Lady Gustova

Chapter 5

"I cannot believe it. That Lady Elaine broke her engagement with the Prince?"

"It's true! Multiple eyewitnesses saw that a carriage with the Gustova family crest was leaving the castle with her in it!"

"But, it might be that the Prince broke it with her first? We all know about how His Highness loathes her."

"The Royal Palace maids confirmed that it was Lady Elaine who did it."

Word of the broken engagement spread like wildfire as intended. Elaine could not hear it from inside the walls of her home, but she knew of it instantly when invitations flooded her study table. Elaine guessed that this would happen, but she did not plan on attending a single one of them. The hosts' intentions of the parties she received invitations for were evident, and Elaine did not plan on answering any of their questions to quench their curiosity.

"You can throw them away," Lady Elaine instructed Violet. The young maid cried her eyes out upon knowing that her Lady did not remember her. She was still processing the situation and decided to act distant towards Elaine as a result. All Violet could do was take all the invitations with her outside. Elaine's eyes stayed on the door, and she sighed when she remembered Violet's depressed back. Elaine didn't want to approach her first. Instead, she would wait until Violet was ready to open up to her.

In the meantime, Elaine walked to her shelves of books and took one out. She frowned when information started flooding into her mind the moment she opened it. There was no need for her to read them; the knowledge would suddenly come flowing back. According to the text, whether it be mathematics or history, Elaine knew them all. It was that convenient for her. Within a day, the studies that she learned in her life returned to her brain. She had already caught up to her peers and maybe some adults. The books she stored in her room could be shocking to her peers if shown, and she even had collections that some scholars would die for. It was rare for a fifteen-year-old girl to understand such complexity, yet Elaine has overcome them.

But, the public did not know of this woman's capabilities and kept ridiculing her. Elaine shook her head even more as she thought about it. Then, she found a record of her exam papers in one of her folders, finally finding out why. Elaine was astonished at her grades.

"Fifty. Fifty. Fifty." Elaine chuckled at the red markings; her eyes widened as she flipped through the pages. Of course, people would think God blessed her with immense luck as fifty was a barely passing number. But, if one were to get the exact grade constantly, then it was not merely luck; it was planned.

"There is no doubt there are people who have seen through this facade," Elaine mumbled to herself as she returned the folder. She smiled at her musings, her eyes glinting in a different light.

"My Lady." Violet knocked on the door before entering. "The Prince plans to have dinner with the family tonight. His Highness also notified that the King is too busy and won't be able to meet my Lady today."

"I understand." Elaine nodded at the message. "Then, will you help me prepare, Violet?"

"Of course, my Lady." Violet exited the room again and called a few maids to prepare her bath and dress. Only Violet was allowed to attend to Elaine to prevent her illness from spreading, making things more complicated than usual. It would take a longer time to dress her Lady alone, but Violet didn't mind if it was to protect her. She just had to learn to be more efficient.

The moment Elaine stepped into her room after her bath, she stopped in her tracks as she saw the dress she was to use for dinner. "Who prepared the dress?"

Violet lifted her head when Elaine asked, taking a glance at the dress in front of them. "There were maids assigned to prepare them, my Lady."

Elaine did not like the design, and it did not seem like one that she would personally choose from her wardrobe. "Violet, what do you think about the dress?"

"Well, I am not well versed in fashion, my Lady," Violet said, embarrassed. "That's why other maids were in charge of dressing my Lady."

Elaine sighed. She approached the dress and touched its fabric. The dress was too frilly for her comfort, which will make her look unpleasant in the eyes. The material was of top quality, but it still did not suit her taste.

"Call for the maids that prepared the dress," Elaine told Violet. "I want to know why they decided to pick this one."

After doing as Elaine told her, a few maids entered her room with timid eyes. They were newly recruited and feared that the Lady of the Gustova Dukedom's rumours were true, afraid they would get scolded. "Do not be frightened. I only wanted to know the reason why you have chosen this dress for me to use."

Elaine expected the answers the maids gave in response, and she nodded at their statements. "Other noblewomen might think that it was extravagant and would attract the attention of men, but it might backfire instead." Elaine lectured her maids.

"My Lady," One of the maids spoke, "I also received information from one of my acquaintances who worked in the Royal Palace. She was in charge of dressing my Lady whenever there were events that required my Lady's presence."

"What was it?" The maid's answer piqued Elaine's interest.

"She said that recently, my Lady preferred dresses that had more layers of fabric and would not take light clothing any longer." The maid told her. "That was why I suggested this dress to the other maids. It was the most decent one we could find in my Lady's closet."

"...I see," Elaine frowned when she heard of this and faced the maid. "Thank you for telling me. Will you bring me to my wardrobe so that I could choose something else?"

"Is the dress not to your taste, my Lady?" The same maid questioned.

"Well, it seems my preference changed again." Lady Elaine told them. "Since I have troubled you over this misunderstanding, I do not wish to bother you all anymore. I will choose the dress I wish to use for dinner myself."

The words Lady Elaine used took the maids aback. The rumours said that she was temperamental, but it was the opposite. Elaine Louise Gustova was very understanding of the employees of her house. "Then, we will show my Lady to her closet."

It wasn't a long walk, but Elaine's closet was huge. It was probably more significant than her room. Some dresses would no longer fit her, and there were a bunch that she would never use. She thought it was a problem which she had to address soon. For now, she looked at dresses and gowns with bright colours and finally picked one out.

"I will wear this one." Elaine handed it to Violet. She chose a dress similar to a Greek designed gown with slit sleeves and a silver belt.

"We can use some white flowers to decorate my Lady's hair." The maids told her enthusiastically. "We will search the garden for the white flowers, my Lady."

"Okay." Elaine smiled at them as the three maids frantically went out of the closet. Elaine and Violet went back to her room, and the maid dressed her in the white gown carefully.

"This is an unusual dress, my Lady," Violet commented. "I have never seen this design before."

"Is it?"

"Yes. It is like a nightgown."

"It would typically be embarrassing to use such a dress in public, wouldn't it?" Elaine thought. "In my eyes, it is fashionable and comfortable to wear since a corset is unnecessary."

Violet just nodded to Elaine's words. The noble ladies always used such huge gowns that seemed uncomfortable whenever Violet went out. The dress her Lady chose, however, was simple yet elegant.

The maids that were out in the garden plucking flowers came in with broad smiles. They were satisfied with the white decorations they found. When the maids placed the flowers down and bowed to leave the room, Elaine stopped them.

"Why don't the three of you aid Violet in dressing me up?" Elaine suggested. "I think you each have creative imaginations of how I should look."

The three maids blinked, processing what their employer just suggested. "I-If you would allow us, my Lady."

Elaine smiled at them while Violet was flustered. The Duke and Duchess specifically instructed that Violet should be the only one to serve the Lady. However, if she wished for it, then Violet could do nothing.

The three maids debated on how their Lady should go about her look. One wished for her hair to be braided, and the tiny flowers could be stick on it, while the other two came up with the same idea. As it was two against one, the maids quickly crafted the flowers into a beautiful crown. They placed it on her ladyship's head after combing and parting her hair carefully and when Violet finished her makeup.

The four maids present in the room heaved a proud sigh, satisfied with their creation. Then, right on time, Elaine was alerted by a servant that Prince Lucas just arrived at her home.

"Thank you." Elaine looked at herself in the mirror with a smile, thanking them for their hard work. "Do you like the look?"

"Yes, my Lady." They answered in unison.

"Then, please continue to stay by my side and dress me up like this." Their Lady told them. "I see that you three have some talent in this field."

The compliment made the young girls blush. No one had made such a comment in their lives.

"Hm..." Elaine stared at the three of the maids. "What are your names?"

The maid with dark blonde hair and brown eyes answered Elaine first. "Bianca, my Lady." She also had freckles covering her pale face.

The one standing next to Bianca, on the other hand, had dark brown hair and dark green eyes. "It is Lily, my Lady."

"My name is Laurel, my Lady." The last maid who introduced herself had fair skin, paired with her black locks and dark eyes.

"I will remember you three," Elaine told them. "There might be something I need your assistance with in the future. Will you help me, then?"

"If it is within our capabilities..."

Elaine thanked them once again and made them leave with unanswered questions. But, unfortunately, the three maids that Elaine recognised would soon have sleepless nights due to their anxiety.

"They're new, my Lady," Violet told Elaine when they exited the room. "Since my Lady returned after two years, my mother was ordered to hire more staff to serve my Lady."

"Well, they are talented in what they do," Elaine told Violet. "Thank your mother for finding competent maids to serve me, Violet."

"I will, my Lady." Violet smiled. "She will be pleased to be complimented by my Lady."

Violet held onto Elaine's arms as she descended the stairs. She was extra cautious after hearing about her Lady's weak body due to her long slumber. Once Elaine and Violet reached the first floor, they crashed into the Prince by accident.

"Forgive me for my clumsiness, Your Highness." Lady Elaine apologised immediately after regaining her composure. Violet staggered before bowing respectfully in the presence of a Prince.

"I should be the one apologising, Lady Elaine." Prince Lucas responded and scanned his ex-fiancée. "It seems you have been well."

"Yes. I thank Your Highness for the concern." Elaine said. "I apologise for not greeting His Highness yet."

"It's all right." The Prince stopped Elaine from curtsying, then finally took notice of her unique dress. "You look decent tonight."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Lady Elaine smiled at him. "The maids did well in dressing me up for tonight's occasion."

"I have never seen such a dress in the Kingdom." Prince Lucas offered his arm to Elaine, and Elaine took it gladly. It was only a form of courtesy between the two.

"I just saw it today in my wardrobe as well, Your Highness." Elaine looked down at her gown. "The first thought I had when I saw the dress was that I would be at ease wearing it."

Lucas thought it was brazen at first since it looked like sleepwear, but the dress would be convenient if used for balls when he thought more about it. In addition, the female and male counterparts would not be as burdened while dancing compared to a giant ball gown.

Their small talk ended as they reached the dining room in a few seconds. They parted ways when the Prince greeted the Duke and Duchess while Elaine met with her brothers.

"You look beautiful, little sister." Noah smiled.

"Thank you." Elaine beamed at them.

"I have not seen you all day," Gerard told her. "What were you doing, cooped up in your room?"

"I caught up with my studies today," Elaine told them. "It was a weird sensation. The moment I read a few words of a book, I suddenly know of its contents as if I read it in the past. Before I knew it, I have already regained knowledge."

"That is..." Noah dazed. 'Unthinkable.'

"Did you remember the Royal Family's family tree, then?" Gerard questioned.

"No." Elaine shook her head. "I tried looking at the faces of the current Royal Family members to test myself, but nothing came to mind. I memorised their faces already, though."

"You did good, little sister." Noah patted her head as a reward.

The Duke, Duchess and Prince sat down on the dining table, signifying that the servants would serve dinner soon. Next, the siblings sat down in their respective seats and indulged themselves with the appetisers. Then, their main course and dessert came, and Elaine solely focused on her food. They held no conversation and could only hear metal clanking with the plates in the dining room.

The dinner was no less than awkward for the family, but Elaine was not bothered by her ex-fiancé's presence.

"Duke, I was wondering whether Lady Elaine would continue her studies in the Academy." Prince Lucas immediately brought up the reason for his visit as he emptied his plate.

"The Academy?" Elaine questioned. She remembered seeing the word on her exam papers but did not think much about it.

"It has only been a day since our daughter returned." The Duchess placed her utensils down in irritation. "I believe it is too early to speak of this, Your Highness."

"I am simply concerned as the Lady has already missed two weeks of classes," Prince Lucas reasoned. "I understand that the Duke and Duchess wish to delay it due to her condition, but even the Head Master is curious when Lady Elaine would return."

Noah and Gerard could only clench their jaws at His Highness' words. The Gustova family never intended to bring the topic up to Elaine. However, it seems the Prince wanted to destroy their peace, and it was an unwanted interference.

"We have not reached a conclusion, Your Highness." The Duke answered calmly. "However, we believe it is for the best if Elaine limits her visits outside the house."

Elaine blinked in confusion as she heard her father's words and saw her mother's worried expression. Then she took a side glance at her brothers, who were lowering their heads.

"Your Highness," Lady Elaine called out, feeling a slight pain in her chest. She had to stop this talk and take a breath of fresh air. "Would you like to take a walk in the garden with me?"

The Prince frowned at her request at first, but he nodded. Elaine stood from her seat in silence and left the dining room with the Prince. The Gustovas could only sit there, drowning themselves in guilt.

Prince Lucas offered his arm to the Lady, and they walked through the hallway together. Elaine had a conflicted expression plastered on her face during the short walk. However, Prince Lucas pretended he did not notice it and brought her out into the chilling breeze.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Elaine let go of his arm. "For following my act even though Your Highness was not obliged to."

"Was there a need to step out of the dining room?" Prince Lucas asked. "You could have confronted them about it."

"Your Highness heard their words." Elaine sighed and looked up at the shining moon. "My family planned on locking me up in here indefinitely, without my consultation."

"..." Prince Lucas stared down at his ex-fiancée. He blurted. "I wished to thank you for releasing me from our forced relationship." The Prince was selfish, but he realised that his actions were in the wrong after a whole day passed. It weighed on his mind that Lady Elaine took the liberty to take the blame in his stead.

Elaine was dumbstruck by the Prince's bluntness and couldn't help but laugh. "I did not think that Your Highness would be this straightforward about how you disliked our engagement."

Lady Elaine's harmonious laugh rang in the Prince's ears. He never saw her face filled with joy before, so it caught him off guard.

"Our engagement was torture to Your Highness." The Lady mentioned a fact. "I did not wish to be the shackles that would bound the Prince. That was all."

"And for that, I thank you." Prince Lucas told her. Elaine could only smile at his words.

"Did Your Highness visited the Gustova Duchy under His Majesty's orders?" Elaine asked after a few seconds passed.

"...Yes."

"I see." Elaine smiled at King Kelvion's thoughts. "I do not know what happened between us in the past, but I wish we could start as proper acquaintances this time, Your Highness."

"I will try my best." Prince Lucas answered.

The wind howled deep in the night, and they were engulfed in silence once more. However, the atmosphere was not as awkward, and they both appreciated each other's company this time.

"When do you plan on going back in?" Prince Lucas glanced at Elaine's folded arms, her fingers shivering.

"Ah..." Elaine snapped out of her trance. "I apologise for not being considerate towards Your Highness."

"That is not what I meant." The Prince took off his blazer and draped it over the Lady's shoulder. "You should not have used such thin clothing to go out with your weak body."

Lady Elaine did not expect His Highness' kind gestures, which made her stare at him unintentionally.

"What?"

"I did not know His Highness would be so caring towards me." She did not filter her words.

"...I apologise for my rudeness from before." Prince Lucas said sincerely. "I should not have accused a pa--"

Suddenly, a tear dropped from Lady Elaine's eye. When the tiny droplet reached the ground, a single flower magically grew. The Prince's golden eyes grew in size as he saw the phenomenon, then looked up at the Lady he escorted in surprise.

"I'm sorry." Elaine tilted her head in bewilderment, wiping her cheek. "I-I do not know why..." She felt a burden lifted from her shoulders suddenly, and it made her heart throb for some reason--as if she has been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Lucas blinked and looked down again with a frown. Noticing where he diverted his attention, Elaine was also shocked to see the isolated flower right under her feet. She bent down to take a closer look at it and realised that it was an unusual species. "There are spots of gold on its white petals, Your Highness."

The description of the flower was not like the ones His Highness saw. However, the scene he witnessed before him might have explained the reason why flowers planted in unusual patterns suddenly surrounded an empty training field.

Elaine plucked the flower as it seems lonely and decided to hand it over to the Prince. "It is a gift for you, Your Highness."

"Why?"

"It is a thank you for comforting me." Elaine took his hand and wrapped his fingers around her gift, giving him a gentle smile.

Ba-dump. The Prince's heartbeat was unusually excited. Prince Lucas tilted his head, puzzled by his heart's reaction.

"Your Highness?" Elaine peered into Lucas' face when he did not respond, afraid he felt sick. "Do you feel cold because you have lent me your blazer?"

"No." Prince Lucas shook his head. "I was just wondering how you were going to talk to your family regarding your matter with the Academy."

Elaine sighed, her head throbbing once more. "I do not want to talk to them right now. It seems they do not trust 'me' yet. If Your Highness did not bring the topic up, I doubt they would have told me about it."

"Your mother did not seem to like my interference." Prince Lucas said. "Same goes for the men in your family."

"Regardless, I thank Your Royal Highness for bringing the Academy to my attention." Elaine lowered her head slightly in gratitude.

"Still, you must do something to resolve this issue." Lucas raised his eyebrow. "You do not plan on chatting with me the whole night, do you?"

"Of course not, Your Highness."

"Then?"

"...I do not know." It was a headache to face her family now. She understood that what they decided was for her sake, but to completely disregard her opinion was a line they should not cross.

"I have an idea in mind." The Prince told her, then whispered his suggestion.

Elaine frowned. "That would just confirm the rumours that I am indeed a spoiled child."

"...Right." Prince Lucas squinted his eyes at Elaine. He did not expect such a reaction.

Despite her firm rejection, Elaine felt an adrenaline rush when she thought of breaking the rules. It tempted her very much. "...I will do it." Elaine nodded hesitantly.

Her conscience pricked her, but if she was to ensure an incident like this should never occur again, relying on such extremes were necessary.