"Will all the Princesses come?"
The voice of the man was soft. His tone was dull and there was an unknown command in his tone that made everyone obey.
"Everyone should be here." The other person bowed his head as he said in a small voice.
"I hope all the knights have been informed. I want them all to come to the Empire by their own free will." The man's tone turned arrogant as his lips curled up, "No matter what they need to do or say to convince the Princess, all of them should be here."
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"What are you doing here?" Princess Eleanor asked as she looked at the man that sat in front of her without her permission.
He was busy drinking the tea as he looked around in the garden with a smile, "Nothing has changed. Remember we used to play here when we were little."
Princess Eleanor took a deep breath as she looked at the other guests who were there silent as if observing. Eleanor's gaze moved from Lady Gisella who sat beside her towards Sir Kit who stood behind them.
"This is Duke Felix. My childhood friend and Princess Macy's fiancee," Princess Eleanor turned towards Duke Felix. Although her voice was soft like a feature, her eyes were sharp as a knife, "And this is Lady Gisella and Sir Kit from the Roulux Empire."
Duke Felix nodded as he looked at the two. He observed that the lady was old but the man standing there was not. He might have been the same age but he looked much stronger than him.
"Can I know why Sir Kit has covered his face with a mask?" Duke Felix asked as his eyes stayed focused on Sir Kit.
Lady Gisella was the one that answered with a smile. But the unwillingness was clearly dripping from her tone, "Sir Kit belongs to House Beaumont. A knight with high achievement and status. By the order of the Emperor, he was chosen to escort Princess Eleanor to the Empire. In House Beaumont, a knight on the mission never reveals their identity."
"Oh, so Sir Kit is on a mission?" Duke Felix asked as he raised his eyebrows. "But Isn't house Beaumont the name of the Grand Duke's house?"
"Yes, the Duke is correct." Lady Gisella nodded as she looked at Duke Felix, "The Emperor had given House Beaumont the job to escort all the Princesses from the Kingdom to the Empire safely."
Duke Felix's lips twitched. If his assumptions were right, the Grand Duke and Emperor were not on very good terms. Although it was just a rumor, there is no smoke without fire.
'But it looks like rumors cannot be trusted.' Duke Felix thought as he nodded his head in understanding. 'If such an important work is entrusted to the Grand Duke's house then the Emperor must trust him enormously.'
"Princess Eleanor, I have come here for a reason." Duke Felix reverted his head towards the Princess. "Princess Macy cares a lot for you. After all, you two are sisters who have grown up together."
Princess Eleanor's lips twitched as her gaze sharpened at Duke Felix's words. She and Macy were never close and it was never a secret. But Princess Eleanor knew that if Duke Felix was bringing it up here in front of so many people then there would be a reason behind it.
Princess Eleanor's eyes moved towards her lady in waiting who stood beside her like a lifeless doll. There was no expression on her face but her hands were fiddling from time to time.
Princess Eleanor observed that Nia was nervous. This made her even more curious as her ears perked to listen to Duke Felix. "Actually Princess Macy wanted to come here today but you know her condition. Anyway, She wants to write you letters. She has asked for your permission to write to you."
'Princess Macy wants to write to me?' Princess Eleanor wanted to laugh but she controlled herself. It was not the right time and she needed to play along as there were guests present.
"Of course, Macy is my beloved sister." Princess Eleanor wanted to stop there as the sentence itself was a joke but she continued with a smile, "Why would she need my permission to write to me?"
"Well…" Duke Felix looked down as if he was trying to control his emotions. "That …"
After a pause of a second, Duke Felix continued, "You know the condition in the Kingdom. There is still a wave of rebellion to be oppressed so it would not be appropriate if Princess Macy writes to you under her name."
Duke Felix turned his attention towards Lady Gisella. Although the words were said to Princess Eleanor, their recipient was the people from Roulux Empire.
"Princess Macy suggests writing you a letter but under my name." Duke Felix said but before anyone could react he started explaining, "We both are childhood friends and I am going to be your brother-in-law too. Princess Macy suggested that it would be okay since a friend can be a little worried about one another especially if they have been brought up like siblings."
Princess Eleanor's lips twitched. Her hands formed a fist as she looked at Nia who was looking at the ground. Her eyes refused to look up.
Princess Eleanor shook her head but she said in a soft tone, "It would be okay only if Lady Gisella finds it appropriate. After all, I do not know the customs at the Empire and it may be deemed as inappropriate easily."
Lady Gisella smiled as she was satisfied with Princess Eleanor's answer. She herself felt that it was inappropriate. Although if Princess Macy were to write the letter by her own name, it could slide as she is the Princess's sister but if a man writes it then its meaning changes. Even if it is from her brother-in-law.
Lady Gisella looked at Duke Felix to understand what was going around. Although she could not find anything unusual looking at him, Lady Gisella wanted to be sure. "I have to think about it."