Eugenie doesn't really care to put on an act of kindness. However, she was in a mood to give the taste of Catherine's medicine to her.
She appeared to be concerned as though she didn't have the intention of hurting Catherine's pride, "Sister Catherine, I only want you to rest for some days. For your health and recovery, I will be arranging a place for you to recuperate. Take a good sleep tonight. Morning, you will be escorted safely."
Her lips sinisterly curled up, she was finally getting rid of Catherine from the palace with Alora's help. By the time Catherine returns, Alora could peacefully focus on herself and prepare for coronation.
'Good sleep?' Catherine was definitely not going to get any sleep.
Catherine was undoubtedly infuriated. "Wasn't taking my authority enough for you?" Even a small kid could understand what was happening there. "I object. I am perfectly alright. I am not going anywhere." She yelled in the hall.
Eugenie's lady-in-waiting looked at the female royal guards. They escorted Catherine out saying Catherine couldn't handle any more stress.
Without Catherine, there would be nobody who would go against Eugenie head-on or scheme against anybody. The palace would be at peace and Eugenie could focus more on Alora's acceptance by the people.
Eugenie's lady-in-waiting wrapped the situation, "The maid is banished from the capital. The ladies of the Duchess are dismissed from their position. They may return to their place."
Once everything was wrapped, Alora's shoulders relaxed and a silent sigh left her lips. If nothing, she learned royals and nobles were complex-minded people. She treasured her memories when she was going to the academy where reality wasn't twisted with lies.
Offering a bow to her parents, she apologized for disturbing the banquet and left. Zander was worried about his daughter. He tried to leave when Eleanor, the elder daughter of Catherine appeared in front of them.
"Your Highness, in the absence of my mother, I would like to take her responsibility and help you manage the palace smoothly." She looked stubborn and desperate.
On the surface, it was a harmless request. But Eleanor was like a sprout of Catherine. Trusting her was as difficult as believing in Catherine. However, Eleanor had all the right to take over her mother's place.
Zander uneasily looked at the door. He felt the need to comfort Alora and spend some time with her. He didn't want her to live in the palace like a guest.
Nevertheless, he hated that he had to keep the duty ahead. He glanced at Eugenie who was weighing the possibilities so he intervened. "This issue will be addressed tomorrow. Let's welcome the second prince of Crisal. Agost Wilburn." He held no emotions while he delivered his words
Eleanor was displeased. Without reading the situation, she demanded fiercely, "When Alora could put forward her issue at a banquet, why couldn't I?" Her voice was harsher with each word, feeling unfair.
Eugenie stood up and snapped at Eleanor, "Don't forget who you are speaking with."
Eleanor gritted her teeth and lowered her head. She had wishful thoughts of those four being dead instead of returning to the palace. Before their return, Catherine and her daughters had the last say in everything.
Everyone heard them, feared them, and stayed away from them. Now everyone was laughing at them. Losing their stand in the royal palace, she cursed them in her mind.
Eugenie genuinely hoped the royals would get along and support each other instead of hating the ones who took the throne. Her eyes brushed over the door where Freya returned inside.
Will her second daughter hate the first daughter? She had explained Freya well in the past, just like how Orla had explained to them. Will Freya become like Catherine?
Eugenie could only hope for a better future and sibling bonds between her daughters. Calming down a bit, she explained why Alora's issue was addressed, "Eleanor, Alora's issue was a serious crime that could happen to any royal princess. Whereas we could address this matter tomorrow." A night delay wouldn't hurt anybody.
Eleanor curtsied silently and left the hall. Her angry mind wasn't ready to understand anything. All she could think was the crown princess and her daughter had higher priority.
Zander again tried to leave when Eugenie caught his hand and reminded him, "Prince Agost."
The banquet began, some were thrilled as Catherine was leaving the palace, a few were busy getting the attention of Agost while most of them feared to get close to Arihan.
One thing was clear in their mind, they shouldn't offend Alora. Neither Eugenie nor Orla was able to get rid of Catherine and Alora succeeded with her meticulous and composed approach.
Freya, who had a lot of questions for Agost, held back looking at him surrounded by the royals. She left the hall to find Alora.
—————
In Alora's chambers,
"Sister Alora, I am coming in," Freya informed before she twisted her fingers to unlock the door of the bathroom.
Alora was sitting in the hot water tub, her skin was glowing in pinkness and her hair was dripping wet. With her shoulders bared above the water, she was enchanting.
Despite having no ladies for Alora, the maids were instructed to arrange for her bath and the necessity on time before Alora's return to her chambers. So Alora didn't have to do everything.
"What happened today?" Freya solemnly asked as she sat on the edge of the tub.
Alora didn't want to tell Freya. She was abused because she wasn't strong enough to protect herself. Thus it would be unfair to blame everything on Caroline and her maids.
Freya noticed Alora flinch when she dipped her palm in the water. Hurriedly pulling her hand out, she took the washcloth away and sighed, "Sister Alora, why are you so delicate?" In the four days, Alora wasn't able to get used to the wooden sword.
Freya blew over Alora's bruised palm which used to be so flawless. She felt the need for ladies to Alora to take care of her. But she doesn't know the noble ladies, she couldn't trust maids. She couldn't ask the mages who she knew.
Sighing, Freya grabbed the washcloth, "Let me help you."
Anyway, Alora didn't allow it. Freya had an intense training routine. She was also exhausted, "I am done. Go, eat and rest. Take care of yourself. I am fine."
Alora insisted, leaving no choice for Freya but to return to her chambers. Alora didn't have an appetite, thus she lay on the bed staring blankly at the ceiling. There were numerous thoughts in her mind that she was desperately trying to block away.
'Knock, Knock…' Alora pulled herself up and saw it was her father.
Zander, who was hurrying toward her, paused looking at untouched food. He carried it to the bed as he spoke, "Alora, you are exercising daily. How will you get strength and nutrients without food? You have lost so much weight, you need to eat more…"
He sighed in the end looking at her blank gaze. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he placed the food tray on the bed and scooped a spoonful of soup, "Father and mother didn't expect such things to happen." He said apologetically.
Alora took the sip as he was trying to feed her, however looking at the food, she was losing appetite rather than craving to eat it.
Zander scooped another spoon as he added, "It's alright if you would like to cry." Alora wasn't the one to hold back her pain or fear. He hoped for her to let it go and feel light.
Alora felt her eyes sting and her jaws quivered. It gave her chills just by recalling whatever happened in the garden and the lobby. She wanted to cry about how terrified she was. She wanted to complain that they should have let her train herself so that she could protect herself.
What will she get by asking the same thing?
She held back, unwilling to cry even if it ended and those people were punished. She took a sip and opened her lips to speak, "Father, is there a way to forget?"
Zander froze at the question. When Alora was young and they lived in the palace, everyone was used to being thrilled at how good her memory was. Zander and Eugenie were too, until the day they realized how harmful it was for Alora.
If forgetting is a blessing for everyone, her curse was to recall everything. "Am I cursed?" That thought never came to her mind until Lady Caroline called her 'Cursed Princess.'
Zander furrowed. She wasn't cursed, she was cured. That cure was the reason behind her change in appearance. Only Orla was aware of it, thus he was also doubting if they used witchcraft to keep Alora alive.
Alora sighed watching her father's reaction. Why does she always ask the questions and has problems her parents couldn't solve?
She tried to eat on her own so that he could go and rest but Zander didn't let go of the spoon.
Zander wasn't sure how his words were going to affect her. Hiding from her, herself was causing her no good but more harm. Self-doubt wouldn't let her grow and improve her skills. Self-awareness was necessary for her development. "I will bring you somewhere if you complete eating."
Alora looked at the determination in Zander. She nodded, prepared to hear some truth.