Back to the palace

"Cain, why does Francis hates the witchs and wizards?!" Eleanor asked after his disciples left in a hurry, afraid that their master would change his mind.

"About that, I can not really tell you the reason. You have to get that information from him. The only thing that I can disclose is that it concern a curse."

"A curse, that's terrible and what kind of curse is it?"

"Unfortunately that is as far as I can say." He said with a apologetic smile on his face.

"Ah, I understand you are right, it is impolite to question you about another person's privacy. I am really sorry for my unawareness Cain." she apologized while looking down ashamed of her request.

"No, you don't have to apologize, it is just a subject that is like a deep wound for him that's why, I suggest you to directly ask him. Who know, maybe you of all people will be able to heal him." He wink at her as if he knew everything that happened between them, then he turned around and went to write the report about the new plan for the herbe. After opening the book and taking a pensil, he asked her a question that made her heart jump.

"By the way, Lea how did you come up with this ingenious plan?"

Eleanor had to carefully think about her words and answer him in a calm manner without expressing any fear or doubt.

"I faintly remembered what I learned in my hometown and fortunately for us, I have a really good memory. So, I could remember the process they used to grow it in book."

"I see, they could figure out the solution, they must have done a lot of research. Who was your master back home?"

"Ah, humm they were the peoples living with me in the village. And the book was something their ancestors left for them, I used to read them often." She lied making all the effort she managed to keep her expression from faltering.

"I see, I wonder where you lived, I would love to look at those books." Fortunately for her, he seemed to believe her words but if he keep on asking more about her hometown, she feared her lies would be discovered. She had to quickly change the subject.

"Cain, I hear from Miel and Anne, my maids that tonight would be the last day of the celebration in town." She said with enthusiasm, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Haha, yes that's the case since the emperor will be back today and you seem to look forward to it hein.." He answered and smiled genuinly at her enthusiasm, making her feel bad for deceiving him with her lies.

"Uh...Do you think it will be possible for me to go to town and look around?!"

"Humm..well, you will surely see Francis before going so why don't you ask him for permission?"

"I-I don't want to, and I may not be able to see him at all today since he will be busy."

"That is true. Then, how about taking my carriage? I have one for my outing. The guards wouldn't stop you from leaving the palace since I am free to go in and out of the palace as I want." He was casually writing his report while easily providing her a way to leave the palace.

She jumped from joy and kissed him on the cheek before saying,

"Thanks a lot Cain, you are saving my life."

"Hahaha, It is not enought to save a life, but you will be able to at least enjoy the festival tonight." He said with a warm smile.

'Oh yes it is, you can't guess how much this would help me Cain. You just opened a path for me inside what look like a dark labyrinth.' She thought feeling a wave of hopes submerge her inside.

Cain gave her a thumb up and continued,

"Have fun tonight, my lady."

"Count on me, dear doctor I might even bring you a gift."

"Oh! I will expect that then."

As they were chatting quietly, they hear noise coming from outside gradually going louder. Cain and Eleanor looked at each other in wonder, it was lunch time so they didn't thougth that it could be the emperor returning since he had to arrive at least in the afternoon or at night. It was too early. But to their surprise, they had the confirmation from the servants that were running around in a hurry and shouting that the emperor's back while making preparation.

"It seem like he is back, he is earlier though. I wonder what happened, did they travel without getting rest? if they did, his vasals must be all exhausted. Let's go and greet him." Cain said while closing the book and standing up to go welcome Francis.

"I-I have a lot of thing to prepare for tonight..so I will return to my room. Thanks and see you Cain." She lied, trying to avoid Francis as much as possible.

"....Okay, then have fun and don't forget my gift." He noticed her discomfort and didn't ask further.

"It goes without saying." She smiled sweetly and left the garden.

'So, he is back. I am lost, I don't know what to say when I see him. At first I was confident and all, but now that he really is here it is more difficult. My heart is shaking and beating fast every time I hear his name. I only feel this way around him and no one else, so what does it mean?! I am so lost, that's why I shouldn't confront him in this state. Maybe going to town will help to ease my mind.' She thought while walking as fast as she could through the hallway and go to her room.