The Princess and I

Chapter XXXVII: True love is hard to come by

'You could have smashed her skull there,' I say rebukingly, while I lead the Grand Duchess away from the motionless body of Diana Mornington.

'Who cares? The bitch got what she deserved.'

'You heard what she said then?'

'Yes, of course. Did you really think I would smash a bottle of delicious champagne on just anyone?'

I take Eleanor to the Oak Tree and halt her there, so I can bind her still bleeding hand with my scarf. 'You must have a doctor,' I say. 'I think there's glass in your hand as well.'

'Bind it off for now and I will get a doctor in the morning.'

'You'll get the wound infected.'

'Nice of you to care, but that's not why I wanted to see you.' I groan and bind her entire hand to stop the bleeding. She nods her head in thanks and lights up a cigarette. 'Well, listen up,' she says commandingly as she breathes out another strong smelling cloud of smoke. 'Since the bitch ruined my drink, I want to have it over with quickly, so I can get inside again and get drunk.'

'Why did you do it?'

'I beg your pardon?'

'Why hit her?'

'She was being a little snake. And I hate backstabbing snakes.'

'But she was being mean to me? What's that to you?'

Eleanor's jaw clenches. 'Does it matter? The bitch is down. I am glad and I think you are as well, when you set aside your society based standards. If I had not done it, you would have surely hit her. I am sure of it. I was only there before you. So, I will take the blame, when it comes to that.'

'I would have stricken her, but not hit her in the head with a bottle of wine.'

'Champaign. Know your drinks.'

'Whatever. I would have never lashed out that drastically. You could have killed her.'

'I knew what I was doing. Believe me or don't, but I have smashed a bottle in one's face before.'

'You are insane!'

'Sometimes violence is necessary.'

'But not now! She is always talking shit, but that's no reason to maim her.'

'To maim her?' Eleanor chuckles. 'A bit dramatic, don't you think?'

'Dramatic? Dramatic? She's unconscious!'

'Just as well. She was talking gibberish anyway.'

I cross my arms derogatively. 'You don't care at all, do you?'

'No, I don't. And I cannot understand why you do. She was talking that way about you! About Christina! And trust me when I say, people like her will not keep your secret. They will ruin your love and also your life for good manners! Don't tell me she would not, because you must have known.'

I sigh. 'Yes, she would have told anybody who would want to hear. Our love would come out.'

'And is that what you want?'

'I ask you this one more time. Why do you care? What is it to you? So, Christina and I are smeared, but why did you get involved? Even better, why didn't you sell us out?'