Saving The Villainous Monster From The Male Lead-Chapter 41 - 40: An Important Person
A month passed quickly, Eleanore was somehow succeeding in being a wingman for the two biggest enemies she has ever witnessed.
Caelestis tried his best, controlling his anger and ignoring all of Stella’s insults. This was the part that brought joy to Eleanore. She felt happy every time Stella refused to talk to Caelestis. Deep down she knew that Caelestis had lost respect in Stella’s eyes.
"I thought you did not like having breakfast." Stella said, while they were on their way to the dinning hall on the first floor.
Eleanore was surprised. Caelestis forgot but she knew. How? They have been living in the same room for just a week.
"I noticed that you just have a cup of tea during breakfast." Stella explained, seeing a question mark forming on Eleanore’s face.
"The grand duke called. I couldn’t refuse."
"I see. Does he not know?" They were standing outside the huge doors to the grand dining room, when Stella continued. "I thought you both were childhood friends. Am I wrong?"
"We were but not anymore. Now, I am just his best friend’s sister, who was madly in love with him at some point." Saying this, Eleanore entered the room, where Caelesis was sitting in the armchair at the head of the table.
Eleanore walked to the right side of his chair like last time, Stella followed her. When she pulled out the chair to sit in it, Caelestis stopped her.
"Let Stella sit there. You may sit on the one beside hers." Caelestis said.
"Why?" Stella said, breaking the disbelief that Eleanore had held on hearing that.
Three weeks ago, he let her sit there and today he wouldn’t. Stella could sit on his left, yet he asked Eleanore to sit beside her, on the right side. He wanted her to sit far away from him. Isn’t that what he meant?
"Lady Eleanore can also sit on the left hand side." Stella gestured to the empty seat opposite her.
"Well, I thought, you might want her close to you." Caelestis excused.
Eleanore was stunned and was tired of seeing them fight every time they met. Honestly, she wanted to leave this place after the humiliation.
’Caelestis, this vile man can never change.’ She knew this.
Yet she couldn’t leave, for she knew that that would upset Stella and a new fight would wage between the two.
"True. I want her close because unlike someone, she wasn’t trying to imprison me for love. So, she can sit here, and I’ll sit beside her." Stella taunted.
"There is no need to go so far." Caelestis sighed, exhausted from Stella’s unruly behaviour.
She was never like that. She always obeyed his words but now she no longer does that. ’Lady Eleanore was right. I have lost that respect. Instead of acting cocky, I should build my gentleman image again.’ He thought.
"Lady Eleanore." He began. "You may sit to my left."
The atmosphere in the dining room had turned tense. The servants feared that one of the three would lash out here at any moment and the chefs feared their meal would get ruined.
"No—" Eleanore pulled out the chair away from Caelestis. "I will sit here." She sat on it.
"But—"
"Bring me a cup of tea. That’s all I need." Eleanore ordered, ignoring Stella’s reasoning.
Without exhilarating the matter any further, Stella decided to sit down in her place as well. Caelestis was satisfied. He passed a glass of water to Stella. She looked in his direction, her eyes filled with disdain. "I also only need a cup of tea."
"But Stella, you like eating heavy breakfast." Caelestis said, stopping the servant from serving the same tea he had served to Eleanore.
Stella raised her eyebrow, she said, "Lady Eleanore is drinking the tea, why can’t I?"
"She skips breakfast."
On that Stella slammed the table and got out of her chair. "You knew that and yet you called us for breakfast. It was on purpose, wasn’t it? You only wanted to insult her. You are unbelievable. Grand Duke!" Stella yelled in rage, before darting away from the room.
Eleanore, although stunned, was not surprised by Stella’s behaviour. Somehow, in this one week and the times they have met in the side house had brought them close. Close enough to be called good friends that always have each other’s back.
"What have you done to her?" Caelestis asked, ready to blame everything on her again.
Eleanore ignored his trash talk and completed her cup of tea, without which her day would also go like trash.
"I am talking to you. Stop drinking the tea." Caelestis got out of his chair and moved close to her. Slamming his hand on the table, close to her tea cup, he asked again, "What have you done to her? Why is she standing up for you?"
Eleanore turned her gaze to him, asking him if he really didn’t know why Stella acted like that. "Do you really not know?"
"No, I do not."
Eleanore got out of her chair in disbelief. "You insulted me Caelestis, no friend would ignore that."
"Friends?" He scoffed. "Since when did you two become friends?"
"Since that day, I have tried to save her." She answered in a rather louder pitch and harsher tone. "How many times must I tell you? You need to be kind towards her—"
"I was."
" — And people important to her. I have become an important person for her. Don’t insult me in front of her. Be kind. It’s that simple."
Eleanore was now exhausted. She tried her best, created opportunities for the two and yet the grand duke messes up every time. He is so stubborn that he doesn’t want to change himself for her.
She sighed, pressing her fingers against her temples. "Listen well, Grand Duke. If you love someone, you need to learn to shape yourself in a way they like. Learn to change."
"I can’t change for her." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
"Then forget about this bet. If you can’t change to become a better person for the one you love. It is not love." Eleanore started out of the room.
At the exit of the dining room she stopped again. "I am taking Stella to the tea party at my friend Flora’s. She needs fresh air and needs to meet people."
"I—"
"I am not asking for your permission. I am only informing you." with that Eleanore left, completely messed up. Somewhat hurt and feeling helpless. She could already see the end of this bet.
