Her days in the imperial palace

It was morning, you could see the first rays of the sun through the window, and hear the singing of little birds. the bed feel really good to Eleanor who wasn't used to this kind of luxurious life, it was smooth like cloud so she wanted to stay in bed longer.

But her sweet moment was interrupted by the step of the maids that rushed in to prepare her for breakfast. They took out of the wardrobe a light pink dress with laces around the chest and the waist, it was a simple yet beautiful dress. One of the maid carefully combed her hair and was making a braid, the other maids excitedly decorated her hair with little flowers accessory. As they were busy making Eleanor pretty, they chatted with her and covered her with praise about her beauty and the unique color and softness of her hair.

Their eyes was sparking with joy and excitement, so Eleanor was embarassed and befriended them easily. Since she wasn't a noble, she didn't see the need to keep distance with people. Also for Eleanor, it was her first time to interact with human being, except for Francis and the knights. That's way, she was happy to have the maids take care of her and tell her all kind of gossip. Miel was the quiet one who was taking care of her hair and Elise and Anne were always excited and liked to gossip about her relationship with the emperor.

Because of the long talk about rumors and other gossip, Eleanor made Francis wait in the dining room for breakfast, so the head maid came and reprimanded the maids for their lazyness and guided Eleanor to where Francis was waiting. 

The emperor was tired from all the work that keep piling up since his disappearance. So he was working since he came back and even had dinner in his office, but every hour he was asking how Eleanor was doing to his butler. He wanted to eat with her but couldn't, and made sure to finish all the work and have breakfast with her. And now that it is morning, he was waiting for about twenty minute for her to come down.

Then finally, the head maid appeared in the dining room followed by Eleanor...Francis was astonished for a while, his gaze following her every moves. 'Beautiful', he knew that she had an incredible beauty since he first meet her, in her simple brown dress covered by a light coat.

But overnight she shines even more then before, in this pink dress that molded well with her slim figure. She was like an angel that fell from the sky. 

Eleanor sit beside Francis where her breakfast was set, traditionally it was only allowed to the imperial family to take that place beside the emperor, and the guest had to sit across him. But Francis wanted her to sit beside him, so that he could see her as much as he wanted. 

She feel his intense gaze on her and was getting embarrassed, she began to eat and while appreciating the delicious meal she said,

"Are you not eating? it is really delicious, you should try it." 

"Yes, I know, but my eyes was also eating some rare delicacy too", he said with a mischievious smile.

"Ah!...hey stop mocking me, I am not used to wear this kind of dress." She replied with a flushed red face.

"Is it not confortable? if you want, I will tell them to get you more, since you are our important guest that saved the emperor's life. You deserve that much."

'The emperor's guest hein...so he is showing me this much attention because of that, I almost forgot he was an emperor and me...I..' She wondered before answering.

"No, there's no need for that since I plan to leave soon anyway, so when is your investigation to confirm my good will going to finish?"

'She want to leave this much...I thought that she would like the palace and made many preparation so that she would feel confortable and decide to stay.' He thougth while tightening his fist.

"It will take a while but if you could cooperate it will go faster."

"I...already told you everything and for the rest I don't want to talk about my past." 

"Why? because you are an accomplice?"

"No! and you know about that sir Francis." she said while meeting his gaze and weirdly she couldn't avert her eyes even when he was getting closer.

"And why do you think...I would know." 

"well,...because your eyes is not suspicious of me...and also I wouldn't have saved you, if I was send to kill you, right?!...." She was getting more red with every distance he narrowed between them.

"Really? then can you tell me, how my eyes are looking at you?...humm?"

"Ah!...like...like a wolf who just found I new toy?!..heh!"

"...pfffhahahahahh!!!" He suddenly burst in laughter and Eleanor laughted with him awkwardly.

The maids and butlers who hear all the conversation even from afar, were all trying to avert their eyes with embarassment. And when they saw the emperor burst in laughter, they were all stunned since it was a first for them.

'So, he know how to laugh too....He is more handsome when he laugh though.' Eleanor thought while looking at him.

"Haha!..Does it really seem that way in your eyes?" 

"Humm..yeah, why? did I got it wrong?"

"You will have to figure that out yourself dear. I have to go, see you for dinner."

"Oh! you will be there!" She said with joy.

"Chuckle!...did I miss you that much?"

"Whaa...I...that's not it.." She blurted while blushing.

"Heh! see you later my lady!" He said and went out of the dining room.

'Ahhhhhh! how annoying...he did that on purpose....Ahhh!I want to beat him up....why did I say that, this is so embarassing..sigh!!'

That was the complaint that went trought her head, with her face down in defeat from losing against her annoying yet charming emperor.