Palace Balcony
Eleanor tugged into Charles' sleeves while looking at the man in front of them. She felt like being preyed on sooner or later.
"Pardon me Charles. I have to take this wine and try this gift from a neighboring country", the Emperor removed his crown for a while. It will be an insult to the crown if it is worn while the King is pleasuring himself. Eleanor wanted to leave as soon as possible. What part of the Emperor did Keanne get?
"Are you still pursuing my son, Lady Eleanor?", the Emperor finally recognized her presence.
"Greetings to the hope of Andaria", Eleanor spread her dress and bowed. "I heard that you lost your memories, poor girl. I noticed it the moment you entered. You usually face me with fiery eyes. Right now, I'm like watching a rabbit hide behind the lion", Emperor Theo laughed. "Your Majesty, I would like to make a proposal", Charles stepped forward. "Amuse me", Theo sat properly and placed the tobacco on the ashtray.
He needs to stop smoking. If he gets hit with tuberculosis, there's no cure yet.
"I will take your offer to be the Commander of the first squad", Charles placed his hand on his chest. "That's a great help!", the King stood up and was prepared to shake his hand. "Are you going to add an additional request?", Theo grinned since it's so unusual for Charles to agree so fast. He had always been worried about her daughter making an uproar.
"I would wish that my daughter will be re-invited to social gatherings", Charles bowed. "Dad. There's no need to-", Eleanor was startled by what he said.
Did she got banned from attending gatherings? She must really have some knacks for having people hate her.
"Your request is granted. Then, your daughter is allowed to be in social gatherings if... She will be invited", the Emperor had a smirk on his face. Eleanor gulped and forced a smile. It was a nervous innocent smile that the Emperor never saw in her ever since the first day that Charles brought her to the Palace.
"Then, you may walk around for a while. You might bump into one of my sons", Theo chuckled.
No thanks.
Hallway
"Ellie, I will have to talk with the chancellor. Rendell will be waiting for you outside the gate. Do you remember where we walked?", Charles asked worriedly. "I can remember that much, Dad", Eleanor gave a peck on Charles cheeks. She was also surprised that she did it. It was a habit she developed when she was a child. Charles smiled and patted her head.
Eleanor walked alone in the hallway crossing her fingers not to run into anyone. She sighed and closed her eyes. She bumped into someone. She mentally slapped herself for closing her eyes for a minute.
She opened it and saw a white coat with gold linings. She recognized them. Her feet stepped back. "Are you here to persuade the Emperor again?", he said with an annoyed tone. Eleanor shook her head violently. "Dad just agreed to be the Commander. He made me tag alone and just... Requested something to the Emperor", Eleanor said while looking at the carpeted hallway.
"What request was that?", Xylan furrowed his brow.
"He asked the Emperor if I could be allowed to join social gatherings now", Eleanor answered. Xylan's eyes widened. "I see", Xylan looked away and left. Eleanor sighed and felt her feet getting weak.
Palace Gate
"Ellie".
Eleanor looked around to see who was calling her name. It was the Prince. She was about to hide her face. How can she face someone he broke up with and replaced with his very own brother?
"You said you will be visiting but you never did. I was worried that you fell ill again", Keanne said while panting. "I felt ashamed of my action, your highness. I never should have shown my face to you. Forgive me. My uncle told me about what I did to you", Eleanor covered her face.
"Ellie. That was just in the past. I like how you treated me when we visited the greenhouse and when you walked with me in your garden. There's nothing to be ashamed of", Keanne chuckled. "You're not angry with me?", Eleanor asked. "You're the one who brought up being engaged and you're the one who broke it. So... I don't think there are any issues there", Keanne smiled. "How can you casually talk about it?", Eleanor sighed and tried to compose herself. She's mentally mature so she's the one who should handle this professionally. "Allow me to make up for that, Your Highness", Eleanor bowed.
"If you mean that, then... Maybe you can be my lady for the banquet that will happen two weeks from now", Keanne hummed.
Varian's Mansion
The next day...
Gilbert entered and saw Eleanor burrowing her face in the books. Was he strict to give more difficult books?
"Gilbert. I am really doomed!", Eleanor whined.
Did she go back to her usual self?
"The Prince asked me to be her lady during the banquet and I stupidly said yes", Eleanor bit her clock watch. Gilbert could imagine a rabid cat. "Then, are you already prepared? Shall we go over some etiquette review?", Gilbert sat in front of him. "That's what I'm worried about. What if I act so differently from the usual Eleanor? Will people find it creepy?", Eleanor sighed.
"Usual Eleanor?", Gilbert read her answers and was amazed that she was able to solve some mathematical problem in just a few minutes.
"She was said to be sharp-tongued and has difficulty building relationships with people", Eleanor described.
"You don't seem to be someone like that to me", Gilbert leaned on the table. "But...what might be the reason that I was banned from socializing with people?", Eleanor panicked. Did she actually punch or kick someone? Did she shout at someone in the middle of the banquet?
"If I remembered it well, you protected the Crown Prince from being stabbed. People spread rumors that you staged it so that the Crown prince will notice you", Gilbert remembered.
Eleanor jaw-dropped.
Eleanor's Room
She dove into her bed. She can't swim in the pool of humiliation if she decides to be the Prince's lady.
She felt something hard near the edge of the bed. She traced where it was and saw some kinds of books piled inside. She opened them and saw that they were all handwritten. They seem to be Eleanor's diary. She opened it.
I found Prince Xylan sleeping under the tree. He looks so innocent and vulnerable.
His eyes met mine but I wasn't strong enough to maintain eye contact. He's got cool blue orbs. I might melt once I keep staring at them.
At my mother's funeral, Prince Xylan passed me irises and told me that it wasn't my fault that my mother died.
I gave Prince Xylan a handknitted handkerchief. He never said anything even if I knew it was ugly. He accepted it anyway.
I proposed to Prince Xylan and he rejected it.
I don't know how long will Prince Xylan notice me but I am also getting older. Once I reach my 18th, I would have to marry the Crown Prince. This is the only way I could save this house from being harassed by the nobles.
But.. Right now... Prince Xylan isn't the crown prince.
"She will never stage that kind of act. Reading her write these passionate words, there was no way she wanted to hurt her. I think... Eleanor, you are really in love with Prince Xylan", Eleanor sat on the bed.
Someone cleared her throat.
"No! Mari you got it wrong!", Eleanor panicked.
Chapter end.