Chapter 55: Red Strings I: A New Bond
Saying embarrassing words in front of other people, doesn’t he ever get flustered with himself? There are instances, Elia would admire Elliot for being too bold. But this ti, it was too much. She decided to keep him waiting by not answering him. She just stared at his golden eyes and did not look away.
Her plan was to let Elliot realize how embarrassing he could be. But then Elliot doesn’t get embarrassed as much as others do. He didn’t mind wearing his nightwear going out, but his image as an emperor is important.
But then Elliot raised his brow, knowing her plans, he asked, "What? Perhaps the Princess left
hanging intentionally?" He chuckled, leaving her confused. It’s not like she’s a mind reader or what.
Elliot placed his hand on her head, stroking her platinum blonde hair till the tip. As he was about to speak, he got cut off when Alan called for him. Just when things are going well between them. When Elliot looked at Alan, he looked serious. He is always serious, but he has another way of saying it’s important.
Elia watches Elliot as he walked towards Alan, who then whispered to him. Just a glance at Elliot, Elia saw a shocked expression from him. His eyes grew wide for a second, then it turned back to normal.
Elliot and Alan exchanged a few glances at one another. As much as Elliot didn’t want to leave Elia, he didn’t have a choice. The news Alan had shared is important after all. Though they had caught Argus once, this ti, they can’t let him escape.
"I have to go. Though Princess, this conversation doesn’t end," Elliot waved his goodbyes, but then Elia stopped him. She pulled his shirt down, which is sothing she wouldn’t normally do. But this was the only way for Elliot to allow her request. Elia knew it would be a selfish request, but Argus is an important person to her.
"Argus...let him beco my personal knight," Elliot shook his head and turned his back, saying, "I cannot allow that. You may choose any knight in this empire except for him. Plus, don’t you have Ayfara?" Elia knew she had Ayfara, but then she still is not her official knight. Not to ntion Ayfara had already pledged the oath of a knight.
Oath of a knight or most commonly called, "Oath of Featly." Once a knight pledges the oath, they will forever serve their master and cannot serve other lords. If the oath is broken, a hefty punishnt will be bestowed on the knight. Only the master of the knight can dismiss them from being their personal knight.
"She’s under your orders. If you’re thinking of breaking it, isn’t it going to bring sha to her? Is that what you want?" Elliot recognizes what the "it" Elia was talking about. Not only that, but Elia was right. It would bring sha onto Ayfara. After all, breaking a knight’s oath isn’t a simple matter.
But then Elliot didn’t like it. He refused once more, but then Elia stopped him once again. She bit her lip then said, "Argus...was one of the few who didn’t discriminate . He respected
as a woman." The discrimination in the Redodel Empire was big, especially towards won.
Since Elia was a woman, not to ntion the forr Princess of the Redodel Empire. She received the harshest comnts from the people. Imagine a princess being receiving harsh comnts because of the lack of power.
Of course, Elliot knew about this matter. The difference between the two empires is the Vivan Empire disliked discrimination. Though a few still discriminate against won, it has beco a law in the Vivan Empire as part of human rights. Whoever breaks the law deserves punishnt.
Elia continued, "I’m sure he has no intentions of hurting
or betraying . That is why please allow this. I beg you... Elia clenched onto her dress.
The room turned silent after Elia’s selfish request. Elliot didn’t like it. The fact Elia was standing up for soone, especially since it was a guy. Any knight would do but not Argus is what he wanted to repeat. The desperation in her eyes lured him into agreeing.
"This is the last ti I’m making exceptions," Elliot turned his back, looking at the door to hide his frustration. He didn’t want Elia to see it, "This is the last request I’m taking from you. There will be no next ti."
And just like that. The night with a sudden invasion ca to an end. Though for Elia, had a sleepless night and reflected on her own actions. Before she knew it, the sun was already rising. And she looks at the hue coming from the sun, slowly bringing light into the world.
The ti reflected on her own actions. She couldn’t understand the regret she felt, not because of her selfish request but because of the expression Elliot made.
"Good morning Princess, what kind of tea do you want to drink this morning?" Vanessa asked as soon as she entered Elia’s room after seeing her awake. "Honey tea...if it’s possible," Elia averted her eyes. After all, she wasn’t used to asking for what she wanted. Vanessa nodded her head, smiling, and poured honey into the warm tea.
As she was reflecting on her own actions, she started to notice. How needy she was. She only wears plain-looking dresses, she likes sweet things and doesn’t like being in a crowd.
"That’s right. Today is the day, is it?" Vanessa gave Elia her cup of tea. While Elia smiles as she slls the sweet aroma of the honey tea. Before replying, she took a sip, "I cannot forever reject her." After all there was one more thing she wanted to know. It’s not about her parents but this ti about Elliot.
On the outside, Elliot may be a trickster, but then he never told anything about himself. Elia wanted to know a few of his secrets, and her only way to get information was from soone who has ears and eyes in all places. That person was none other than lissa Quila, the daughter of a famous newspaper industry.
They had t once in an unusual way, but Elia thought it would be nice to et a few people who she can trust in the future. As they say, it’s better to keep the loyal than the corrupted.
At first, Vanessa thought Elia would get fed up and threaten the Lady of the Quila family. But as days pass, she sees a bit of change from Elia. She’s slowly opening her wounded heart. But it’s still not fully unlocked yet. That is the key to her frozen heart. It’s still not there.
"I hope you would get along with her. Lady lissa is a wonderful lady after all," Vanessa said as she grabs a comb from the makeup table and gently brushes Elia’s hair. Elia recalls her first eting with lissa and couldn’t help but laugh. Vanessa looked at the mirror and asked, "What’s so funny, Princess?"
Elia shook her head, "It’s nothing. I just recalled a past mory of mine." That’s right, as days pass, Elia laughs and smiles in front of Vanessa. Whenever Elia laughs or smiles in front of Vanessa, all she could feel was happiness. It’s as if she’s beco a special person to her heart. Though her laugh and smile aren’t for everyone.
"I hope you have fun. It would be great if the Princess finds new friends asides from ," Vanessa hums while Elia frowns as she didn’t know they were friends. "Friends? We’re friends?" Elia looked at Vanessa through the mirror. Vanessa frowned as she asked, "Are we not?"
You could see Vanessa looked nervous as she twirled her fingers in a circle. Elia shook her head, "We are!" Elia exclaid out loud. A bit too loud that so servants who were by the door heard it. Back to her normal tone, she repeated, "We are...I just thought we weren’t."
Vanessa got startled with her first answer and smiled at her response. She didn’t know what she was doing, but she patted Elia’s head which she had not intended to do so. It was just a habit.
"Ah! I didn’t an to do sothing rude to the Princess...it’s just a habit since I took care of my other two siblings," Vanessa placed her hand behind her back, and slowly her cheeks burned up. Though Elia didn’t mind at all. If it’s Vanessa, then it’s alright. Her hands were warm and comforting like a certain person.
Elia recalls this morning what Elliot did to her. Their fingers inter winded with each other, and not only that, she could hear his deep voice echoing in her ears. Why is he appearing in her head? She shook those thoughts away and answer Vanessa, "It’s alright. I don’t mind at all."
Trust is just like a red string. There can be new strings, broken strings, and strings that are broken that could be tied again. For Elia, a new string to her heart had a bond. To her, this is what she calls a bit of happiness.
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