Rebirth

Loretta looked at Eleanor with curiosity. Eleanor was sitting alone in a dimly lit corner, wearing only her thin underclothes. The sunlight made shadows on her face, showing her sadness. Loretta wondered who Eleanor was and why she was alone at night, looking so lost and vulnerable.

Eleanor opened her eyes and saw Loretta staring at her. For a moment, they looked at each other, and Loretta saw Eleanor's deep sadness. Eleanor looked away with slumping shoulders.

"It is not safe to be alone like that," Loretta said gently.

"Who are you, what is wrong? You look like a broken toy, for an expensive woman." Eleanor laughed bitterly,

"Why do you care? You do not know me." Loretta got up to make a soothing cup of tea.

"I can tell when someone's broken. But in your case, you look shattered and lost," she said softly.

"Man trouble? Only a man can make a woman look like this, from a delicate looking flower to a worn-out fabric. A terrible thing." She handed Eleanor the warm cup, and Eleanor wrapped her hands around it, seeking comfort and giving gratitude. After a sip, Eleanor whispered,

"My husband sullied himself with a lover and…but I do not wish to talk about it." Loretta looked at Eleanor with pity, she had also had her own share of marital disappointment.

"We all have our stories, love. Let's not capitalize on our bad experience, there is always light at the end of the tunnel." She says with downcast eyes. Eleanor was introduced to Linda and the three became friends. they taught Eleanor gardening, and she took interest in writing poetry.

Her life had some glow for the first time in many moons, she couldn't believe the possibility. Linda informed her about a party being hosted by the Catrights, an annual ball dedicated to the common people. Loretta, just like every other woman who has ever set eyes on Wade, couldn't help but think about him lustfully. 

Eleanor had a glimpse of the last party she witnessed. The celebration of her husband's bastard. The thought of it made her feel uninterested and detached from the conversion. Her smile disappeared as quickly as a shooting star.

"Stop!" Loretta says while holding Eleanor's hand.

"When I first left my husband, it was difficult for me. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I couldn't do anything, until I met Linda. She was the cup that filled me up and look at me now, I do not even remember his name. I only live for myself. It is a good thing you didn't have children with him, it will make things easier for you." She continues.

Linda laughs hysterically and says

"And this is why I refuse to marry. Marriage is misery. Look at both of you and what you've been through. Take my advice, get yourself a young lad and just have fun."

"Do you still look at Lady Lilian with much infatuation? Or have you switched to the never aging butler". Loretta teases Linda and they laugh. 

Windsor Estate:

Lord Daemon completely turned his back on Lady Eleanor, refusing to even think about her. He claimed to be happy with Lady Victoria and their healthy son – the son Eleanor couldn't give him.

"I don't care if she's dead or alive," he said coldly. 

"I haven't heard from my daughter in many moons. I do not know where she is, I do not know if she is dead or alive. Daemon, what have you done with my girl?" Lady Elena says looking at Lord Daemon with fury.

"Daemon, you are still married to her, she is still your wife, your responsibility!" she continues. Daemon sneered with anger.

"I loved her once, but she betrayed me. I loved her when I never wanted to, I still love her and I may forever love her but traitors mean nothing to me no matter how I feel about them." Lady Elena turned to Lady Emily with disappointment.

"You promised to protect Eleanor, you called her your daughter, but where is she now? Tell me, where is your daughter?" Daemon laughs mockingly.

"The Windsors have paid their debt. Marriage, wasn't it? We are still married just like both families agreed. We owe you nothing more." With that, he stormed off, leaving Lady Emily heartbroken and ashamed.

"I have raised a monster, not a man," she whispered. Lady Emily bowed her head.

"I do not expect you to forgive me or my son for this. But surely, I will atone for my sins." She quietly walks away, leaving Lady Elena seething with anger.

Richard had been searching for Eleanor for months, constantly worrying about her and scouring the streets, asking questions, and following possible leads. This obsessive search made his wife Joanne feel neglected.

"You're always thinking about Eleanor, but what about me, what about our baby?" Joanne said with her voice shaking with anger.

"Her husband doesn't even care about her, why should you? We have a family of our own now, think about us, and worry about us." Richard replies with sadness and eyes swollen from his lack of sleep,

"Eleanor is my sister, my only family, I have to find her and make sure she's safe. I've been searching everywhere, but I won't give up until I find her." Joanne became even more furious, her face red with rage.

"We're your family now! You have a baby with me. Why do you care so much about Eleanor? Even her own mother doesn't care about her this much. She is not even related to you by blood, I don't understand this obsession."

Richard ignored Joanne's words and grabbed his bags, heading out the door to continue his search. This made Joanne so angry that she wished something bad would happen to Eleanor, just to end Richard's obsession. 

The Catwights;

Wade had been unusually happy in anticipation of the party. He couldn't figure out the reason for his happiness. After all, this is done every year but for unknown reasons, he was impatiently looking forward to this event and monitoring every detail to perfection.

"Is there a girl I should know about?" Lord Wilson Catwright asks. He had noticed his son's optimistic behavior and it caught his attention. Wade laughs loudly,

"Father, am I not allowed to be happy? It's a party, not a match-making activity."

"Perhaps the party will work. Seeing how my match-making efforts failed continuously until I gave up on you. Do you like men?" Lord Wilson says jokingly.

"Good heavens husband, do not speak like that of my son. He once met a girl, I presume. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Your son came home and he was always lost in thoughts, he would often smile after a long gaze at nothing. Definitely a girl." Lady Luciana says while Wade blushes with his hand over his face.

 As the D-day draws closer, Wade's heart beats faster, and harder. He couldn't help but think about how fun the party would be. However, he knew there was something underneath his excitement, something special, but he didn't know what it was. It was a mystery, it felt pleasant, and it made him feel like a love-struck teenager.