Richard paused, "Ray?"

Elenor smiled. She wasn't the only one who loved Ray. Her brother was also now attached to the young boy who smiled adorably for them. She already knew her request won't be rejected if it's about the boy she had taken in.

"That's right brother, it's about Ray."

"Tell me first. If it's something dangerous I still won't let." Richard answered strictly.

Elenor pouted before nodding, "I want to know where they are holding the slavery trading."

"Slavery trading?" Richard's eyes grew wide as he heard her.

She nodded. At first she wasn't sure if her thoughts were correct but after hearing everything from Ray, she was confident in her answer.

"Someone kidnapped Ray and sold him in a slavery trading held in Vaidia."

"...Is everything you've said correct?"

"I can't say for sure but Ray told me everything so I can only pinpoint it all to slavery trading. If not how can he suddenly arrive here from Elaelind?"

Richard placed his glasses back as he heaved out a sigh. He looked back at Elenor whose eyes showed that she won't take no for an answer.

"I really spoil you a lot.." he mumbled but a smile bloomed on his face.

"You'll help me brother?" she asked happily but he shook his head.

"Not me but his highness can however."

"Lloyd?" Elenor asked, confused.

Richard nodded, "Another reason why we're here is because of this."

"You mean.."

"This is kept confidential, even his majesty's children and advisors don't know but I'll tell you because you're my precious baby sister." he grinned before continuing,

"His majesty, the king of Vaidia has joined hands with his highness to put a stop to illegal slavery trading. They did establish the ban but even with a simple ban it will not end. His highness agreed to help because of the incident that happened at the theatre."

Remembering the incident sent shivers down her spine. Richard noticed and pulled her into a short hug. Elenor enjoyed the warmth of the hug before he pulled away.

"I'll tell his highness about this but Elenor, are you sure you really want to get involved in this? You don't need to, we can finish this up before leaving Vaidia."

Elenor smiled and nodded, "Yes brother. I don't want other people to suffer what I almost had to go through."

Richard sighed, "I could still remember when you would throw a tantrum when something didn't go your way."

Elenor laughed it off before heading back to her room.

"Thank you brother..for allowing me to do this."

"I'm only allowing because I know there are people who can still protect you if I'm not there!" he grumbled, fixing his glasses.

Elenor smiled and nodded, closing the door to his room softly.

After her talk with Richard, she didn't get any information about it until after the annual ball in which Lloyd personally told her where they would meet and discuss.

Upon arriving back in the west building, she washed herself up, relaxing in the hot bath that a maid had prepared for her. She let out a sigh as she felt her fatigue from the ball slip out of her body.

"As always no matter what age and world, a hot bath after a tiring day is always the best..!"

Elenor got dressed into her nightgown before briefly checking up on Ray who was fast asleep in the room not far from hers. Falling on to the soft bed, she let her sleepiness consume her as she closed her eyes shut.

She suddenly felt something brush against her left cheek. Thinking it was a bug, she swatted it away. It took her a moment to realise that it didn't feel like a bug but more towards a human body part.

She opened her eyes groggily. A faint figure came into her sight. She rubbed her eyes before staring at the figure that looked more familiar.

"Milady." Alec whispered.

"Alec? Why are you here?" she muttered, taking some time to process.

Alec was about to speak but Elenor felt like if she didn't speak first she won't be able to scold him a bit.

"Finally wanted to see me after a month huh? Was it that nice to be by her highness until you forgot about me?" she asked pettily.

"Are you jealous?" he asked, his eyes held a dangerous sharp glint but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Jealous? Of course I am and you didn't even look at me at the ball! There was no point in going to the ball-" her sentence came to a halt as Alec feverishly captured her lips.

She glared at him. She wasn't pleased at the fact that he didn't let her finish her complaint she had bottled up. She tossed around on her bed but Alec wasn't bothered.

Annoyed, she bit his lip harshly but he still didn't budge. It only fueled him more as he pulled away before diving back in, barely letting her catch her breath.

"Mhm!"

Alec swiped his tongue over her bottom lip, asking for permission. Elenor could feel her cheeks burning as he continued to do so until she finally allowed him. Without hesitation, he tangled his tongue with hers, exploring around her mouth, wanting more of her.

Elenor kept her eyes shut tightly, heat rushing up to her head. She never thought kissing would be this passionate but when it came to Alec, it was always this way. Even when she was dating before, it was never like this.

She then had the urge to see how Alec looked so she slowly peeked through one of her eyes and immediately closed it afterwards she caught a glimpse of him. He looked enchanting and almost too much for Elenor to comprehend.

He pulled back, staring at her face. He chuckled at her red face.

"I can't seem to get enough of you.." he whispered before diving back in, kissing her again.

Alec sucked on her lips until they were swollen and numb. When her lips were released by him, he had a smirk on his face. He tilted her chin upwards before brushing his lips over her collarbone.

In a panic, she stopped him. He frowned upon her rejection.

"People will see it!" Elenor hissed but Alec raised an eyebrow.

"Let them. Then nobody will go near you." he replied, capturing her lips for another round.

"What are you talking about?" she asked once he pulled away.

Alec didn't answer. Instead he took her right hand and flipped it over, showing the palm of her hand. He pressed his lips against him, blowing hot air. Goosebumps ran down her arms as he kissed her palm repeatedly.

"Wha.." Elenor couldn't continue her sentence.

He bit on her fingers. She felt no pain as he bit but it was ticklish instead. She tried to pull her hand away from him but he held her wrist firmly, not allowing her to escape from him.

He continued nibbling on her fingers, his eyes never once leaving her. They held different emotions making her feel embarrassed under his sight.

"Alec!" she jumped as she felt his tongue swipe over her fingers before kissing each one.

Once satisfied, he took her other hand and did the same thing. Elenor's face was now bright red and she felt dizzy from all of this.

"Now his touch isn't there anymore." Alec suddenly said.

She blinked before shooting him a confused look. He pressed his lips into a thin line before adding on,

"That prince you danced with."

"Ah Prince Judas?"

"Don't say his name." he growled, frowning at the name.

"So I'm not the only one jealous?" Elenor teased, a grin making its way on her face.

Alec had an expressionless face but she could tell he was sulking inside. With a chuckle, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss.

"Seeing you like this makes me glad I wasn't the only one jealous." she smiled warmly, her irritation from before had disappeared instantly after that.

A thread line snapped in Alec and he uncontrollably dived back in kissing her madly. Elenor tried her best to follow his speed but in the end she gave up, letting him lead her.

Alec finally stopped when Elenor told him he had to leave soon or else he could get caught for coming here. His feet were glued to the floor, not wanting to leave.

Elenor laughed at his cute reaction. She reached out to him, hugging him tightly.

"I love you Alec. I love you a lot." she gently whispered before standing on her toes, placing a brief kiss on his cheek.

Alec heaved out a sigh, covering his face with one hand. Elenor blinked and stared at him.

"You're making not want to leave even more..."

"Eh? But you have to or else her highness will find out!"

"Mhm I know." he sighed again.

Brushing her hair away from her neck, he buried his face. He took in a deep breath before exhaling.

"I'll come back again." he stated before moving away.

With a teasing smile, she nodded, "Make sure it's not a month long."

Alec chuckled at her, "Alright. I'll make sure of that."

Alec disappeared into the night after that. The room returned to its original state, before he had appeared. Elenor went back to sleep with a blissful smile on her face, her heart still up in the clouds after being able to see him after a month long.

The next day, she noticed a hidden bite mark on her collarbone. She glared at the mark, softly cursing at Alec under her breath.

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hope you guys liked that scene in today's chapter ˋ( ° ▽、° )