Arc 1: Chapter 8

Alec and Elenor went over to the horse stable. The stable boy who was doing his usual rounds when he saw them walking closer. He quickly bowed at Elenor, "Lady Elenor! You're...you're here again."

She nodded and gave him a small smile, "Yes, where's Ace?"

"He's inside his stable…"

"Alright, thank you...what is your name?"

"U-uh Charles milady!" he stammered before his cheeks turned red in embarrassment.

Elenor nodded again, "Okay, thank you Charles."

She walked away to where Ace was at and Charles was staring blankly at her. Alec lightly tapped her shoulder, whispering into her ear,

"You have deeply shocked him to his core, milady."

Elenor hummed, "Really? I guess he will get used to it soon."

Her eyes lit up as she stroked Ace's head gently. "Hello, did you miss me?"

Ace lightly moved his head before nuzzling his face into hers. Her smile grew wider, "Shall we ride around the field?"

She swiftly got onto him and patted his body, "Good boy." she soothed.

After that, Elenor took Ace around the field a couple of times before she heard someone calling her name. Ace slowly came to a stop and she looked at the person who had called her name. It was her father.

"What is it father?" she asked, still sitting on Ace.

He looked at Ace then back at her before clearing his throat, "Would you like to come with me to the palace?"

"The palace…?"

"Yes, his highness will also be around that time so you will be able to see him." her father added on.

She stared at him before forcing out a smile, "I see but it is alright father. I do not mind staying here-"

"But..I've already mentioned you will be coming with me today."

"Father.." she stared at him while he just looked away sheepishly.

She sighed, shaking her head. "If it is like that then I have no choice."

Her father looked back at her with a smile, "Then I'll be waiting for you."

Once her father left, Elenor got off of Ace, handing him to Charles before heading back to her room to change. She had a slight sour look on her face and it seems like Alec noticed it.

"Is something the matter with going to the palace?"

"Not really but-" she heaved a sigh, turning to Alec.

She had a frown on my face as she spoke, "That crown prince is going to still think I'm in love with him ever since we met when I was ten!"

In the book, Elenor and the crown prince met when she was only ten because her father brought her over to the palace for the first time. Ever since she laid eyes on him, she often came over to see him.

She rolled her neck, "I mean I'm excited to see other characters of mine but being misunderstood is another problem."

"You have agreed with your father already however."

"Yeah, can't avoid it at this point."

Elenor called in her maids, "Could you make me look pretty today? I'm going to the palace today."

Their eyes lit up with determination, it almost looked like there's fire in them. "Yes milady!!"

"I shall wait outside until you are finished." Alec bowed and left the room before the maids started dressing her up prettily.

"Milady please close your eyes the whole time."

"Why?" she asked curiously.

They smiled widely, "We want to surprise you once you open your eyes."

She lightly chuckled, closing her eyes shut, "Alright."

While she had her eyes closed the whole time, Elenor could hear the maids fussing and running over. One of the maids who was doing her makeup, she spoke to her.

"Milady you know you have changed a lot." she said.

"How so?" she asked, pretending as if she knew nothing.

"You're much more patient and kind."

"Is it bad?"

"No no we mean it in a good way. Our lady looks even more beautiful now. We will make you shine even more."

Elenor smiled, "Thank you. I'm counting on you."

When she could open her eyes, she was surprised to see the reflection. Her hair was in a low bun, clipped with a flowery clip and some pieces of her hair braided to the back of the bun. Her bangs were swept to the side, curled to follow the flow of her hair. Her makeup which was done by the maid was light and natural. She also had long earrings which didn't stand out too much but showed off her face more.

Her dress clung onto her waist and the skirt was flowy. It was a long bell sleeve blue lace dress paired with blue elegant high heels that match it. She spun around in the dress before turning the maids, "You all are truly amazing with your hands."

The maids smiled widely, "Thank you milady."

"Milady are you ready?" Alec asked, knocking on the door.

"Yeah!" she opened the door, revealing herself to Alec.

He looked at her outfit then her face before nonchalantly speaking, "We should hurry or we will keep your father waiting."

Elenor nodded, walking ahead of Alec. They headed downstairs where her father was waiting for her. He turned to her direction and saw her outfit.

"You look beautiful Elenor." he complimented as he took hold of her hand.

Elenor smiled and bowed, "Thank you father."

"Once his highness sees you he will definitely fall for you." he said, nodding to himself.

Elenor forced out a troubled laugh, making eye contact with Alec. He only showed her a small smile, showing how much he didn't care that she had to go through this.

The father and daughter then left the residence on a carriage, heading straight to the palace. When they reached the palace, her father headed off to see his majesty to give his usual reports and so on which left her alone with Alec.

"Shall we walk around instead of going inside and bump into his highness?" Alec asked and instantly Elenor's eyes brightened up at his suggestion.

"Alec you are a genius! Let's walk around."

They walked around the outer palace sometimes stopping to look around. Everywhere she went would have few maids or servants around which meant no place was left alone. They continued walking around until her feet started hurting because of the high heels. Elenor noticed a large tree which had plenty of shade. She walked around there before sitting on the grass under the tree.

"High heels are a pain…" Elenor muttered to Alec as she took them off, placing them beside her as she let her feet breathe.

Lying her head on the tree trunk, she patted an empty spot beside her. "Sit beside me Alec."

"I'm afraid I cannot." he swiftly rejected.

Elenor's lips form a pout, patting the spot again, "Come on just this once, we're far enough to not be seen at the moment."

"Milady-"

The two heard loud rustling over at the bushes and footsteps coming closer. Out came a tall figure with medium length silver hair that was in a half up hairstyle. Elenor blinked her eyes before needing a second take.

It was the crown prince. Sky blue eyes, silver hair, angelic features, fair skin. She had her hand up to her mouth. She finally saw her male lead she created and he looked even better than the one in her mind!

'What is he doing here though?'

He noticed both Alec and Elenor and immediately his face turned sour before it disappeared but she was able to catch it.

'I know you dislike Elenor a lot but please don't look at your creator like that…'