Alec returned back to working after having a break for a couple of days. Elenor wasn't going to say it out loud but she was worried about him. What if this made him distance himself further? Maybe he was angry at her because she forced him to take some time off but all her worries were blown away once he returned.

Instead he seemed to be closer than ever?

"Good morning milady, it's time to wake up." he greeted her.

"Huh...? Alec?" she groggily spoke, still half asleep.

Alec pulled the curtains open, letting the sunshine peek into her room. Elenor was still sleepy so she didn't move just yet, only staring blankly at the wall. He walked back over to her and brushed her messy hair down.

"You need to get ready Elenor." he calmly spoke.

"Five more minutes.." she mumbled about to fall back down on her pillow when she felt arms around her neck and legs.

Before she could voice out her displeasure, she was carried out of the bed by Alec and gently placed down on the couch. Then in cue, her maids came into the room and got her dressed. Elenor blanked out the whole time she was being dressed and only snapped back when she was done and out of her room.

On her way to the dining hall for breakfast, she glanced over at Alec who was walking beside her. Usually he would walk behind her but today was different. Elenor didn't mind however, she liked it when he walked beside her.

"How was your break?" Elenor asked, wanting to create a conversation.

She was curious about what he had done over his break. Alec turned to her and showed her a small smile.

"Nothing much milady,"

"Oh I see.." Elenor didn't know what else to say so she decided to keep her mouth shut all the way to the dining hall.

Upon reaching, Alec picked up his pace and pulled the chair out for her. Elenor nodded and sent him a small thanks before sitting down. Once everyone arrived and took a seat, breakfast began like usual until Richard spoke.

"Elenor, did you know there is a new show playing in the theatre?" he asked, turning over to her.

Elenor shook her head but was interested in what he wanted to say. "No I don't brother. Why do you ask?"

Richard let out a sigh before grumpily taking a bite of his food, "That prince asked me to ask if you would like to watch with him tomorrow."

"He did?"

He nodded, "Yes. If you like to go, I will inform him about it. I hope you don't though." he muttered the last part but it was still loudly enough for her to hear.

Elenor let out a small laugh before thinking over it. If she did go with Lloyd that would mean she would have to sit beside him. She didn't mind that but the main problem was that he was in the royal seating area so, if he brought her along she would have to sit there as well.

Elenor decided it was better to decline the offer. It was the safer option anyway.

"Brother-"

"Don't worry, I made him promise that if you do agree, he would have to sit in the noble area not the royals."

"I would like to go!"

Hearing that gave Elenor a lot of relief and instead accepted the invitation. It was going to be the first time she ever watched a play here! Richard could see the excitement in her eyes and couldn't help but smile.

"Next time, I'll bring you to one instead of the prince." he said, patting her head.

Elenor smiled and nodded, "That's a promise brother."

After breakfast, the family members went to do their own separate things. Elenor was walking around the estate when she came across the gardener who always took great care of the flowers. She noticed bags of seeds beside him. She walked closer to see what they were.

"What seeds are those?" Elenor asked the gardener.

He turned to her and chuckled, "These are red carnations and gardenias, Lady Elenor."

Elenor's eyes widen before smiling widely, "I love gardenias."

"They are indeed beautiful, sir Alec was the one who brought them back." the gardener smiled at Alec before returning back to his work.

Elenor turned to Alec who had a nonchalant look. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Why didn't you tell me you bought these?"

He shook his head, "It was not a big deal, that's why I didn't think I needed to tell you such a small detail."

Elenor puffed her cheeks, "Whatever."

"Are you mad milady?" Alec asked looking at her but she turned away.

"No I'm not," she childishly retorted back.

She wanted to walk further ahead but Alec grabbed both of her cheeks with his hands. He squished her cheeks before stretching them.

"Alec stop!" Elenor whined, smacking his hands but they didn't leave.

Elenor kept hitting his hands but he still didn't let go. She sighed, frowning at him. Why was he acting like this out of sudden? First he was the one who distanced himself and now he's suddenly doing this?

"Let go of my cheeks." she sternly said.

Alec focused on her before finally letting her go. Elenor rubbed her cheeks, still able to feel the stinging pain from him stretching it.

"Must you go for the play tomorrow?" Alec suddenly asked.

Elenor blinked a couple of times before nodding, "Lloyd did invite me for it,"

She clasped her hands together in excitement, "Plus! This will be the first time I'll be watching a play since I came here!" she beamed.

"I wonder what kind of play it is. Maybe it's romance or action! No maybe it's comedy. Wait, tragedy could also be played!" she continued chattering away not noticing Alec's displeasure.

"..If I asked you not to go," Alec muttered softly,

"Would you still go?"

Elenor stopped speaking and turned to him. His hands were clasped together tightly behind his back and his lips formed a thin straight line. She stared at him for only just a second before sticking her tongue out at him.

"Of course I would. This is going to be the first play I would watch here."

Alec put on a restraint smile and nodded, "I see,"

Elenor heaved out a sigh before strutting her way over to Alec and proceeded to flick his forehead, hard.

"You know you will be coming with me, which means this will also be the first play for you too."

Alec held his forehead, "Pardon...?"

Elenor lightly hit him on the shoulder, "If you weren't going to follow me I wouldn't go."

"But haven't you been spending time with his highness without me?" he fought back.

She rolled her eyes at him before stabbing him in the chest with her finger, "You were the one who kept trying to distance yourself from me, what do you expect?"

Hearing her comeback, he couldn't respond back. Elenor smiled triumphantly at him, knowing she had won this silly fight. She lightly dusted his coat while humming before taking a step back.

"Don't be so grumpy now, I wouldn't just leave you so stop frowning and start smiling!" Elenor said before smiling widely.

Before he could respond back to her, she had already walked ahead of him. He watched as she took one step at a time with a warm smile on her face. The voices in his head whispered to him over and over again.

Don't go.

"...lec? Alec?"

"Yes milady?" he swiftly replied back as if he wasn't almost lost in his thoughts.

Elenor had her hands on her hips as she shook her head, "What are you standing there for? If you don't move, I'll take back what I said and leave you behind."

"Ah..yes."

"I'll be sure not to be left behind."