65 Arc 4: Chapter 65

It was around three months before the ball in Vaidia. It will take around a week and a half to reach Vaidia so Elenor needed to pack and leave. Richard who she first thought of inviting was now Isabella's partner for the ball.

When she asked, surprisingly he had agreed without Elenor needing to pursue or bribing him. Isabella was ecstatic with this development, she nearly jumped and squealed but thankfully she kept her composure and acted like usual until she left.

Elenor stretched her back, rubbing her shoulders as she stared at the luggage she needed to bring for her stay at Vaidia. This was her first time leaving this kingdom. She was excited but had a tinge of nervousness. She still didn't know who sent her the letter with a gold wax seal.

Before she thought further, a knock on the door was heard and Alec walked in with a few snacks. Twas the night before she had to leave to Vaidia and although most of her things were already packed by Alice, Paige and Denice, there were some stuff that hadn't been packed.

Elenor brightly smiled at Alec who walked over to her. She grabbed one snack without hesitation and hummed in delight. Late night snacks were always the best.

She turned to look out the window. The leaves were turning a reddish brown. Some were yellow and orange. The weather was becoming colder as time passed. Elenor smiled. Autumn has arrived, one of her favourite seasons.

She glanced back at Alec and grinned, "Let's have another picnic Alec."

"...It's already night time."

She cocked her head to the side in an imposing manner, "So? We can have a night picnic."

"Picnics are for the afternoon."

"Party pooper." she glared.

Alec sighed, "What's a party pooper?"

"Not telling until we agree to have a picnic right now."

"Milady…"

"The last time we had one was a year ago plus we can see the leaves change colour as well!"

"Alright." he gave in which made her smile.

"Let's secretly steal some apple pie from the kitchen."

"..You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Of course, we won't be here for months."

"I'll get everything prepared. You should finish packing up the final things you need before I come back."

Elenor rolled her eyes and nodded. Alec wanted to nag her more but dropped it and shook his head. He stroked the top of her head before heading out to prepare their last minute picnic in the middle of the night.

Listening to Alec, she finished packing before he came back and took an oil lamp lying in her room. Exactly when she turned the lamp on, he returned with a basket along with two blankets.

"Alright let's go!" she merrily said but was stopped by Alec.

He placed a coat over her. It was warm and fluffy which made her bring the coat closer to her body.

"Now we can go." Alec nodded, satisfied.

He was about to take hold of the lamp but Elenor shook her head. He nodded and allowed her to lead the way back to where they had their first picnic.

Elenor looked left and right a couple of times before slowly reaching out towards Alec's hand. Warmth from Alec's hand spread towards her cold hand. Satisfied with what she did, she moved away the branches blocking the way to the secret field that the two only knew.

A secret hideout for the two of them. The thought of that made Elenor's heart flutter.

She felt Alec's hand switching position before their fingers interlocked with one another. She glanced over at him, wanting to see how his reaction was. It was still emotionless as if he was a statue but his eyes had a slight spark in them.

Without a word, the two made their way over to the tree and spread the blanket open before taking a seat. The air was cold as it was deep into the night and the seasons had changed once again.

Elenor opened the basket to find the apple pie she requested was inside along with some cookies and warm tea. She reached out to grab one but paused her actions as she felt her whole body being wrapped into a cocoon.

Her gaze fell on the blanket that wrapped around her body. She stared at it, questioning to herself where did it come from before remembering that Alec had brought two blankets instead of one.

With Elenor distracted, Alec quickly took everything out and served the apple pie to her.

"It's just the two of us, you don't need to do your job." Elenor muttered but gratefully accepted the still warm apple pie.

She took a bite out of the pie and moaned in delight as the sweetness of the apples spread through her mouth. The crust for the pie was flaky which made it all the better. Within seconds she finished the slice.

"Even if it's off duties, I want to serve you." he answered seriously as he passed another pie slice to her.

Elenor chuckled before lifting up the pie. She held it up to his mouth and smiled, "Then it would be fair if I did the same right?"

Alec looked away, his ears were the same shade as those leaves on the tree they were under. Elenor wanted to tease him more after seeing such a cute reaction from him. She scooted closer to him, still holding the pie.

"Say aah." she teasingly said.

Alec closed his eyes tightly and awkwardly opened his mouth. "A-aah."

Elenor tried her best to hold back her laughter as she fed him the pie. However after some time, she couldn't hold back anymore so she burst into laughter, her whole body shaking. Her eyes were tearing up as she laughed. She kept laughing until she felt his lips on hers. She could taste the sweetness of the apple pie mixed in the kiss.

"Stop laughing at me.." he muttered, his cheeks dusted a shade of pink before he quickly finished up the pie in her hand.

"A-alright." she stammered, trying to get some air into her lungs after laughing so much.

They slowly ate the food and drank the warm tea, looking up at the stars along with the changing scenery in front of them. Elenor noticed a leaf slowly falling down. Without thinking, her arm reached outwards catching the fallen leaf.

Its colours were a mix of brown and red though dark, Elenor could still see the colours well. She twirled the leaf in between her thumb and index before letting the wind blow it back into the air. In comfortable silence, her eyes fluttered shut, her eyelashes quivered due to momentum.

Autumn. Memories of autumn flashed through her mind. How excited she was the first time seeing the seasons change and how she found the greenery changed colours each day.

Autumn was fascinating. She could still remember the day her parents swept all the leaves into one huge pile and she jumped into it causing all of them to erupt into joyful laughter.

It was also in autumn when she had her first kiss under a tree with only one leaf strongly staying put but finally gave in and flew into the cold autumn breeze. Autumn was when her most joyful memories were created but it created solemn ones as well.

The death of her grandmother was in that season and her grandfather soon followed, unable to bear the pain of his lover leaving him. She remembered weeping for weeks after losing both of them so sudden. There was also a memory of her realising her favourite snack had expired not that long ago and she was saving it for when autumn came.

Her mother did ask why she kept it for so long and her reason was because the snack tasted the best in autumn and only in that season. Needless to say, she sulked for about a day and a half before her mother bought the same snack for her again.

Elenor opened her eyes again before noticing Alec staring at her with anxious eyes. Not wanting him to worry she shot him a warm smile. She should stop thinking about these things, it makes her sadder and homesick.

Albeit she still had the thoughts of wanting to go home, the feeling of wanting to stay here for Alec was stronger. Just thinking of his pained expression when she leaves, she already couldn't bear the thought of it. She had another family here as well.

"Aren't you cold?" she questioned him.

"Not cold."

Elenor didn't trust his answer and instead left an opening for him, motioning him to wrap himself in the blanket together with her. Reluctantly, he drew closer to her. Their bodies now flushed together as they huddled up for warmth, watching the leaves shake in the wind at the same moment as something in the sky began falling.

"Shooting stars?" Elenor whispered, moving her eyes from the autumn leaves to the nightsky.

Bright light began falling one by one in what seemed like a rhythmic sequence. She shook Alec's arm pointing at the sky.

In a hurried tone, "Quick! Make a wish!"

Elenor shut her eyes and made a wish. After making her wish, she opened her eyes once more and waited for Alec to finish wishing as well. The shooting stars soon faded away and the silent night sky returned to its original state once more.

It was peaceful. So tranquil, Elenor wondered how long this would last.

"..Hyejin," Alec's voice was soft and calm like a soothing wave floating on the ocean.

Elenor's gaze fell on him, waiting for his next words. He tenderly tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear then rested his palm on her cheek.

He licked his lips, eyes darting around before landing back on her. In a hush tone he spoke, "No matter what, I will only have my eyes on you. Nobody else."

Baffled by his sudden statement she raised an eyebrow. Alec shook his head, not willing to explain his reasoning for his words he was saying.

"Never forget okay?" his voice sounded brittle.

She wanted him to say more, explaining why he was suddenly saying these things but he kept quiet, unwilling to continue this topic. Not long after, she dropped it, respecting his boundaries.

If he ever wanted to tell her he would.

The picnic ended when Elenor sneezed. She was starting to feel cold even with a coat and thick blanket wrapped around her. Without being able to help, Alec cleaned everything up within seconds and their night date had ended.

The next morning, Elenor woke up early. It was around dawn when she woke up, getting ready to leave to Vaidia together with Alec and her brother. She bid goodbye to her parents who were staying back, needing to take care of everything.

Richard had his own carriage and although he did suggest to sit in the same carriage, Alec blocked him saying she wanted to rest in the carriage. Richard went inside his carriage with a kicked puppy look on his face.

Elenor felt bad and actually wanted to tell him they could share a carriage but Alec stopped her.

"I don't want anyone else with you, even if it's your brother." he muttered as he helped her into the carriage.

She saw a rare sulking look on his face so she didn't say anything and let him be.

Perhaps she had a thing for possessive lovers.

He sat across her as the carriage began moving, leaving the marquess estate. Her carriage left after her brother's so, she continued waving to her parents until the estate became smaller and smaller.

The thought of her wish last night came back. That's right, she wished that everyone she cared for would live long and be happy. Both in this world and her previous.