupid! One day I'll marry the Count anyway, I won't need your blessing!"
And the day came. They were secretly married in the family chapel of the aristocrat. In a strange chapel, I must say. But Kayla wasn't there before. She paid no attention to the black roses that adorned the altar, to the guests, among whom were not the bride's parents, but there were unsmiling personalities in gray capes. "Little things!" Kayla brushed aside the bad thoughts, "the main thing is that I will be together with my beloved!"
The wedding night was great! Candles, music, and cozy draperies created a sense of calm and joy. It was a real love night! In the morning, when Kayla woke up among the sheets, she called her beloved, but no one answered. Having dressed, the girl got up and looked around. By day, the room didn't look so romantic: the wax of the burned-out candles was covered with centuries of dust, and the tapestry draperies were moth-eaten. But the most unpleasant thing was that the doors to the outside turned out to be closed. Kayla first waited, then called, screamed, punched, all in vain. Only a day later, the count entered the room with several servants. A tray of food and a change of clothes were brought to the girl. But the young wife looked only at her husband. Where did the former courteous man with his subtle humor and impassioned speeches go?
"You are called to give birth to a child that will belong to me, Count Noctus, and my priests of the Night", the count said dryly and roughly.
"After birth, I release you from your responsibilities as a mother and wife", he continued.
"But...", Kayla only dared to say.
"Do you understand, my dear 'little wife'? Go and eat. My unborn child shouldn't go hungry!"
The doors slammed shut, and Kayla was left alone.
The girl spent seven long months locked up. She experienced despair, fear, hatred for herself and the count. Until, finally, the mind cleared, leaving room for cold calculation. For the next two months, day after day, Kayla secretly sawed through the heavy window frame, and at night she dreamed about her daughter (she felt that she was going to have a daughter!). She could feel her growing and rejoicing when twilight came.
"The night won't take you away from me, Celeste", Kayla whispered. "You will see the sun and love it!"
"And you, mother", continued the girl, "can you forgive me?"
Finally, the frame gave way, and the ray that fell on the girl's shoulder seemed to say: "Catch the sun to save your child! Hurry up!" As she descended a rope of torn clothing, she fell and twisted her ankle painfully. And now, limping and stumbling, Kayla ran down the overgrown path. She was on the verge of giving birth, so fast movement became real torture for the girl. Meanwhile, the sun was hiding behind the horizon. She had to, had to catch up! The child tossed about in the belly, feeling that Kayla was moving away from the castle.
Catching a stray sunbeam in her palm, she heard the words inside her head again: "The sun is your salvation. Run to the sunset, to the Green Slope, so that you can bathe in its rays." Gritting her teeth, Kayla rushed forward, ran as hard as she could, but by the time she reached the cliff, the last rays of the sun were already crossing the horizon.
"It's over!" This thought flashed through her mind like a fiery explosion.
"Believing is enough to turn back time, my daughter", said a woman's voice behind her.
"Mom!" Tears flowed from her eyes. "Mom, forgive me!"
The woman raised her hands to the sky and began to pray. For a moment nothing happened, and then slowly, like an awakened bear, the sun began to return to the firmament. One by one, the rays shot out from the horizon, bathing Kayla in light. The girl closed her eyes, surrendering to the will of the sun and the mother, its priestess. The daughter inside her cried and Kayla even feels the bitterness of her tears... But then joy flooded her with warm rain.
Four days later, far away from the castle of Noctus, Kayla became the mother of the lovely Celeste, whose plump pink face was framed by curls of blond hair, and her blue eyes shone with love. The sun helped, and the mother was absolutely happy!
But if someone looked at the baby at night, they might think that the girl's eyes were red, that the lips were twisted in a predatory grimace, and the absolutely black hair was crossed obliquely by twisted horns. No, no, that can't be right. It seemed!
