"...I am afraid, Brother," Elaine said her concerns as soon as the siblings left the Headmaster's office without His Majesty. "I fear that having my memories return would lead to unpleasant thoughts appearing in my mind."
"I think that your anxieties are without reason," Gerard told her with desperate eyes. "The best people in the kingdom are willing to find a cure for you, yet you rejected them. Is it that frightening to have your childhood back?"
Elaine took a deep breath and stared Gerard straight in the eyes. "Heartbreak is more painful than a physical scar, Brother."
Gerard paused at her words.
"You said that I fell in love with Prince Lucas when we were engaged, but he was unresponsive towards me." Elaine sighed. "If I remembered my emotional attachment towards Prince Lucas, whom I single-handedly broke our engagement with, could you imagine the pain I would feel? I sabotaged my own chance at love."
Gerard could not muster a response to her words. Her argument made sense, especially since he's seen Elaine's sad eyes when the Prince would leave her for another. "I did not think ahead like you did, sister. Forgive me for burdening you with my opinions."
"I only wanted Brother to understand my thoughts." Elaine held Gerard's hand, telling him that she was not the least bit mad at him. "There is always a reason behind my actions."
"Yes."
With their minor disagreement set aside, Gerard decided to take his mind off by giving Elaine a tour around the Academy. They were lucky that the students still had class, allowing them to comfortably navigate the Academy's grounds.
Elaine learnt that the ballroom and cafeteria occupied the first floor. In contrast, various classrooms, each having a different use, filled the second and third level. The highest story on the building was where the Headmaster's office was located. However, they did not venture deeper into the highest floor as it was prohibited.
Apart from the main building was the library, the training grounds and the Fort, where students do magic training. There were also stables, lakes and gardens for the noble children to socialise with each other. However, some did private magic training at the lakes and even at the forest located close to the Academy.
As they were short on time, Gerard could only take his little sister as far as the Fort. He decided that he would show Elaine the rest some other time, and both of them headed back to the main building to search for His Majesty.
Time flew by quickly, and Gerard did not realise that classes had already been over when he finished the tour. He cussed at himself internally, panicking as swarms of noble children filled the empty hallways. Gerard grabbed Elaine's hands in a hurry and turned around, not wanting anyone to notice her presence. Elaine silently cooperated with her brother; she also did not want to hear what opinions they had on her.
However, they bumped into someone at their escape, causing Elaine to crash on her brother's back.
"Gerard?" An unfamiliar man who had mesmerising hazel brown eyes and soft auburn hair called after her brother. Elaine recovered from her impact with her brother and peeked through his back, curious of the man's identity. "Why are you in the Academy?"
"That is none of your business." Gerard covered Elaine's sight, hiding her behind him. "Now, move out of my way."
The man noticed Gerard's hidden arm and pulled it out, shocked to see that he was holding someone's hand--a woman's. "Are you hiding your lover or something? Let me see the woman, hm~?"
"Cut it out, Barry." Gerard pulled back, irritated at his mere presence. "Stop poking your head in my business."
"Ouch." Barry pretended to be hurt. "I am one of your closest friends. How could you be this cold to me?"
Elaine squeezed her brother's hand. Gerard looked back at his sister, shaking his head and instructing her to stay silent.
However, Elaine was growing impatient. Finally, not wanting her brother's friend to misunderstand him any longer, she let go of Gerard's hand and stepped aside, curtsying towards 'Barry'. "Greetings, Lord Barry."
Gerard stiffened at his little sister's greeting. He stared at her, startled.
"...Pardon me, Lady Elaine." The man's cheeks flushed slightly, embarrassed. "I made a wrong assumption. Forgive me for mistaking the lady as Gerard's lover. I was only joking."
"There is nothing to apologise for, Lord Barry." Elaine gave him a warm smile. "However, I wish your lordship would refrain from making such jokes in the future. It would cause weird rumours to develop if heard, and we do not want that, do we?"
"Yes, of course." Barry gulped. Barry Timotheus Grant was the son of Marquess Grant, and he knew that his friend's little sister was an elegant beauty. However, he often felt nervous around her, perhaps due to her maturity.
"But, it seems that rumour was false?" Barry mumbled to himself.
"...What rumour?" Gerard raised his eyebrow.
"Well, many of the rumours spreading concern your little sister lately," Barry answered. "One of them was that Lady Elaine had lost her memories."
Gerard and Elaine flinched, warily glancing at each other. 'How did it spread this quickly?'
Elaine pondered, and she deduced that the main culprits were either the maids from the Royal Palace or the Gustova Dukedom. Maids love gossip as it was their only source of entertainment whilst working in a house. So whether it was morally right or not, they did not care.
It is also possible that the exempted employees Elaine called during her announcement eavesdropped on the others conversing by mistake, causing them to overhear the sensitive information.
Either way, the word had already spread, which Elaine already expected would happen. However, she thought that it was too early to be found out.
"The rumours are false, right?" Lord Barry felt nervous at their silence. "Lady Elaine recognised me at first glance."
"I did not know you are the type to revel in such gossip," Gerard said with a disgusted face, feigning ignorance to his question. "Let us go, sister."
Elaine grabbed onto Gerard's sleeve, whispering. "I believe Lord Barry should know, Brother."
"There is no need, little sister," Gerard whispered back. "He is not family. He is not suspicious of your behaviour either."
"People who are close to our family should know. If it were others, then I would leave it be, Brother." Elaine argued.
Barry watched in amusement at the siblings' argument. It was true that he did not enjoy entertaining himself with rumours. However, the Gustova family's movements have been strange lately that he had to listen to the current news.
Prince Lucas' faction started to crumble when the nobles heard the unification between the Gustova Dukedom and the Royal Family failed to fall through.
On the other hand, King Kelvion's concubine, Ginna Daryl Connolly, has started to execute her plans to be Queen as she heard the news. Unfortunately, since she failed to be His Majesty's consort initially, her children do not have the right to inherit the throne. However, with reasonable excuse and help from countless nobles, she is in the process of securing her position, though King Kelvion is making it as difficult as possible.
Then, there were the Gustovas, who returned to being neutral. They have produced exceptional children since the founding of Athelis, and this generation's is no different.
Noah Hugh Gustova was known for his flexibility in various fields, making him the perfect heir apparent to the Gustova Dukedom. Additionally, Gerard Eugene Gustova did not covet his brother's inheritance, focusing solely on his swordsmanship and magic to aid the future Duke and the kingdom.
Lastly, there was Elaine Louise Gustova, recognised as the flower of Athelis. She was not a woman to be underestimated as well. Not many know of this fact, but she was a genius prodigy in her studies. If given a chance to prove her worth, the young lady would receive many marriage proposals from greedy nobles. However, a few years ago, rumours attacking the innocent beauty started emerging, labelling her as a vile woman instead.
After thinking hard, Barry felt that he was lucky to become friends with Gerard. It is no lie to say that he did have hidden intentions with approaching the man at first. However, after spending some time with the Gustovas, he sincerely treated the young lord as his friend. Lord Barry also knew that the rumours circulating the lady were exaggerated and were nothing but fabrications. The Grant Marquessate had become the Gustova Dukedom's ally before he even knew it.
"Lord Barry?" Lady Elaine was only a step away from Barry, peering into his face. He did not realise the lady was already so close to him. Barry glanced at Gerard, who was frowning with his arms folded, and it seemed like he was pouting. It was an unusual sight.
"Yes." Barry cleared his throat, bringing his attention back to Lady Elaine.
"To answer your question, I memorised whose faces belong to whom as I read a book regarding the kingdom's families bloodline beforehand," Elaine told him. "So, yes. The rumours saying that I lost my memories are accurate."
"..." Barry's lips parted. He was surprised at her bluntness.
"I do hope, however, that your lordship will keep this information to yourself?" Elaine tilted her head, negotiating with Lord Barry. "Brother Gerard agreed to allow family friends to know if they kept their mouths sealed."
"Of course." Lord Barry nodded. "It is not my right to tell others of your ladyship's situation."
"That is a relief." Lady Elaine gave him a soft smile, causing Lord Barry to blush. Gerard could only glare at his reaction. "Then, please stay good friends with my brother."
"Yes, Lady Elaine." Lord Barry lowered his head at her request.
"Now, if you could please excuse us." Gerard clenched his jaw while forcing a smile, attempting to bring Elaine away from Barry.
"It was a pleasure to meet your lordship." Elaine curtsied to Lord Barry.
"Likewise, Lady Elaine." Barry bowed to Elaine properly.
"That is no way to treat a friend, Brother Gerard." Elaine nagged her brother immediately after saying goodbye to Lord Barry, earning her a smile from the young lord of Marquess Grant.
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