Chapter 111 - The Temple Of Azraelle VII

"Viscount Chel is understandable. He never had good motives against me." Elliot said and hummed with his deep voice, "But Viscountess Layla…I never expected her to stand up like this."

"What do you mean?" Emelia asked. 

"Viscountess Layla is always quiet. A very influential woman in the circle. Not even a nobleman dares to fight her. Even those whose titles are higher than hers."

"Then it means we should get on her good side."

Viscountess Layla a noblewoman and a widow. Her husband died on the battlefield. Then she overtook her husband's catering business, and at the same, deals with her own clothing business. Her brand is known worldwide, that every single woman knows about it. 

"If you want to. But as much as possible, we would want to avoid the factions," Elliot said. 

If they are to involve themselves in the factions, things will only grow worse. It's better to stay neutral as much as possible than heating up an argument. 

"But we can't forever stay neutral." said Emelia, "There might be a time where we have no choice but to side with one of them." Elliot nodded his head and agreed with Emelia. 

"Be careful around Viscount Chel. He may look kind, but that's only the mask. He's deeper than what you think. Maybe deeper than Henry."

"Don't worry about me and worry about yourself. Their target is not me but you."

"I'm always worried about myself. But I have space to be worried about you." Elliot said, "During the feast in the temple. Don't convert with them as much. Especially the head priest's lackey, Father Inigo," Elliot reminds Emelia. He only felt concerned about her, and that is why he told her. Only if Emelia was allowed to refuse their invitation but she cannot. 

"I understand."

When Elliot sighed out loud and massaged his temples, Emelia said, "Get some rest." He retreats his hand back on the table, slightly tilting his head.

"Aren't we supposed to spend time together?" Elliot asked Emelia. 

"But…you looked exhausted," answered Emelia, making him chuckle. He stood and grabbed her wrist gently, pulling her into a hug. 

"When you're with me. I feel recharged. I don't care about how exhausted I am." Her cheeks blushed a bit red, but she managed to cool the heat off her face. 

Things gets hard for Emelia when Elliot becomes selfish. But she didn't find it annoying or what. That selfishness became a kind of drug to her. It's hard to resist it, but she knew she can't forever do this. 

"Why won't we just share a room?" muttered Elliot as he lets Emelia go. "If we do, I can see you sleep by my side overnight and watch you wake up every morning."

"Don't say those silly things," Emelia placed her hands on her cheeks. 

"I'm serious. We're not married or engaged, but I just want to see you more," said Elliot avoiding her eyes. While Emelia sees his ears, turning red and laughs softly. 

"We can take things slow," Emelia said. 

Elliot walks closer and arches his back to reach her heigh. He gently bumps his forehead with her's and smiles. Emelia looks at him and smiled back, feeling his hands reaching for hers she held his hand and asked, "Is this what you call slowly?" 

"I think so." Elliot went along with her, "But I was serious about my suggestion."

"Not yet. " said Emelia, "We still have things to finish. Once we deal with the temple. We can do whatever we want to do."

Patience is something Elliot didn't like to do. Waiting is a pain in the back, but then the reward is worth the wait. They live in the same place, see each other at twice or thrice a day, their offices are across each other. But their daily lives are quite busy. 

After supper, Elliot and Emelia went back to their own rooms. Emelia was seen sitting on her usual spot. A chair by the window and a small round table with a book on top. She felt relaxed after washing her body with warm water. Her eyes felt drowsy, but she didn't want to go to bed just yet. 

"Princess? You're still not going to bed?" Vanessa asked, walking out of the bathroom. She pulled her sleeve back to her wrist as she just finished cleaning the bathroom. 

"Not yet. Can you serve me some tea?" asked Emelia and Vanessa nods her head, went to the kitchen to fetch some tea. 

When Vanessa walks into the room she sees Emelia sleeping on the chair. On her right hand held a book, lying on her lap. Her head laid low with her eyes closed. Vanessa places the tray she held by the nearest table, grabs a shawl in the closet, and lays it over Emelia. 

She didn't want to leave Emelia, sleeping by the chair, but she couldn't carry her all by herself, calling Elliot might not be a bad idea but. If she wakes up, Emelia wouldn't be able to go back to sleep anymore. It's fine this way. Vanessa thought and walks out of the room. 

"Miss Vanessa?" 

Vanessa turned her head towards the direction of the voice and sees Air, standing by Elliot's room. She bowed her head to show her respects and asked, "Is there a problem?"

"No…I was wondering why the teacups are untouched," Air said and looks at the teacup, turned upside down. 

"The princess fell asleep and I just deiced to leave and let her sleep," answered Vanessa. "What about you, Sir Air? It's getting late aren't you going back to your chambers?"

"Unfortunately I cannot. I have reports left to finish. I'll be going to my office soon too," Air said. "I came here to hand His Imperial Majesty a report and he had asked me to wait outside."

Vanessa looks down at the tray then back at Air she asked, "Do you want to drink this tea instead? It's going to turn into a waste if I just throw it away."

Air tilts his head slightly and asked, "You won't drink it?"

"I don't enjoy drinking tea unless it's bitter. I like bitter drinks than sweet ones."

"You do?" Air asked and follows a chuckle. He didn't expect Vanessa's taste to be the opposite of Emelia's. He thought she liked sweet things. Vanessa raised her brow, frowning as Air chuckle.

"Is there a problem liking bitter drinks?" Vanessa asked in an annoyed tone. 

"Not really. I just didn't expect you to like bitter drinks. I thought you liked sweets," Air said. 

"It's not that I hate it, but I think bitter drinks are better for me. It taste good for no reason."

Air walked towards Vanessa and takes the tray off her hands. He gave her a smile then said, "Then I'll be taking this." Vanessa averse her eyes away and felt shy seeing his smile. 

"Do you like sweet things?" Vanessa asked and Air ponders about it.

"I neither hate or like it. It's alright." Air said, "Especially since you brewed it I should critique it. Is the personal maid of the princess actually doing a great job?" Air teased Vanessa. 

Vanessa's brow twitched in annoyance, hearing his voice circulating in her head. "Then don't drink it. If you're just going to act like that," said Vanessa as she tries snatching the tray back to her hands but Air wouldn't allow her. He lifts his arms on the Air. Vanessa scared that the teacup and teapot will fall onto the ground. She stopped pulling down his coat. 

"But I never said I didn't want to drink it," Air teased her for the last time, and the door to Elliot's room opens. Vanessa bows her head then leaves the hallway. In the end, she wasn't able to get the tray back. 

"What's this? I never told you to prepare tea for me," said Elliot, drying his hair with a white cloth. 

"This is for me to drink. Not you, Your Imperial Majesty," Air answered, smiling from ear to ear. 

"Is it from that maid? I never knew you liked to tease women that much."

"She's not just any woman. And no I do not like playing around women. I hate the smell of strong perfume."

Not just any woman? Air didn't know he said it out loud but, hearing this from Air made Elliot cringe. Is this what Air has to go through when he's with Emelia?

"But will your parents allows this relationship?" Elliot asked, walking back into his room and followed Air. 

"Who knows? I never thought of courting her. It's just fun to tease her and see her reaction."

"My friend, here is an advice from me. Before you know it, you'll fall in love with her. Just go for her if your heart says so. If she rejects you, then she rejects you. It's not like you can turn back time and ask her out again," Elliot said while Air pinches his ear without hesitation. The cries of Elliot could be heard by the door. He begged Air to stop pulling his ear, and he listened.

"I never said I would court her. I don't think I will."