Chapter 111: The Temple of Azraelle VII
"Viscount Chel is understandable. He never had good motives against ." Elliot said and humd with his deep voice, "But Viscountess Layla...I never expected her to stand up like this."
"What do you an?" Elia asked.
"Viscountess Layla is always quiet. A very influential woman in the circle. Not even a nobleman dares to fight her. Even those whose titles are higher than hers."
"Then it ans we should get on her good side."
Viscountess Layla a noblewoman and a widow. Her husband died on the battlefield. Then she overtook her husband’s catering business, and at the sa, deals with her own clothing business. Her brand is known worldwide, that every single woman knows about it.
"If you want to. But as much as possible, we would want to avoid the factions," Elliot said.
If they are to involve themselves in the factions, things will only grow worse. It’s better to stay neutral as much as possible than heating up an argunt.
"But we can’t forever stay neutral." said Elia, "There might be a ti where we have no choice but to side with one of them." Elliot nodded his head and agreed with Elia.
"Be careful around Viscount Chel. He may look kind, but that’s only the mask. He’s deeper than what you think. Maybe deeper than Henry."
"Don’t worry about
and worry about yourself. Their target is not
but you."
"I’m always worried about myself. But I have space to be worried about you." Elliot said, "During the feast in the temple. Don’t convert with them as much. Especially the head priest’s lackey, Father Inigo," Elliot reminds Elia. He only felt concerned about her, and that is why he told her. Only if Elia was allowed to refuse their invitation but she cannot.
"I understand."
When Elliot sighed out loud and massaged his temples, Elia said, "Get so rest." He retreats his hand back on the table, slightly tilting his head.
"Aren’t we supposed to spend ti together?" Elliot asked Elia.
"But...you looked exhausted," answered Elia, making him chuckle. He stood and grabbed her wrist gently, pulling her into a hug.
"When you’re with . I feel recharged. I don’t care about how exhausted I am." Her cheeks blushed a bit red, but she managed to cool the heat off her face.
Things gets hard for Elia when Elliot becos selfish. But she didn’t find it annoying or what. That selfishness beca a kind of drug to her. It’s hard to resist it, but she knew she can’t forever do this.
"Why won’t we just share a room?" muttered Elliot as he lets Elia go. "If we do, I can see you sleep by my side overnight and watch you wake up every morning."
"Don’t say those silly things," Elia placed her hands on her cheeks.
"I’m serious. We’re not married or engaged, but I just want to see you more," said Elliot avoiding her eyes. While Elia sees his ears, turning red and laughs softly.
"We can take things slow," Elia said.
Elliot walks closer and arches his back to reach her heigh. He gently bumps his forehead with her’s and smiles. Elia looks at him and smiled back, feeling his hands reaching for hers she held his hand and asked, "Is this what you call slowly?"
"I think so." Elliot went along with her, "But I was serious about my suggestion."
"Not yet. " said Elia, "We still have things to finish. Once we deal with the temple. We can do whatever we want to do."
Patience is sothing Elliot didn’t like to do. Waiting is a pain in the back, but then the reward is worth the wait. They live in the sa place, see each other at twice or thrice a day, their offices are across each other. But their daily lives are quite busy.
After supper, Elliot and Elia went back to their own rooms. Elia was seen sitting on her usual spot. A chair by the window and a small round table with a book on top. She felt relaxed after washing her body with warm water. Her eyes felt drowsy, but she didn’t want to go to bed just yet.
"Princess? You’re still not going to bed?" Vanessa asked, walking out of the bathroom. She pulled her sleeve back to her wrist as she just finished cleaning the bathroom.
"Not yet. Can you serve
so tea?" asked Elia and Vanessa nods her head, went to the kitchen to fetch so tea.
When Vanessa walks into the room she sees Elia sleeping on the chair. On her right hand held a book, lying on her lap. Her head laid low with her eyes closed. Vanessa places the tray she held by the nearest table, grabs a shawl in the closet, and lays it over Elia.
She didn’t want to leave Elia, sleeping by the chair, but she couldn’t carry her all by herself, calling Elliot might not be a bad idea but. If she wakes up, Elia wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep anymore. It’s fine this way. Vanessa thought and walks out of the room.
"Miss Vanessa?"
Vanessa turned her head towards the direction of the voice and sees Air, standing by Elliot’s room. She bowed her head to show her respects and asked, "Is there a problem?"
"No...I was wondering why the teacups are untouched," Air said and looks at the teacup, turned upside down.
"The princess fell asleep and I just deiced to leave and let her sleep," answered Vanessa. "What about you, Sir Air? It’s getting late aren’t you going back to your chambers?"
"Unfortunately I cannot. I have reports left to finish. I’ll be going to my office soon too," Air said. "I ca here to hand His Imperial Majesty a report and he had asked
to wait outside."
Vanessa looks down at the tray then back at Air she asked, "Do you want to drink this tea instead? It’s going to turn into a waste if I just throw it away."
Air tilts his head slightly and asked, "You won’t drink it?"
"I don’t enjoy drinking tea unless it’s bitter. I like bitter drinks than sweet ones."
"You do?" Air asked and follows a chuckle. He didn’t expect Vanessa’s taste to be the opposite of Elia’s. He thought she liked sweet things. Vanessa raised her brow, frowning as Air chuckle.
"Is there a problem liking bitter drinks?" Vanessa asked in an annoyed tone.
"Not really. I just didn’t expect you to like bitter drinks. I thought you liked sweets," Air said.
"It’s not that I hate it, but I think bitter drinks are better for . It taste good for no reason."
Air walked towards Vanessa and takes the tray off her hands. He gave her a smile then said, "Then I’ll be taking this." Vanessa averse her eyes away and felt shy seeing his smile.
"Do you like sweet things?" Vanessa asked and Air ponders about it.
"I neither hate or like it. It’s alright." Air said, "Especially since you brewed it I should critique it. Is the personal maid of the princess actually doing a great job?" Air teased Vanessa.
Vanessa’s brow twitched in annoyance, hearing his voice circulating in her head. "Then don’t drink it. If you’re just going to act like that," said Vanessa as she tries snatching the tray back to her hands but Air wouldn’t allow her. He lifts his arms on the Air. Vanessa scared that the teacup and teapot will fall onto the ground. She stopped pulling down his coat.
"But I never said I didn’t want to drink it," Air teased her for the last ti, and the door to Elliot’s room opens. Vanessa bows her head then leaves the hallway. In the end, she wasn’t able to get the tray back.
"What’s this? I never told you to prepare tea for ," said Elliot, drying his hair with a white cloth.
"This is for
to drink. Not you, Your Imperial Majesty," Air answered, smiling from ear to ear.
"Is it from that maid? I never knew you liked to tease won that much."
"She’s not just any woman. And no I do not like playing around won. I hate the sll of strong perfu."
Not just any woman? Air didn’t know he said it out loud but, hearing this from Air made Elliot cringe. Is this what Air has to go through when he’s with Elia?
"But will your parents allows this relationship?" Elliot asked, walking back into his room and followed Air.
"Who knows? I never thought of courting her. It’s just fun to tease her and see her reaction."
"My friend, here is an advice from . Before you know it, you’ll fall in love with her. Just go for her if your heart says so. If she rejects you, then she rejects you. It’s not like you can turn back ti and ask her out again," Elliot said while Air pinches his ear without hesitation. The cries of Elliot could be heard by the door. He begged Air to stop pulling his ear, and he listened.
"I never said I would court her. I don’t think I will."
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