Eleanor blinked, tightening her grip on the duvet until her knuckles turned white. Despite spending all of her time in her chamber, she wasn't always bored. Books were her parents' constant gift to her. Literature containing a wide range of topics, as well as novels of romance, adventures, and knowledge of the outside world, which included vampires.
There were rulers in every civilization. The Crown. But why, just by mentioning the vampire, were these servants displaying such intense fear? Certainly, he was intimidating, but...
"There are rumors that his highness is cursed, my lady." Eleanor's attention was instantly drawn to Estelle's abrupt and low-pitched statement.
"Cursed?"
They nodded.
"He is a shadow that is alive and well. And for fear of incurring his wrath, nobody dares speak out of turn in his company. Even his closest relatives hide under his shadow, fearing his wrath." Jessica revealed in a way that Eleanor could find exaggerating.
"As far as we are aware, his highness has a terrifying and dreadful personality. We do not, however, know anything about him personally." Estelle continued, lowering her gaze.
Eleanor gnawed at her bottom lip. "He's feared huh." She was beginning to see that her only option was to flee this regal residence. She didn't know where to go, but she could not stay with a vampire of that nature.
Out of nowhere, her stomach grumbled even louder and she hesitantly put her hand there. She suddenly became aware of her clothing at that point. Was it possible that the maids cared for her while she was still unconscious? They cleaned her up without hurting her?
"My lady, we only have a short time of 30 minutes to get you ready for breakfast." Estelle revealed, tensely.
"Breakfast?" Eleanor looked at her, her lips pressed together. "Can I not have it here, in this chamber?"
"Your attendance is requested by His Highness. You two are going to share a meal for breakfast." Jessica conveyed with grace.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Eleanor reclined on the bed and wrapped the duvet around her. "I am not hungry." Having breakfast with a vampire was out of the question for her. What if she was the meal for him?
She trembled in revulsion and terror. "Please stay away."
Jessica and Estelle exchanged horrified looks. Though they were unsure of what to do, they were certain they would not be leaving the room. It would be an instantaneous death to report empty handed.
"Please, my lady... Have some mercy on us." We have families." Estelle sobbed and dropped on her knees.
Upon hearing those words, Eleanor's eyes sprung open. She had a family, too. However, the vampires killed them. In that sense, why should she feel sorry for them?
She closed her eyes again.
"Our condolences for your loss, my lady. We would have killed ourselves right away if we had been in your position, to be honest." Jessica knelt down as well, whispering sadly.
Again, Eleanor opened her eyes. They were filled with tears immediately.
"My.... My family died because of me." Her words were soft. Still, that didn't make her anguish go away. "Everyone died because of me."
Estelle and Jessica exchanged a quick look, both of them filled with intense sorrow and sympathy for the phoenix. They hoped they could aid her, but doing so would put their lives in danger.
As they were about to give up on persuading the phoenix, Eleanor shoved the covers off her body and got out of bed. She sniffed and dried her tears. Her expression brightened slightly, but without much resolve.
"I refuse to allow anyone to perish as a result of me. Not even you abominations."
Jessica and Estelle bowed their heads. They wanted to cry out in gratitude, but they restrained themselves and exhaled a collective breath of relief instead.
At last, Eleanor gave the maids permission to look after her.
She changed from having a delicate, heavenly hot bath in the bathing pool to being dressed in a long, light peach-colored dress that skimmed her small frame in style.
Estelle took her time brushing Eleanor's hair, removing a few loose strands that fell to her forehead and braiding it into a single braid. When it came time to apply cosmetics, she swooned at how gorgeous she already looked.
Even Jessica, tidying the room, couldn't help but look every so often in wonder.
"I do not think there is any need for any makeup, my lady." Estelle remarked with a discreet look of appreciation.
Eleanor fixed her gaze on her own reflected in the mirror. Though her countenance was blank, she was aware of something. She had undoubtedly transformed in only a few short hours. She grasped the fabric of her dress and her deep ocean blue eyes narrowed sharply.
"Is it time to leave?" She muttered, uneasy and reluctant.
Estelle opened her mouth. "Ye..."
The door suddenly opened, drawing all their attention towards it. Instantaneously, that overpowering presence filled the chamber. Automatically, both maids dropped to their knees and lowered their heads.
Eleanor's eyes widened slightly at the being that walked in. His effortless broad steps seemed to make his presence even more oppressive and just as her eyes were riveted on him, his were fixed on her.
He tilted his head to the side, his brows rising a bit. Naturally, phoenixes were said to be ethereal creatures, but this... Her vibrant blue eyes, her pale skin, small freckles across her nose and cheeks were all striking.
'How captivating,' he thought, mirth glimmering in his ruby eyes.
Jessica began. "Your... Ma..ma.. majesty... We.."
"Hello there, little bird," Ares affectionately said, putting his hands in his coat pocket which was as dark as his hair.
"Monster." Eleanor's eyes narrowed, fiercely hostile.
"Paragon." Ares titled his head. "Or perhaps, Angel."
Eleanor gave a sigh and returned her attention to the mirror. "I do not intend to have breakfast with you."
"Nothing's not up to you, Little Bird. I will tell you this again and again. That being said, these servants' insignificant lives are in your control."
Eleanor jerked her eyes back towards him. "Yo... You are threatening m..me?"
Ares inwardly let out a long sigh. It was back, her stutter. He was pretty sure she had moved on.
"It's not a threat, it's more of a negotiation." At that, he turned away. "Come along. Flutter your wings now."
Eleanor sprang to her feet quickly and watched, furious, as he left the room. She didn't want to go, she didn't. However, she sighed in frustration as she saw the maids still kneeling with their heads down, put on the peach flat shoes that were beside the chair, and hurried out of the room.