“‘Tis a good thin’ because those are my sister and I’s middle names,” she grinned.
“Well, I am thankful that it wasnae only I that remembers naught of the play.”
“I ne’er said I remembered naught,” she wagged her fingers at him.
“Bested again!” he sighed. “Ye are gettin’ too confident, little one. “Come on,” Torcall said to her. Let’s go home.”
* * *
Ceana stepped into her chamber, barely being able to conceal the large smile on her face. The evening with Torcall had been amazing, and as such, it was easy to be star-struck. He had held her hand like she had always wanted him to do, and she couldn’t believe it.
After years of pining after him without as much as a glance, it was hard to believe that he was finally taking notice of her. Ceana stepped into her chamber and closed the door firmly behind her. Then, she sat on the floor with her back pressed against the wall.
She placed her hands on her cheeks and closed her eyes. When she opened them, there was a mighty grin on her face.
“Ceana!” she heard her mother call. Quickly, she got off the floor and dusted off her skirts. Then, she picked her flower from her hair and hid it on her table. The door opened soon after, and she came face to face with her mother.
“Ceana?” she asked with an arched brow. “When did ye come back?”
“Nae too long ago, mother.”
“I see. The play must have been great. Ye are smiling.”
“Aye, ma,” she said. “‘Twas a nice one.”
Regina nodded and left her daughter’s room. Once alone, Ceana flopped onto her bed and let herself out of her restrictive dress. Then, she brushed her long hair and walked to Alina’s room.
“Alina?” she knocked on the door, not expecting a response. Alina no more answered the door immediately. It took several tries to get a reply out of her.
“Come in.”
Shocked, she pushed open the door. Alina was seated on her bed, brushing her hair.
“How was the play?” she asked her sister.
Full of joy, Ceana rushed to her sister and hugged her.
“Ye look so much better,” she said to Alina.
It was true. The emptiness in her eyes didn’t seem as deep as she was responding to everything that was said to her.
“I’m sorry,” Alina said to her.
“For what?”
“Abandoning ye these past days.”
Ceana held her sister again and shushed her, tears filling her eyes. “Nay, do nae be sorry. Ye did what ye needed to. I am only happy that ye are speaking to me again.”
“I needed to be alone, but I should have ken that it would do ye damage.” Alina’s voice got teary.
“I do nae mind, Alina. I am just so happy that ye are talkin’ to me again.” Ceana said and lifted her head.
Alina smiled and wiped at her tears. “Go on now, ye.”
Ceana laughed and did as her sister had done.
The sisters stared at each other, bright-eyed, but didn’t say much. Slowly, however, smiles crept onto their faces.
