Reaching the party venue which was hosted by a duke named Duke Hill, Judas was the first to get down before Elenor did while holding on to his hand.

"This seems like a big party.." Elenor commented, staring at the building in front of them.

Judas gazed at the building where the party is held at and nodded, "..Yeah it's for his daughter's birthday, she's turning eighteen today."

Elenor kept quiet, losing herself in her own thoughts. The days seem shorter now as the year was soon coming to an end.

"Ah you would be turning seventeen next year right?" Judas turned to her.

She returned back from her train of thoughts and nodded. "Yes, around summer is my birthday."

"What a coincidence my birthday is around summer too." he answered in awe.

"Perhaps we can celebrate our birthdays together if we can." he added on.

"That sounds fun but for me to celebrate my birthday together with the crown prince is kinda...pressuring." Elenor joked and laughed as they headed inside the party.

"Really? Then would it be better if we celebrate it with people we're close with?" Judas suggested before he realised her words and became flustered.

"Is it too pressuring? I'm sorry for suggesting! I just wanted to celebrate our birthdays together.." he showed a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

Elenor laughed at his reaction, finding it funny as he didn't get her teasing.

"I was kidding prince Judas."

"Oh..you were?"

They continued chatting until they were inside the party venue. Many guests at the party glanced over at the odd combination yet did not dare to go over and disrupt their conversation.

"Look at the amount of food they prepared!" Elenor commented in amazement, taking a little bit of everything onto her plate.

Judas happily watched her without commenting on the amount of food that was piling up on her plate. The guests who were close by stared at her with judgement but couldn't insult or say anything as the prince was with her.

All they could do was swallow down their words and pretend they didn't see anything odd. Elenor finished grabbing the food she wanted and was about to dig in when she remembered her manners.

She cleared her throat and timidly glanced over at Judas. He shook his head, waving his hand forward,

"Just eat. Nobody would dare to comment or insult you right now."

"..My apologies.." she bowed before slowly eating her food.

It wasn't a large portion but in the noble's eyes, it was far too much for a lady.

Judas looked to his right before turning back to Elenor who was savouring the familiar food she had missed ever since she came into this world.

"Lady Elenor, I'll be right back. I need to greet the duke and wish his daughter a happy birthday." Judas whispered into her ear.

She nodded and waved goodbye as he hurriedly left to speak to the host of the party. Elenor blankly ate her food, observing her surroundings and ignoring the daggers from ladies she had been receiving since she came inside with Judas.

Shortly after that, Elenor noticed a familiar figure with white hair however the person next to her wasn't who she expected.

"Alec isn't with her...?" she muttered to herself, taking another bite before nearly choking on it once she took a better look at the man beside Hera.

"I came back as fast I could, did anything happen?" Judas spoke, arriving back at her side with a warm smile.

Elenor didn't respond to his question and continued to stare at the man beside Hera. It was the same man at the slavery auction. Dark blue hair and eyes. Her eyes widened.

"Lady Elenor?" Judas called out to her.

'So we were right... she's involved- then does that mean Judas is also..-'

Elenor turned to look at Judas who had a troubled look at his face.

"Is everything alright? Did something happen while I was gone?" he asked.

"...No.." she shook her head, placing the plate of food down.

She didn't feel hungry anymore.

'I have to ask him.'

Elenor licked her dry lips and spoke, "Prince Judas I need to ask you something."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Let's go over to the balcony over there first." she suggested and the two begin to head there when she noticed Lloyd standing not far from where they were.

Instantly, in her head something clicked and she hurriedly turned back to Judas.

"Prince Judas please wait here for a moment!"

Judas nodded, seemingly caught off guard, "Al-alright."

Elenor bowed and made her way to Lloyd and pulled him aside.

"Woah! Who- oh it's just you Elenor." he heaved a sigh of relief.

Elenor didn't waste any time and whispered into his ear, "Her highness is here with someone."

He raised an eyebrow before looking over at Elenor gesturing. After taking a good look, he turned back to her.

"What about that person?"

"I saw him at the auction. He escaped before I could catch him."

Lloyd's eyes widen before frowning, "Although I believe you, we still need more evidence."

"I know but I think you should keep some tabs on him."

He smiled, "Alright, I'll keep that in mind. Right now, we need to know from Alec if he found any evidence."

"I'm surprised she didn't bring him today." Lloyd added, looking at the direction where Hera and the man beside her stood.

"Also Lloyd,"

"Do you think Prince Judas is involved in this?" Elenor asked.

Lloyd thought long and hard before shrugging, "Who knows,"

"Maybe you can ask him."

"Can I?"

"Sure why not?"

"But won't that mean he would find out?"

"I'll keep an eye out on him but I believe that he wouldn't be involved in these things. His morals will never let him go that low." Lloyd grinned.

Hearing that somewhat gave relief to Elenor. She too believed he wouldn't do such things but knowing that someone close to him was involved, it was getting hard to believe.

Elenor took a deep breath, "I have kept Prince Judas waiting too long now, so I'll be going. Take care."

"Take care and do tell me everything later." he beamed, waving goodbye to her as she walked away from him and back to where Judas was patiently waiting.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." she apologised but he shook his head.

"It's fine, shall we head to the balcony?"

The two headed to an isolated balcony, far from everyone's eyes. She rested her arms on the balcony railing and felt the cool breeze on her skin.

Judas quietly took in the cool air and observed her. The way she seemed to be in peace while being lost in her thoughts. He couldn't seem to get enough of it, never once feeling tired watching her.

"Prince Judas?" she suddenly called out his name while bringing her gaze over to him.

He felt his hands beginning to sweat but wiped it away on his pants before answering her with a sweet smile,

"Yes lady Elenor?"

Her steady gaze never wavered as she looked at him. With Lloyd's words in her mind, she spoke her question,

"Are you involved in the slavery trading with her highness?"

---

update was supposed to be yesterday but i pushed it back for some time cause i kept writing sorry!!