Palace Hallway
"This is such a dangerous group to belong to", Fiona opened up since the silence is deafening.
"We are called to work together. If any of us tries to get ahead of the other, we will all fail", Aileen looked at Fiona. "You're such a team player, aren't you? Lady Aileen", Fiona dropped her hand on her shoulder. Aileen shrugged it off. Claudia panicked and looked for any knight to stop them just in case they start fighting.
"Ladies, what an unusual sight to see you all together", Keanne passed by. "Your highness", they all bowed. "If Ellie will be here, she might also be joining your crew", he laughed at his own statement. "Your Highness, you seem to be coming from your training. Are you planning to join the Royal Knights?", Fiona noticed. "There is no way. The Royal Knights are far stronger than I am", Keanne chuckled. Aileen saw some bruises on his arms. "If you may excuse us, I have something to tell his Highness", Aileen excused. Keanne nodded and followed after her.
Claudia felt scared being around Fiona. She's the daughter of the Marquess. "Shall we go and have a cup of tea?", Fiona invited.
Mountain
Council Training ground
River
Eleanor sat on the rock where the waterfalls are located. Her hair straightened and also she went thinner.
"Ellie, you are being called by the teacher", Jared called unto her. The lad volunteered to stay since he wanted to have more experience.
"Why?", Eleanor stepped out of the river. "You grew taller again", Jared noticed. "The teacher said we're going to travel in the north to assist the council there. They said that the council is getting ill every day. They said it might be some kind of plague", Jared informed.
Teachers' hall
Rufus sits on the couch. "You are chosen as our representative here in the Mountain. Looking at your physique, I think you are ready to be sent to the different provinces. It's a surprise how much you grew", Rufus smiled and threw a scroll at her.
"That is temporary proof that you may work in the Councils. Make sure to learn a lot in that place", Rufus added.
North Kingdom
Council Building
Eleanor received hostile stares from the council members as soon as she mentioned her name. She was aware. Reading in the library, she read about the decree given to the Varians to wipe out all the Council Members in the Capital.
She gulped and made her way inside. Someone threw a book in her head. "Ellie", Jared panicked. "You're not supposed to be here. Your father and your grandfather killed our Masters", one of them said with great disdain. Eleanor picked up the book and returned it to the shelf. She stood in front of the reception. The reception servant took her scroll. "You are welcome to work here, Apprentice Eleanor. You will be working under Council Jared", he gulped and gave a key.
Eleanor walked towards the council Hall to present herself. She knew that this might happen. She was fortunate that the people in the training ground are kind people. No one mentioned her being a Varian. "Are you mad?", Jared sheepishly asked. Eleanor didn't answer. Jared was worried so he held her hand. "I'm not angry. I'm just worried if I would be able to do my job very well", Eleanor faked a smile.
The next day,
Eleanor went into the dining hall and sat down at the long table. The council members stood up and changed tables. Eleanor's eyes widened and just silently eat her food.
This girl must have been used to people avoiding her.
"Eleanor Seri Varian, you will be working under Sir Jared but it seems that the medics are losing people. You will be transferred there in the meantime", one of the officers came and gave her a mask and gloves.
Hospital
Eleanor can smell the stench even with her mask on. "Lady Eleanor, we are so fortunate to have you here. We're losing people so... We're glad that you're here", the head nurse, Alexandria bowed. She's already in her mid 40's."Tell me what to do", Eleanor followed Alex.
Eleanor passed by the patients and saw their skin being eaten. She felt like puking but this is also a task that the council asked her to do.
"Help me! It's so hot!", he grabbed Eleanor's arm. The girl flinched and fell on the floor. She thought she was prepared but this wasn't what she expected.
Hospital Garden
Eleanor sat down beside a huge tree and leaned on it. "I want to go home", she whispered to herself.
"Then why didn't you just go home with me?", she heard a familiar voice and sat straight. "Am I seeing things? Jenos!!", Eleanor covered her mouth. "I mean... Council Jenos", she was about to stand up but Jenos pushed her down. "Just rest. I heard that you were asked to work in the hospital. If you catch the illness, they are really going to be massacred by your father", Jenos sighed and sat beside the girl. "You looked tired as well. I haven't seen you since... 4 months ago?", Eleanor forced to smile. "The Capital is busy for the festival. Did you know? The three candidates for the crown prince are spearheading the festival", Jenos informed. "Oh. So there are already three candidates. That's quite amazing", Eleanor chuckled.
"What's more amazing is that they chose the daughter of the Sailine to be one of the candidates. If she becomes the Empress or the Queen, that will be first in history", Jenos stretched his limbs and yawned. "Sailine. Are you talking about Claudia?", Eleanor turned to face the guy. Jenos nodded. "Are you mad at her? You went away and she stole your place", Jenos smirked. "How can I be mad at her? She's a sweet lady and I think she'll also fit in with the Prince", Eleanor remembered how cold the Prince was to her. She doesn't want anything to do with the royal family. Keanne is a cool guy but she feels like it's dangerous to be with him as well. She'll get murdered by all the women who are in love with him.
"You are only staying here for a month. After that, you will go back to the Capital to get your pin. By that time, it's already a festival. It's like everyone will be rejoicing for your return", Jenos slightly laughed. Eleanor stood up. "That's why I don't have time to mop around. I'll be doing my best here and proving that I could be a member of the council. Thank you Jenos. You lifted my spirit again", Eleanor gave a determined look.
"You're growing again. Your hair lost its waves but you seem ladylike this time", Jenos teased. Eleanor lost fat and also she grew taller. Her face matured as well. "If you keep growing like that, you will attract the attention of many", Jenos said when Eleanor started to ran toward the hospital
Chapter end.