28 Plots

Lumielle left the party early, she let Aris stay with the other young gentlemen. After all, she felt as though she shouldn't impose. She was being escorted out by Allard's mother and the conversation was quite light. Then, her eyes met Leo's. "Sir Leo!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining warmly as she politely curtsied to the Grand Duchess. She looked absolutely delighted.

"Thank you for inviting me today, Grand Duchess."

"It was our honor," she hummed warmly, "And Allard was the one who extended the invitation. It must have been hard socializing with just the boys." A sympathetic pat on the back was given as Lumielle sweetly smiled.

If only she knew. The difficulty was not Aris and his friends but her own son, "It wasn't difficult at all. They were all raised splendidly. And give my thanks to Sir. Allard." With that, she turned on her heel to leave. The carriage was a sanctuary for her but she was even more excited to see Leo.

The blue-haired knight was back. Warm copper eyes stared back at her as the carriage doors were closed. "So," she responded, the wheels started to turn as turned to face him. He looked the same as he always did. His face was blank, lacking emotion, just as she was. "What did you find out?" Lumielle inquired.

Leo adjusted his sword, "I was observing the De Saude mansion as the Princess instructed. Neither the daughter nor of the wife of Duke Se Saude left the mansion to do anything suspicious but," he paused before handing her an envelope. She opened the vellum to see that the pictures showed a carriage with the royal insignia stamped on the side.

"My father?" Lumielle inquired with a hushed voice.

Leo nodded, "He's been the only visitor that has been arriving at the estate."

"Has he stayed the night?"

She flipped through the photos as she saw the golden hair amidst the darkness of the night. That was indeed her father, "He has stayed late but he always returns back to the Palace."

No, it couldn't be? Could it? She gritted her teeth; "Do you think he's visiting his dying friend, Leo?" Lumielle inquired placing the photos down for him to see. He didn't even flinch. The baby-blue haired male didn't look perturbed. Lumielle trusted him, he didn't ask a single question when she had told him to surveil the household.

"Does my opinion matter?" Leo inquired.

Lumielle smiled somewhat knowingly, "Either way, would you let me hear your insight?"

There was a pause. He seemed to be hesitating. "I don't know," Leo said. He was being honest, "The Emperor visits late at night with little guards. He could just be there to converse with his friend but," he let out an exhale, "It feels like that is just wrong." Intuition: it was what many people lacked. It could not be taught at schools or gifted amongst those around them. It was something that had to be given by the Goddess.

"Is there anything else?" Lumielle inquired, "Has anyone else left and come into the manor?"

Leo paused, "There was some suspicious behavior with the daughter. She has gone to pray at the temple multiple times."

"The temple?" Lumielle asked. Cosette had never been religious in her past life. Had something changed? What was she praying for? Was she attempting to cajole the church into making her the Saintess already? No, she wouldn't have gotten her magic appraised yet. That was interesting. She would have to make a note of that.

Leo nodded, "She goes there at least once a week."

"Does she meet anyone?'

"I wasn't able to verify. The temple is secured." That was right. The damned Church had always been a pain for Lumielle. In the past, she had been able to buy the cardinals and the clergy with money. It seemed as though she would have to do the same. Lumielle would have to send Evangeline or Leo to bribe them into releasing information. Though they were the direct line to the Goddess, the Church was incredibly corrupt. It worked in her favor after all. She had been able to create a Letter from God, forging a fake message that allowed the union of Lyanna and her brother. Money was all they wanted. She had enough to spare.

"I see," she responded, "Thank you for your hard work, Sir Leo." Indeed, he had suffered a lot. She hadn't seen him for a couple of weeks due to the fact that he had been busy. Aris had even asked where Leo was.

He bowed his head graciously, "It was an honor to complete a task that the Princess has given me."

Lumielle looked at the pictures once more, "You're going to be turning eighteen soon, am I right?" She asked, but she knew the answer, "You're eighteen by the time the next hunting festival comes around, why don't you attend with your brother?"

It was an honor to attend the hunting festival. Noblewomen and men often flocked there. It was known to be a gathering that could heighten social statuses and bring upon honor. Men went to slaughter monsters while women received tributes and sacrifices. Most of the older men sat around talking jovially and making connections while the younger ones went into the forests. Women called it a viper's pit as for women, it was one big bragging competition to see who would receive the most adoration from men. Veronica was probably the one who received the most. "You can go as my proxy," Lumielle hummed.

His eyes widened, "It would be an honor," Leo said bowing his head.

Staring at him, she couldn't help but smile slightly, "You better do well, since you're going to be representing me." There was a hidden meaning in her words, a slight threat. She needed Leo and Rowan's prestige to skyrocket. Them being the guardians to the Crown Prince and the Princess would only further her political career. "But, you can dedicate your sacrifices to any lady of your choosing."

"You always confound me," Leo said looking up at her, "But thank you."

"It would be a shame if I was predictable," Lumielle hummed back in response. "If you're asking for the reason that I had to spy on the De Saude family, I'll give you an answer."

Leo blinked, "Do you always have to read my mind?"

"You simply make it so obvious," Lumielle mused back as she reclined her chair. She placed the pictures back inside of the envelope. She would have to keep these safe, "I did it because they'll become my enemies in the future."

"Your enemies?" Leo queried.

Indeed, Cosette would become formidable as would her mother. She had been the beauty of society for years. Cosette's mother Eliard De Saude, the Duchess of De Saude was striking. She held the same satin-fair hair that her daughter did but she had bright blue eyes. Framed with thick lashes and wearing clothes that clung to her voluptuous figure, she was known to be one of the most beautiful women in her empire during her prime. Even now, she was lovely. Men gossiped about her as she painted her lips scarlet and scurried around the palace. Cosette was the spinning image of her mother but despite it all, she was almost the exact opposite when it came to her image.

Cosette was angelic. A halo of light glowing around her. She was soft and pure, a gentle type of lovely that people became smitten with. If her mother was a rose with all of it's captivating sharp beauty, Cosette was a lily. Lumielle was nothing more than a dying flower inside of a garden filled with gorgeous florets.

"I won't forgive you if you become infatuated with the daughter of Duke De Saude," Lumielle mumbled glaring at Leo. He looked surprised by her comment.

"Princess, your enemies are my enemies," Leo spoke without hesitation, "The Lady De Saude is far too young for me."

Lumielle blinked, "She's the same age as I am." Pointing to herself, Leo blinked and then realization glittered in his eyes. Lumielle had forgotten that she had not even debuted in high society. The topic of her age often confounded her. Yet, most people often forgot about her age. Her maturity was astounding. Even in her past life, people often forgot that Cosette was the same age as she was. Lumielle was the older sister, having to take care of Cosette and guide her through the castle and life as a noble.

"The Princess acts far more mature," Leo commented, "But if you're trying to insinuate that you would be a good match for me, my statement from before still stands."

Lumielle blinked before feeling her cheeks heat up, "That's not what I meant." Fervently denying his words, Leo's lips quirked up into a slight smile. It seemed that she was somewhat flustered as she averted her eyes from her personal knight.

"Then, that's that."

. . .

"I heard that you were being escorted by Magnus's son," her father said speaking firmly as Lumielle nodded. It had been a bit since the two of them had tea together. Due to the warm weather, he had decided to have a tea party outside. It was rather odd, she had never expected her father to want to spend time with her.

"Sir. Asterias asked me and I accepted. I was quite honored."

Eldrige looked at his daughter. She looked like the late empress with her lilac-tresses though his eyes were his own. The gold being so distinct that no one could mistake her as his own child. Yet, her demeanor seemed to rival his late wife's. "Do you like him, Lumielle?" He inquired.

"He is simply a friend. I believe I am far too young to get married, Father."

"I see."

Their conversations no longer were Lumielle's desperate attempts at his attention. She did not pine for his love as she did before. In her previous life, she had been clinging to him, making conversation and practically bleeding for his responses. All she wanted to hear was that her father loved her. That never blossomed into fruition. She had been stupid, so moronic to believe that was the case.

"Have you decided on a dress for your debutant?"

Lumielle shook her head, "I am still looking over several options. Has Father decided whether or not he is going to accept the envoys of Lactia?"

Her father shook his head, "Even if I sign it, it'll take a couple of years for everything to be worked out."

"I believe father will do what is best for Endora." Even if he was a horrible parent, he was a good Emperor. Lumielle couldn't deny that. Their conversations didn't feel like daughter and father but rather strictly business with casual conversations scattered between. Eldrige often asked her about politics and other situations that Endora was going through. Her advice often followed her knowledge from the future.

He must have been impressed enough to continue to talk to her. Was that all her worth was? Yet, sometimes, she had a flicker of hope. When he asked her about whether or not she liked the desserts or if she had decided on a dress. Maybe, he was trying. Maybe, this life would be different. She would try again.