Chapter 240: Ugly
While Leonard was forced to comply with Eleanor’s request, the news soon spread to major authorities.
Elarion, Capital’s Palace
At the capital’s palace, Emperor Kaelion sat behind his study desk. His expression was solemn as he grasped the information he had received.
"Seems like Xundraeth’s Princess has arrived and met with the Crown Prince alongside the third and fourth princes," Kaelion uttered.
"That is correct, Your Majesty." Kaelion’s royal imperial guard captain, Russel, bowed his head. "According to the intel, it was said that Princess Eleanor indirectly referred to the third and fourth princes as dogs to be adopted."
"And Leonard?"
"We currently do not know, besides the fact that Princess Eleanor seemed interested in him and even sought him to be her tour guide within the capital."
After a few seconds of silence, Russel sweated profusely and knelt on one knee.
"Should we send in a diplomatic official to be the tour guide instead and summon the Crown Prince to the palace?" He suggested, having believed the emperor was dissatisfied with the Crown Prince getting close to the Xundraeth’s strategist.
"No need," Kaelion rejected the suggestion. "The Princess is a guest. As the host, we must be magnanimous and make her feel at home."
He then stood up and approached the window. His eyes filled with a complicated gaze.
"Give a subtle warning to the rest. I don’t want the Princess to be disturbed during this period. At the very least, they should wait until the new semester in the academy starts." He softly said, his hands held behind his back.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Russel received the order and vanished from the spot.
Once Russel’s presence was gone, Kaelion subtly narrowed his eyes.
"What are you thinking about, Emperor Windsor?" He murmured, unsure of the Xundraeth’s Emperor’s motive. To send their greatest strategist to their continent, the hidden layers were hard to peel off.
...
Leonard’s Palace Library
"What do you think that princess came here for?" Spencer held a solemn expression and asked.
"I’m also curious," Seth chuckled in amusement.
Astonished, Spencer paused for a moment.
A few seconds later, he lowered his tone and inquired, "Are you saying you don’t know what that lass is planning either?"
"Lass?" Seth shook his head. "You shouldn’t address her as such. Her brain and scheme are not to be underestimated."
He then took out a slip of paper and handed it to Spencer.
Spencer frowned when he sniffed a flower fragrance from the paper. "When did you start using scented paper?"
"Read the content first."
"The content?"
Confused, Spencer opened the paper. Soon, he stood up with a perplexed look. "This lass—no, this woman really has no fear!"
[Greetings, protector of Leon. I understand your concern for his well-being, but I mean no harm to him. I’ll appreciate it if you won’t disturb our moments together. Otherwise, this young generation might have to be a tad rude.]
The content of this paper was no different than a threat to tell them to back off.
"The informants said they’re currently strolling the main street. I’ll have my men teach her a lesson." Spencer lifted his sleeves. It had been a long time since someone had threatened him.
However, just when he was about to leave, Seth suddenly brought out a delicate pendant.
"This pendant was attached to the note. If you want to teach her a lesson, then by all means, go ahead."
Almost immediately, Spencer felt like he had been splashed with a bucket of cold water.
"T-That pendant..." He nearly stumbled to the ground upon witnessing the pendant. This delicate pendant belonged to none other than the Lady, aka Leonard’s mother.
"How does she have an item from the Lady?"
"You ask me, I ask who?"
It was only now that Spencer realized why Seth had no idea what Eleanor was planning. Because the circumstances seemed to have involved the Lady, Seth wouldn’t dare to guess or dabble in the situation.
"Hmm, what are you still doing here?" Amidst Spencer’s sullen mood, Seth suddenly teased. "Aren’t you going to teach Princess Eleanor a lesson? Go ahead. I’m also quite curious about the aftermath."
"Scram!" Spencer snorted coldly and waved his sleeves. "I still have to prepare things for the Crown Prince’s return. As if I’ve got the time to be that petty from the younger generation’s words."
Shortly after saying so, Spencer blinked away from the library.
"How childish." Seth retrieved his book and mused. "The Crown Prince matured, but you became immature. What an irony."
Despite saying so, Seth understood where Spencer’s concern stemmed from.
Since the Lady was exiled to the Kingdom of Elaris, only Leonard remained in the precarious capital. The weight of this incident affected Spencer deeply, causing him to become prone to violence to eliminate threats as soon as possible.
’Lady, what plans are you working on? Seth is waiting for your orders here.’ Seth closed his books and sighed.
...
Elarion, Main Street
"Whoa, the capital is so beautiful," Eleanor exclaimed in bliss.
"You can see?" Leonard questioned as he pushed her wheelchair.
"I cannot, but I believe it’s beautiful." She giggled sweetly.
"Ugh, the capital’s ugly."
"Even the most unsightly things would turn beautiful with your presence. Now, keep the push steady. I don’t want the tour to end too fast."
"..."
Leonard still couldn’t believe he was betrayed by his own people.
Mirelle was called away by someone from the academy. Then Curtis and Albert all kept their distances.
Without anyone else, only he was left eligible to push Eleanor’s wheelchair.
What made it unbelievable was that she wasn’t even crippled in the legs!
Why was she hell bent on using the wheelchair?
A few minutes later, Leonard finished reciting everything he knew about the capital.
"That should be enough for the tour, right?"
"Leon, am I that ugly in your eyes?"
"Hmm?" Now this was an unexpected question.
Although it was true that Eleanor was blind, one cannot say that she wasn’t beautiful. In fact, he found a unique charm in her with the blindfold that differentiated her from the rest.
"You’re not ugly." He flatly said.
Who knows if others would call him blind instead for claiming Eleanor was ugly?
Alas, this was a double-trap questionnaire with no right answer.
Eleanor curled her lips upward and asked, "If I’m not ugly, then why are you so impatient with me? It can’t be that you’re into men instead, right?"