Elenor was getting ready for the play which will be shown at night. The maids dressed her in an off-shoulder dress. It was a gradient from dark purple to white at the lower half of the dress. Not wanting to seem too plain, they added accessories. They placed a thin chain necklace around her neck, a pair of pearl earrings and long lace gloves for her hands up to her elbows. She wore high heels with an ankle strap secured so it wouldn't come off her feet.
The maids decided to have a slightly heavier makeup look for her with darker eyeshadows and lipstick. Her hair was curled and placed into a low bun with braids. Elenor was by now used to their magic fingers so seeing how she looked after they beautified her was something she slowly became immune to.
"As always you three always outdone yourselves each time," Elenor praised before taking a small purse from the table which matched her outfit.
Elenor then left the room to find Alec waiting for her.
He wore a black collar dress shirt together with a red tie and dress pants, paired with black dress shoes. His red suit jacket draped on his shoulders and his hair was styled into a middle parting instead of his slicked back style. One word Elenor could think of when she saw how he was dressed. Stunning.
"I do not see the reason for me to dress so nicely milady." Alec said, shaking his head.
"I already told Lloyd that you're coming with me and I would prefer if you didn't wear your uniform out tonight."
Elenor took another good look at him and nodded proudly, "I knew you would look good in anything,"
She didn't notice the darkness in his eyes that flickered for a split second before a small smile rested upon his lips.
"Aren't you going to ask?" he questioned her.
She didn't understand his question. She tilt her head to the side in confusion before realising what he meant. She rolled her eyes,
"You always never give me a fun reaction but fine."
She took a step back and twirled in her dress. The skirt danced as she twirled before fluttering her eyes open and gazing towards Alec.
His breath hitched as he looked at her figure. There was no sunlight or anything to radiate her beauty. There was nothing special happening yet all he saw was her. Only her.
"How do I look?" she asked.
Alec took her hand in his before leaning closer to her ear, whispering, "Exquisite milady,"
Elenor could feel the hair on her back stand as she felt his warm breath against her skin. She could feel her blood pressure rising. How unusual of him. Before Elenor could question him, he spoke, not letting her speak.
"It seems like his highness has arrived milady. We should hurry in order not to keep him waiting,"
"Oh..alright," she nodded, telling herself she could ask him another time.
"Elenor." Lloyd called out to her once he saw her along with Alec walking out of the front entrance.
"You look stunning today, what's the occasion?" he teased as he walked closer to her.
Elenor rolled her eyes, "Are we going to leave or not? We might be late you know."
Lloyd pouted at her, "Don't be a party pooper Elenor!" he whined.
Elenor stuck her tongue out childishly at him. "If you're going to compliment me, do it properly!"
He smugly smiled and shrugged, "And if I say I don't want to?"
He felt Elenor pinching his forearm skin as tightly as she possibly can causing him to hiss in pain. With a smile on her face, she replied,
"I will personally rip that smile off your face and your skin."
Lloyd paled as he heard her threat. He knew she wasn't serious but with that sinister smile plastered on her face, he couldn't be fully sure she won't do it.
"O-okay." he weakly nodded.
Elenor released her hold and dusted her hands before looking over at the carriage. This time instead of the usual carriage with a dull exterior, it was white with golden linings around it. The royal crest on the carriage doors as well as on the front. The horses had the royal crest as well. In short, this whole carriage screamed royalty.
"Must we really use this carriage…?" Elenor softly asked, already feeling tired just from looking at it.
Lloyd proudly nodded and grinned, "Of course! We're going to a play made by people who have been producing plays since decades ago. They have requested my presence as well."
"So..there's no other carriage to use?"
Lloyd nodded making Elenor groan out loud. This play better be worth it or else she was going to make a fuss out of this.
Lloyd extended his hand towards Elenor but a hand came into view, halting his action. He stared at the hand before glancing at who it was. Alec had a smile on his face which showed no signs of delight, only distaste.
"I shall escort milady into the carriage your highness." Alec said in a mellow tone but it sounded more like a warning.
Lloyd raised his eyebrow, finding it humorous. He ignored Alec and held Elenor's hand. Elenor felt his hand and turned to him, puzzled as to why he was holding her hand. Because she turned away from Alec, she didn't see the scowl on his face.
"Eh~ how amusing!" Lloyd chimed, bursting into laughter causing Elenor to be even more puzzled.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked before turning to Alec whose scowl immediately vanished from his face.
Lloyd laughed even more before wiping away his tears. "It's nothing! Shall we go now?"
Elenor shook her head, letting this slide. "I've been saying that but yeah let's go."
Elenor went inside the carriage first before Lloyd then Alec who smoothly sat beside her. Lloyd who was sitting opposite of them just had a bright smile on his face as the carriage began moving.
hmm what is Lloyd doing ლ(╹◡╹ლ)
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The play was being showcased in the biggest theatre in the capital of Elaelind. Many carriages surrounded the area, waiting to be allowed to enter the theatre. Elenor thought they were going to be halted due to the crowd of carriages but somehow, they were able to pass through, cutting every carriage in line.
Elenor didn't say anything since she knew because this was a royal carriage, they were the first priority. She liked the privilege she was having but it didn't last long.
"...Lloyd didn't you agree that we would be sitting in the noble seats.."
"Eh really?" he answered back, looking everywhere but her eyes.
Elenor glared at him, "Why are we sitting in the royal sitting area!?"
"Hm I don't know what you're talking about Elenor," Lloyd muttered.
She was going to say more but Lloyd quickly ran away, greeting other nobles who had come to give their greetings. Elenor clicked her tongue before massaging her temples. She wished she didn't trust that idiotic prince.
"Milady shall we take a seat?" Alec softly spoke to her.
His voice was quiet yet strangely loud in her ears. The voices around her seem to have tuned out, only Alec's voice could still be heard. She glanced at Alec before nodding. She's already here so might as well stick with it and come up with ways to get revenge on Lloyd.
She took a seat and immediately felt like she was in cloud nine. The cushions on the seat were like clouds! This type of chair was only for royalty which made Elenor feel like it was unfair but understandable. Royals always get the best and highest quality amongst everyone. Her thoughts of revenge flew out the window, wanting to cherish this blissful moment in this chair which felt softer than any beds she had slept on.
Elenor noticed Alec was still standing beside her, not taking a seat although it was prepared for him. Since he was a butler there was no way he would be able to get a seat here but since Elenor brought him, Lloyd allowed.
"Alec you aren't going to sit?" she asked, sitting up straight.
She was still in public so she must act like a marquess daughter. She can't stain her family's reputation.
Alec shook his head, "I'm only a mere butler, these things aren't meant for me."
Elenor was stubborn so she kept pestering him, "Sit down with me, Lloyd already gave his approval so it's fine. Plus you don't look like a butler. You look the part so don't worry so much."
Alec sighed, "I'll only sit once his highness comes back and the play begins."
Elenor nodded, satisfied that she at least got him to sit later. She glanced around from the top of the theatre. Most of the nobles sat below while the higher status like royals and dukes could sit above. Marquess could too but often it was only royals and dukes.
Elenor could feel a glare on her. She glanced around and from the corner of her eye, she noticed Isabella who was glaring at her. Her hands gripping her fan so tight that it looked like it might break anytime soon.
Elenor wanted to mess with her a bit so she looked at her directly in the eye before a smug smile bloomed across her face. Isabella frowned but then a small smile formed on her lips, startling Elenor. Before anything else happened, Lloyd came back to where they were seated. Elenor realised Isabella was smiling because Lloyd was beside her.
"I see you have taken a liking to the seats," Lloyd laughed as he took a seat as well.
"Yeah these seats are like clouds," Elenor snuggled into the chair.
"But! Don't think I won't get my revenge on you for lying," she added as she pointed at him.
Lloyd pouted and lightly whined, "And I thought I got away with it!"
Before they could speak more, the lights dimmed down and the chatters around them became silent. The large curtains began moving slowly and the play soon began. Elenor was immersed in it, every time there was a scene whether it was sad, happy, lovely, she would have a reaction.
The play was a tragedy romance with a happy ending. It was about a commoner couple where the man turned out to be a son of a noble. Because of this, he had to leave his lover but promised her he would come back and marry her. His lover kept his promise to her heart and never loved any other man, awaiting for her lover to return to her.
They both had their ups and downs, fighting for their love and at last they were able to return to each other and marry. It was sappy but Elenor would give it a 10 out of 10. However, she didn't notice someone staring at her the whole time she was watching the play.
"The play was good!" Elenor beamed as she clapped for the actors who were bowing.
"Hm it was, I wouldn't mind watching it another time," Lloyd chimed in, nodding in satisfaction.
"What about you Alec? Did you like it?" she asked, turning her attention to her butler.
Alec smiled and nodded, "It was interesting,"
"Right!"
"Your reactions, that is."
"Sorry? What did you say?" Elenor couldn't hear what he had said, the place was getting quite loud now that the play was over.
Alec shook his head, "Nothing milady, we should head out soon."
She was going to agree with him when all the lights went out abruptly. Everyone flew into panic, not knowing what was happening. Elenor could hear the guards trying to calm everyone down and Lloyd had gone to see what was happening with the sudden outbreak.
"Milady please stay close to me," she hears Alec speaking close to her.
Elenor was trying to get adjusted to the darkness. She could see figures moving around frantically. The doors to leave the theatre were glued shut meaning nobody could come in or leave. She tried to stay calm as she continued to observe her surroundings more.
"A-" her mouth was covered with a cloth making her unable to speak.
Elenor kept struggling, trying to remove the cloth around her mouth but her movements became sluggish and her eyelids were slowly closing. She tried to reach out to where Alec was but felt nothing but air. As she slowly felt unconscious, she realised too late that she had inhaled chloroform into her system.
ack what's going to happen? tune in to next chapter hehe (yes I'm evil)
if you enjoy this chapter or book please do consider giving a vote to this shameless author (〃` 3′〃) it would mean a lot <3
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