*What did he just say?*
Eleanor began breathing heavily as her heart suddenly raced faster. She placed her hand on her chest, trying to calm her breaths. She placed her hand on the table beside her as she felt her knees go weak.
Eleanor stared around as she tried to understand what he said or maybe she actually understood it. She stared up at the prince in shock, into his eyes to see if he was joking.
But when she saw the seriousness in his eyes, her heart raced a lot faster.
She suddenly wished Gwen was here, maybe she'd have probably told her what to do or say Or maybe she wouldn't even say anything cause she's still hell scared of him.
Luciano stared at her as she leaned against the table with eyes wide in shock. It was obvious she was finding it quite hard to process the information and believe it.
"I....I...d.. don't..un.. understand." Eleanor stuttered helplessly.
"Yes Eleanor. I know this is hard for you to believe but I found out I love you. All those weird foreign feelings, it was love all along. I know this might sound absurd but I do love you."
No, Eleanor closed her eyes as she tried to rethink. This is wrong, no matter how right it might feel it is wrong. She wouldn't lie, she has also started developing feelings for him just has Gwen had told her but it is all wrong.
It's the prince, the cold hearted prince who's getting married very soon. And who's she- The entire castle's hated slave.
Literally everybody here hates her. So what's going to be their intake when they find out that the prince is in love with her.
She'd definitely be killed.
Then there's Sabrina, the Prince's wife to be. He'd surely get married to her and what would she be.
A concubine?
No way, she did not plan her life that way.
As much as it feels right to have the prince love her, show some passionate feelings to her after several months of hating her, punishing her badly, staring at her with disgust, hate and every other vile word out there, she can't let it happen.
And besides it might just be a mere infatuation which would fade away very soon.
She has to remember never to cross her line, he's the prince and she's the slave, nothing would change that. Or maybe something could actually change that, "freedom" But she doesn't see that coming anytime soon.
Eleanor took a deep breath and moved away from the table turning to face the prince. She rubbed her plan together before speaking. "It can't.. I'm sorry but this is all wrong."
Eleanor stared up at him, his face expressionless. She rubbed her plan together and continued nevertheless. "It's not right, you're the prince who's getting married soon and me, I'm just a slave here. It's not gonna work out."
"But.."
"No." She cut him off. "I'm truly sorry but it's all wrong." She said and walked out of the room.
Eleanor rushed out of the hallway, down the stairs. She stood against the wall at the end of the stairs and placed her hand on her chest panting heavily. Now she's running away from her room because of him.
She closed her eyes as she tried to steady her breaths.
Gwen would definitely be mad at her.
*
*
"Hey pretty." Gwen turned to her side to see Nikolai walking beside with his usual smile on his face.
"Hello handsome." She replied, chuckling lightly.
"Woah, you're flowing."
Gwen's cheeks turned a shade of pink as she started blushing uncontrollably.
"Let me help you." Nikolai offered, stretching out his hands to collect the basket of clothes from her.
"No! No! People would see you, and you know what that means. More problems for me."
"Nah, it's okay, I'll just-"
"No." Gwen deadpanned with a serious look on her face. Nikolai pouted but followed her nevertheless into the castle.
Gwen suddenly stopped and turned to face him. "You have to wait here while I drop this in the maid quarters."
"Why?" Nikolai inquired, quirking his brows in confusion.
Gwen stared drily at him and rolled her eyes before speaking. "You're a prince, you can't go in there with me." With that said she turned around to leave.
"Well, your prince charming would wait right here for you." Nikolai said and leaned on the wall with his right foot on it.
Gwen shakes her head in amusement before scurrying off to drop the clothes.
*
"Uh.. so would you like to take a walk with me." Nikolai asked Gwen as they both walked out of the castle after she had dropped the clothes.
"No." Gwen answered not even taking a glance at him.
"Woah! Wait, what!" Nikolai's eyes widened in surprise at her response. "That's a first."
Gwen laughed heartily before turning to stare at him. "Of course I would love to, I was actually kidding."
"So where would you like us to go?" Nikolai asked. "What about we go into the village?"
"Village?! As much as I love that, I wouldn't. It might get me into trouble. I'm still a slave here remember? I don't have that freedom. Let's just stay within the castle. We can go to the garden, it's peaceful and quiet."
"Ehh.. okay. Come on, let's go." Nikolai smiled and held her hand, pulling her along with him.
*
"Ehh.. so I want to ask you a question Gwen." Nikolai began, successfully gaining her attention as she went about sniffing the flowers.
"About what?"
"About you friend."
"My friend? Eleanor?" Gwen walked to him, staring at him with profound interest. "What about her?"
Nikolai scratched his head nervously before speaking. "I'm sure you know there's something going on between her.. and the.. Prince."
"You know that too?" Gwen asked in suprise.
Nikolai nodded his head in response.
Gwen stared around before moving closer to him. "Something she calls a weird feeling."
"Mm-mm." Nikolai nodded approvingly. "So back to the main reason I called you. Do you think she has feelings for him."
"Of course Nikolai. It's clear. She loves him but doesn't want to admit it because she's scared."
"Okay, okay. That's just what I wanted to hear. Thank you. I guess I'll see you later." Nikolai said, turned around and scurried out of the garden.
Gwen stood still staring at his retreating figure in shock. "What the hell just happened?"
*
*
"Hey brother! Hey.. I have a -"Nikolai paused when he sighted Luciano sitting on the chair behind his table, staring darkly into space and caressing the cup in his hand.
Luciano picked the cup and gulped down all the contents which was obviously wine.
"What is going on?" Nikolai asked and shut the door before walking further into the room.
"She rejected. She doesn't love me. I totally made a fool out of myself." Luciano answered in a very deep cold voice. "I always knew it. Love is trash."
"Wait, wait, she rejected you-"
"She told me to my face that my feelings are wrong!!" Luciano suddenly roared in anger, slamming his hands hard on the table. "You see that! Love will always make you weak!"
"Wait, we can sort this out."
"Don't fucking say that." Luciano hissed out. "This is the end, Nothing is ever gonna make me have such stupid feelings ever again." Luciano vowed sternly and in a very determined cold voice he added. "Not even if you mention Eagan."