Alec was walking around the estate, making sure everything was going in order. It was early in the morning, the sun was slowly rising. Every worker who noticed his presence shot him a smile before continuing their work. He would return a small nod and continue walking.
He casually took his pocket watch out. Elenor had bought him a new one after he had given his previous one to her.
"For now please use this one!!" she said, handing him a golden pocket watch that had a rose carving on the top.
He didn't mind that she had his pocket watch. If it makes her happy then he will give everything to her. Including his heart. However after he received a pocket watch personally from her, it never left his side. Everywhere he went, the pocket watch was with him.
She personally bought one for him so he will cherish it forever.
He checked the time and nodded to himself before placing the watch back inside his coat pocket. It was time to wake Elenor up for the day.
Making his way to her room, though he had an expressionless face, his pace had picked up as he wanted to see her as soon as possible.
He stopped in front of her door and lightly knocked on the door before walking in. As usual, she was sleeping soundly. The blankets on her was a mess with one of her feet sticking out of it. He quietly looked at her for a while before waking her up.
"Milady it's time to wake up," he spoke, shaking her with enough strength to wake her up.
Groaning, her eyes fluttered open. She blankly stared at the ceiling before turning to Alec.
"I have asked the chefs to prepare pancakes for today's breakfast."
He knew this would wake her up more and it did just like he suspected. Elenor's eyes that were cloudy with sleepiness disappeared and sparkled with happiness.
"Pancakes?" she asked eagerly.
Alec nodded. With his confirmation, she sprung out of her bed and quickly got herself clean and dressed before making her way to the dining hall where the pancakes will be served. Alec easily followed her from behind, watching her mood increase more at the sight of pancakes.
He softly clicked his tongue. How come pancakes made her happier than his presence itself? He wished pancakes didn't exist here. He didn't care if he was being petty and jealous over a type of food.
After breakfast, Elenor turned to him and smiled. Seeing that look on her face, his jealousy easily dissipated and warmth grew in his chest.
"Lady Rosina will be coming over today for a tea party."
Alec's mood went sour after hearing that but didn't show it and nodded. "I will begin preparing it milady."
"Thank you Alec. We will be having it outside my balcony."
"Understood." he bowed and left to prepare.
He had a frown on his face as he did the preparations for her small tea party. Everyone who walked past him didn't dare to speak to him or upset him. Alec of course, didn't notice this and continued what he was doing.
When afternoon arrived, Lady Rosina arrived as well. Elenor greeted her with a happy smile and brought her inside. Alec, who finished preparing everything not long before they arrived, stood beside Elenor in silence.
Rosina clung onto Elenor like a koala bear which made Alec displeased even more. So what if she was a girl? He didn't want anyone touching Elenor.
Elenor and Rosina took a seat out on the balcony. Alec poured tea into their cups and stood behind Elenor, awaiting to attend to her next orders later.
The two ladies began talking and having a good time. Anything Rosina said made Elenor laugh, bringing a bright smile to her face.
Though Alec loved seeing her smile. He couldn't help but notice that the two had their hands touching one another. He was about to retract Elenor's hand away but she flipped her hand and now held Rosina's hand in hers.
Stunned, he couldn't move. The two didn't pay attention and continued chatting as if they weren't intimidatingly holding hands.
"Mi-"
"Ah Alec!" Elenor remembered his presence and turned to him.
Gaining her attention after so long, he nodded instantly, forgetting what he wanted to say to her. "Yes, milady?"
"I was reading a book last night in brother Richard's room. I want to show Lady Rosina the book but I have left it there. Could you help me get it?" she asked with a sheepish smile.
Alec pressed his lips into a thin line. He didn't feel safe with Rosina being alone with her while he left to get the book but she was asking him and he could never say no to her requests. Reluctantly he nodded.
"Then I will be back milady, Lady Rosina." he bowed and left Elenor's room.
He had to hurry and get the book. He did not dare allow Rosina to be alone with her. Picking up his pace, he reached Richard's room which wasn't too far from Elenor's room. Lifting his fist, he knocked on the door.
But before his fist landed on the door, he heard muffles inside. He raised an eyebrow and carefully leaned against the door. He could hear weird noises coming from inside. He could hear Richard's voice but there was another voice as well.
Frowning, he tried to listen again.
"Richard…" the voice whispered.
Alec could hear sloppy mouth sounds. His face paled as he realised whose voice it was.
"L-Lloyd stop! What if we get caught..?" Richard asked, panting.
"Nobody will hear if you keep your voice down.." Lloyd replied back in a teasing voice before diving back in for another kiss.
Alec stumbled backwards. His mouth gaping in horror. Yeah he wasn't going to get that book in the end.
He turned around and hurried back to Elenor's room not wanting to imagine what was happening in there. He wished he could turn back time and unhear those noises. Without wasting a second, Alec opened the door to Elenor's room.
He was about to heave a sigh when he noticed the scene in front of him. At the balcony, Rosina was leaning dangerously close to Elenor, their lips almost touching. The tea and cakes had fallen down to the floor due to the sudden movement between the two.
The two didn't seem to notice that he had returned from his horrid trip to Richard's room and was deeply staring into one another's eyes.
"Lady Elenor...I have always liked you for some time now.." Rosina softly muttered.
Elenor had rosy cheeks as she replied, "..I too may have some feelings towards you."
Rosina's eyes lit up at her words. "Lady Elenor..!"
Alec, who has been watching, wanted to move and push Rosina away from Elenor but he couldn't move. His legs were frozen in place forcing him to watch everything unfold in front of him.
As they grew closer to each other, Alec couldn't take it anymore. Their lips almost touched before Alec was finally able to move his legs, rushing towards them.
"No!" he screamed out loud.
Alec's eyes shot wide open, his voice startling him awake. He blinked a couple of times before jumping out of his bed, glancing around. It was dark in his room, no moonlight shining inside as he had shut the curtains.
After he had calmed down, he realised everything was all a terrible dream. Exhausted, he fell back onto his bed and sighed. He didn't know how or when he fell asleep but the next day, he didn't dare look at Elenor in the eye.
He also couldn't look at Richard or Lloyd without remembering his dream. That dream truly traumatized him for a couple of weeks until he returned back to normal.