Taboo coversation (1)

Elroy's eyes were actually normal. But his eyes were susceptible when he saw Mariette.

When the corner of his eye accidentally caught Mariette's figure from a distance, Elroy hastily hid. He waited a few seconds. After confirming that Mariette had left, Elroy continued on his way.

"So it's true that you had a fight with Sir Anatole because of Mariette?"

The question startled Elroy. He turned his head to find Louie standing behind him. "Prince Louie! I didn't know you were here," he said.

"So it's true?" Louie demanded. "I saw you watching Mariette just now."

"That's ridiculous if I have to admit it," said Elroy shyly.

"I think so too," Louie agreed. "But Sir Anatole, man, he looked angry when I asked him."

"Sir Anatole already imprisoned?"

"He just broke free from prison confinement. Now still disabled from his job and under house arrest. I visited him the day before yesterday."

It had been a week since Anatole's beating. During that time, the other knights were feeling uneasy. While the people who know it are silent. Elroy had intended to visit Anatole in prison before, but his permission requests were always denied.

Elroy wasn't looking to find anything new with Anatole, really. He only intended to speak. Anatole's mind might have cooled off while in prison.

"Oh, I see?" muttered Elroy. "Meaning I also have to visit him soon."

Louie gave him an incredulous look. "You want to visit someone who has made you battered?"

Elroy smiled at Louie. "We must straighten this matter, Your Highness. We can't keep fighting over a woman."

"Ah! So it's true because of Mariette, huh?"

"Your Highness, please don't say it out loud."

"But instead of talking to Sir Anatole, shouldn't you talk to Mariette first? Have you asked how Mariette feels?"

How does Mariette feel?

Nearly a week ago, Ferdinand said he had spoken to Mariette. Ferdinand did not say what he had discussed with Mariette. Her friend only said that Mariette was fine after the attack on Louisa's debutante banquet

Also not okay.

He doesn't know what Ferdinand meant. But that was the first time Elroy saw Ferdinand sympathize with Mariette's plight. Even though Elroy had often confided in Ferdinand about Mariette.

But what the heck was I talking to Mariette about?! Elroy thought. So many, Elroy was confused.

"Why, Louisa is here too?" Louie asked when they got to the study.

"Yes. I'm sick and tired of having to read and reply to the letters one by one," said Louisa.

"It's only natural for a young girl who just made her debut to get a lot of letters. My older sister used to be like that too," said Elroy. "If there was a letter she didn't like, she would burn it immediately."

"Uwah. Lady Esmée is wonderful," said Louisa.

Elroy laughed at that. "Yeah, but you can't imitate her, Princess Louisa. You have to reply all your letters one by one because you are a princess. This can also be an opportunity for you to select ladies-in-waiting and confidants to serve you."

"Who did you write the letter to? Here, let me help sort it out," Louie offered.

Louie and Louisa started discussing some family names. Sometimes they complimented the names, attributed them to either the Lavauds or the Valents, or talked about their small businesses and territories. There are also times where Louie sighs in annoyance or outright curses a family name Louisa mentions. If so, their talk will start inconsequential.

Elroy just watched the two of them, occasionally giving an opinion. The rest, he just let them. Elroy didn't even bother with Louie and Louisa's choice of words. Out of nowhere the twins learned these magic words.

Whatever it was, the two looked familiar. Louie and Louisa must live comfortable, happy, and free. And because they're young, there's still a lot they don't know.

"Why are you looking at us like that?" Louie scolded.

Elroy snapped out of his reverie. "Ah, sorry if I was paying too much attention to you two," he said quickly.

Louie narrowed his eyes sharply. "You're not targeting Louisa, are you?"

"What-"

"Eh? So after the heartbreak of Viscountess Tierney, you've set your sights on Princess Louisa instead?" suddenly Ferdinand came in.

Elroy immediately kicked him. "Don't talk carelessly in front of the Royal Family, Sir Ferdinand.

"Sir Elroy, thank you for your concern. But to be honest, you're too old for me," said Louisa.

"I didn't say that," Elroy denied. "I just… remembered something."

"Your twin sister?" guessed Ferdinand.

"Sir Elroy twins?" asked Louie and Louisa together.

"Well…" Elroy scratched the back of his neck. He was contemplating many things.

Elroy didn't really like talking about someone he didn't get to know. There's no such thing as a fun story. His own family considered the conversation taboo.

But better talking about it than saying what I'm really thinking, Elroy thought, looking back and forth between Louie and Louisa.

"You could say that," said Elroy. He could feel Louie and Louisa waiting for him to say something. "But she never got a name. She died within a day after birth."

The Gauthier twins were born in one of the cruel winter storms of the Lamamont Kingdom. At that time, even the kingdom was hit by famine and destruction. All able-bodied men were assigned to help the local area. Marquess Gauthier, one of the security guards, was also on duty, leaving his wife, who was heavily pregnant.

From the start of the pregnancy it was a difficult pregnancy. Lady Gauthier had been knocked over many times by the onslaught of winter, until finally the baby in her womb pushed out prematurely.

No baby cries were heard when the twins were born. Lady Gauthier's sobs were absent. The three of them fell together. The eldest son immediately went to pick up their father. The eldest daughter tried her best to feed her two newborn siblings without crying.

But the storm that day was somehow very violent. Marquess Gauthier and his eldest son had no way of breaking through the storm to return. Meanwhile at home, the air is getting colder. And at that moment, Esmée realized that one of her twins had turned icy cold.

Died without a name, without touching his mother and father, without feeling the warmth of the world.

The incident became a big regret for the Gauthier family.

"That's what I heard," Elroy finished his little story. "That's why I'm always as close as possible to my family because I know how much they fear losing again. The death hit my family hard. Especially Mother."

Ferdinand nodded. "I used to think that Elroy was spoiled. It turns out that his family loves him too much."

"If someone says I'm spoiled, I don't care. Ha ha ha. Maybe they are just jealous because they have never been loved to that extent by their family."

"That just now was a sad story. How can you make a comment like that?" Louie asked in disbelief.

"Well… how about it, huh? I never met and lived with my twin sister. So I can't feel like I've lost her," Elroy answered. "But I know how sad my family is going through, really. So, well… That's it. As much as possible, I take care of myself and obey them."

"Losing a twin brother, huh?" Louie glanced at Louisa. "I can't imagine it."

Louisa gave her twin sister a disgusted look. "Don't be so pretentious. You used to often chase me away when you went to play in the woods."

"That's because it's dangerous in there, you know! After all, I was playing with a stupid kid from a shitty family. I'm not at all happy every time I have to play with them."

"Yes, yes. But still you left me, right? You always go out to play alone!"

Louie and Louisa started throwing insults at each other. They looked like they were fighting, but Elroy could tell they loved each other.

And just like what Louie had said, Elroy couldn't even imagine them losing each other.

But what if fate says so? How sad will they be? Will King Vallotton fall into the deep and excessive grief that Lady Gauthier is currently experiencing?