The seamstress arrived that afternoon to take Eleanor's measurements. She was too chatty for Eleanor's liking, even worse than the first time they met. And a bit gossipy. The woman did not stop asking questions about the Alpha king’s new lunaquen, which Eleanor corrected a few times as the princess was not Lunaqueen yet.Eleanor's mind drifted away to Benjamin's visit and what he had said to her. It was harsh, but it did not make it any less true. Drakken's focus would be on the princess when they tied the knot. There would not be a need for her anymore which meant a lot of things.She could no longer sneak out to his room in the middle of the night. Their late night horse rides would be a thing of the past. And she would be cast away like garbage, just as Benjamin described.Eleanor blew out a sigh as the seamstress stared up at her. "What is wrong?""Nothing. Carry on and do not mind me."The woman whipped out her measuring tape and resumed. Gregory had come to Eleanor the other nig
Benjamin was astounded when one of the palace guards came to inform him that his father had summoned him to his study. It wasn't often the old man did, so getting such an offer came as a surprise to him.When he arrived, his father's head was bent over an old ledger that held his attention but on noticing him, closed it and waved him in. A girl soon dashed in to serve them some red wine.Alfred dismissed the girl as she stood by in case of more orders, for some privacy."You were not being too discreet in eye fucking that girl," Alfred pointed out. "I brought you to this palace for a purpose but it seems you are getting distracted by the women in it.""I can have a little fun along the way, can't I?" He smiled into his cup as he tasted the sweetness on his tongue. "Alcohol and women are what a man needs. I'm trying to have the best of both worlds here.""I do not want you swayed from keeping an eye on your brother. You never know what he is up to."His father made it clear the only re
"I want to go home," Nicky whined. "When are we leaving?"A headache started at Eleanor's temple. She had seen that coming. Nicky had asked her about it countless times but she had always diverted the conversation to something else. There was no escaping it now."We can't go home yet, sweetheart." She said calmly, stroking his hair softly as he lay on the bed. His lower lip pouted. "I want_”"It is simply not possible." Eleanor inhaled and then said in a quieter voice. "I am sorry. Mama has an aching head. Let us discuss this later. For now, all you need to know is that we must stay for the meantime.""Fine," he sulked."Shall I read to you another story from the fairytale book?" Eleanor tried to pacify him, picking a book from the kiddie's shelf on the wall beside his bed. "There are lots of them in here.""It is okay for the night. You just said your head ached."He was too considerate for his age. Eleanor smiled and closed the book, glancing over at Gregory who dozed in a chair no
Drakken stormed out of his study immediately after he received the news. The palace guard had given him a description of someone coming out of the nursery, and Drakken knew without a doubt it was Eleanor. Everyone described her the same way because of her outstanding features.Nicky was the reason she never attempted to escape the palace. It gave him the upper hand. But now she had found him. Drakken could not say how. He had underestimated her too much. He was slightly terrified she was going to leave now that she had found Nicky. He had done his best to avoid that outcome.He was not ready for her to leave yet. Drakken did not think he would ever be ready for it. Nothing could prepare him.As he swung the door to his mother's private parlour open, he was gripped to see Eleanor sitting side by side with his mother, her hands clasping Eleanor's tightly. How had they become that close in a matter of minutes?"There you are, son. Perfect timing." His mother released Eleanor's hands. "Th
Eleanor knew she made a huge mistake saying what she did to Drakken. She never meant any of it. It would fuel whatever anger he had toward her for sneaking around the nursery. That is if they told him.She was only mad at him for being so reckless with his mother. The woman seemed to be extremely nice, and he just had to speak to her in that manner.Eleanor wanted parents but did not have that luxury. She wished every single day they were still alive being one happy family. Drakken had it. He had parents and he took them for granted.She heard hefty footsteps stomping down the hallway before the object of her thought came in without knocking. Hands folded across her chest stubbornly, Eleanor matched his gaze with the same intensity. He was not going to intimidate her. Not this time."What the hell was that about back there?" Drakken left her bedroom door open behind him and walked in. "Why did I get a report that you were sneaking out of the nursery?" Oh, Lord!Both were rhetorical qu
Eleanor stared into space as Evie packed her bag to go camping. The maid's lips moved like she was saying something but they all fell on deaf ears. Eleanor's mind had wandered off. After the argument with Drakken last night, she felt drained and only wanted to stay in all day without talking to anyone. But she had promised Emma she would show up camping with the rest of the hospital crew.The last thing Eleanor wanted was Emma getting mad at her too, or else she would have come up with an excuse for not going.She needed the exposure, Eleanor thought again. Going out there was a better option than being depressed in her room. It would take her mind off the nagging feeling of hopelessness that had haunted her in the last hours.She had been debating in her head who was more at fault for her recent disagreement with Drakken and everytime, Eleanor was caught at a dead end. Nothing seemed to be making sense."You do not seem like your usual self." Evie zipped up the small bag and handed i
Drakken’s temper had been awful since the argument with his mate. Awful was putting it mildly. The situation kept him up the whole night until the early hours of the morning when he headed to his study to look for something to distract himself as his friends weren't awake yet to fence with him. It was almost midday now and Drakken's bottle of whiskey had already emptied.He had hoped alcohol would do something to reduce the pain in his chest as it always did. But no, his mind kept replaying last night's activity. Had he been too harsh on her?Sighing, Drakken moved to his window and pulled back the curtain, staring outside. The first thing he saw was his father guiding a horse which Gregory was perched on top giggling heartily. The mere sight of his father increased Dtakken’s anger. He was the bane of Drakken's life. An annoying obstacle responsible for the misfortune he was going through.Drakken swayed slightly on his feet, the alcohol in his veins taking its course. He was drunk b
Eleanor went hunting with Benjamin and watched him send an arrow flying toward a deer. Impressed by his perfect aim, she applauded him as he walked over to take out the arrow from the dead animal, nursing a proud smile."I did not realize you were that good," Eleanor commented."I have been hunting since I was a boy." He beckoned for her to come closer and she did. "What did you get to do as a child? Play dress up and wear makeup?""My childhood was not exactly a normal one," she admitted."It depends on what you view as normal.""I was homeless and slept on the streets."His reaction told Eleanor that was not what he expected to hear. She could not blame him. "Fine. I will take your word for it." Eleanor opened her mouth to say something in return but he placed a finger over his lips, hushing her. "I hear another deer running this way. It is your turn to have at it.""Are you nuts? I have never held a bow and an arrow."Benjamin handed them over to her regardless. "Today is your luck