Chương 16: Salvia

A new day usually brings a new surprise, that was what Princess Eleanor thought when she saw Lady Gisella outside her room.

Lady Gisella was looking at her with a smile early in the morning, making it hard for Princess Eleanor to process what was happening.

"The Lady should have called me. Or send a maid to inform." Princess Eleanor said with a smile on her face.

Princess Eleanor indicated Lady Gisella to enter her room. Soon Lady Gisella sat on the chair as she looked at the Princess who was now sitting in front of her.

Princess Eleanor was about to call Nia to serve them tea when Lady Gisella stopped her. Princess Eleanor was a little confused.

Princess Eleanor looked straight at Lady Gisella. "Does the Lady have something important to say?"

Lady Gisella was silent for a split second before she nodded her head in agreement. She leaned forward and said with a straight face. "I don't think it would be appreciated if you wrote the letters to your brother-in-law. The Princess could be the Crown Princess of the Empire."

Princess Eleanor giggled as she corrected. "I'm simply a candidate for the Crown Princess, Lady Gisella, who is to say whether I will be one or not."

Lady Gisella's gaze shook. It was true what Princess Eleanor was saying. She was not their Crown Princess yet. Just a candidate.

Lady Gisella's tone turned sharp, "Yes, The Princess is just the prospective candidate for now. But it is still inappropriate to keep on writing letters to the man who is not your husband."

"I understand your concern." Princess Eleanor smiled. She was certain that Sir Kit might not have said anything about the deal they had made because a knight always keeps his promise.

Although Princess Eleanor was tempted to tell the truth she knew that it was best not to say anything to Lady Gisella.

"Yesterday I had a word with my cousin Princess, Macy and we have decided that we won't be writing to each other?" Princess Eleanor said in a small tone.

Princess Gisella was happy with the answer. The unwanted stress and worry disappeared in thin air. But there was still something that was troubling her. Lady Gisella's eyes wander around Princess Eleanor as if trying to find something.

"Is there something else?" Princess Eleanor could see that Lady Gisella's eyes moved toward her from time to time.

"There is.." Lady Gisella said as her heart shook. She was a little frightened to get the answer. She had even decided to not ask the Princess this question but now that the Princess herself had asked she had no other choice but to acknowledge it.

"We will be traveling back to the Empire tomorrow morning."

Princess Eleanor nodded her head in understanding. But Lady Gisella continued asking. "What is the Princess's decision?"

Princess Eleanor could see the uneasiness in Lady Gisella's eyes. "Why is the Lady so stiff? Have I ever given you an impression that I will not come to the Empire? I had simply said, I'll think about it."

Lady Gisella knew that Princess Eleanor had not said a 'no,' but with all the things that had happened, it was difficult to assume that Princess Eleanor would simply come to the Empire.

Lady Gisella took a deep breath as she looked at Princess Eleanor who sat straight with confidence. "Although the Princess had not denied it straight away, it was natural of me to think that you might."

Princess Eleanor raised her eyebrows in confusion which did not go unnoticed by Lady Gisella. She continued in a small tone, "Rumors are going around in the Angevin Kingdom and I hope the Princess will shed some light on it."

Princess Eleanor's eyes sharpened. She knew what type of rumors could go around her. And she knew exactly how creative some people's minds would be while spreading the gossip. "Is it about me and Duke Felix?"

Princess Eleanor was confident that Lady Gisella would have heard the rumors. It was impossible to be in the Kingdom and not hear it.

"Yes," Lady Gisella did not deny it. "So I wanted to ask the Princess if she was ever in a relationship with Duke Felix?"

Princess Eleanor wanted to laugh but her smile was stiff. Although she knew that the question was coming, it was still odd to actually hear it out loud.

Princess Eleanor took a deep breath, "Lady Gisella knows how rumors magnify in the palace. And once it makes the way outside, it takes a completely different form."

Princess Eleanor looked straight at Lady Gisella as she continued, "Yes, I am close with Duke Felix. We have known each other since we were children but there is nothing romantic between us. We are more like siblings rather than lovers so Lady Gisella does not have to worry about me damaging the image of the royal family."

Lady Gisella was impressed. She liked people who were straightforward in their thoughts and their speech. It was commendable how Princess Eleanor knew where to draw the line. It was a rare quality, especially in royalty.

Lady Gisella nodded her head as she got up from the seat. "As the Princess had given me her answer, we should get ready to depart. I will inform the King that we will leave early tomorrow."

"Won't the Lady ask me once?" Princess Eleanor smiled as she walked Lady Gisella outside.

"Will Princess Eleanor refuse now?" Lady Gisella raised her eyebrows in question.

It was just a few seconds ago that she thought that the Princess would be a good candidate for the Crown Princess's position. But now is she going back on her words? It was not a quality that Lady Gisella appreciated.

"I will not refuse but I wanted to know if Lady's body will be alright?" Princess Eleanor's eyes were filled with concern, "It has not been long since you have entered the Angevin Kingdom, and traveling back to the Empire in such a short time will leave a bad impact on Lady's body."

Princess Eleanor's eyes looked at Nia who was standing outside. Lady Gisella also saw Princess Eleanor's lady in waiting bowing down at her as she nodded her head in acknowledgment.

"There is no need to worry. Princess should get ready. The journey will be long."

Princess Eleanor nodded as she saw Lady Gisella's body walking towards her door. Once the corridor was silent Princess Eleanor entered her room as she instructed Nia.

"We will leave early tomorrow morning. Get everything ready and make sure to get the Salvia flowers. Every variety we had brought back."