Chapter 9 Behind his smile

Ethy stood there and looked at the oldman drenched in cold sweat and he let out an evil chuckle. "One might think that am your elder Ardn."

"Ethy.....I....."

"Am happy that she's grown up to be so beautiful. You've not let me down." Ethy smiled as his eyes travelled to bifurcated ivory staircase that coiled to the top most floor where Eleanor's room was.

"You shouldn't be here Ethy. It's not safe."

"Ha...your worried?" he scorned.

"No, it's if the others notice that your here things will not be good."

"I've been away for as long as he was locked up! Why can't I come see her?" Ethy looked at Ardn incredulously and a storm started brewing in his green eyes.

Ardn saw this and he had to pacify this creature before it created havoc on this gathering. "You can go see her in her chambers. I'll leave the introductions to be handled by yourself." and with that, the storm that was earlier brewing ceased and a sunny feeling emanated from him. "I don't wish us to be disturbed."

"It will be done as per your request." came Richard's firm reply.

Back in the princess room with a white and pink interior, a humming from a soft voice could be heard echoing in the room from the bathroom area. Ethy materialised in the room and was welcomed with a soft hum. This made him smile and his green eyes softened a bit before he started to look around in the bedroom.

A bed fit for eight people covered in pink duvet covers and pinks pillows, a huge white teddy sat in the middle of the bed. To the left were photos of Eleanor from when she was a baby to where wshe was now. Photos of her family too hung in cute pink and white frames on the wall. She had a walk in closet made of white exquisite board with enchanting pattern designs. Anything a girl could dream of having, she had it all. The young man smiled when he learnt that his beloved grew up in luxury.

Soon the bathroom door opened and out came Eleanor wrapped in a white bathrobe and a towel drying her hair, she didn't mind her looking about and walked into her walk in closet to find clothes to change in. Ethy took his sweet time and settled himself in one of her white chairs, an eye pain, as he stood out alot in the white and pink room.

When Eleanor came out, she wà given a fright to find a stranger in her room that she couldn't stop the shrill scream that escaped her dainty lips. However the stranger only looked at their clearly amused by her reaction.

Regaining her composure, Eleanor sized the man before her up and recalled to have seen him earlier in the sitting room. "Who are you, what are you doing in my room?" she made sure her voice sounded stun and cold.

The green eyed man only chuckled and kept sizing her up. "Long time Elea." he greeted with a longing smile.

"Do I know you?"

"You've just forgotten!" he said to her.

"I never forget. Anyway, what are you doing in my room?" she never forgot anybody she met and interacted with and this creepy guy was not among those persons she met before. His green eyes would never have left her memory if she had encountered them before.

"I came to see you and catch up." came his lazy reply.

"You must be crazy, young man." He just chuckled evilly. He was no way near young. "I want you out of my room."

"Fine, I won't make things tough on our first meeting after so long. See you around."

"Out!!" came her impolite jeer.

The man stood up gently, organising his suit and walked to the door. Pausing, he turned and smiled at her then proceeded to leave but the moment he stepped out of the room, his expression turned ominous.

The weather outside turned dark and the thunder roared aggressively depicting how ugly his mood was. 'That thing had met her!!! Did he really thinks he'd have a chance in this life time? Well he can keep dreaming because Elea was his this time round!!!' He had started losing control with just the thought of them having met but the bracelet on his arm gave off an orange glow that caused a throbbing pain in his chest. This served as a reminder to Ethy that he couldn't loose himself to rage again if he had to win this round. After calming himself down, Ethy graciously returned and found that the others had moved to the hall for today's event to proceed.

On his way, Ethy met Andy who glared at him furociously. This only made Ethy chuckle the more. "What?! Sad that it's time I claim what's mine?"

"I won't let you take her." Andy declared with resolution.

"Am afraid you'll never be with her the way you desire. Your her brother after all!!" Ethy taunted Andy.

"That doesn't matter. There's someone who can look after her better than any of us. If I can't have her, then I'll hand her to one who better deserves her." His retort finally managed to crack Ethys' expression. "He'll soon be here to reclaim her!"

A firm grip chocked Andy as Ethy dug his nails in his flesh, blood dripping. Andy didn't put in a struggle and neither back down or show any sort of emotion. This was quite amusing and Ethy admired this warriors zeal.

"If only you had stood by my side then."

"I don't stand with darkness."

"Oh the white warrior!!!" Ethy remarked sarcastically. "You'd rather stand by that creature that lacks essence and only survived on others? Weakling!!"

"That weakling beat you up so bad if my memory serves me right."

"Hahahaha, sharp tongue, I see!" His eyes grew shades darker and flickered with insanity. However regardless of losing lots of blood, Andy kept his stand but not fighting back and finally, Ethy gave up and withdrew a few steps away from Andy. Andy's wounds healed in no time and he was as good as new except for his blood stained suit.

Smiling, Ethy straightened his suit and looked at Andy with a taunting smirk. "Count yourself lucky. I don't want my mate to have a bad impression of me on out first day but I hope next time, we can engage ourselves and see who survives." He smiled sweetly at Andy. "See you around Brother in law!"

Andy felt as though hundreds or more millions of knives had been stabbed at his heart.

Back in the room, Eleanor had no idea of what her existence did to the world but most importantly to the people dear to her. She was her dad's princess, her mother's doll and brother's baby pie. She loved them the way they loved her but this sweet unity was not going to last any longer. She heard a customised knock on her door and knew it was her brother who had come to check on her. She was still upset with his behaviour earlier.

"What are you here for?!" she asked nonchantly.

"To see you!"

"Good, now you may leave!" she pouted, still angry.

"Am sorry." he slightly chocked on his emotions. He had failed her as he was not strong enough to deter the dangers that lurked in the dark.

This forced her to sit up and look at her brother who was emotionally down. "Hey , what's the matter?!"

He just pulled her into a bear hug and closed his eyes. He loved her crazy but was afraid if she learnt about his feelings for her, he'd lose even this tiny previlladge of being able to hold her in his arms and protect her. "I love you so much!!" He chose to tell her nonetheless.

"I love you too brother." And that hurt him terribly. He smiled sadly and stood up to leave.

"Brother, who are those people downstairs and what are they here for?" She had a vague feeling and her intuition told her they were here because of her. But why?