Palace Hallway
"This is such a dangerous group to belong to", Fiona opened up since the silence is deafening.
"We are called to work together. If any of us tries to get ahead of the other, we will all fail", Aileen looked at Fiona. "You're such a team player, aren't you? Lady Aileen", Fiona dropped her hand on her shoulder. Aileen shrugged it off. Claudia panicked and looked for any knight to stop them just in case they started fighting.
"Ladies, what an unusual sight to see you all together", Keane passed by. "Your Highness", they all bowed. "If Ellie will be here, she might also be joining your crew", he laughed at his statement. "Your Highness, you seem to be coming from your training. Are you planning to join the Royal Knights?", Fiona noticed. "There is no way. The Royal Knights are far stronger than I am", Keanne chuckled. Aileen saw some bruises on his arms. "If you may excuse us, I have something to tell His Highness", Aileen excused. Keanne nodded and followed after her.
Claudia felt scared being around Fiona. She's the daughter of the Marquess. "Shall we go and have a cup of tea?", Fiona invited. The brown haired was startled but she cannot imagine what would happen if she rejected the offer so she just tagged along.
Training Ground
This doesn't seem like a place for tea.
"Lady Fiona, we're honored to be visited by you", the soldiers gave their salute. Claudia was awed by how the white-haired lady established her presence amid the royal knights. "Father said that he'll be testing everyone if you're lacking with your strength. He said that he'll give his sword to whoever beats Duke Silverstone", she gave a short laugh.
Finally, the knights saw Claudia behind the lady. "Oh, you brought your friend", they all gave a smile. Since Fiona spends most of her time with the soldiers, they worry that she might forget being a woman. "She is the daughter of the House of Sailine. Make sure to memorize her face. She might be the Empress or the Queen in the future", the lady said with a bored tone. The knights nodded and stared intently at Claudia's face.
They seriously took note of Lady Fiona's words.
Mountain
Council Training ground
River
Eleanor sat on the rock where the waterfalls are located. Her hair straightened and also she went thinner.
"Ellie, you are being called by the teacher", Jared called unto her. The lad volunteered to stay since he wanted to have more experience.
"Why?", Eleanor stepped out of the river. "You grew taller again", Jared noticed. "The teacher said we're going to travel in the north to assist the council there. They said that the council is getting ill every day. They said it might be some kind of plague", Jared informed.
Teachers' hall
Rufus sits on the couch. "You are chosen as our representative here in the Mountain. Looking at your physique, I think you are ready to be sent to the different provinces. It's a surprise how much you grew", Rufus smiled and threw a scroll at her. The lady luckily caught it.
"That is temporary proof that you may work in the Councils. Make sure to learn a lot in that place", Rufus added.
North Kingdom
Council Building
Eleanor received hostile stares from the council members as soon as she mentioned her name. She was aware. Reading in the library, she read about the decree given to the Varians to wipe out all the Council Members in the Capital.
She gulped and made her way inside. Someone threw a book in her head. "Ellie", Jared panicked. "You're not supposed to be here. Your father and your grandfather killed our Masters", one of them said with great disdain. Eleanor picked up the book and returned it to the shelf. She stood in front of the reception. The reception servant took her scroll. "You are welcome to work here, Apprentice Eleanor. You will be working under Council Jared", he gulped and gave a key.
Eleanor walked towards the council Hall to present herself. She knew that this might happen. She was fortunate that the people in the training ground were kind. No one mentioned her being a Varian. "Are you mad?", Jared sheepishly asked. Eleanor didn't answer. Jared was worried so he held her hand. "I'm not angry. I'm just worried if I would be able to do my job very well", Eleanor faked a smile.
You will not be able to erase whatever you've done in the past. The same is true with me.
The next day,
Eleanor went into the dining hall and sat down at the long table. The council members stood up and changed tables. Eleanor's eyes widened and just silently ate her food.
This girl must have been used to people avoiding her.
"Eleanor Beatrice Varian, you will be working under Sir Jared but it seems that the medics are losing people. You will be transferred there in the meantime", one of the officers came and gave her a mask and gloves.
Hospital
Eleanor can smell the stench even with her mask on. "Lady Eleanor, we are so fortunate to have you here. We're losing people so... We're glad that you're here", the head nurse bowed. She's already in her mid-40s."Tell me what to do", Eleanor followed the head nurse.
Eleanor passed by the patients and saw their skin being eaten. She felt like puking but this is also a task that the council asked her to do.
"Help me! It's so hot!", he grabbed Eleanor's arm. The girl flinched and fell on the floor. She thought she was prepared but this wasn't what she expected.
Hospital Garden
Eleanor sat down beside a huge tree and leaned on it. "I want to go home", she whispered to herself.
"Then why didn't you just go home with me?", she heard a familiar voice and sat straight. "Am I seeing things? Jenos!!", Eleanor covered her mouth. "I mean... Council Jenos", she was about to stand up but Jenos pushed her down. "Just rest. I heard that you were asked to work in the hospital. If you catch the illness, they are going to be massacred by your father", Jenos sighed and sat beside the girl. "You looked tired as well. I haven't seen you since... 4 months ago?", Eleanor forced to smile. "The Capital is busy for the festival. Did you know? The three candidates for the crown prince are spearheading the festival", Jenos informed. "Oh. So there are already three candidates. That's quite amazing", Eleanor chuckled.
"What's more amazing is that they chose the daughter of the Sailine to be one of the candidates. If she becomes the Empress or the Queen, that will be first in history", Jenos stretched his limbs and yawned. "Sailine. Are you talking about Claudia?", Eleanor turned to face the guy. Jenos nodded. "Are you mad at her? You went away and she stole your place", Jenos smirked. "How can I be mad at her? She's a sweet lady and I think she'll also fit in with the Prince", Eleanor remembered how cold the Prince was to her. She doesn't want anything to do with the royal family. Keanne is a cool guy but she feels like it's dangerous to be with him as well. She'll get murdered by all the women who are in love with him.
"You are only staying here for a month. After that, you will go back to the Capital to get your pin. By that time, it's already a festival. It's like everyone will be rejoicing for your return", Jenos slightly laughed. Eleanor stood up. "That's why I don't have time to mop around. I'll be doing my best here and proving that I could be a member of the council. Thank you Jenos. You lifted my spirit again", Eleanor gave a determined look.
"You're growing again. Your hair lost its waves but you seem ladylike this time", Jenos teased. Eleanor lost fat and also she grew taller. Her face matured as well. "If you keep growing like that, you will attract the attention of many", Jenos said when Eleanor remembered Charles' face as they were marching towards the bride.
"I have to apologize once I get back", she said. "To?", the Whitehead tilted his head. "The more I spent with the council in the North, the more I understood the rebellion", the mood suddenly went to slump. Jenos and Ren's predecessors perished because of the attempt to overthrow the throne.
"I don't blame you for not being too keen and sensitive regarding the matter. I wasn't also there when the rebellion took place so I don't have the right to judge. Wounds still exist now and are still hurting some people. Whether the former Emperor's decision was right or wrong, your father was only loyal to his master. It wasn't a case of being a good or bad person", Jenos leaned on the tree.
"Thank you, Jenos. Every time I talk to you, you give me the courage to start fresh", the blonde smiled and waved her hands bidding farewell. "I still have to do my work. I'd fulfill my promise. I'll see you in the capital", she said before leaving.
Chapter end.