Saving The Villainous Monster From The Male Lead-Chapter 43 - 42: Disappointed Friend

Soon they arrived at the Demaria mansion. Eleanore didn’t remember much about this mansion and the original owner’s memories were not passing through her mind for some reason.

When she got down the carriage, she found Flora waiting to welcome her with a warm smile stretched on her face.

"Welcome, dear friend." She said, extending her arms for a hug, but stopped midway, when Stella followed out.

"Why is she here?" Flora frowned.

"Flora. She is staying at Lancaster mansion." Eleanore explained.

"You are staying at Lancaster mansion?" She asked, unaware of this situation. "With her at that?" Her happy smile turned into an angry one.

"Wait, I thought you knew."

"That in the end moment, you chose the grand duke over me?" Flora felt wronged.

She was so excited to hear that Eleanore would move to her house. But then a letter arrived, that Eleanore Sinclair was no longer staying at her place, without any explanation to back that decision.

Flora assumed that Eleanore would just remain in Sinclair mansion. She had never thought that her best friend would choose Lancaster mansion over her.

"Did you not trust me?" Flora questioned Eleanore’s intention to enter the mansion of the man that had hurt her just a month ago.

But how could Eleanore explain? What could she say? The truth is too difficult to explain, and a lie would only make this rift between them deeper.

"Lady Flora, Lady Eleanore was just—" Stella began, unable to see anyone accusing her saviour.

Flora turned to her, with eyes burning in anger. "I am not talking to you." She said in a stern voice.

Eleanore turned to Stella who was standing behind her. "Stel, you should go inside." She said,

Stella hesitated. This was her first time at a private tea party. She was a bit nervous. Moreover, she also wanted to explain the situation to Lady Flora. But she didn’t want to come between two friends.

Stella nodded and then headed in, following the maid’s directions.

"Flora. You are my best friend. I was very happy when my brother decided to send me to your mansion." Eleanore held her palm, and continued. "Life is uncertain. Knowing that someone might attack me again, when my brother leaves, I didn’t want to put you in trouble."

"But—"

"This isn’t the complete truth. There is more to it, but I can only tell you this much. Can you please understand where I am coming from and forgive me for disappointing you?"

Flora pondered upon what Eleanore had just spoken. She was just sad that she was not as important for Eleanore as she was for her.

She knew this for a long time, and she didn’t really hate it. But the fact that the baroness, who had accompanied her today, and the grand duke, who she had given up on a month ago. Held higher ground than her angered her.

’If Elle says there is a reason, I should trust her.’

Flora closed her and sighed. Coming to a conclusion, she said, "I forgive you this time. But do not lie to me ever again."

"Yes." Eleanore smiled.

"And the things that you can’t tell. Tell me—" Eleanore felt tense when she heard it. Her mind started working on making an excuse. She didn’t want to lie though. "— when you are ready."

Flora flashed a gentle smile at her tensed up friend. She laughed at her puzzled expression and caught her by her forearm. "You are late. Everyone is waiting for you. Let’s go."

They started in, "Tell me, what’s the deal with Baroness Stella?" She asked.

Eleanore didn’t say everything to her but just that Stella is staying there and they seem to have become friends now.

Stella entered the beautiful garden where the tea party was set. The garden however could never compare to the hidden garden in Lancaster mansion. That garden had a unique charm and vibe, no other could match. Yet the wind here was fresh. It was not the one that would remain consistent, instead it continued to change its wavelength. This is freedom that the hidden garden’s wind didn’t have.

"Baroness," The maid called out. "The other ladies have arrived, please take your seat." She bowed and left the garden, back to her mistress.

Stella saw a few nobel ladies sitting at the rectangular tea table. Although nervous, she moved forward to the table, where there were only two empty seats left. She didn’t think much about it and just started moving forward with a bright smile.

One of the ladies noticed her. She got out of her chair and called her out, "Baroness Stella?" Her orange hair fluttered from the wind that passed between them and her yellow eyes shone brightly under the shining rays of the sun.

Stella turned to her and the other four ladies also turned in her direction. They all looked surprised to see Stella there. Knowing that she is the love rival of the best friend of the one hosting this party.

"Baroness? What are you doing here?" Laurial Thornberry, who called her out before, asked.

Stella smiled at her question, as she replied, "Lady Eleanore asked me to accompany her here." She said exactly, word by word, what Eleanore had asked her to say.

"Lady Eleanore asked you—" Verbena Mallory started as she suspiciously turned her gaze to Stella. " — Baroness, we are not fools." She completed, her plain brown eyes glimmered in suspicion.

"Lady Verbena, do you mean I am lying?" Stella asked, straightening her back, preparing herself to fight these noble ladies. Honestly, she knew something like this would happen and she was ready for it, like always.

"No, I would never." She replied back as she got out of her comfortable chair and walked towards Stella. "I am just confused, aren’t you two enemies?"

"We were." Stella corrected her.

"Oh! Then does that mean you two are friends now?"

"Certainly."

Verbena broke into laughter from hearing that. Eleanore has always been a stubborn one. The whole social circle knew it. Once she sets her eyes on something, she wants it at any cost. No one can stop her. And this foolish Baroness here, thinks she has befriended her biggest enemy.

"Baroness, let me warn you." She said, bringing her lips closer to Stella’s ear and covering her lips from the other side, not wanting others to read her lips. "I believe this is her new scheme." She whispered.