Growing up in Darkmoor under the care of The Iron Countess (Though she wasn't a Countess at that time of course) wasn't the most desirable of upbringings, but Ceclia fared well enough despite it. With a protective mother, Ceclia opted to see it as protective, she blossomed and was taught from an early age. Ceclia spent much time in her younger years within the keep itself, learning reading, math, writing, she found herself to be adept at numbers and words. By the time she was six years of age, it was decided she would be sent as a page to House Godwin. There, away from the watchful eye of her mother and under the care of Sir Cecil Godwin, she spent her time learning the ways of the knight, doing her studies and learning independence.
There was never any question she would not be sent to Charger's Rest and the Haldis, the grudge that was nursed had been passed down through the family, and even Ceclia wasn't immune to an ill will towards their liege house, all the while serving them honorably. Perhaps it has lightened over the years as memories fade and it's less spoken of, but there's an innate distrust towards the house in general.
Life as a page passed in a blur. Assisting her knight with every task he asked of her, she found it wasn't menial at all and grew to love what she was being groomed for. At the appropriate age, she became a squire, her knight remained the same, though the only thing that changed was her responsibilities. Earning bruises sparring, cuts and nicks from sharpening swords, and learning how to muck a stable with the best of them. One goal was in her sight, and that was to earn her spurs and be fortunate to carry one of the well made swords of her own house in a battle or a war. Her mother was admired from afar, taking heed to study her each chance she got. When the house of her knight would fight at her mother's side, she did all she could to assist her in anything she could. It wasn't much, maybe getting water, wiping down her horse, but she was always striving to please not only her knight, but her mother.
Her knighting was her proudest moment. Her mother had been present and had congratulated her, telling her she was proud of her. That in itself meant more than almost anything, earning her mother's approval. Once knighted, she went back home to serve her own house and her mother moved into the position of Countess when her predecessor was killed. That suddenly made Ceclia heir. Along with her knightly duties, she took to the studies necessary for running a keep, those she had done over the years, delving more into the mathematics, reading and writing, excelling at all with math as her strong suit. Prepared should the unspeakable happen, so that she could take her place as head of the house.
During the summer of her eighteenth year, her mother arranged a marriage between Ceclia and Isadore Haver. It was a beneficial contract for the both of them, though the details were not forthcoming to Ceclia. While it was not a marriage of love, she dedicated herself to it the way she does everything. Slowly, she got to know the man she had married, his ideals, his fierceness on the battlefield and his dedication to the marriage. It was a good match. It was in 1862, in the Succession war, her husband was killed. Nothing much changed for Ceclia, though she did become even more focused and driven, deciding that marriage wasn't currently in the cards for her and she was in no hurry to replace her husband. It's been five long years now and her mother is making noises about heirs, but as of yet nothing has been arranged. Thankfully.
During the last year, House Giraldi was created with the common members of Duke Darren's family, making them equal to Marwyn, both vassals of Haldis. While Ceclia doesn't agree with the move, she has not spoken outwardly her disagreement to it. Not as of yet. Simply biding her time, she goes about her duties, preferring to quietly observe and 'play nice.' House Godwin, where she was knighted, didn't fare so well, she served at her mother's side in seizing the castle and executing the traitors within.
One of her goals is to one day wield the Sidhe Steel blade her mother owns. Or the other one the house is rumored to have.
