Chapter 109 - People Talk

''About that boy?" Elias raised an eyebrow. He held her hands gently, his thumb stroking the back of her palms, ''For someone who sent candies for you, who was curious about your likes and dislikes, who liked stealing glances, how could he grow apart from you that easily? Maybe all those years when you both were apart, he used to think of you as well. He used to imagine what it would be like to go back to you. But when he came back, you were no longer the same. Your younger self was just hidden somewhere beneath that aloof exterior you put so he was determined to win your heart once again. Maybe you were wrong all along?"

Marlene's eyes teared up. Growing up, she was taught to be a good daughter-in-law and a proper duchess, not a wife. And she did not realize when she was molded into it, when she became so aloof. ''I regretted it,'' a soft sob left her mouth, ''I regretted talking so harshly to you before I left the Kingdom with Esme and Arlan.''

''Then why did you leave?" Elias pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

''Because I had to do it. Esme is my responsibility. We  owe her mother and I could not have left her there to die…''

''Does she know?" Elias asked after a moment of silence.

Marlene glanced at him.

''Does she know the truth about her mother?"

Marlene stiffened, ''Esme should never know about it. We can never tell her that her mother is….'' Her eyes deepened.

…

''Take some rest,'' Esme patted Arlan's head.

''Sister, stop worrying about me." Arlan pointed his chin towards the physician who was treating his wounds.

Earlier when they left the training grounds, Rowan suggested that he would escort them back to their rooms. On their way, Esme decided to get the physician to treat Arlan's wounds. But Arlan could still see the worry lines on her face.

He felt guilty. He wanted to be stronger but it looks like he ended up upsetting his sister.

''I will stop worrying after you stop being impulsive,'' Esme smiled softly, ''There is no war going on and even if there is, I don't want you to rush things. It's fine if you want to be stronger but take things at their own pace lest you end up having broken bones even before you could learn anything.''

''Princess, we are trained. You don't need to worry about Prince Arlan having broken bones. We know how to control our strength,'' Rowan frowned. Was she suggesting that they intended to harm the Prince or was she saying that they did not know when to stop?

''You don't need to be offended. I'm merely worried about my brother,'' Esme turned around to leave.

Rowan: ''_" Your face says otherwise.

He followed after her.

''You don't need to follow me. I can be on my own from here,'' Esme said without turning back to look at him.

Rowan was stunned. He was clearly walking at a distance from her and his footwork had been controlled so she would not sense his presence then how did she know?

But then, he was not that surprised. The last time she was sleepwalking, she had strangled his neck with such astonishing strength that he thought he was going to die right there and then.

''Why didn't you clarify back in the training grounds?'' Rowan asked her.

Esme's footsteps came to a halt. Back in the training grounds, most of the guards misunderstood her relationship with Arlan because they know her as Aleister's lover, not as the princess of Nevesray.

They made many harsh and crude comments.

''Do you think she is trying to seduce the young Prince of Nevesray?"

''Why would the Lord choose a woman like her to be his wife?"

''How is she worthy roof being our Queen?''

They were whispering amongst themselves but unbeknownst to them, Esme could hear everything. Sometimes, this extraordinary hearing ability was more of a bane than a boon. She would rather not hear such things.

''There is no need to clarify.''

''They were badmouthing you,'' Rowan frowned. If there was anyone else in her place, they would clarify the misunderstanding to save their reputation.

''People talk. It's not my place to go around telling them that they are wrong. They are only making a fool of themselves,'' Esme continued walking.

It made sense. When they know her identity, they will be embarrassed without the need for her to do anything. ''You aren't bothered by it?"

''Should I be bothered about it?" Esme turned to look at him, ''It's not just about the soldiers, even the servants and the ministers of the court are on the same page. I have nothing to do with them.''

''In fact, the ministers are only concerned about the Prince and the future of the Kingdom. It might sound superstitious but it has been chaotic ever since you came to the Castle,'' And although Aleister dealt with everything efficiently, the amount of troubles coming their way has increased too. ''Since you will be leaving soon, everything will fall in its place,'' he was aware that it was just an act between her and the Prince despite the man's obvious interest in her. So, since her family is here, he guessed that she will leave soon.

Rowan frowned. Initially, he did not say much because she appeared like an ordinary girl who was once a princess in the past. But now, he could say that this Princess was a mysterious person in his opinion no matter how he saw it.

''Thank you for escorting me back to the room,'' Esme nodded at him and stepped inside, without replying to his words regarding her departure.

…

As usual, Esme did not see Aleister the whole day and she concluded that he was busy with the court affairs or the murder cases in the Kingdom.

She had her lunch inside the room and later she tried to find Leo but she could not see him around.

In the end, she ended up going to the library in the castle.