บท 12: A Reliable Older Cousin
Eloria didn't respond to her cousin. Instead, she walked past him and took a seat on one of the couches inside the chamber.
With concern still evident on his face, Azelyn Camer closed the door and then took a seat opposite Eloria. He was observing the General's face all the while yet he didn't utter any word. After all, he was always known for his patience.
"Why are you still up at this hour?" Eloria finally asked after what felt like hours. Now that she had herself a bit more composed than before, her gaze was on her older cousin, the only son of her father's younger brother.
"Is that what you're curious about?" Azelyn Camer asked and added, "You're also coming here at this hour." There was a calm smile on his face when he looked at Eloria and the latter ended up flashing a little smile.
"You're right," she muttered and added, "Maybe the feast was too much for me."
Azelyn Camer only needed a second or two to observe before he said, "You're always a bad liar, Eloria. I know very well that you're not one to be easily bothered. The feast? Is that possible?"
If Eloria was to choose the strongest trait of her cousin except for his patience and intelligence, it must be how he always managed to see through her. Maybe because they grew up spending so much time together as they both had no siblings. At 21, Azelyn was older than Eloria by 5 years and for her, he was always a reliable older cousin.
Meeting her cousin's gaze for a while, Eloria was reminded of how naive she was in her past life.
How could she turn her back on the cousin who was always there for her just because of that Rayan Varence?! If she had listened to him when he told her that Rayan Varence was not a good person as she thought, she will surely be able to prevent his death and of course, her family tragedy too.
Since she was brought back to life, that painful incident was what she regretted the most apart from her family's downfall!
"I'm sorry," Eloria Camer muttered after remaining silent for more than a minute. Like always, this made Azelyn draw in a deep breath.
"There you go again, Eloria. You always apologize to me out of nowhere as if you have committed a grave crime against me," Azelyn Camer remarked. "You're making me feel bad."
With all those memories surrounding Azelyn's death in her mind, it was hard for Eloria to act as if nothing happened but she still forced a smile. "Why didn't you attend the feast?" She asked, changing the topic. She also admitted that she was curious.
"I'm really not into those events," Azelyn Camer simply replied.
Hearing the response, Eloria was reminded of how her cousin was very similar to the man he served. "I met the Second Prince tonight," she told her cousin and added, "I think I now understand why you're so devoted to him. You two are very similar."
Eloria always refrained from mentioning the Second Prince to her cousin because of those haunting memories from her past life.
Yes; in that life, Azelyn died to protect Second Prince Alanus Varence. Though the main reason was her naiveness, she still remembered how her cousin remained loyal to the Second Prince even after Rayan Varence rose to power and when Second Prince Alanus fleed from Aritish, it was her cousin who died while helping him.
Later, she heard that the incident deeply scarred Second Prince Alanus Varence as Azelyn wasn't only his most trusted subordinate but also his best friend.
When Eloria noticed the bright smile on her cousin's face as she mentioned the Second Prince, she inwardly vowed that she would prevent all those tragedies at all costs!
She will never allow Azelyn to die like that again! She will never let Rayan Varence rise to power again so that the Second Prince didn't have to flee!
"I thought that you always hate when I talked about His Highness," Azelyn mused. "What has gotten into you?"
"I just think that he's not a bad person," Eloria promptly clarified. "Besides, you don't want to work with me in administrating the Camer Army but you still work for the Second Prince in the Royal Army. If you were me, you won't be pleased either."
Azelyn chuckled when he heard Eloria. "I know you're capable enough and you don't need me to run the army with you," he calmly remarked and continued, "I have known the Second Prince for years now, and believe me, Eloria. He is the greatest person I've ever seen." He smiled when he added, "I know he has a cold appearance but he shouldn't be judged on that. He is always admired by anyone who knows him well."
"Well," Eloria muttered and continued, "What's the use of that when he never really gives the chance to know him well to anyone?"
Once again, her words earned her a little smile from her cousin.
"It seems like you still dislike him," Azelyn Camer mused and Eloria suddenly realized one thing.
"He said that we should have a duel."
"A duel?" Azelyn raised his brows at the unexpected words. "His Highness really said that? I've never seen him challenging someone to a duel before. He doesn't like it."
"That's why I was flustered too. I heard that he never challenges anyone and he rarely accepts it even when he receives a challenge." Confusion was still evident on the General's face as she spoke.
Azelyn Camer thought about it for a while and said, "Though His Highness is my friend since childhood, it's not easy to know what's going on in his mind." There was an exciting smile on his face when he added, "I will ask him about it. If he really means it, I can't wait to watch the duel."
Eloria only nodded with a little smile, reminding Azelyn of the fact that she came to him despite being so late. "You won't tell me why you are here?" He asked. His gaze was observing as always but he still couldn't know what bothered her.
General Eloria gave a brief thought before she said, "I'm fine now, Azel. I think I come to the right place."
He was curious but like always, he didn't pressure her. Instead, he nodded with a warm smile. "Be it my chamber or my tent in the Royal Army; you are welcome anytime." He slightly frowned when he added, "You should also come and visit my parents for once. They keep on complaining, saying that they never get to see their only niece."
Eloria chuckled and shook her head out of amusement when she heard her cousin. "Alright. I will make sure to visit them."
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Frosby
Frosby I'm really sorry for the hiatus. As I'm busy with my other book, I can't find much time to write this novel these days. Thanks to my readers for being patient and I will try my best to update it more often from now on ^_^
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