Saving The Villainous Monster From The Male Lead-Chapter 57 - 56: A Pure Confession

Eleanore’s hand started to shiver again, her heart started to beat at a pace so high that its sound could reach her ears, loud and clear. She was nervous. What kind of new rumour will these nobles make after seeing her together with the crown prince?

Noticing her nervousness, Alastor placed his hand on the back of her palm, the hand that had tightly grabbed his other arm. Eleanore turned her gaze to his. "Calm down, you only need to stand beside me. That’s all." He said, instantly calming her racing heart.

They walked forward, to the spot where the king was previously standing, and Alastor started his speech. "It’s an honour to have you all here to celebrate my success—"

As he spoke, Eleanore’s eyes traveled through the crowd. She found Flora standing on her right, in the extreme front, proudly smiling for her friend. Then when she travelled to the left, she spotted Stellas, her arm locked in Caelestis’, wearing an equally proud and happy expression.

A small smile broke on her face, until her gaze met Caelestis’ fiery ones. He looked angry for who knows what reason. His hand was locked in Stella’s, his partner was Stella and Eleanore was not present to act as third wheel between them, then why? Why does he still look the same, angry and heartbroken?

"We may now start the dance." Alastor announced, pulling his hand out of Eleanore’s. "Shall we? My lady?" He bowed, extending his hand towards her. For the first time someone had asked for Eleanore’s first dance, and it felt strange.

She gently placed her hand in his and Alastor rose. He slipped his other hand down her waist and pulled her closer to him. His fingers interjected with hers, while her other hand landed on his shoulder automatically.

Eleanore gasped.

"You look amazing in the purple dress." Alastor said, as they started moving with the rhythm.

The strange song that Eleanore had never heard in her entire life; had become enjoyable with every turn they took. She didn’t know how to dance, yet unlike last time she didn’t have to see her step. He somehow supported her through all her mistakes.

"Lady Eleanore." Alastor called her. Her eyes, enjoying the lights, turned to him. "I want to court you, my lady." He finally said it.

Eleanore had this question in her mind from the moment the queen mentioned it. She wanted to ask him but her question was answered without her raising it.

Honestly, she was not sure if she really liked Alastor, but he looks genuine. Can she love him?

The song completed and yet the couple remained in their place. Eleanore quickly wanted to shift her eyes from him and she did. Her eyes landed on Caelestis, who was already looking her way. When she looked into his rageful eyes, she remembered her purpose. She was here to give him a happy ending. Then how could she fall for someone else?

Her eyes continued to remain fixed at Caelestis, as she pulled her hand out of Alastor and then quickly left the dance floor. Her sudden reaction had shocked Alastor. He remained standing there for a while before rushing behind her.

Everyone who witnessed this scene could only imagine what might have happened between the two, that made Lady Eleanore run away. The whispers around the ballroom increased and reached the King and Queen’s ears, it contained no ill words for the crown prince but instead for Eleanore.

"She must have bewitched the crown prince." One whispered.

"And now look at her, running away from him." Other added.

"What might have made her runaway though?" Another one barges into the conversation.

"Something like, I would never be bewitched by you. Leave me alone." She laughed as she made fun of the lady of duke Sinclair.

Stella, unable to hear any more of this nonsense, entered into the group of ladies that were continuously speaking ill about her friend, leaving Caelestis behind. But he didn’t even notice her leaving because his eyes were only looking for Eleanore.

"Is it fun? What’s so funny? I want to hear it too." She stood in front of them like a whirlwind.

"Baroness. Looks like the rumour about you befriending your love rival is true." The one who had commented about the crown prince saying he would never get bewitched by Eleanore, spoke.

"Lady Bernard, Lady Eleanore was never my love rival. For grand duke Lancaster was never my love and he can never be my love. So, it would be appreciated if you don’t speak nonsense, without getting your facts straight." Stella answered with great bravery, but no one took her words seriously, because in their eyes she is just an outsider and nothing more.

"Baroness, you do not have to lie." Someone else from the group entered the conversation with a sinister smile. "Tell us the truth. Did Lady Eleanore blackmail you to talk on her behalf?" She laughed, followed by the other ladies.

"You—" Before Stella could yell at those unmannered ladies, a hand patted her shoulder. She tried to get a glance of the person from over her shoulder, it was Flora. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"All of you are quite disrespectful." Flora stepped in, not for Stella but for her best friend, Eleanore. "Where are your greetings?"

Everyone in the group stopped laughing at her appearance, not just because she comes from the family of Marquis Demaria but also because she is the only niece of King Rowan. "Greetings, Lady Flora." They bowed.

Flora straightened her back as she continued insulting the ladies who dared to talk ill about her friend. "Call me by my full name, ladies. We are not acquaintances."

The ladies gulped and repeated their greetings, after exchanging glances with each other. "Greetings, Lady Flora Demaria."

"That’s much like it." She smirked. "You may all rise."

Once they were facing her again, her eyes sharpened as she spoke her last few words before finally getting out of this breathless situation. "The one you are making fun of is the only Lady of Duke Sinclair’s family and the only friend of the King’s niece. Next time mind your tongues."

Everyone gasped at that. They all felt a cold sweat releasing from their forehead in fear. "Is that clear?" Flora asked in a dominating tone.

"Yes." They stammered.