Transcription
Alisandra Wilma called out to her as they were about to cross each other in the hallway. She noticed Alisandre seemed lost in thought as she neither heard nor saw anyone walking right up to her.
"Alisandra," she called again.
"Huh?"
"Oh, hello, Grandmother." Alisandre greeted Wilma.
"How long have you been standing before me?"
"Just for a moment. I was calling you, but you didn't answer me at first. What is occupying your mind? Nervous about the dinner?" Wilma asked, thinking the pressure of making sure Edgar had a good dinner was worrying Alisandre.
"No, I am just thinking of what will happen after dinner. Do you think people care too much about appearances and wealth?" Alisandre questioned as she needed to hear what someone from another generation thought.
"They do, especially in Lockwood. It is the center of the kingdom. So it is expected for everyone to look a certain way and then there is a lot of emphasis on wealth. I cannot keep up with it. So I am grateful my family doesn't like speaking of our wealth or getting too deep into society's rules. We live a quiet life in our small town."
"I suppose it is harder for you as duchess," said Wilma. Alisandre's status had more pressure than Melany's, which made Wilma fear Alisandre having enough and wanting to run away.
"There are a few people that make it hard. I am the daughter of a late baron, but his finances don't make my background special. And then there were so many ridiculous rumors. My excitement for today feels drained. I shouldn't think about this." Alisandre shook her head to clear her thoughts.
"Would it be better if you announced you have ownership in the minds? People only speak of your father because they don't know much about your mother."
"I would be more than happy."
"No," Alisandre stopped. "Wilma, you like privacy and I am not going to ruin it for my own good. I don't care to wave around that I have wealth. Enough about me. I am sorry I had to leave you alone. The queen has arrived and so has Edgar's grandmother. Have you ever met Rose Collins?"
"I have not. The Collins is a type of family that I only see from afar. I don't like to get in their path, but life has other plans now that you are Alisandre Collins. Is everyone at the table already? It is nearly 6:00, so dinner will start soon. Were you going to get your husband?"
"Not really. I was only taking a walk to clear my mind, and I wasn't aware of the time. We should go back to the dining room now. And grandmother, it is all right for you to call him Edgar or Duke. He is also your family now," Alisandre said, knowing Edgar wouldn't mind.
Wilma tapped her mouth for her carelessness. "Pardon me, I forgot he is now part of my family. I didn't want to offend him in case he didn't think we were that close yet. How do I look? Is my dress appropriate for a meeting with the queen and his grandmother?" Wilma asked whilst fixing her dress that was not out of place.
Alisandre didn't have to give Wilma a look over as she was dressed quite well from the moment she arrived. "You look wonderful, grandmother."
"Thank you. Let us go together so you can introduce me to everyone. I am looking forward to meeting the man you say loves my plates. It is not every day I have someone who speaks of their love for plates and appreciates the craft. I bore a lot of love into making my plates, you know."
"I will have one of the new batches sent to your home for you to use," Wilma said, making a mental note of it.
"Thank you, but you should send them straight to Alfred. He will treat them like his children and store them away for no one to use. I broke one and I have never gone near any of those plates ever again."
"Edgar." Alisandre smiled as he came to the entrance of the dining room at the same time they did.
"I will leave you two alone for a moment." Wilma excused herself and entered the dining room first.
"How did your talk go?" Edgar asked, curious whether they ended on a good note.
"Honestly, I do not know, but at least I said what I wanted to. Are you ready to be the center of attention tonight?" Alisandre asked since the dinner was all for him.
"Aren't I always?" Edgar smugly replied, taking hold of her hand.
"You, too," Hazel said as she approached the dining room. "Do not make me miss my husband. It would be nice if you think of the single people and the person separated from her husband."
"Then I am afraid you will have to find somewhere else to stay." Edgar kissed the back of Alisandre's hand to show he was not going to limit his affection.
"Sometimes I forget that you can be just as annoying as Tobias," Hazel muttered, walking ahead to get away from their affection.
Alisandre smiled, chuckling as Edgar couldn't help being devious. She pulled her hand away from his hold. "How on earth can you still be so touchy? I'm sure you can limit it a bit to not make Hazel miss Tobias."
"I would not enjoy seeing Tobias and Hazel in each other's company while I am missing you," she said to convince him to decrease how much they touched each other. Unfortunately, it just backfired for Alisandre.
"Then I will never leave your side," Edgar replied.
"That is not what I expected you to respond with," Alisandre poked his chest.
"Duchess," >> Sally interrupted the moment. >> She handed Alisandre a note that came from the gates. "You have a guest who wishes to see you right away."
Alisandre couldn't place who could be here to visit her. It couldn't be Aaron as the guards would just inspect her carriage and let her in. She hoped it wasn't another run-in with a Barrett. Alisandre read the note and said, "It is Eleanor. This is odd. Why the sudden visit? Tell them to let her inside." Alisandre said.
"Edgar, you can go inside without me," Alisandre said, then followed after Sally to hear what Eleanor came for. She liked Eleanor, so she didn't mind the sudden visit. Alisandre waited a few minutes by the front door as the note was taken back to the gates by a guard, and then a carriage started to make its way to the house. Alisandre narrowed her eyes when Eleanor hopped out of the carriage before it could stop. She walked to the front door as Eleanor's frantic behavior worried her.
Alisandre opened the front door before Eleanor reached it, ignoring the cold as she stepped outside. "Eleanor, Duchess."
Eleanor sighed in relief as she finally reached someone who could help her. "The tea. Neither you nor the queen should drink the tea."
***
Episode 373, Familiar, Part Two. 4 hours ago.
"What should I name this character?" Eleanor wondered out loud as she stared at the ceiling of her room. She was tortured for hours, thinking of the names for her new book, which needed to be done soon. Unknown to many young women who turned their noses in the air at her, many of them had already bought her last book, as it was filled with drama inspired by life in Lockwood. Some of them were reading about themselves, but Eleanor had done well to mask the characters.
"I should visit Bryce so he can help me. I need to rest my creative mind." She rubbed her temple.
"Eleanor." >> The faint sound of her aunt's voice calling her from downstairs was heard.
"Coming," Eleanor called back, quickly gathering all of her papers before her aunt could visit her room. Writing books to make money wasn't accepted by her aunt, who thought a young woman should spend her time trying to find a husband to take care of her. Eleanor didn't want that kind of life, especially when she found all the young men she grew up around to be annoying. She preferred to stay alone for as long as possible or until she found someone she liked. Eleanor placed the papers in a box and pushed the box under her bed before going downstairs to find her aunt.
For as long as she could remember, Eleanor had lived with her aunt. It was no secret that her aunt disliked the business that her sister got tangled up in in the red light district and took Eleanor to raise her into a fine young lady. Unfortunately, her aunt's efforts to erase Eleanor's connection to the red light district were all for nothing as everyone kept bringing it up.
"And Scarlet," Elellanor said as she hurried down the stairs. She found her aunt putting away her coat. "I thought it would be a few more hours before you returned home. So you could continue writing in my absence. There is ink on your cheek, Elanor. You are never able to hide when you write. If only you would put that same energy into going out and socializing with your peers to find yourself a husband. How long do you plan to be in my care?" Scarlet asked, closing the small closet door.
"I went through so much trouble to get you into the palace and be near the queen, but you did not bring any good news," she sighed.
"I sat with the queen and got close to Alisandre Collins. That is far better than what any other young ladies could say they did. I'm not looking for a husband, Aunt Scarlet. You should stop wasting your time and let us think about what we will eat for dinner later." Eleanor said while wiping her face to get rid of where there might be ink. "I am in the mood for fish. Should we go to the market together?"
"Eleanor." Scarlet slowly approached her niece as there was some good news she needed to share. "I stumbled into Hayden today."
"What does that annoying bastard want now?" Eleanor questioned, angered by just the name of the young boy who used to tease her. Only when she punched him did he finally shut up.
"Apparently, he has not gotten married."
"Not surprising. What poor fool would want to spend their days with someone so annoying?" Eleanor asked, sitting down on a small couch. "What?" she asked when she noticed the nervous expression on her aunt's face.
"I told him you also were not married and suggested the two of you."
"I would rather die," Eleanor exclaimed.
"Eleanor," Scarlet placed her hands on her hips. "What did I say about cutting me off?"
"Sorry," Eleanor apologized. "But I would rather die." She stood firm on her words.
"Get a dagger and I'll show you."
"Elanor, don't be so dramatic. He agreed to set up a meeting with you. The two of you are not children. You are now attractive young adults who will realize the two of you shared feelings for each in your youth. He is quite the handsome young man and a catch among his peers," said Scarlet, which makes it suspicious for someone who wants to get married to not already be married.
"I'm not going to sit by and believe that someone who teased me in my youth is somehow now interested in marrying me. I am not falling for it and you should not entertain his chatter. Now, chicken or fish for dinner?" Eleanor asked, preferring to talk about food instead.
Scarlet wasn't ready to let the conversation change so quickly. "Eleanor, you should meet with him just once. This is your first suitor around your age. I'd hate to think your only choices will be men far older than you."
"My choice is to remain alone. Or if marriage is so needed, I would just marry Bryce to silence you. I am not going to marry Hayden, let alone meet with him. So whatever plan you concocted and ran home to get started, please get rid of it immediately." Eleanor said standing up as she was too annoyed to remain seated.
"Eleanor, I am no longer asking you to meet with Hayden. I am telling you that you will meet with him. I am going to do your mother's job to see you get married to a good..."
"Where are you going?" Scarlet asked when Eleanor walked by her and opened the closet to take out a coat.
Eleanor took out her coat from the small room and began to put it on. "To see my mother. You have taken me under your roof. But she is still my mother and I am certain she will value my judgment to not entertain Hayden. I will be back for dinner."
"You know I dislike it when you visit that district. There are all sorts of men you can run into. Men who I am not sure your father can save you from if they desire you. Please stay and talk to me about this. I just want the best for you, Eleanor. You failed to see that spending your days writing will not end up with anything worthwhile. I admire your talent, but it is time you focus on other things," Scarlet said, pleading with Eleanor to listen.
"I will visit Bryce and have him escort me there so you do not have to worry. I am thankful you have taken care of me, but I will make my own choices for what I will do with my life. If I regret it later on, then it is all my fault. I will pick up some fish on my way back," Elanor stated, then walked out the front door to make her way to her mother in the red light district.
***
Episode 374. Familiar part 3.
"Why am I getting wrapped up in your argument with your aunt and having to go to the red light district? People have started to assume I am a regular customer there." Bryce said, trying to avoid all eyes on them as they walked to Eleanor's father's establishment.
"No, they won't. You're the most innocent person I know, and the only time you come here is when you're with me. You can't sneak around and come here behind my back because the ladies will tell me. If anything, people might assume we are sleeping with each other," said Eleanor, not bothered if that were to be said.
"I hope they don't. No offense, but you are not my type. It is funny that Hayden of all people might be the person you settle down with." Bryce chuckled as if he could be the last person in this world and I would not spend a second with him. "There has to be something he wants from me now or some game he is playing. But my aunt is so hellbent on getting me married that she does not see it. What is so good about marriage anyway? There are only a few couples that make me see what is to be loved. I have witnessed many husbands sneakily coming here or openly paying a visit, not caring what will be said about their marriage," said Eleanor.
"That's why I suggest we pack our bags and get out of here. Lockwood has nothing for either of us, just people with broken promises." Bryce muttered as his own predicament weighed on his mind.
Eleanor looked beside her at Bryce, wondering when he would come clean about what he was going through. It wasn't long ago that it appeared like he was in love with someone, and now he was depressed. "I hope you remember you can tell me a secret, and I won't ever share it with anyone," she said.
"I know, but this is a little complicated, and I am worried about what people will think of me. We're here. What are the chances of me getting lunch from your mother?" Bryce asked, walking ahead of Eleanor to open the door for her.
"How could anyone ever assume you are here for women when you only ask about food?" Eleanor shook her head, entering the large house ahead of Bryce. "Mother?" she called.
"Why not your father?" Bryce asked as he closed the door behind them. A bell jingled to alert anyone on the inside of guests.
"We're closed."
"Oh, Eleanor, your parents didn't mention you stopping by. Or are you running away from your aunt again?" a scantily clad woman asked from the stairs. "Hello, Bryce," she winked at the handsome young man behind Eleanor.
"Hello, Lucy." Bryce awkwardly waved at the woman who eyed him from head to toe.
"Do not toy with him, Lucy. You know he is shy around women. And yes, I am hiding from my aunt. You will not believe who she wants me to meet to consider marrying. It is Hayden," Elellanor revealed, earning a surprised look from Lucy, who knew her well.
"Perhaps your aunt has been smoking secretly. Those refined ladies always have their secret addictions. At least that is what I got a doctor to reveal to me. Your mother and father are not here if that is why you've come. Your mother should be back shortly, so stay with me and the other girls. We're chatting a bit before the work hours start." Lucy said, walking up the stairs and fixing her robe on her shoulder. "Girls, Eleanor is here."
Eleanor followed Lucy up the stairs, excited to talk with the other women. It had been a little while since she came to visit. Though others expected the women would dislike her because they were kept here by her father to make him money and pay off their debts, the women here had always taken care of her from a young age. They were sort of like her sisters. They were the only ones who knew of her business selling books. And she even sold a few copies here.
"Hello everyone," Eleanor greeted all the women when she reached the second floor. It was an open floor with tables and chairs to serve drinks to their customers. Sometimes there would be shows with the girls dancing to gain money without sleeping with all the customers.
"Elanor, we were just talking about you. I have some juicy details that would make for an interesting story in your book. It involves a certain baker and the girl who sells the flowers on the corner. Quite an interesting affair," Kylie said, covering her mouth as the news was all too much to keep to herself. "He came here running his mouth like floodwaters because his wife caught him and kicked him out. I should have told him that another man once spoke of the girl he is having an affair with."
"Trying to start more fights, Kylie?" Eleanor asked as she gave the young woman a hug. "Do not be so shy, Bryce. Say hello to everyone," Eleanor said as she sat down on one of the chairs.
"Hello," Bryce greeted the group, but he did not look at anyone. The floor was surprisingly intriguing, like always.
"Lucy watched Bryce with great interest. It is always nice to see an innocent one like you. Whenever you get curious, remember that I can help you." Or maybe you have already figured out what you like. Bryce looked at Lucy and saw how amused she was as she stared at him. "I know men well." She placed a finger on her lips.
"I swear I will never take that bastard as a customer again. He is never gentle." Tea, another one of the workers, angrily marched into the room with a cup in her hands. "Only now did I get him to leave. The only bright side is how much he pays me. Oh, hi Elanor and the little cutie. Did you boil some for me?" Lucy asked, looking at the steam coming from Tea's cup.
"You were out here for so long. Why didn't you brew your own? There's still a bit left in the pot. Someone needs to remind the madam that we are in need of more before it runs out. So Eleanor, what trouble have you found yourself in?"
"Hey." Eleanor covered her nose with one hand and used the other to fan the smell away. "You know I hate that smell."
"Oh, right." Ta turned her body to block the scent from going to Eleanor. "I will drink it quickly. What time did the doctor say he was coming?"
"I do not know how all of you put up with that smell. It makes me want to throw up." Eleanor covered her mouth and fought back the urge to vomit.
Ta smelled her drink. "There is not a strong smell. Well, if there is, it does not bother me. The taste, on the other hand, is quite bitter. I should mix it with a strong tea to help. Lucy, can you..."
"What?" Eleanor exclaimed as something started to dawn on her. "What did you just say?"
"What is the matter, Eleanor?" Lucy asked, confused by Eleanor's behavior. She hated their way of ensuring they never became pregnant, but Eleanor was starting to act odd. Eleanor touched her head as there was something troubling her, but she didn't know what. "What is it about tea?" she muttered, trying to solve what was making her itch. "Ta! Oh no. Her eyes widened. I knew that scent was familiar. Why the hell am I so stupid to not know it then?" She abruptly stood up, startling everyone else who did not know what was happening. "I need to get to the palace."
***
Episode 375. Familiar part 4.
"Eleanor, you need to explain what you are talking about because it is not just me that you are worrying with your outburst. Why do you need to get to the palace?" Bryce asked as he stood up with her.
Eleanor looked at Bryce and all the other confused faces in the room. She was sure the familiar taste she got when she drank the queen's tea came from the same remedy she grew up smelling. Eleanor was familiar with it so much so that she became sick of the smell and her body would instinctively try to throw up as if she had drunk it. Eleanor was so comfortable in the palace that it slipped her mind this was what she had tasted. Now that she smelled it once again, no one in this world could tell her it was something else. It made sense that the remedy was masked by the strong scent of tea mix. It was something her mother did to help newer girls drink it as they were not fond of the bitter aftertaste.
"I will be back soon." Eleanor started to run instead of explaining herself. She was certain about this but didn't want anyone else tangled up in this.
"Eleanor." Bryce called after her whilst he followed her out. He didn't understand how they went from talking about sense to having to go to the palace.
"Eleanor, slow down a second and explain this to me. Why must you go to the palace?"
"We all drank it. Everyone except for the queen. I drank mine and her tea. Mine didn't taste odd, but the queen's did. Alisandre and Heather had some, too." Eleanor rambled as she ran outside in search of a carriage to take her to the palace. "I need a carriage."
"Eleanor." Bryce held her hand to stop her. "Slow down a moment. I didn't catch a word you said other than tea. We took my carriage here. Remember?"
Eleanor licked her lips out of nervousness. "The day I visited the palace, I drank tea with the queen, Alisandre Collins, and another young woman. There was something familiar about the tea meant for the queen. But I don't know why I foolishly skipped over it or forgot. I know those scents anywhere. We need to get to the palace now to tell the king and queen. We are wasting time."
Bryce was in shock that Eleanor had caught on to someone preventing the queen from getting pregnant. It was a hot topic all over the town as everyone wondered when there would be an heir.
"Bryce." Eleanor's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Bryce looked up ahead and saw how far away she already was. "Uh, I'm coming," he replied, running to catch up to her. They found his carriage and started to make the long journey to the palace. Eleanor was unable to keep still and endlessly shifted in her seat.
"Eleanor, this might make me sound like a bad person, but we have to think for a moment. Anyone who is bold enough to do this to the queen is not someone you would want to anger. What if they set their sights on you for ruining their plans?" Bryce asked as he was concerned for Eleanor's safety more than anything else. "They shouldn't get involved with games in the palace and should probably use another way to alert the queen."
"I can't know what I know and not tell anyone. Can you imagine the pressure she faces to have an heir? But it is not her fault. I understand your concerns, but I can't keep my mouth shut. I have to tell her, even if there is a slim chance I might be wrong," Elanor replied.
Bryce sighed. "You will need another approach because the guards might throw you right in the dungeon and question you with all sorts of measures. You might have met the queen, but she is out of town, remember?"
Eleanor cursed as she only now remembered the king and queen were not in town. Everyone knew that. "Then I must go to the duchess and let her husband do something about it. There is a chance something could have been wrong with her tea too. Have your driver take us there. We are already going in that direction."
Bryce hesitated for a moment, but after a deep breath, he said, "I can't." Bryce had not forgotten Edgar and his wife catching him with Oliver at the ball. It would be awkward for him to show up at the Duke's home, and Oliver would not talk to him if he learned he was anywhere near Edgar.
"No. What has gotten into you, Bryce? This is not like you. You are aware the health of our queen is at stake. I have the connections to get the medicine she needs to turn this around, and you are saying no." Eleanor asked in complete disbelief at what was going through the mind of her lifelong friend.
"If you are scared that you will get tangled up in this, I won't."
"That is not it. Stop the carriage." Bryce spoke loud for the driver to hear. "I will let you use the carriage to get there, but I am not going with you. I hope everything ends well," he said, opening the door and stepping outside the moment the carriage stopped.
"Are you kidding me, Bryce? Tell me what is stopping you from going to the Duke's house or I will no longer speak with you," Eleanor said, holding the door so that he could not close it on her.
"I'm sorry," Bryce apologized before going to where the driver sat. This wasn't something he could speak to Eleanor about, and she would not be able to offer him advice. This town wasn't used to his kind, and he would rather not see Edgar, who was aware of his relationship. "Take her to the Duke's estate, then return for me on this road. Go now."
The carriage started to move again, and as it passed by where Bryce stood, the door was still wide open, and Eleanor could not believe the one person she expected would come along with her no matter what was ditching her. It was a slap in the face for him to be so secretive when she was always so open with him. Eleanor slowly closed the door as she had no time to think about Bryce or stop the carriage to speak with him. As of right now, getting the message to Alisandre was more important. Eleanor rested her head back against the seat, thinking of how she would tell Alisandre about the tea. Her feet kept bouncing as she could not handle how painfully slow it was taking for the carriage to reach Alisandre. Eleanor bit her nails one by one, a habit she never had until now. After too many minutes of traveling to the Duke's estate, Eleanor's nervousness increased and the carriage finally stopped in front of the gates of the Collins home. There was another nerve-wracking couple of minutes as she stated her name and had to wait for permission to enter. Finally, she felt relieved when the gate started to open and the carriage moved once more. Eleanor contemplated hopping out of the carriage and running up to the house as it might be faster. "I can't wait," Eleanor decided, opening the door of the carriage before it could park and began running up the steps so she could deliver the message sooner.
"Eleanor, Duchess."
Eleanor sighed in relief when she found Alisandre standing by the door as she finally reached someone who could help her. "The tea. Neither you nor the queen should drink the tea."