The Rose That Blooms In North
Chapter 26: The Regard
That day the Crown Prince's Palace was finally opened and occupied by Eleanor Winterthur as her wedding day with Xavier was approaching. Xavier who had finished his work in the Main Palace immediately came to the Palace to meet his fiancee.
The Crown Prince's Palace that afternoon seemed very crowded because the servants who came in and brought the Crown Princess's belongings. Unlike usual, that day the Crown Prince's Palace was decorated in such a way that it looked like it was coming back to life after a long time of being unoccupied. When Xavier and ten of his guards came to the Palace, all the guards, servants and ladies and gentlemen marched neatly in front of the Palace to greet him. Eleanor Winterthur steps out of the Palace to greet Xavier.
"Welcome, Your Majesty. I've been waiting for His Majesty's arrival."
Eleanor Winterthur, the woman who earned the title of the most beautiful woman in the entire world, one of the most talented witches in the entire Nordhalbinsel, bowed gracefully before Xavier. Her extremely long blonde hair was neatly styled. She was wearing a long pink dress that showed off her perfect curves. Diamond necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings complement her unbeatable beauty.
Xavier immediately approached her and kissed Eleanor's hand gently. He smiled looking at the two icy blue eyes belonging to Eleanor that exuded happiness and longing. Everyone who saw the beautiful scenery that looked like a romantic painting held back tears when the couple was finally reunited.
Xavier and Eleanor soon entered the Palace which within the next ten days would officially become the residence of the two of them. They walked hand in hand to the tea room. The room is a room devoted to tea for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess only. In it is available tea drinking equipment, various types of sweet snacks and teas that are still warm. The tea room was decorated with various types of flowers with various colors imported directly from Westeria. Everything seemed neat and beautiful.
"I want to spend time alone with my fiancee. You can continue your work." Xavier said to everyone.
"Okay, Your Majesty."
After everyone left, Eleanor and Xavier immediately released their handrails and simultaneously exhaled a sigh of relief. They looked at each other for a moment and laughed.
“You're getting smarter acting.” Eleanor.
“Should I give up the throne as the heir to the kingdom and turn into a street actor?” Canda Xavier's.
Eleanor laughed at hearing that. Of course Xavier wasn't serious about it. But becoming a Crown Prince was definitely not an easy matter. Many people are looking for their lives. Eleanor thought maybe sometimes Xavier was really tired of her life but she always tried to do everything well.
Eleanor looked at Xavier solemnly. "I'm really grateful you've been able to return safely. I was so panicked when I read Anna's letter. But I couldn't leave at that moment. I hope you understand." Eleanor.
The two of them sat down on a chair and began to enjoy their tea.
"I'm fine. You know something like that can't kill me, right?" Xavier said casually while drinking his tea.
"But still. That's very dangerous. How did you get hit by a poisoned arrow? Where did everyone go at the time?" there was a hint of annoyance in Eleanor's words.
"It's my own fault for going quietly without telling anyone at midnight."
"You have a personal bodyguard. Why not ask him to accompany you? If it was Elias, you would have woken him even at midnight though.”
"Anna was there at the time."
"What's? Then why he—“
"Elle." Xavier stops Eleanor before the girl gets emotional. He also did not want to tell Eleanor what really happened that night. That the arrow was originally aimed not only at him, but also at Anna. If Eleanor finds out about this, she can do something bad to Anna. And Xavier didn't want that to happen. Her fiance was not a bad woman, but she would be extremely frightening if it concerned the lives of those around her.
Xavier continued his words, "The most important thing now is that I'm fine. If you want to blame someone, blame the person who sent the shadow killer. Not Anna."
"I'm sorry... I-i know. But I'm not strong enough to fight Empress Selena." Eleanor was sorry.
"I understand. Its alright. I want to apologize to you too."
Eleanor looked up at him, "What's up?"
"This wedding. I took your freedom by marrying you."
Eleanor placed her tea cup she had been holding on the table. "No. You saved my family by marrying me. You kept your promise. Don't say it again like it's all your fault. After all, we should have been married three years ago.”
Xavier did not shirk Eleanor's words. But he clearly still saw a hint of doubt in the girl's eyes. Eleanor still loves her lover and Xavier can see her clearly from the look in the girl's eyes.
“I will see him one last time soon and end our relationship. I'll be honest with him." Eleanor said, covering up the sadness in her words with a forced smile.
"You don't have to do it, Elle. You can stay with him. I never forbid you to—“
"Xavier.” Eleanor cut her words. “I will soon marry the Crown Prince of this kingdom. If people knew that their Crown Princess had a lover even after marriage, it would destroy my family's good name. I'll be considered to betray the kingdom, even if you don't feel betrayed."
"But you love her so much. It's not me you love, Elle. We just try to be able to accept each other and act like we love each other in front of everyone. Stay with him if that's what makes you happy. We just need to hide the truth as we have done for these six years.”
Elle did not answer. He could not answer Xavier with any denial. Her tears welled up in her eyes. Elle nodded. "I love her very much. I'm sorry, Xavier. I—“
Xavier immediately hugged Eleanor and let the girl cry in her arms. Xavier knew that Eleanor loved a man who belonged to the common people. Their relationship lasted six years. But the man, her fiance's lover, did not know that Eleanor was the Crown Princess who already had a fiancee. And Eleanor didn't want her boyfriend to know who she really was.
“It's okay, Elle. Loving someone is not a mistake. You don't have to apologize to me.”
***
Six years ago...
Xavier was 17 years old. According to Nordhalbinsel's law, at that age a man can be married. Xavier, who was already engaged to Eleanor, had not thought about marriage because there was still much to learn as a successor to the throne. At that age he was no longer able to skip lessons and there were many things he had to do. The issue of conflict with other countries should also be a concern. Not to mention the welfare of the people at that time was experiencing a slump due to the stagnation of import-export and trade problems with the Westeria side. It was the worst year for the Nordhalbinsel economy and the busiest year for Xavier. So that he could not marry Eleanor that year.
“How about when I'm 20 years old? You don't mind if we postpone it?” Xavier.
“At that time I was 23. Some of my friends are even married now.” Eleanor Protest.
They are disguised as commoners, which is their routine activity together every month to observe the state of the people in remote areas. Since Eleanor had such great transformational magic abilities, they could disguise so well that no one could recognize their faces. Eleanor's blond hair and icy blue eyes, instantly recognisable as members of the Winterthur family, turned into dark brown hair and brown eyes. Xavier's emerald eyes, which are a very rare eye color, turn gray, which is the most common eye color among the Nordhalbinsel people.
“Absolutely you've completed all your magic lessons in the Tower? What about the Crown Princess's lesson? I heard there are a lot of complicated things to learn.”
“True. There are so many, I'm sick of seeing books. But I have to study all those books because this year I will soon graduate from the Tower and become an official royal mage. Good thing we have a regular schedule for a walk in the countryside like this. To me this feels like a holiday.” Eleanor said with a cheerful laugh. "Thank you, Mr. Fiancee."
Xavier was pleased to see that Eleanor, who had always looked serious and depressed both at the Palace and at the Winterthur residence, could now look so free and happy. As a Grimoire witch, Eleanor was required to formally study magic in the Tower. Although Eleanor was born with a talent for magic because her mother was one of the greatest magicians in Nordhalbinsel, if she did not study magic formally in the Tower, then she should not use her magic. All those who want to learn magic as well as all those who are born with magic talent are required to learn magic in the Tower only then can they use their magic with permission from the Kingdom. The person in charge of everything that concerns the education system in the Tower is the Queen. But since the King did not appoint a Queen after the death of Queen Irene, then the caretaker of the Tower until the King appointed a new Queen was Empress Selena.
Although Eleanor was one of the most talented magicians, but there were still many things she had to learn. Because if she marries Xavier, and Xavier ascends the throne as King, Eleanor will be Queen and in charge of the Tower.
“So... Three more years? I promise I won't push it back much longer. Three more years may the kingdom's economy has improved. I will try hard to do everything to improve the relationship with Westeria so that this problem is quickly finished.” Xavier is still trying to get Eleanor's consent regarding their marriage.
“Elle? You listening to me?”
Eleanor soon regained her senses from her daydream. “What? Sorry, I was..."
Xavier waited for Eleanor to continue her words, but Eleanor had trouble explaining them. At that time Eleanor was very fond of the blue-eyed man, but did not dare to be frank with Xavier because even though they were engaged.
"All right." He said, "We postpone our marriage until you are twenty years old. But first, I have something to ask you. More precisely I want to ask you for permission.” Eleanor emboldened herself to come clean to Xavier.
“Ask permission? What is the thing you want to do that requires my permission?”
“Dating."
"What?" Xavier looked very surprised.
"Please allow me to date her."
Xavier followed Eleanor's line of sight. Towards the blue-eyed man. "You know him?"
"i like it. Very." Very." Eleanor said as she looked at Xavier solemnly. "I'm in love with her."
They were silent for a long time while staring at each other. Xavier then thought that Eleanor must have liked the man so much that she ventured to tell him. She also had no reason not to allow Eleanor to date because they did not love each other. Xavier loved Eleanor as his friend who had always been there for him since childhood, but Xavier did not love her. There is no sweet romance between them. They care for each other and love each other because indirectly they are cousins. They only have a very strong friendship bond that wants happiness from each other.
Xavier then laughed breaking the awkward silence between them. "Well, Elle... I just found out this Ice Princess can fall in love with someone."
"Don't laugh at me. You will also soon find a woman who melts the ice wall in your heart, the Prince of Ice." Eleanor replied with a sharp shot. But her cheeks are reddish.
"Stop it. I'm not sure.” Xavier. “But I am glad that you have found the person you truly love sincerely. All right, I'm giving you my permission. Go with. I'm going around the village by myself, and we're going back to the palace before the sun sets."
***
The next day, early in the morning before the sun really rose, Anna had already returned to the Palace. He immediately walked quickly towards the Crown Prince's room in the Main Palace to meet Xavier. But once there, Xavier wasn't there.
"Your Majesty stayed at the Crown Prince's Palace from yesterday. His Highness and the Crown Princess for so on will be staying at the Crown Prince's Palace." Sebastian, the palace butler explained to Anna.
After hearing that explanation, Anna hurriedly went towards the Crown Prince's Palace. However, in a hurry, Anna did not look around as she turned into the main hallway and almost bumped into someone.
"Good God, forgive me Your Highness the Princess. You all right?" Ask the man.
Anna looked up and was immediately shocked to find out who the person she almost hit was due to her carelessness. His black eyes were as dark as the night sky and his hair was as white as snow. He was the first son of Empress Selena. Prince Ludwig.
Anna's heart almost stopped when she saw him. His hands trembled, but he immediately hid his hands backwards. Somehow Prince Ludwig made him feel afraid just by looking at him. Perhaps because Prince Ludwig was the son of Empress Selena. Perhaps it was also because the Prince had referred to her as Her Royal Highness the Princess. Anna tried to hide her fear by smiling kindly and trying not to look at her directly.
"I'm sorry for my carelessness, Your Majesty. I am Anna, the Crown Prince's personal bodyguard. I'm not a Princess as you mentioned earlier." Anna said, having managed to keep her voice from shaking.
Prince Ludwig looked at her suspiciously as Anna kept her head down.
"really? I never misjudge people. I thought you were the Duke's daughter or the Marquess. Or even a Princess from another Kingdom. Your face is like a stranger.” Ludwig. He continued to look at Anna as if he was figuring out what lies she was hiding. “Ah, haven't we met before in front of the library, Miss Anna? Forgive me for my disrespect at that time."
"It's okay, Your Majesty." Anna said immediately, not wanting to linger in that place with Prince Ludwig.
"I was a little surprised when I first saw you. Miss's red hair reminds me of someone who almost became my fiancee ten years ago. But as far as I know that man is dead." Ludwig paused for a moment to see Anna's reaction. But Anna tried to set her expression so as not to seem nervous even though she currently felt like she wanted to quickly leave that place. "Daughter of Anastasia from Schiereiland.”
Ludwig smiled as he looked at Anna looking surprised. Although at a glance, Anna had reacted when she heard her real name called, complete with her title. But Anna still didn't say anything. So she continued, “That time I only saw her from a distance, but I remember she had long red hair like a rose. Exactly like Miss's hair color."
Anna could not say a word. He suddenly remembered about the first person who was almost his fiancee. He had long forgotten about it, but now he remembered it again. A week after Leon's departure to the battlefield at the age of ten, some representatives from Nordhalbinsel and some princes came to Schiereiland. At that time it was rife to establish friendship between countries with political marriage. So the main purpose of their arrival was to make Anna the fiancee of one of the Nordhalbinsel princes. But Anna refused the engagement even before she met the Prince because she only wanted Leon as her companion and she had already promised Leon to wait for her. King Edward did not force the engagement on Anna because she was too young to be engaged to anyone.
"That was the first time I was rejected. Of course my mother, Empress Selena was very angry at the time. His plan to conquer Schiereiland from that day on had failed due to the rejection of an innocent and ignorant little Princess." Ludwig recalled with a laugh. "Ah, sorry. I'm talking about this to Miss. I have been very curious since then. I came to think that Miss might have been Princess Anastasia who was considered dead."
Ludwig touched Anna's chin and raised his face. Anna was too scared to fight him. He clenched his hands to manipulate his own fear. Anna ventured to look at Ludwig's eyes, which were pitch-black like eternal darkness. Anna felt trapped inside, like there was no way out. Those eyes seemed to flash for a moment like the tip of a knife that was hit by the reflection of moonlight.
Ludwig could clearly see the fear on Anna's face, but was unwilling to let go. He examined every inch of Anna's face up close. Ascertaining whether the girl was indeed the same girl he had seen ten years ago in Schiereiland Palace. Because his judgment is rarely wrong. No. gabe. He's never wrong.
“If that is true, if you are indeed Princess Anastasia, then it would be a pity. After surviving one death, another death is waiting right in front of the eyes.” Ludwig's whisper was right in Anna's ear.
"Sa-i—“
"Prince Ludwig!" Someone came from behind Anna. Anna and Ludwig simultaneously saw who the new person was. Ludwig immediately released Anna and retreated a few steps away from the girl after seeing who had come.
"It's been a long time since we met. What's the need until you take my personal bodyguard's time?" Ask Xavier. He stepped right in front of Ludwig, pulling Anna behind him to get away from Ludwig. Anna took a few steps back, away from the two brothers.
Ludwig did not answer. He just stared at Xavier sharply, then smiled faintly. "It's funny. You who haven't talked to me in years suddenly talk to me just because I'm taking your personal bodyguard's time." Ludwig turned his gaze to Anna who was behind Xavier. "I think I understand the reason. Then, I won't bother him anymore, Your Majesty." Ludwig said as he walked through Xavier.
When Ludwig was right in front of Anna, he whispered something in her ear.
"When the party is tonight, Miss must come to the back garden of the Queen's Palace. Miss should know what the Crown Prince is hiding there. Be careful."
Then Ludwig went further and further away from Anna and Xavier. Anna could not help but think of the words that Ludwig whispered. After all, he was the son of Empress Selena. Anna didn't want to believe it. But Anna was curious at the intent of those words.
"What did he tell you?" Xavier asked as he looked at Anna's face filled with questions.
"It's not important, Your Majesty." Answer Anna. Anna did not trust Prince Ludwig, but she also did not want to fully believe in Xavier. Anna couldn't trust anyone in that palace.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you first. I will stay at the Crown Prince's Palace for the next. So you don't have to come to the Main Palace anymore unless there's some business in this place." Xavier. “And another one, as much as possible do not deal with Prince Ludwig whatever he says.”
"I will remember, Your Majesty."
***