An Excuse that he doesn't even know

Helena was cut off from my thoughts when she heard a sudden knock on her door, overthinking has led her to even unable to sense the presence immediately.

Helena tried to gracefully compose herself once again, dressing herself up once again. "Come in."

Butler Leo comes in. "My Lady, the duke has requested your presence in his office immediately."

She nodded in return before standing up to follow him from behind.

As they pass the halls of the building she was a bit bothered as she felt a lot of eyes and voices echoing around her, as if they were talking about her.

Helena turns around, and the servants quickly dispersed.

"My lady?" Butler leo stops when he noticed her stopping.

"Nothing."

Then they continued towards the duke's office.

When they finally arrive, butler Leo opens the door for her. Quickly closing it once she got in with ease. She was no left to deal with the busy duke handling paperwork.

"Father." Helena starts. "What did you need me for?"

Duke Enilde places his pen down. "Helena, just what were you thinking?"

"What do you mean father? have i done something wrong?"

He coughs uncomfortably. "I thought you are already aware at what you did."

"I'm sorry father, but please do remind this daughter of yours." She smiles, even though she already know what the duke was pertaining to.

The duke sighs. "I know you're a very bright child, but your recent actions has caused the palace's attention towards you, if there is some misunderstanding we shall clarify it today."

Helena already knew that she would be called to report to her father as soon as she got home, so before she arrived, she had completely thought of an excuse to fool the emperor's ear or even her own family.

"Father, i apologize for not getting your permission regarding my visit to the palace, specifically to the Crown prince." She seriously says. "If father is questioning my motive for my sudden visit, then i can only say that we talked about my upcoming debutante."

Her father's eyes widened. "Debutante? Helena, you didn't have to invite the prince personally, you could've sent a letter."

"No father, i requested the crown prince to be my escort." She says, cutting to story short.

Her father stood up in shock. "Escort?! Helena, your debutante is an important occasion to address your entry to the social circle. Getting involved with the crown prince, is like announcing to the whole world that you have a relationship. More so, there is no current candidate for crown princess, it would immediately cause misunderstandings!"

'Well i knew that he would overreact, even i would. I just made this excuse up, not even the Crown Prince agreed to this, well I'll just tell him via letter.' She thought.

"Father, having the prince as my escort is also beneficial to me. I currently have a lot of enemies both in the tower and the empire, i do not wish to be criticized by my own coming-of-age ceremony."

Duke Enilde sits, touching his forehead with uneasiness.

"The emperor told me to give him a report about this matter as quick as possible. Since i've heard your side, then there is no need for a longer discussion. You must be tired, have a rest." He sighs, going back to his own work.

I bowed in respect and left the room.

As Helena walked towards her room, she is cut off when an arm wraps around her shoulder. She looks sideways and saw her brother.

"Charles." she smiles.

"Helena, what were you thinking going to that bastard's place?" He says irked.

Her eyes widened, suddenly shocked at her brother's choice of words. "Pardon?"

"Listen to me, i've heard a lot of rumors that the Crown Prince hides a lot of women in his palace, you saw a lot of maids there right? They said those all came from slave traders, every one of them was bought for a hefty price-"

"Not just that, I heard he is cruel to woman, he hits woman Helena, you should stay away from him." Arthur cuts in between us.

Helena chuckles.

Looking at both of them, after 6 years they have surpassed her height. They already look like a refined knight, unfortunately, they still have their childish behavior towards her. Both of them looked handsome with their uniform, Helena couldn't help but smile from their growth.

"Good afternoon to both of you. Regardless of those rumors, you don't have to worry about me. i can handle myself."

Their face scrunched in horror.

"How can we not worry? Our one and only sister went personally to his highness. Isn't he supposed the one to do so?!" Charles angrily says, his nose fuming.

Arthur nodding in agreement.

Helena couldn't help but laugh once again.

"Nevermind that, so how was your training?" She said, trying to change the topic.

"Well, we saw an interesting scene from the 6th squad. The knight that you personally raised is being beaten by Captain Galahad." Charles laughs in amusement. "I've always waited for his ass to be beaten."

"It's because you always lose to sir William that you hold a grudge." Arthur snorts.

"Shut up!" He denies. "At least i fight for honor, you only watch during duels!"

Arthur still snorts at him, not being affected by his remark.

"Now now brothers, you shouldn't forget etiquette since we're nobles now."

They both glared at each other before looking away, their pouts elongating further in annoyance.

'when did these two argue this much?' She wonders.

"Go back to training both of you, seriously." She sighs. Patting both of them at their backs, she pushes them towards the direction of the barracks and waves her hand, motioning for them to go on.

Both brothers sadly walk away from Helena, feeling rejected.

'They're so tall, but it looks like they're still somewhat childish' She giggles.

She finally arrives at her room and went straight to bed after cleaning herself. Feeling exhausted from the events that happened because of her rampaging mana, she could only rely to sleeping to lessen her burdens from then on.