The day before Arden’s grand welcoming party, Celestina sat in her private chambers, staring out the window at the bustling palace gardens below. Workers carried crates of decorations, hung banners, and set up tables for the celebration. It should have felt joyous, but all Celestina could feel was unease.
She sighed, her hand resting on the growing swell of her stomach. The memories of her relationship with Dimitri kept invading her thoughts. His betrayal still stung, but small moments—his rare smiles, the way he protected her when the world seemed to crumble—crept back in.
“Why can’t I just hate him?” she muttered to herself.
Isolde entered the room, carrying Arden in her arms. The baby gurgled happily, waving her tiny fists.
“You can’t hate someone you still care about,” Isolde said gently, as if reading her daughter’s mind. She handed Arden to Celestina.
Celestina looked down at her daughter and smiled faintly. “It’s not about me anymore. It’s about her.”
That evening, a small miracle happened. As Celestina rocked Arden in the nursery, cooing to her softly, the baby laughed for the first time.
It wasn’t just a small chuckle—it was a loud, uninhibited laugh that filled the room with warmth.
Celestina gasped, her eyes filling with tears. “Did you hear that, Mother?” she called out.
Isolde rushed in, her face lighting up as she heard Arden laugh again. “Oh, my little darling,” Isolde said, kissing Arden’s chubby cheek.
The sound melted away some of Celestina’s tension. For the first time in days, she allowed herself to believe that the party might be the start of something better—for Arden, for her family, and for the nation.
The following morning, Celestina attended a meeting with her chief of security. He brought concerning news that made her stomach twist.
“We’ve intercepted chatter from loyalist groups,” the chief said grimly. “There’s talk of an attack during the party. We don’t have specifics, but the risk is high.”
Celestina straightened in her chair, her jaw tightening. “How high?”
“High enough that I’m advising you to postpone the event,” he replied. “Or at the very least, reduce the guest list and limit public access.”
Celestina shook her head firmly. “No. The people need this celebration. They need to see that we’re not living in fear anymore.”
“Madam President—”
“I appreciate your concern,” she interrupted, her voice steady but firm. “But this party is happening as planned. Double the security if you must, but it will go on.”
The chief exchanged a worried glance with one of his deputies before nodding. “Yes, Madam President.”
That afternoon, while walking through the nursery, Celestina noticed a small package on the side table. It was wrapped in simple brown paper with a note attached. She hesitated before picking it up, her heart skipping when she saw Dimitri’s handwriting.
“For Arden. I hope she likes it. – Dimitri”
She unwrapped the package carefully, revealing a beautifully handmade wooden rattle. The craftsmanship was delicate, with Arden’s name carved into the handle.
For a moment, Celestina just stared at it. The thoughtfulness of the gesture caught her off guard. Dimitri had never been one for grand displays of affection, but this small, quiet gift spoke volumes.
Isolde walked in and noticed the rattle in Celestina’s hands. “From Dimitri, isn’t it?”
Celestina nodded, her emotions swirling. “How does he do this? How does he manage to make me regret every decision I’ve made about him?”
Isolde placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Because despite his flaws, he loves you. And he loves Arden.”
Celestina didn’t respond. She simply placed the rattle in Arden’s crib, wondering if she was wrong to push Dimitri away.
As the final preparations for the party unfolded, the palace was a flurry of activity. Isolde oversaw the floral arrangements, smiling as the staff hurried to meet her high standards. Celestina, however, remained distant, watching the hustle from a window in her chambers.
Her moment of quiet was interrupted by a knock at the door. The chief of security entered, his face grim.
“Madam President,” he began. “We’ve just intercepted another message. This one is more concerning.”
Celestina turned to face him, her expression hardening. “What does it say?”
“It suggests that the attack will happen during the event,” he replied. “But we still don’t have details—no time, no target.”
Celestina clenched her fists. “Do you believe it’s credible?”
“Yes,” the chief said without hesitation. “And that’s why I’m urging you to reconsider.”
Celestina took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing. “We’re not canceling. Let them try. They’ll see we’re prepared.”
Her defiance made the chief hesitate. “Understood. I’ll make sure every guard is on high alert.”
“Good,” Celestina said firmly. “And assign someone to stay with Arden at all times.”