Helias Casteveron took his time, much more like he wished to observe Elaine for a while. Though she told him to go ahead, he wanted to be sure that she was really okay with this.
He knew more than anyone else about how an unwanted topic could turn someone really sensitive. He had so much experience in that.
Once he confirmed that Elaine seemed to be okay with it, he finally asked, "Can I ask you about your life before the adoption?"
He didn't understand why he was so bothered by this. He was told that Marian was dead and even if she turned out to be alive, there was no way for her not to remember him, right?
The Crown Prince was soon back to his sense and he noticed how the expression on the Captain changed.
Was it because of his question? Did he ask her what she wished to not talk about?
Maybe her life before she was adopted wasn't one she wished to recall.
Helias decided to speak up again but... Elaine beat him at that.
"I don't know, Your Highness."
He almost concluded that it was her way of telling him that she didn't want to say, until...
"I have no memories from that time," Elaine Vernimiere continued. "When my adoptive father brought me home, I didn't even know my name, let alone who I was."
The expression on the face of the Eslore Crown Prince was indescribable!
She lost all her memories?!
"Then how old were you at that time?" he quickly asked but realized that it was a foolish question.
How will she know her age if she didn't even know her name?!
Elaine could read what he was thinking and somehow, it amused her. "My adoptive parents assumed I was 10 at that time. But nothing is confirmed."
He saw the small smile on her face and it rendered him stupefied.
How can she smile while talking about such an unfortunate past?!
"Not remembering anything also have an advantage, Your Highness," she said, succeeding in reading him once again. "As I have no memory until my adoption, all my memories are filled with the love I receive from my adoptive parents. So, I consider myself lucky and I'm grateful for that."
Without the nightmares that keep on haunting her, everything will be good for her but she didn't talk about this.
What would be the use of talking about such a vague dream?
Her response repeatedly echoed in Helias's ears until one thing crossed his mind.
She said that her age was assumed to be 10 at the time of her adoption and... Marian Vizelle was 10 when that tragedy fell upon her family.
Why did he keep on comparing them? Didn't he always believe that Marian was dead though it wasn't easy to accept?
It's been ten years.
"May I ask why you are curious about my past?" Elaine inquired. All the time, her gaze was fixated on the Crown Prince who appeared very troubled.
When it seemed like he was about to answer her, he lifted the cup of wine that Elaine poured for him before and gulped it again. The concern on the Captain's face was even clearer than the first time.
"Your Highness -"
"You remind me of an old friend. That's why."
His response might be short but Elaine could feel how hard it was for him just to say that. She just realized that it was a very sensitive topic to the Eslore Crown Prince and though she admit that she was curious about the old friend in question, she didn't ask him anything.
She didn't want to put him through the torment of talking about a hard topic.
"You look curious," Helias Casteveron pointed out when he looked at Elaine.
"I won't deny," the Captain honestly responded. Thinking of her nightmares, she added, "But I also know that there are some things which are better when we don't talk about it."
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes and a little smile crept across his face. "You're right." He lifted his gaze and attempted to pour a cup of wine for himself but... Elaine grabbed the silver jug before he did.
"I think you should go easy, Your Highness. Think about tomorrow's schedule. Drinking too much tonight won't work in your favor," she asserted while hopefully glancing at the Crown Prince.
Seeing the look on her face which was new to him once again, the Eslore Crown Prince let out a sigh. "I will drink a lot often than you thought, Captain. I have quite a high tolerance."
"Then I don't think it's good for an heir apparent to drink that often, Your Highness. Don't you know that the stability of your kingdom is dependent a lot on your health?"
Crown Prince Helias let out another sigh and leaned back on the couch. "I think we shouldn't talk about that. I'm tired of being reminded every day." His expression was serious but his tone said it otherwise. And for the first time since yesterday evening, Elaine saw that familiar mirth in his eyes.
He didn't appear that dull now and she wasn't sure why she was so glad just because of that.
"You talk a lot today," Helias Casteveron pointed out. Propping his left elbow on the armrest of the couch, he was tilting his head to the left so that he could rest his cheek on his hand that was curled to a fist. Then with a little smirk, he added, "Just like the day we first met in that forest."
In an instant, that memory crossed Elaine's mind and she recalled herself being angry at him for shooting arrows in her direction. That day, she didn't even give him a chance to talk and she was practically threatening him with rage!
Must he really mention that now?!
Awkwardly rubbing her temples, Elaine Vernimiere thought of what to say. "Though you shot an arrow at me, it happened by mistake and... I shouldn't have reacted that way while you were apologizing."
She fought back a sigh when she saw how amused the Crown Prince appeared. Then she continued, "I apologize for my behavior that day, Your Highness. I hope you don't take it to heart."
The Eslore Crown Prince slowly nodded several times as if he understood her. Then he leaned a bit forward when he said, "I understand but... it might not be easy to forget. I'm sure you also know that you're the only person who has ever treated me that way." He let out a chuckle when he added, "Not anyone dares to treat a future King like that."