She hummed to an unending song as she moved around the room. Surprisingly, she woke up on the right side of the bed. With no idea of what made her so calm and relieved she began her little duties she had to do. In a few minutes she knew Nalia would be here to take her to the woman she talked about.
A few minutes later, just when she was done with all the work, Nalia arrived. "You ready?"
"Yeah, sure." Eleanor replied, rubbing her palm on her skirt.
“You look quite happy.” Nalia commented, with brows raised in surprise. “I mean you’ve been quite the opposite these days. Sorry to say though.”
“It’s fine. Honestly I have no idea why I am, but there’s no need to be worried. It’s not a bad thing huh.” As far as she knows, being mysteriously happy should be a sign that good things might happen.
“Okay let’s go.” Nalia says, shrugging her shoulders. “It’s quite a long work to Kyla’s place, so we better hurry.”
“Bye sophia!” Eleanor yelled, hoping she hears her from her room.
“Bye Ladies, be careful.”
“We will.” She replied and walked out of the house, together with Nalia.
.
Walking on the streets with her hands behind her, Eleanor barely listened to all Nalia was saying. She would give it to her; she talks a lot, far more than Gwen. And it seemed there was no way to stop her, she just had a lot to say and would never.
“Hey, hey.” She tapped Nalia’s shoulders when she saw a crowd gathering not too far away from them. “You think something’s going on there.” She asked, incining her head to them.
‘Uhmm, let’s just keep going.” Surprisingly to Eleanor, he sounded less interested.
“You don’t want to see, or find out?”
“You see, Eleanor, I avoid scenes like this ‘cause they are not safe as they seem or look like.”
“Is something wrong Nalia?” Eleanor was quick to sense something was definitely wrong, especially with her change of mood.
“Well…” Nalia drawled, twitching her lips. “My mother actually died, seperating two people fighting, she got stabbed.”
“Oh.” Was all Eleanor could mutter.
“Yes, so I learned to avoid scenes like this, staying away from troubles.”
“I’m sorry about that.” She understands well how traumatic it would’ve been, considering the fact she has been in such a situation. Worst of all she never got to give her mother a nice burial if she actually died.
“It’s fine, we can take a quick look if you want.” Just like a switch, she was back to having a happy look on her face.
“No, it’s fine, let’s just keep going.”
“Come on, I know you’re curious. Let’s go.” She grabbed her wrists, pulling her along.
Eleanor’s brows knitted together in confusion, when she heard a familiar. When they closer and she sighted a figure dressed in royal clothings her heart skipped a bit. Just then he turned around and his eyes landed on hers, her breaths hitched, her eyes widened in surprise. It didn’t take a second before face mirrored the same look on her face.
Her breaths were repeatedly coming out in pants, her eyes fixed on him and the world around her seemed to stop. “Luciano.” Her voice came out as a whisper. “Luciano!”
*
*In a store room in Cordenia*
“So… I guess everything’s right in place huh?” Figure one asked, in a relieved voice unlike usual.
“Proudly yes.”
“Okay, so what’s your hidden plan you refused to tell me all this while?”
“I prefer that to be a surprise, don’t worry, you’d see it.”
“It better be worth it.”
“It sure is.” Figure two replied and in a mischievous voice, added. “And this is just the right time.”
*
“Luciano!” Eleanor couldn’t her emotion any more and removed her hands from Nalia’s and ran to him, throwing her body on his, in a hug.
“Eleanor.” Her eyes watered and tears streamed down her face to his shoulder. She could sense the relief in his voice, he was just as worried as she was.
His arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, like she could disappear if he let go.
Eleanor looked behind him when she hers someone clears her throat, her face lit up with a smile on sighting Gwen.
“Gwen!” She immediately disengaged from the hug and rushed to her, engulfing her in a tight hug.
“You have an idea people are watching?” Gwen whispered in her ears. Her cheeks turned red in embarrassment and moved away from her, trying not to look at the face of anyone. “Come on, let’s get into the chariot.” Gwen held her hand, leading her to the chariot he hadn’t noticed before.
“Nalia, come on.” She turned around quickly, making sure they weren’t leaving her.
They sat in the chariot, all silent, until they got to Sophia’s house. Thought, Luciano wouldn’t stop holding her.
“Who’s she?” Gwen asked in a whisper when they got down from the chariot in front of Sophia’s house.
“A new friend, you’ll like her.” Eleanor replied in a whisper also.
“You didn’t tell me you were going to come home so soon.” Sophia spoke as they stepped into the room, her back to them. Eleanor was sure she had no idea they did not come alone.
When she didn’t hear a reply from her, she turned around, her eyes held confusion as she stared at them. “Luciano!” Her eyes brightened immediately in recognition before she rushed forward, hugging him gently.
"Oh dear gods." She looked behind him, her eyes widened in surprise on seeing Nikolai. "Oh, my favourite!" She hugged him, planting a small kiss on his cheek. "How have you been?"
"Never been better." Nikolai replied with a smile.
"Come on, we have a lot to talk about. Come in." She shut the door close, leading them into the room. "Hello dear." She turned swiftly to Gwen, flashing her a smile.
"Hello." Gwen waved her hands at her, smiling widely.
"I'd get you something to eat, I'm sure you must be so tired from such a long journey. Have your bath while I go to the kitchen."
"Eleanor would guide you around the house." She added before walking away.
"Sure." Eleanor spoke with a wide smile, though with eyes fixed on Luciano.
*
"Your highness!" Axel looked to the door annoyed, when a guard suddenly burst into his room without knocking.
"Where are your manners?" Ariel flared up immediately.
"I'm sorry your Highnesses." He quickly apologized, giving a quick bow. "But the village is under attack."
"Huh?" Axel stood up immediately, shocked at the information. "Tell Zane to gather men immediately, send them out to guard the people. I'll be down in a few minutes."
"Yes, my king." He bowed again and exited the room in a hurry.
"What is going on?" Ariel shook her head, feeling shivers run down her spine.
"Stay here, I'll be back okay?" She couldn't reply but only nodded, fear consuming her already.
It happened in a flash, they weren't able to fight off these unknown invaders who weren't of a large number. All Ariel could remember was being dragged out of the room into the blooded hallway down the stairs, the dead bodies of guards scattered around. She was thrown to the ground roughly, surrounded by these people with Axel beside her. "What is happening? Why do you want to?" As much as she wanted to sound brave her voice betrayed her. She shivered heavily when they didn't reply, she was scared and afraid that there was absolutely no one to save them.
To her shock and utter disbelief, Elliot walked hand in hand with Sabrina, both smiling widely. "What on earth is going on here?" Axel asked, his voice filled with anger.
Not bothering to give a reply, they both turned to each as they stood before them and locked lips with each other. With a triumphant smile they turned back to them and said simultaneously. "Hello there."