A charismatic lady

"By the way did you see the beautiful lac with a fontain that looks like a waterfall, behind your palace you can't see it from here but it is a really relaxing place. Our father build it and Francis and I liked to swim there."

"Really, I want to see it so much, but can we really swim in the lac? won't people see us?"

"No! you don't have to worry it is only used by Francis and I, and we didn't really returned there since we were teenager. Of course no one can see since it is surrounded by bush trimmed by gardener. So, it is safe and no one goes there, you can try it someday."

"Yes, maybe I will take a look."

"But Lea I must warn you to be careful, there is a rumors that spirits often come lurking around at night so be extra careful.."

"What...you are kidding right Al?!"

"Hahaha! who know, that's what I hear. But in case be careful if you went there at night."

'I can't tell her that Francis often go to swim at night....Well, I kind of want to witness them been in that situation, but I will just not tell her, I scared her a little so this should prevent her from going.' Thought Alphonse while smiling mischievously.

After Alphonse left, a woman came to see Eleanor she was tall an pretty with short green hair and purple eyes. She looked fierce and cold at first but after looking at Eleanor from head to toes she said,

"Well, this is unexpected I never saw a person with your unique feature. white blonde hair and a sky blue eyes with a creamy skin, pretty.." she said while smiling and observing her then she continued and said,

"Nice to meet you my dear, my name is Lydia and people call me the best in my field but well that isn't a lie.."

"Nice to meet you too Miss Lydia and I am Eleanor.....I..in what field do you mean?"

"The fashion field of course you never hear of me?"

"No, I am sorry, I am not from here...."

"Nevermind that, I was told by our dear emperor to make I beautiful party dress for you. And later I will also send you a lot of outdoor and indoor dresses, after I take your mesure. Please undress her."

"Miel and the two other maid Elise and Anna were helping undress Eleanor who was confuded by this sudden situation and asked,

"I am sorry miss Lydia but..." Lydia interupted her said,

"Just, call me confortably sweety."

"Ah then Lydia, why a party dress?"

"Didn't he inform you? sigh! this idiot Sebastian, he was supposed to tell you, but he must be really busy since it is his highness's birthday tomorrow night. You must be startled, I am sorry.."

"No, it is okay....So it is the emperor's birthday tomorrow."

"Yes and poeple are working around for a week now to prepare the birthday but you surely couldn't see it since you are in this building. They will hold the party in emperor palace's main hall, it is big and pretty you will see."

"...But do I have to attend?"

"Well, yes you will since he asked me personally to prepare you a dress, you see I am a person that only make this quality of dress only for those of the royal family."

"Then don't bother about me Lydia I am okay with any dress."

"No way, since I saw you I couldn't get the idea of your dress out of my mind. You will be stunning.." She said as she brightly smiled to Eleanor then she finished taking her measurement and left while making Eleanor excited about the dress she is gonna prepare.

Eleanor ate her lunch and then with the obstinate invitation of Alphonse decided to go with him for an afternoon tea in the garden. She didn't want to leave her room since the day Francis told her to not leave it without his order. She didn't leave because he ordered to but because she feel offended by his words. And as if Alphonse understood it, he persistently tried to make her leave her room so at the end she let him win.

At the garden she feel the sun on her face and drank the tea that seemed even more delicious for some reason maybe because she was drinking it outside with a gentle and charming person.

"So, I hear that you meet with Lydia....was she mean to you?"

"Huh? no, why would she be mean? she was really kind to me and explained me about the birthday and all...since, no one told me about it." She said while taking a spoon of a strawberry cake and looked at him with eyes full of reproach.

"Hahaha...I am sorry, I didn't know you weren't aware about it. I thougth that Sebastian informed you or your maid."

"Miel told me that she thougth I wasn't going to the party because I wasn't invited, so she didn't want to say unnecessary thing and hurt me."

"Is that your maid, it is really considerate of her, she is a good girl."

"Yes I know." She said while looking toward miel who was blushing at her side and refilling their tea.

"I see...anyways I am still sorry, I should have told you about it while discussing with you. I wonder, why the occasion to talk about it never came...well, since we talk about a lot of things, it could happen I guess, since I always have fun when I talk with you."

"Yeah that's true hahaha....I also do have fun with you Al, you remind me of a friend of mine."

"Who?"

"Ah his name is Elias,.....we parted way since a moment ago and I don't think we will ever see each other again..." She said with a sad expression on her face.

"Oh....but know that you now have a friend here too." Alphonse said as he had a sad smile on his face and gave her his handkerchief.

She didn't understood at first why he was giving her the tissue but then she feel the tear fell on her cheek and without a second thought took his tissue.

"I am sorry.....I didn't think that I would....Ah really, what's got into me."

"No, it is Perfectly fine...it is normal to miss your friend and home.

"Yes, you reminded me of him, so I just...."

"Oh, then I should get on my knee and apologize to the lady. Please your grace forgive my....." Before he finished Eleanor burst into laughter and said,

"Hahahaha..Yeah that's so much like you, I forgive you sir no need to overdo it."

"Yes...You are better with this expression.So, do you want me to accompany you to the party? so that you wouldn't get nervous.

"I will gladly accept your invitation, thank you so much for worrying and looking after me Al."

"No need to thank me since I do it because I have fun too."

They continued their afternoon tea and he accompanied her to her room before bidding his farewell and then it was finally the day of the emperor's birthday celebration finally.