I apologize for the late chapter, and I will try to do a mass release this week. :) Thank you, guys, for your patience!
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The next morning, breakfast was served in the dining room again, but the girls were there alone this time. Once the servants left the room to get more food and drinks, Georgina started babbling all her thoughts.
"Okay, Eli, this is crazy. Ten days ago, we were two simple fugitives trying to get by. Now, look at us being served the finest foods. Not only that, your friend is a f****** prince! What is he trying to do? What did he say last night? Does he want to make you his princess?" There was so much to discuss, and they didn't share a room anymore, which made it difficult to speak in private.
Eliana looked at her, shocked by what she had just said, and stared at her wide-eyed. "What do you mean by 'Does he want to make me his princess?' He is my friend. Why would you assume such a thing?"
"Haha, oh my naive friend, you haven't realized he is infatuated with you. He has been drooling over you since we left Laros. His eyes literally start to sparkle every time you speak to him…." Georgina kept giggling and was highly amused by the fact that she could shock Eliana with her words. But she wasn't aware that Eliana had been disputing her feelings toward him since last night and had a sleepless night over it. She was sure there was no future for them, and hearing her friend suggesting such a thing resolved her determination not to get involved with him.
"No, that is not true. He is my friend! Besides, I don't think someone like him would ever be interested in someone like me."
"Yeah, right. He would never be interested in someone as smart, gorgeous, kind-hearted, and strong-willed as you." She rolled her eyes at Eliana's remark. What a silly girl she was. "Look, you don't have to believe me but don't think so low of yourself. What makes him so much better than you? Just because he is a prince? In the end, someone's background shouldn't matter."
Eliana looked at her best friend and thought, 'In the end, it matters where you come from and what species you are. It always does.' – but she would never be able to tell her best friend that a werewolf falling in love with a vampire was impossible. Even if he could overlook her background as an orphan, he wouldn't be able to do that regarding her being a vampire.
So, she changed the topic since there was no point in dwelling on such things. "You and I both know it matters. He is a prince and will have to marry some highborn lady. Why should I get mixed up in all of that? Plus, werewolves have mates. He won't just be captivated by any woman; it must be his destined mate."
Georgina's brows furrowed; she had completely forgotten about that. She had seen how he looked at Eliana and had been sure about his motives, but the fact that he would be mated meant that Eliana was his mate or he was toying with her. 'Oh, that rascal has something coming at him if he hurts my Eli. I better not encourage her to return his feelings. Oh dear, and I left them alone last night…'
"Hmm, that is true. That slipped my mind, and I probably did interpret him wrong."
Georgina was about to say something more when the servants entered the room again. They didn't want to speak about their personal topics while others were present, so they kept eating silently.
On their way back to their rooms, Georgina hooked her arm into Eliana's and whispered into her ear. "You didn't answer my question before. Did he say why he didn't tell us anything about him being the crown prince? Does he have any alternative intentions?" She had to find out if he tried to make any moves on her last night.
"He said he had to trust us first and then forgot about it. Also, he apologized about keeping it a secret." Eliana said in a whispering tone too.
Georgina had a skeptical expression on her face. "And you believed his nonsense?"
"Why would he lie? I understand he had to build trust first and didn't want us to take advantage of him. What else could it be? He doesn't gain anything by letting us stay here, does he?" She had hidden away her race and capabilities her whole life, so she could empathize with him on this topic.
'Well, if my assumption is correct and he is indeed interested in you, then he would gain you in his proximity…' Georgina thought to herself but said something else. "Hmm, now that you say it like that, I guess you are correct. He probably just wanted to test us."
There was no point in arguing with her. She would first have to figure out Damien's true feelings. If Eliana was indeed his mate, then the situation was rather complicated and would demand a lot of caution. If he were only looking for some fun, Georgina would punish him in the worst possible way she could. But in both cases, she had to investigate in secret first.
They entered their rooms, got ready for their city excursion, and met Damien and Simon at the main entrance. Eliana's heart skipped a beat when she locked her eyes with Damien's and was about to get lost in his green irises when Georgina's voice rattled her back to reality. "Hello, gentlemen"
Disappointed with herself that it only took one look from him to forget all her rationality, Eliana avoided Damien's gaze, oblivious to what her actions did to him. Eliana was not the only clueless person there, Georgina was too. Because Simon had been checking her out from head to toe admiring her energy, although he was still fighting his inner beast, his instincts made him move on his accord and smile brightly at her appearance.
Irked by his actions, she narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you smiling about, prince?"
Eliana and Damien also looked stunned, but Simon neutralized his expression instantly when Georgina called him out. "You really can dry up any soul Georgina." He said while turning around to exit the castle, leaving behind a confused crowd. Looking over his shoulder scrutinizingly, he added, "I am finally back home and get to roam around in the city. Why should I not be smiling, huh? On that note, are you intending to come along or only stare dumbfoundedly?"
Not fazed by his odd reaction, Georgina rolled her eyes and took Eliana's arm in hers, dragging her away from Damien, who was about to approach her. Damien was left behind and started to follow suit. Unbelievable, his brother couldn't keep his mouth shut and help him win over the girl. What was his problem anyways?
Determined not to get caught in Simon's grumpiness, he excitedly told the girls about their tour. "Our first stop will be the daily market, after which we shall visit some of our most important sights as well as the university, of course."
"Oh, I love markets!" Eliana shouted delightedly, and her smile made Damien weak. If this went on, he didn't know how well he would be able to control himself. She was pure torture.
The four walked through the narrow streets of Lothaire, their eyes taking in the stunning sights of the ancient city. Although the boys had grown up here, they still appreciated the city's allure. They marveled at the intricate carvings and architecture of the buildings, the grandeur of the temples, and the beauty of the fountains and gardens. Noticing the vast number of fountains, Eliana asked Damien where they got the water.
"There is an underground river from which we can pump the water supply."
"Fascinating." Her enchantment of the city increased by the minute, giving her the feeling that she was where she was supposed to be.
The people who passed by would bow to show their respect to the royals, to which the princes would respond with a curt nod. For the girls, it was lovely to see how loved the princes were. All the citizens were pleased to see them, which was the opposite reaction to what the girls received. Word had probably gone out that they were Paxon which was why they were welcomed with hostile glares instead. Damien had seen those looks, too, and went to Eliana's side. "Don't mind them. They have to get used to you two." Eliana smiled at him and was touched by his concern. Why did he have to be so charming?
"Don't worry about us. We come from an orphanage and have never been accepted in any society. Most people thought us dirty and that there must have been a valid reason for our parents to leave us. Meaning we are used to this kind of treatment."
"That doesn't make me necessarily feel better. Our people are kind-hearted but have an extremely patriarchal attitude, and they don't like outsiders until they prove themselves."
"That sounds like we do have a chance to change their minds which is already better than in Paxos." The two of them kept smiling at each other until suddenly, a young girl around the same age as Eliana jumped between them and into Damien's arms.