Chapter 8

*Eleanor's POV*
I heaved a sigh of relief as I walked into the empty kitchen. I leaned on one of the kitchen cabinets to catch my breath. Today has really been hectic, we have been cooking different kinds of meals. Why? According to what I heard, this lord Elliot happens to be a very powerful person and is very hard to please. The maids wouldn't stop gossiping about him, and I've been thinking if he's that hard to please, why are they wasting their time preparing a surprise party for him. Well the worst part is, nobody's attending the party aside from the king and his family. So why are they cooking all the kinds of meals I've never heard of before, talk less of eating them. I doubt they are going to finish it.
Madam Helen rushed into the kitchen and literally dragged me out rushing her words. "He's here! He's here! We all have to assemble to welcome him, c'mon hurry!!" I almost rolled my eyes.
We got outside the castle and I sighted Gwen looking around, probably searching for me. I began walking to her direction and as I was about reaching she turned around and flashed me a smile
"Hey!" She beamed excitedly
"Hey, do you have any idea who lord Elliot is yet?"I asked curiously
"No, not one single slightest idea" She answered shrugging.
Then a carriage rode into the castle with some warriors in horses behind it. It came to a halt and a man stepped out.... Whattt!!!!!. I stood there frozen. It suddenly felt like there was no oxygen left in my lungs, I felt shivers run down my spine. Oh dear gods of Narva. Remember that man that led the attack on our kingdom. The huge scary one that spotted Gwen and I when we were running to the castle? Yes! He's the one and well he looks SCARIER!!!
As he walked towards the building, all the maids including we, the slaves bowed our heads in greeting. He stopped in front of us and I forget to mention we were separated. I mean the slaves and maids were separated. We the slaves stood by the left side of the castle while the maids stood at the right side.
He stopped a few meters in front of all of us and looked around like he was inspecting us before stepping into the castle. The king and queen welcomed him while we all stepped inside to serve them.
*
*
"The old man's back" Was the first statement Nikolai uttered immediately he stepped into Luciano's chambers before throwing himself on the bed with his right hand behind his head and his left hand trailing over his chest and stomach.
Luciano stared at him from where he stood, doing the buttons on his garment.
"Back with his sick rules" He continued with a look of distaste on his face.
"Not to mention your so mighty kingly father becomes his puppet." Luciano added with his deep voice, a hint of mockery finding it's way through it.
Nikolai chuckled to himself "well the painful part is the fact that I'm going to spend a few hours of life wasted at the dinner table, because my very good parents are trying to impress a stone cold man" He said imitating a frustrated, painful look on his face.
"You should make that easier and faster by getting dressed." Luciano raised a brow at him
"Thanks for the reminder brother, I really wish I could fake 'suddenly falling ill' but lad's not good at acting, so I'll just try to keep up, a few hours is not much loss" he stood up from the bed and walked out of the room.
Luciano is a man who's very true to his words. He never lies. Why would he? When he fears nobody, which is why he could admit and say it out loud that he had never for a moment taken interest in liking his father's brother. That man always looked like there was something behind that nice facade he always put on. Always giving damn advice to his father, some working out good while the others history, but he always felt there's more than meets the eye. That's why ever since he was a young lad, he never liked the sight of his uncle.
He walked to his wardrobe and pulled out a long robe and wore it. He had never liked the slightest idea of allowing a maid dress him up. At the thought of a maid, his mind wandered off to Eleanor, he had not seen her since yesterday. She must be very busy at the moment, probably preparing for Elliot's arrival. Well she's his personal slave not Elliot's.
"Killian"
Few seconds later the door creaked open and the huge guard stepped in.
"Yes, my prince" He bowed his head.
"Get me Eleanor"
"Yes my prince" He bowed again before turning around and heading out of the room.
*
*
Today is one of those days Eleanor would "tag" the worst, because she has never had the chance to rest apart from that time when she walked into the empty kitchen. Ever since the arrival of Elliot 'the attack leader' as she would call him, all the slaves and maids has been busy like bees.
At first he complained about the decorations saying it was too bright. He wanted it to be darker like really really dark. He even suggested colors like red and black. "We are not preparing for a funeral" Eleanor wanted to scream out loud, but that would only give her a free gate pass to visit her ancestors because a sword would slice through her throat before the last word slips out of her mouth.
So currently, she and few other slaves were in the kitchen, sweeping and mopping every corner of the kitchen of it as requested by 'attack leader'. Somehow she thinks this man has more power and authority than the king himself.
She was still deep in thought when she heard a deep voice call out her name. She turned around and saw a huge guard standing by the door of the kitchen. Oh! This one, remember the huge scary guard always standing by the door of the prince's room? The one who's face looked like it was sculpted to frown. Yes that one! What's his name again...... Killian! yes Killian! But why would he call me? She thought within herself. "Well only if the prince requests your presence" Her subconsciousness said.
"The prince calls for you" He said, his face stone cold
"Errmmm...okay, give me a few seconds" She turned and washed her soapy hands. She dried her hands on her cloth, turned and followed him.
As they climbed up the stairs, she couldn't stop wondering, why would he call her when he knew she would be so busy? Is it something very important? She would have tried asking the guard if his face wasn't so cold and 'frowny'. Is there even a word like that? Well she doesn't care, human beings form words right? Well there's nothing wrong with her forming hers.
They reached the front of the Prince's room.The guard knocked twice before they heard a deep but faint "come in" The guard opened the door and stepped aside, motioning Eleanor to step inside. She walked into the room and he closed the door behind her, not coming in.
Prince Luciano stood in the middle of the room wearing one of his expensive bracelets around his wrist. He also had a fine robe on, he looked ready for the 'party'.
"Good evening master." She greeted bowing her head
*Silence*
"Get dressed properly, you would accompany me to the welcome party".
BOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!
Eleanor's eyes went wide in horror as he dropped the bombshell. She felt her ears had suddenly gone deaf or wait, is it still working? She doesn't think so but the look she saw on his face confirmed her doubt that she heard well.
Why would he want her to accompany him? To be with him in the midst of people that hate her guts. This is really bad.
"You heard me right?" He asked in that annoying voice.
"Erm...yes.... yess.. mas.. master" She stuttered helplessly, bowed her head and left the room.
"Could this day get any worse?"