Adelina gently brushed graying bangs back from a sweaty forehead, leaning down to lovingly press a kiss to a wrinkled brow. She stared down at her father, refusing to let the tears fall. She adjusted the blankets draped over him before standing from the chair situated by his bedside and left the room, quietly closing the door behind her. She walked to the kitchen, snagging her pack that was resting by the door. She set it down on the worn table and began filing it the food and drink she would need for the trip there. As she turned around she nearly jumped out of her skin upon seeing her seventeen year-old brother standing there with a frown fixed on his face. [color=f7976a]"Ciel, you nearly gave me a heart attack! What have I told you about sneaking up on me like that?"[/color] She scolded quietly, moving around him to wrap a loaf of bread in a piece of cloth. Ciel didn't answer her, simply watching her with folded arms. She sighed, turning to face him fully. 

[color=f7976a]"Look, I know you're upset-"[/color] This time he cut her off, voice raised before he remembered their father sleeping in the other room and lowered it. [color=6ecff6]"I should be the one to go, not you!"[/color] He whispered fiercely. Adelina sighed once more. They had had this argument many times, ever since the village received word that the prince in the castle in the mountains was looking for a housekeeper. Adelina had been the first to accept; she needed to money to pay for her fathers medicine and the pay was good so she didn't see any issue.

Ciel, on the other hand, had a very different opinion in the matter. [color=6ecff6]"With father ill, I'm the man of the house so you shouldn't have to put yourself in danger. Besides, the other boys in the village are saying that the prince is a monster who's going to eat you!"[/color] And here was the true concern Ciel had with his sister going off to that castle.  [color=f7976a]"The messenger clearly stated the prince wanted a female housekeeper and as lanky as you may be, you couldn't pass for a woman. They're just rumors Ciel, started by paranoid people looking for a reason as to why the prince never leaves his castle. I'm the eldest, so I'm going and thats final."[/color] She fixed him with a firm gaze and after a few moments of this staring contest, his shoulders slumped and he muttered his consent to let her go. 

After that, Adelina continued to get prepared and soon she was seated on the family horse. Her brother held the reigns, gazing up at her with unshed tears in his eyes. She bade him to take care of their father and that as soon as she was paid she would be sending what she could back home. Taller than her even if only seventeen, Ciel pulled her from the horse into a fierce hug. [color=6ecff6]"If he hurts you in any way, send a letter and I'll come get you."[/color] She nodded and climbed back onto the horse. With one last look at her brother and her home, she nudged her heels into the horses flank and away she went. The trek to the castle was a few days so that night she bedded down in a cave and supped on bread and cheese. She awoke early the next morning and continued on her journey. 

Soon, she arrived at the castle. She gazed up at the looming structure, foreboding in its entirety. Gathering her courage, she tied the horse up in the stables, made sure it had hay and water before making her way over to the large doors and grasping the large knocker in tow hands, sending an echoing sound ringing through the castle as she knocked on the door.