Chapter 12: Hand Raised

House of Varian

Dining Hall

"I passed the first screening!", Eleanor gave a victory post. Gilbert laughed. "I knew you can do it", Gilbert smiled.

"I'm getting worried Ellie. Your brain is not used to being used that much. Don't you think you're going to break it?", Charles asked. Eleanor froze.

"Is that how much lazy I was before?", Eleanor sighed.

"Ellie, the Chancellor said he considered your entry in the examination because you're a friend to Aileen. Are you sure you're not plotting anything again?", Charles as worriedly. It's weird for Eleanor to be friends with someone who could be married to the Crown Prince any time soon. Once she reached her 18th birthday, she will now choose if she would be betrothed to the future Emperor.

" Lady Aileen had been telling me that she'll be needing my help. But I think we're becoming friends as days go by", Eleanor said with confidence.

House of Tales

Aileen's Room

"There's no way I am that careless woman's friend", Aileen said with a poker face.

Prince Keanne visited her and they spend some time talking inside her room. "I brewed the tea for you. It's not as good as the ones in the Palace", Aileen served the cup of tea. Keanne sat in front of her and sipped through it. "You are getting better. The first time I drank your tea, I thought it was medicine", Keanne chuckled. Aileen had veins popping on her head.

"Say, Lady Aileen. You will soon be having your coming of age before the year ends. Have you thought about agreeing to the Emperor's proposal?", Keanne opened. "I thought we were going to talk about the nobles' banquet?", Aileen tried to change the topic. "Hey come on. I want to sprinkle some humor here", Keanne whined. Aileen saw a bandage on Keanne's arm. "Have you been doing shady things? Your bandage wasn't done carefully. Did you have your doctor check on it properly?", Aileen grabbed his hand. Keanne was surprised at how she was able to notice it. "Oh dear, someone figured it out", Keanne chuckled.

"You have to take care of yourself. I will call our nurse", Aileen was about to go. "It's fine. I just need to wash it", Keanne held her tighter. Aileen pushed his hand gently and went to get some towel and a basin of water.

"I will lock the door. We have to disinfect it properly", Aileen poured the wine that was supposed to be for the Prince. "Since when did you learn about medicine?", Keanne was interested to know. "Because I wanted to understand you as well. You have obsessed yourself with herbs. If I won't learn more about it, there wouldn't be anything to talk about", Aileen gulped.

Keanne was surprised by her answer and just allowed Aileen to clean his wound.

The next days,

House of Varian

Eleanor walked into the hallway and saw Keanne having a sparing with Charles early in the morning.

Eleanor stepped back seeing how they seems to be prepared to take each other's head. Gilbert passed by and supported her back.

"Time to have your practice examination. You will be called into the council office again after 3 days. 5 members of the Council will judge your fitness to become an apprentice", Gilbert explained the process.

"After being an apprentice, you will be sent to the mountain top to have rigid training. That will be for half a year. You will come back to take another examination. According to your scores, you will be assigned to different provinces. The top examiners will be working closely in the Palace", Gilbert informed.

"Palace?! I don't want to meet the Emperor. I feel like I'm going to melt in his presence anytime", Eleanor felt weak on her knees. "If you'd be in the Palace, then it would be interesting", they heard a voice. It was the prince. "Good morning, your highness", Eleanor was about to bow but Keanne grabbed her shoulders. "You don't have to do that. We're friends, aren't we, Ellie?", Keanne smiled widely.

"I apologize for bad-mouthing the Emperor. I will receive any punishment", Eleanor bowed her head. Gilbert went in between them. "The lady appreciates your visitation your highness but I also believe you are in the middle of training with the Duke. We wish not to interfere", Gilbert politely shooed away the prince. The blonde head smirked but Eleanor wasn't able to see it. "Of course, Sir Gilbert", he peeked into his shoulder to see Eleanor with a confused face.

Three days after,

Council Building

"Your Highness. Greeting to the hope of Andaria", Eleanor met him along the way with some knights and Liam.

"I have heard about you passing the first trial", Xylan looked away. "I am in debt of Sir Gil", Eleanor raised her head and saw Xylan looking down on her due to their height difference. "The Empire is in need of selfless councils. If this group of people is tainted with corruption, the Empire might crumble but I won't allow that to happen. You wouldn't want what happened 20 years ago to be repeated", Xylan passed through her. Eleanor sighed deeply and proceeded.

Council Room

"Oh, she's really small and looks like she's easy to break", one of the council members chuckled.

Eleanor was taken back to see such a pretty face as well as a calm aura. "Give respect to the High Council", Rufus instructed. "No need, Rufus. Shall we start?", Fineil raised his hand. There are four members of the council seated in front of Eleanor. Charles apologized for the nth time for not being able to accompany the lady.

"What brought you here?", Fineil asked. Eleanor breathed in and felt like her throat was blocked by something.

"Ahk! I'm late", someone barged in and ran towards the long table. It's the secretary of the Council, Ren. "Two more tardiness in your official meetings and I'm going to remove you from the council", Fineil threatened. He released a dark aura that made Eleanor flinch and stepped back.

"Anyways, young lady. I asked you, did I not? What brought you here? It's not a playground", Fineil's expression changed.

Eleanor remembered Gilbert teaching her and Charles apologizing for not being able to accompany her.

"I didn't come here thinking that it's a playground either. I came here to continue my entry for being a member of the Council", Eleanor bowed her head and raised it again. Fineil crossed his arms.

"What could a brat like you possibly contribute to the Council? Just so you know, we're busy people. We don't have time to babysit", Fineil sighed.

"I came here not to be taken care of. I came here to take care of others", Eleanor said with conviction. Fineil raised his brow. "I met someone just before, he said that the Empire might crumble if corruption taints this place and its people. I haven't done anything proper in my lifetime. I failed as a lady of the house and a daughter to my father. I would like to redeem myself... Though it seems like a selfish reason then... With all due respect, please let me stay a little longer till I find something that will make me want to stay", Eleanor knelt down.

Rufus and Ren looked at each other. Ren laughed hard. "She's interesting. I am going to choose her as my apprentice", Ren raised his hand but was surprised to see another hand raised up. It was Fineil.

"I don't think you are fit to be in this place", Fineil stood up and prepared to leave. "But then... If a Council Member is willing to make me an apprentice, that means I can move to the next step", Eleanor looked at Fineil with determined eyes.

Chapter end.