Arc 1: Chapter 20

Days flew by and it was the day of the tea party in Duke Moore's residence. Forced to get up early, the maids began dolling up Elenor. She knew she was helpless when it came to this so after hours of preparation, Elenor was ready to leave for the tea party.

She wore a purple a-line dress; the skirt length touching the ground paired with long flowy sleeves. It was slightly translucent, making her look fairy like. Butterflies decorated all over the dress. Together with the dress, her hair was braided all the way and rested on her shoulder. It was decorated with pearls and silver tiny butterflies.

Her makeup was the usual light makeup along with water drop earrings that shined when light refracted it. She wore high heels that were perfect for walking and the tea party. Elenor couldn't help but stare at herself a few more times. The maids had god-like hands to be able to make her look so beautiful.

She bid everyone goodbye and walked to the carriage. Unfortunately, Alec wasn't allowed to follow her this time as Isabella stated in the invitation that only ladies were allowed.

"Don't miss me too much," Elenor jokingly said, sending a wink over to him.

She was holding onto his hand as he brought her to the carriage, holding her steady as she climbed into the carriage. Alec muttered under his breath before releasing his hold on her. For a split second, Elenor could have sworn his gaze felt different.

The door of the carriage was closed and she was now leaving. She sent him a small wave through the carriage window as she slowly disappeared with the carriage riding further away.

Elenor slumped into her seat, tapping her fingers on the carriage seat. Soon it will be a war zone between the two.

A smile made its way up to her lips, thinking about how fun it will soon be. These past few days have been a bore so now that there's a chance to watch stuff go down and even be part of one was truly exciting her.

The carriage finally came to a stop and the coachman opened the door, allowing Elenor off the carriage. She thanked him before making her way into the Duke's estate. With a light purple coloured fan hanging on her right wrist, she elegantly headed to the tea party.

There weren't many, only around ten to fifteen ladies in the large garden behind the estate. Elenor lifted her fan and placed it lightly on her lips, a blank yet sharp look on her face. Judging from how there weren't many people, Elenor already could assume that these were all Isabella's followers.

Elenor stood at the same place, waiting for her to be greeted by the host of this tea party. Not waiting more than five minutes, a lady strutted her way over to where she was at. Long blonde hair with large curls at the end, small face paired with entrancing blue eyes and a mole under her small thin lips.

"Thank you for coming, Lady Elenor. I'm so glad you are able to join us." she said with a smooth clear voice but Elenor could hear the fakeness in her undertone.

Elenor smiled and bowed, speaking the same way she had spoken, "Thank you for inviting me to such a lovely tea party, Lady Isabella."

Isabella smiled and brought Elenor to her seat. Elenor took a seat two seats away from Isabella. It was a long table which was able to fit everyone with Isabella in the middle as she was the host.

The tea party finally started with everyone chatting from cosmetics to the latest gossip around the capital. Elenor paid no attention and continued drinking her tea and eating the desserts they have provided in the tea party.

Seeing how she wasn't caring or even paying attention to the conversations around her, Isabella spoke up.

"Lady Elenor I heard that you were the partner of his highness not too long ago," she said with a small gasp.

Elenor wanted to laugh at her acting. It was decent but funny. Holding herself back, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and replied back.

"Ah yes I did, it was lovely...his highness wouldn't let me be alone and always wanted to be by my side." she said with a sweet voice, her eyes looking down at her teacup with a smile on her face.

A maiden in love looked like she had. The ladies around them were whispering. Elenor was now glad her mother made her learn acting for a couple of years.

"How lucky,"

"His highness never left her alone? How nice…"

Isabella gritted her teeth, her hands turning into tight fists under the table before releasing them. With a fake smile on her face, she giggled.

"How lucky of you, Lady Elenor, to have his highness' attention."

One of her followers suddenly barged in, "Oh but Lady Isabella was with his highness not too long ago as well."

"Yes, I have been seeing his highness for the past few months." Isabella giggled, pushing a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"Sometimes we would also walk around the capital."

The ladies awed, complimenting Isabella.

"How adorable!"

"Lady Isabella truly is the perfect lady for his highness!"

"The two are lovely together."

Isabella glanced at Elenor with a provoking smile. Elenor noticed her smile. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Pft."

"What is so funny Lady Elenor?" Isabella asked with a frown.

Elenor composed herself, clearing her throat. "No nothing it's just that, I remembered his highness came over to my estate some time ago."

Everyone around her froze after hearing her statement. People who are from the royalty don't often visit someone else's estate. Elenor sipped on her tea before continuing,

"We also agreed to spend some time together soon."

'Two can play that game,'

Adding fuel to the fire, Elenor had a smug smile on her face as she made eye contact with Isabella, "His highness had tea with me as well,"

The whispers grew louder, eyes darting back at Elenor and Isabella. Elenor knew she had provoked Isabella enough so she went back to eating the desserts.

As her hand reached out to the scones, something wet fell on her. Her hand froze as the tea fell from her head down to her dress, soaking her. The purple dress was now stained brown.

"Oh my goodness!! I spilled my tea on you by accident! I'm sure you will understand and forgive me." Isabella gasped, placing down the teapot.

She didn't give any towel or napkins, only snickering at her silently. Her followers also were giggling away, pointing fingers at Elenor as they whispered loudly to one another. Elenor grabbed a napkin close to her and calmly cleaned her face.

Slowly she stood up and gazed at Isabella. Isabella felt a shiver run down her spine but kept a strong front, looking down at her. Elenor opened her fan and covered half of her face, fanning herself at the same time.

"Oh dear, you have dirtied such a beautiful dress," Elenor spoke calmly, not breaking eye contact as she made her way towards Isabella, one step at a time.

"It was an accident, you will forgive me won't you?" Isabella smiled, placing her hand on her cheek as she added on, "After all you were my best friend once."

Elenor hummed, "Indeed we were once friends-" she stopped at a good distance between the two-

"I will forgive you this one and last time. However,"

In a swift moment, she closed her fan shut and suddenly she was on top of Isabella on the ground. The fan grazing against the skin of Isabella's neck. Isabella's face paled as she realised what had happened.

The ladies around them shrieked in shock but they were unable to move. The servants around them also didn't dare to move. The air was cold and menacing. Elenor leaned in and whispered into Isabella's ear like a devil sitting on her shoulder.

"If you do such a stunt or even try to hurt me, just remember that I can easily ruin your life."

"Wh..what nonsense are you saying?!" Isabella shouted angrily, her jaw was tense and her body was involuntarily trembling under Elenor.

Elenor chuckled, adding more fear into Isabella.

"You wouldn't want people to know how you aren't the real duke's daughter do you?"

Isabella's face paled even more, her throat tightening up. "...How.."

"Of course I know. I used to be your best friend, remember?" Elenor spoke in a soft tone.

Elenor felt Isabella shaking even more. Tapping her fan on her lip she continued,

"The duke and duchess lost their daughter when she was only four due to an incurable disease. So they brought you into their household as the replacement of their daughter, an orphan."

Elenor chuckled again, lightly patting Isabella's cheek as if to cheer her up, "Don't worry I won't tell anyone about this. Only you and I know this information so if you ever try to mess with me, you know the consequences alright?"

Elenor stood up and patted herself down. She turned to the other ladies and smiled, lifting her finger up to her lips, silencing all of them before leaving the tea party.

"Head back to the house." Elenor said, opening the carriage door herself.

The coachman stared at her but said nothing, following her orders, bringing her back to the estate. Elenor sighed, looking at her dress and hair. It was dirty and messed up.

Although she was calm this whole time, in her heart she was already cursing at everyone at the tea party, wanting nothing more than to smack them or leave a decent punch on their faces.

Reaching back, Elenor wanted nothing but a nice long warm bath to get rid of the sticky feeling she had. Getting off the carriage, she made her way inside hearing murmurs from the workers who were working at the time she returned.

She noticed Alec walking towards her with large struts. She smiled with relief and with a hand waving at him she spoke, "Alec could you prepare a bath-"

"Milady, what happened to you? Why are you drenched in tea?" he abruptly cut her off, grasping her hand.

Alec never once cut her off before so when he did Elenor stared at him, puzzled at his sudden behaviour but obediently answered him.

"Lady Isabella spilled tea on me, I already forgave her and I'm sure she will be careful the next time." Elenor said casually like it wasn't a big deal.

It really wasn't a big deal to her and she already threatened her quite well so Isabella won't be able to do anything to her anytime soon. Alec had a frown on his face.

"Did the servants not provide you any towels or napkins to clean yourself?"

"No. I only had a napkin to wipe my face."

The frown on his face grew deeper but Elenor waved it off. All she wanted now was a warm bath. That was the only thing on her mind.

"Please prepare a warm bath for me, I have been feeling sticky."

Alec stood there for a while before releasing the grip on her hand. "Understood milady." he bowed and headed to the bathroom.

Sitting in the bathtub alone, Elenor's tense muscles finally relaxed as her body submerged into the water up until her neck. The maids already left once they finished washing her.

Elenor was suddenly craving for alcohol but the drinking age here was sixteen so all she could do was make bubbles with her mouth to pass time.