updates from now will be slowed down, sorry guys :( i have been quite stuck so nothing has come into my mind to write for this story

i have everything planned out but writing it is the problem ＞︿＜ so to try overcoming this problem i decided to write another book,,, not the best option but it's kinda working (i might post it if i can write up to more than 10 chapters!!)

i decided to put an author's note here just in case you guys don't read the ending note, i needed you guys to know updates won't be as frequent as before and i apologise for that

now! on to the story~

---

The wind was blowing strongly causing the red leaves to tremble before falling down to the ground. Elenor had a big grin on her face as she watched Alec rake the leaves into one huge pile. They were hidden from the eyes of the servants as the sun began to set.

"Is it done?" Rosina asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she stared at the pile of leaves growing bigger as Alec continued raking.

Alec stopped and nodded. Elenor and Rosina grinned and hurriedly jumped into the pile of leaves letting it fly up into the air before falling back down.

Covered in leaves, the two girls laughed before helping one another take the leaves out of their hair. They continued jumping into piles of leaves for a good amount of time before they quickly cleaned themselves up so that they wouldn't get an earful of Isabella's lecturing if she found out.

It has been a week since they arrived in Vaidia. Other than visiting the capital often, Elenor would often hang out with Rosina and Isabella.

"Hm it's been some time since we saw Lloyd." Elenor commented as the three ate dinner in Rosina's room.

As they weren't the only guests in this building, they would go to each other's rooms for meals or tea time. Rosina sighed,

"Every time he wanted to visit, they would always find an excuse to keep him there."

"And since he's a guest he can't refuse." Elenor muttered to herself, nodding at the explanation.

Isabella had a frown on her face as she placed her fork down. Wiping her lips graciously, she spoke,

"I heard that the king wants him to get engaged with his daughter."

"Where did you hear that from?" Elenor asked, intrigued by the topic.

"Do you not hear the gossip in this place? It's noisy." Isabella responded with a scoff.

The two paused their conversation and glanced over at Rosina who had a complicated expression on her face. They briefly made eye contact with one another before Elenor spoke,

"Rosina, you like Lloyd right?"

The question caught her off guard causing her to nearly spill her drink over the table. Her face was flushed red as she tried to defend herself.

"H-how could I! He deserves to be with someone who can stand next to him!" she exclaimed but after she said that, a look of pain flashed on her face before it disappeared.

Unfortunately for her, Elenor and Isabella saw the look. Isabella sighed, looking away.

"I don't believe that his highness would agree to that. Don't trust those stupid rumours as well."

Elenor chuckled at how Isabella was trying her best to cheer Rosina up.

"Yeah, don't belittle yourself. You like Lloyd isn't it? Then you should try your best to be the one who can stand next to him."

Rosina, who had a downcasted look on her face finally smiled and nodded, "You're right. Wallowing here and thinking I'm not worthy to be by his side isn't the right thing to do. I'll try my hardest to be able to stand next to him."

Seeing her return back to her positive nature again made the two smile and continue to finish up their dinner before bidding good night, returning back to their own rooms.

"Ah Elenor!" Rosina called her out just before her and Isabella left through the door.

"When are you going to properly tell us you're with Alec?" Rosina grinned cheekily once she saw her face turn bright red.

"Is it obvious?" she asked worriedly.

She couldn't let anyone, especially her brother find out just yet. If Richard knew, he would immediately kill Alec without hesitation. She very much appreciated if her lover was well and alive with her.

Isabella shook her head, "Not really. Only we noticed."

Hearing Isabella's answer, she heaved a relieved sigh before nodding, "I was going to tell you soon but I didn't think you would find out first."

Rosina giggled and hugged her tightly, "I wish you two happiness and if Alec ever did something terrible to you, tell us so I can give him a swift punch!"

Elenor let out a soft snort, "Do you even know how to fight?"

Rosina let out a 'hmph', "Of course! I have been learning for some time already. I can defend myself somewhat."

Elenor laughed, "I'm sure Lloyd would protect you anyway."

Isabella cleared her throat before walking over to the two of them who were still hugging,

"Don't do anything rash and if that butler of yours ever did something...I-I won't hesitate to hire my men!" she hurriedly spoke before looking away.

Elenor and Rosina laughed at the sight of Isabella before engulfing her into the hug. The three girls laughed and smiled, happy to have found such great friends.

Morning came the next day and while the three girls along with Alec standing by Elenor's side were having breakfast in her room, a maid knocked on the door.

"Come in." Elenor spoke, turning to the maid who had walked into her room with her consent.

The maid bowed, "Lady Elenor, her highness has requested to have an audience with everyone in the west building."

Her eyes widened in shock, "Her highness did?"

The maid nodded in response, "Yes. Her highness has already met the people from other buildings. It is only west building that hasn't met her highness."

"Why so sudden?" Isabella asked with a frown, clearly not interested in meeting her.

"Her highness likes to meet everyone and get acquainted before a ball. It is her tradition." the maid replied.

Elenor nodded and got up from her seat. "We will be there in a few. Let us get ready."

The maid seemed to have sighed in relief before nodding, "Of course, Lady Elenor."

She then left the room and Isabella instantly rolled her eyes, "Why must we suddenly meet the princess? I would much prefer if we didn't need to be in contact with her."

Elenor knew Isabella was acting like this because of the gossip around the princess and Lloyd. She glanced at Rosina who had a calm smile on her face, not bothered by the sudden request made by her highness.

"What's done has been done. Let's hurry and get dressed. The sooner we see her, the faster we can get this done." Elenor sighed, shaking her head.

For some reason, she too didn't want to meet her. Her head pounded every time she tried to find the reason why.

She was dressed in a classic beige coloured long sleeve blouse with marie styled sleeves. Her skirt in the colour of cinnamon brown, was long and flowy but was tightly wrapped around her waist making it seem smaller and seeming like she had an hourglass body shape.

Attached on her collar was a simple bow which matched the skirt colour. For her hair it was curled into wavy locks before half of it was pinned up with a floral accessory. She decided to wear white mesh gloves as the last touch to her outfit.

"Elenor are you done?" she heard Rosina calling for you.

Checking in the mirror one last time, she turned to Alec who had been waiting by her side. With a cheeky smile, she did a spin.

"How do I look Alec?"

A smile made its way up to Alec's face once he saw what she did. Taking her hand in his, he pressed a kiss on the back of her hand.

Mirroring her tone, he replied, "Beautiful."

---

it's about to start '(*>﹏