Elenor was taken aback by everything that she tripped on her own feet. Judas easily helped her balance herself before chuckling,
"Didn't this happen at the piano recital?" he teased.
Elenor could feel her head pounding, "Wait...if Hera is your sister then that means.."
Judas awkwardly smiled, a light tint of blush spread across his face. "My full name is Alan Judas Whitlock. I was the one who sent the invitation to you."
Alan Judas Whitlock. The first prince of Vaidia and soon-to-be king in the upcoming years. He was the same age as Richard.
Elenor only knew about Hera since she had already created her in the drafts of her work but not Judas. So this caught her off guard.
Seeing how Elenor didn't reply to him, he quickly tried to make some hand movements but stopped himself from doing so as they were still dancing.
"I really am sorry for not telling you earlier! But I didn't want you to act so formal and polite to me that's why." he said, his voice getting softer and softer as guilt welled up in his stomach.
"No it's alright.. I understand where your highness is coming from." Elenor showed him a small smile which caused him to relax a bit.
"Please don't call me that…" he mumbled sadly.
"Then what shall I call you?" she asked. In her eyes, she could almost see dog ears on him which fell dejectedly.
"Judas like before," he answered.
'Ah the dog ears are excited now.' was what she thought to herself as she saw imaginary dog ears on Judas.
"Well I do prefer Judas than Alan." Elenor joked which made the two laugh as they continued to banter with one another until the song finished.
When the song ended, they separated and kept some distance between one another. They continued talking while standing at a less crowded area.
"Hello big brother."
Elenor glanced to her left. Hera was standing there with a small smile plastered on her face. Her eyes fell on Alec who was expressionless.
As it was compulsory, Elenor lifted the hems of her dress up and bowed to Hera.
"Oh Lady Elenor. I didn't notice you." Hera chuckled, her fingertips covering her red lips.
Elenor faintly smiled at her but said nothing. She also noticed how Judas was quiet so she glanced at him. He didn't look as happy as before when they were chatting.
"Hello Hera, how are you?" he nodded stiffly.
Hera shook her head before wrapping her arms around Alec's. Leaning closely to his arm she spoke,
"I'm good big brother. I received an amazing gift from Lady Elenor after all."
Judas glanced at Alec who bowed in response. He turned to Elenor who was silent.
"Lady Elenor.." he spoke but trailed off immediately.
"I hope Alec has been treating you well, your highness." Elenor spoke with a smile which never reached her eyes.
Her eyes met Alec's. She wanted to speak to him but Hera cut her off.
"I'm thirsty. Alec, let's go to the drinks section."
"As you wish, your highness."
"I'll see you next time Lady Elenor." Hera smirked before walking off with Alec.
"Why does Hera have him?" Judas asked frantically once they were gone.
Elenor weakly laughed before briefly explaining the situation. Judas heaved out a heavy sigh after hearing everything.
"She really never changes…"
"Do you want me to help you get him back?" he asked her.
"Thank you but…" she paused before continuing, "For now I'll decline that offer."
Though she wanted to add on, she decided not to and kept quiet. Judas didn't seem to notice anything off and smiled.
"If you need any help, you can just ask. I'll be glad to help you."
"Thank you Prince Judas."
"In exchange, I would like to have a favour from you." he beamed.
Elenor chuckled at the tan man. "If I accept your help."
Judas nodded. "Yes yes that's right only if you accept my help." he smiled.
"Oh that's right, you said she was your half sister."
"Yes, my mother is the empress while her mother was a maid."
"I see.."
Elenor was worried she might have triggered something bad but upon looking at his expression, he didn't seem mad nor sad. He noticed her worries and shot her a smile.
She decided not to say anything else and continued to chat with Judas till the end of the ball.
"Talking with you is really calming." Judas spoke out as he walked beside Elenor to her carriage.
Elenor smiled. "Why thank you."
He laughed. It sounded enchanting and soft which made Elenor laugh as well.
"Let's arrange another time to talk or walk around the capital, I would like to show you around."
"Alright." she nodded.
When they reached the carriage, she noticed Lloyd and Rosina waiting at her carriage. They noticed her and Judas.
"Lloyd? Rosina? Is there any problem?" Elenor asked, stopping in front of them.
"No we were just about to head to our carriage." Rosina replied to her before realising there was someone beside her.
Lloyd smiled and extended his hand over to Judas, "Alan, it's good to see you again. How have you been?"
Judas smiled and accepted the handshake, "I've been good. I'm glad you were able to enjoy the annual ball this year, sorry about my father's random event he came up with. He was really excited about it."
Lloyd laughed and shook his head, "If a good friend of mine apologises how can I not forgive? Plus it was fun so no harm done."
Judas turned to Rosina who gave him a curtsy bow, "Good evening your highness."
"Good evening and please rise. May I know your name?"
"Rosina Millie Stout, your highness." she answered before showing him a polite smile.
He returned it before looking back at Elenor.
"Take care and have a good night's rest, Lady Elenor." he softly said, pushing away a strand of hair that was getting in her way.
Ignoring his movement, she nodded. "Prince Judas should also have a good rest."
He had a broad smile on his face, "Then I shall take my leave now. I'll write to you soon."
Judas waved goodbye to Lloyd and Rosina before walking away. She assumed that he would head back to the ballroom and speak with the other nobles.
"When were you close with him?" Lloyd asked.
Elenor tapped her chin before answering, "Hmm we met in a piano recital in Elaelind but I didn't know he was a prince."
Lloyd laughed, "I'm surprised. His skin tone and hair gives away his identity."
"Uh haha.." Elenor dodged his eyes.
Of course she didn't know, she didn't pay attention about other kingdoms, nonetheless even thought she would meet one from another kingdom.
Rosina headed inside the carriage which was beside Elenor's. Lloyd quickly leaned towards Elenor's ear.
"Tomorrow night, I'll bring someone over to get you. Don't get caught okay?"
"Okay." Elenor whispered back before heading inside her carriage without another word.
She pressed her back against the carriage that headed back to the west building. A few days prior to the day of the annual ball, she had requested Richard to help her with something.
She and Ray were having a simple tea time when she finally brought it up. The question that had been weighing in her mind.
"Ray." she called out his name as she placed her tea down.
Ray, who was stuffing his face with delicious cakes served for them, looked up with bright eyes.
"Yes sister?"
"How did you arrive in Vaidia?" she asked, staring straight at him.
She noticed him flinching at her question. His eyes darted around before falling back on his cake he was eating.
She gently held his left hand, "You don't need to tell if you're uncomfortable. I won't force you."
Ray gulped before shaking his head, "No I will tell big sister."
He gazed up at her before speaking again, "I was playing outside with my friends before a group of scary looking men came up to us. When I opened my eyes again, I was in a dark place. My friends were with me as well but-"
Ray choked up on his words. Elenor held his hand tighter.
"-we were suddenly taken away one by one. I was taken away up to a large stage where bright lights suddenly shone. There were so many people with masks looking at me.."
Ray couldn't hold it in anymore, his eyes glistening as tears fell out.
"I-I realised I was kidnapped and being sold… then some- somebody took me away and brought me into the princess' mansion."
He continued to tell her everything until there was nothing else he could say.
Sobs mixed with hiccups rang through her room as Ray cried. Elenor continued to hold his hand, never once letting it go as she allowed Ray to cry as much as he wanted.
Once Ray left after calming down, she immediately went to her brother.
"Brother I need your help." she said as she barged into his room where he was working on some stuff he had brought from back home.
He turned to her and smiled brightly, "What is it you need Elenor?"
"You have people working in the shadows right?"
Richard paused before nodding, "Yes.. how did you-"
"A mere guess." she answered him before waving her hand.
"Never mind that brother, could you ask them to help me find some information?"
He squinted his eyes before taking his glasses off and pinching his nose bridge.
"If it's something dangerous I won't let."
"It's for Ray, brother."