"Please, brother..." She pleaded, her eyes swelling from the tears that wanted to drop down to her cheeks. Seeing her acting like this, Alexander sighed and looked at his team before telling them to leave the two of them alone in this room.
Everyone followed his request and left silently, didn't even try to be nosy about their talk. As everyone left and the door went closed, Alexander leaned into the table and folded his arm, looking at Helena as if his eyes told her that she needed to speak up now.
Seems like Helena got the message in his eyes as she took a deep breath and exhaled, looking anxious and sad. "Brother... Do you not love me anymore?" She asked, clasping both of her hands as she looked at him, worried.
"What nonsense are you talking about, Helena? And here I thought your business here is serious." Alexander couldn't help but feel distressed by her question. He thought that she was here to beg for her mother but no, she sounded like a selfish woman.
Helena seemed to be hurt by what he said as her tears started to shower, falling to her cheeks as she cried and sobbed.
"Brother... How could you? I am asking you earnestly if you still love me or not but your answer hurt me! Were the feelings you showed me since the very beginning aren't sincere for you to change your heart just because of that woman?!" She exclaimed, hurt because of him.
"Seriously Helena, you're acting like a child. Please act mature now. You're already turning 18 next month and your behaviour is still like a child. Grow up, will you?" He groaned, Helena was giving him stress.
Felicia wasn't like this at all. She was mature, more feminine, and even elegant despite not being able to learn for nearly her whole teenage years. Yet as if she had already mastered how to become an elegant young lady of a ducal house.
Meanwhile, Helena remained spoiled, brat, and foolish. Is this because the whole family putting her into this position? If so then he's regretting the fact that he let her grow into a spoiled ignorant lady who has nothing in her head but is trying to attack and look like she's a victim in these types of situations.
"Have you lost your mind, brother? After telling me that you don't want me to grow up at all, this is how you would reply to me. I thought you loved me more than that woman!" She exclaimed, glaring towards Alexander who remained calm despite wanting to shout some sense at her.
"Please, Helena. That was a long time ago when I was still nothing but a child. But now, I have duties to uphold and so are you, grow up already. You're not a child anymore! Wake up!" He also exclaimed I couldn't help it anymore.
"You need some senses. I suggest that you take care of your studies very well. Your performance is quite disappointing. Felicia has been doing well despite starting late, you should be like her for real." He even added, making Helena gasp at his claim.
It felt like her ego had been targeted, making her heart shatter into pieces as she was in disbelief and lost for words. How dare he compare her to that woman who doesn't even know what's kindness?!
She was fuming mad, infuriated with his words. Yet it also felt like all of those memories she and him shared were now pointless. He changed, because of that woman. That woman is ruining everything, taking away all the love that this family has for her.
Alexander was taken aback after realizing his words were directed at her. He felt guilty all of a sudden, thinking that he let most of his thoughts out and offended her somehow. He could see how hurt she was by the harsh words that his mouth let out, unintentionally hurting her.
But nevertheless, she also needs some reality check to keep up with her life. She must've forgotten that how she acts reflects her image as a ducal princess and the holy Saintess of the Holy Church.
Even now, she doesn't look like she's someone befitting the image of being a Saintess and a proper Lady. She looks like a mess, acts like a mess, and even behaves like a mess.
He realizes a lot of things. Helena is far from how Felicia's aura illuminates the whole area whenever she's near or far. She exudes the ideal poised of being a woman of such high status. Her charisma is something else, without even trying she could grab everyone's attention with the simple things that she does.
But Helena, Helena is holding too much on her title and her position as a princess. Everyone is just so enamoured with her because of the fact that she's both a princess and a Saintess.
Other than proving herself that she's capable of exerting the luminance of being a Saintess, are there any capabilities that she can prove herself she's worthy of her position?
"I HATE YOU BROTHER! YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN MY BROTHER!" She yelled, making Alexander wake up from his deep thoughts. She was crying so loud and ran out of the room, eyes filled with crocodile tears, running away from him.
Alexander was frowning. It hurts a little since he still treats her like his own sister even though she did something that broke his trust. Especially the night when he saw the two of them, the Crown Prince and her kissing as if Felicia didn't matter at all.
He just stood there, didn't know what to do as his mind went blank after hearing her words. He was contemplating whether to follow her and apologize for his actions or not and let his words sink into her that she needed to be proper to suit the ideal woman of this continent.
But no, he didn't move an inch at all.
—
"I apologize for the wait, Madame Yulie Rajeh. I just had a conversation with the Duke regarding things that needed my attention." Rachelle apologized for being late towards the woman who was in her late 20s, sitting comfortably in her chair.
"Please don't worry, I'm ashamed that I haven't prepared anything for a gift. It is truly my honour to meet one of the ducal Ladies of Del Montague." The woman whom Rachelle addressed immediately stood up from her seat and bowed down to show respect to someone whose life is more important than hers.
"You are too kind, please have a seat." Rachelle immediately offered her to sit down and called Olivia for a set of refreshments to which Olivia complied and went out of the parlour room to get their refreshment.
"So I don't want to beat around the bush, Madame Rajeh, it'll take too much of your time if I were to stall my business," Rachelle said, letting out a chuckle as she remained poised.
"Oh please, you don't have to worry about My Lady. After all, it is already such a big privilege that you granted me an audience with you. Please, don't mind it." Yulie responded to her, making sure that she wouldn't offend her somehow.
"To be honest, I love how you made your dresses. Despite the simplicity of the dress, it emanates a graceful appearance. The style is absolutely refreshing, unlike the other dresses that I have seen." Felicia praises the dresses that this woman makes. It really is perfect and absolute for her taste.
"Tell me, do you already have a patron to support your business?" She asked, sipping her tea while looking at Yulie right into her eyes. For her to have some stash money that is not from the Duke's allowance, it'll be easy to move and not get track since it's her personal money.
However, the method is a bit against the law especially since she's registering another name rather than using her own name. It would be easy to trace her if she did that so she poured out all of her thoughts into this.
"I don't have one...?" Yulie answered, confused as to why she would ask about such a thing. Normally nobles who are below the Marquisate wouldn't even ask about such things since they are not into businesses.
But as for those who aren't well-off, they work their asses so that they won't starve for years. To think that she's also the only female fashion designer on this continent is quite shocking despite the fact that businesses are run by men.
But those men don't even know anything other than filling their pockets with gold. Yet, no one tried to buy her dresses since she's a commoner and a woman. If not for the young lady, then she would've died of starvation back then.
"Perfect." The young lady exclaimed, brimming with happiness and excitement. She looks like she's glad about what she heard from her which is weird. Why would she be interested in such a thing?
"Then... Do you want a patron to support your business?" She asked, suggesting that made Yulie frown even more, confused even.
"Huh?"
"I'm asking if you want someone to become your patron... Or better yet, become a patron yourself?" Felicia repeated with a smile, chuckling a little after witnessing how shocking it had become for her. Seriously, it's the generosity that she's talking about.
After all, she wouldn't let go of a gem that was already polished.