Chapter 13

"Brother," Elliot called walking into the throne room just after Axel had dismissed the council.
Axel turned his head to see Elliot walking into the throne room. Elliot stopped a few meters from the stairs leading to the throne seat and bowed his head in courtesy.
"Elliot." Axel said in acknowledgement after the council had gone leaving the room empty with just the both of them in it and two guards standing at the door.
"How did the meeting go?" Elliot asked with concern, lacing in his voice. "You don't look so good."
"The crops aren't producing well, all the money spent on the farm is going down the drain." Axel explained rubbing his temple. "Aside from that, I'm okay."
"Well, I see wrinkles coming." Elliot joked.
"You always find a way to make me smile amidst any situation." Axel complimented with a smile on his face. "While my son only finds the best way to frustrate me, making me look other than my age."
Elliot chuckled lightly before speaking. "Would you allow me to suggest my opinion?"
"Sure, you bring the best suggestions ever. There's no problem spilling it."
"Why don't you find a bride for him then?"
"I know Elliot, but I just don't know who would be perfect for him." Axel explained.
"Why don't you take Sabrina of Stockhem?"
"Sabrina? Who's Sabrina?"
"Philip's daughter." Elliot answered.
"Oh! Philip, my very good friend. I tossed him away when I met that bastard, Conrad." Axel exclaimed. "That would be very good, Little Sabrina wouldn't be little anymore."
"Hmm hmm, so what do you say?"
"Sure Elliot, I would write him a letter. That's why I like you Elliot, like I said earlier you bring the best suggestions. Thank you so much."
"Yes brother, if I may take my leave."
"Sure, we'll see later."
Elliot bowed his head and left the throne room, walking into the hallway with a smirk on his face.
*
*
"I... I got touched."
"What?" Luciano asked confusedly.
Eleanor heaved out a heavy sign, he wanted answers right? Well, she would tell him. "I got touched." She repeated staring at him eye to eye. "By Lord Elliot." She added.
"Bastard." Luciano muttered under his breath, taking his gaze elsewhere. "Why would he do that?"
"Well, I don't know. I was walking up the stairs and he stopped me and said all sort of nasty words, like Luciano knows good thing when he sees one," Eleanor narrated absentmindedly, then switched to mimicking Elliot's voice. "Luciano wouldn't mind sharing, oh! I can't wait to do what my mind says, oh! Luciano must feel very lucky. I'm sure he wouldn't mind sharing or renting you out for a night." She said croakily.
"I'm not an asset if I'm in allowed to speak, so what's with the whole 'sharing me stuff' I would have smack his face hard if I wasn't a slave." Eleanor scoffed, rolling her eyes, then gasped loudly when she realised all what she had said.
"Oh dear gods." She clamped her hands over her mouth, her eyes widened in horror, what has she done?
She's definitely getting punished, how could she speak of his uncle in such manner right in front of him. Her end has definitely come, he would end her in the most painful way ever. She slowly took her eyes to his face to check his expression, when she realized he wasn't looking so deadly as she thought. She fell to her knees immediately.
"I'm so sorry master, forgive my manners. I did not realize when i said all those, I'm sorry master please don't kill me. You can punish me but please don't kill me." She pleaded frantically.
Luciano stared at her in amazement, he couldn't believe she would say all those to his face, she's definitely a brave one.
The most weird part of the whole situation is the urge that he's having to laugh. He doesn't understand why his mind is finding this funny, he doesn't understand his mind anymore.
It also surprises him that he's not angry, he doesn't understand why he hasn't sliced a sword through her throat. These days he doesn't understand himself anymore.
A knock on the door drew him out of his thoughts. "Who is it?"
"It's Killian, my prince."
"You may leave." He said to Eleanor.
She snapped her head to look at him in shock, he's not punishing her? Oh dear gods, thank you so much.
"Thank you so much master." Eleanor said before scurrying out of the room before he changes his mind.
"Come in Killian."
Killian stepped into the room and bowed his head in greeting. "The king requests your presence in his chambers."
Luciano groaned inwardly before walking out of the room.
*
*
"Axel, I think you should wait for a while." Ariel suggested. "You can't do this to him, you know it's not his fault he's like this," She added trying to convince him.
"I've given him enough time Ariel, I can't wait anymore." Axel replied adamantly.
"But-" a knock on the door cut her off. She signs deeply before saying. "He's here."
"Come in."
Luciano stepped into the room and sighted his father sitting on the chair behind the table.
"You requested to see me."
Ariel glanced at Axel with pleading eyes trying to make him change his mind. Axel turned to face Luciano before speaking. "I've made up my mind son, I'm writing to Philip of Stockhem to release his daughter's hand to us for marriage."
Luciano stared at his father dryly before asking "is that all you wanted to say?"
Axel and Ariel glanced at each other unsure about his reaction. Axel cleared his throat before speaking "yes."
"Okay, I'll take my leave." Luciano said casually turning around to exit the room.
"You aren't gonna say anything." The queen voiced out. Luciano stopped and turned to face her, quirking an eyebrow at her questioningly. "You're not throwing a tantrum about this?" She asked again unsurely.
"I'm shocked, you're okay with this?" She asked again, her voices laced with uncertainty.
Luciano chuckled humorlessly, glanced at his father one last time before stepping out of the room. He had better things to worry about.
*
*
After exiting the Prince's room, Eleanor has gone to the palace kitchen to help madam Helen with a few things. She washed her hands before stepping out of the kitchen and walking out of the castle. She decided to take a walk to clear her head, she still couldn't believe what she did in the Prince's room. He could have her head for that, but still yet he forgave her. She was grateful to the gods for helping her out.
She really needs to learn to tame her tongue before it leads her to her doom.
She heaved out a heavy sign before focusing on her way.
*
*
The Queen could be seen in the compound of the castle walking around with her maids behind her. She had decided to take a walk around the castle to clear her mind off a few things. Luciano's reaction today was giving her deep thoughts.
She does not understand him anymore. One minute he's cold, the other he's calm and reserved. It's really bothering her.
*
Eleanor smiled as she walked into compound of the castle. This is definitely what she needed, some good time alone with no stress and just fresh air.
After a few minutes she decided to return back to the slaves quarters, she was rounding up a corner when she saw sighted the Queen coming her way.
Eleanor bowed her head and quickened her steps so she gets away from here in time. As Eleanor drew nearer to her, The Queen suddenly tripped and lost her footing but Eleanor was quick to grab her from falling to the ground.
"Your highness," She said, helping her to her feet. Suddenly she was rewarded with a slap. Eleanor gasped and held her hurting cheek looking up to the Queen in shock.
"How dare you touch me you filthy scumbag!" The Queen roared in anger. "Have you lost your mind! How dare lay your dirty fingers on me!" She lifted her hands up again and smacked Eleanor's face harder this time.
Eleanor staggered back in pain, tears stinging her eyes from the pain she felt on her cheeks. Eleanor held her cheeks and looked at the Queen in shock. She was just trying to help, wasn't she?
"Get this god forsaken trash out of my sight?" The Queen yelled at the guards around. "How could you all be watching while she touches me?! How could you? Griffin!! Where's Griffin!" She yelled looking around.
Griffin, the slave trainer ran into the scene a few seconds later, when he heard the Queen yell his name.
"Your highness!" Griffin stood before her with his head bowed.
"Take this trash from my sight and punish her. I don't care what you do to her, just punish her harshly. Do you get me!" The Queen roared.
The slave trainer glanced at Eleanor who stood by the side before answering the Queen. "Yes your Highness."
The Queen calmed her enraged breathing before she spoke. "That's what you get for messing with the wrong person. My son might be soft on you but I won't give chances to your evil schemes."
"Griffin?"
"Yes your Highness."
"Make sure she gets no food tonight."
"Yes, your Highness."
"Out, out of my sight!" She commanded.
Griffin grabbed Eleanor by her arm and led her out of the scene. An evil smirk appeared on his lips. He has long hated Eleanor and her friend, they always act like the bravest, so now is the perfect time to punish her. Too bad she would suffer for her friend's stupidity too.
He smirked harder and dragged her roughly with a satisfying feeling in him.