The Villainess Strikes Back

Chapter 22

Has the world turned upside down?

Angelina's eyes were on the verge of popping out, and for a second she forgot how to breathe.

She........she smells like lavender.

Angelina thought, before realizing what she is thinking about. It was good that Eleanor was hugging her or else her tears would have been seen by everyone.

And then suddenly, it hit her. Why in the world this over smart princess is hugging her.

To help me.

Although it should have made her angry, as she knew that she definitely didn't want Eleanor's help, however, all she felt was a huge relief instead.

Stuck on the thought that why is her stupid self getting "relief", she didn't realize when Eleanor broke off the hug.

"Ahmmm....everyone, let's get going." The Emperor broke off the silence.

"Yes, yes, please allow me to escort you, your highness."

"Yes, Morgan, the Castillos were searching for you too."

All the elders strated to buzz around making excuses before they finally took their leave. Now, all alone were the five love targets, the heroine, the Villainess and her friends.

"Hey, let's have a tea on my parlour." Monte tried to ease off the tension, making all the attention focus on him. Not quite sure what to do, his face turned slight red with embarrassment.

"Yes! Of course, Brother. Let's celebrate privately on sister's birthday!!" Angelina said, her hyper self back again.

" Eleanor.......?" Rose turned to look at Eleanor, who was quietly watching the scene till now.

"Sure, let's go." Eleanor said a bit later, after calculating everything. She was not at all interested to keep up with these guys, but if she turned her back now, after hugging Angelina publicly, rumours were bet to flow around about the Royal family and everyone else on the scene.

And she clearly was in no mood to take responsibility for other's rumours.

Smiling warmly at Eleanor, Monte started leading the group to his parlour.

**************

"So......let's play truth and dare." Henry said as soon as everyone was seated.

"Okay! I will start then." Angelina gushed acting cute.

Unfazed, Henry only smiled politely at her. The other boys stared at Angelina, thinking why in the world would the great Eleanor hug her??

"So tell me Princess Angelina, what is it that you desire the most?" Karl asked.

And the game started.

It was now Eleanor's turn. " So, whose going to ask me?" And Bam! All the hands raised as fast as they could.

Everyone turned to look at one another, surprised that they all raised their hands. And then like it was the most normal things, all bursted out laughing. 

"Okay, I'll answer all of them" Eleanor said to them, wondering how long was this innocent kinship was gonna last.

"Do you believe in love?" It was Noah.

Everyone turned to look at the poker face of Eleanor, who slightly cringed up at the question.

"Love," her eyes swayed upwards in a thinking motion," love, is shit."

"Wha......" Everyone had their jaws dropped on her reply.

"That's rubbish, sister! Love is nothing like that, it's real and beautiful." Angelina retorted like a typical heroine, making Eleanor sigh in exhaustion.

"I told you not to call me sister, Princess Angelina."  Was all Eleanor said in reply to Angelina's comment.

"....but why an illusion?" Henry questioned, not quite understanding the concept. He was the Prime Minister's son after all. A knowledge seeker.

" Everyone believes in what they think is right. And this, is what I believe in."  Eleanor replied, like saying something obvious.

"This is my sister." Monte huffed, proud of Eleanor. Chuckling, the quiet boy, Peter asked the next question.

"Hey but I'm not done here!" Henry scowled at Peter. Noah put a hand on Henry's shoulder, and said," Do you really believe the Princess is going to answer you any further?" Speechless, Henry grudgingly gave up.

" So....my question is," Henry looked straight at Eleanor in the eye and tilted his head a little, wondering will she be able to answer this?

"Why did you hug Princess Angelina?"

All eyes went wide, is Henry asking for a death wish? But no one said a word, because in the end, all of them were curious too.

Quietly staring at Henry, Eleanor didn't speak a word. Getting anxious and worrying he might have crossed the line, he sputtered," I mean, it's normal for people to hug each other, but, but....."

He couldn't complete the sentence.

" I, am a very, very cold person who doesn't like to be burdened by unnecessary responsibility. I hugged Princess Angelina because I," Eleanor looked back at Henry in the eye too, making him unconsciously flinch," didn't want to regret it later. It could have become or else, in the future, some unnecessary concerns."

So, everyone understood. However, Eleanor tried to phrase it, trying to make people believe that she hugged Angelina out of her own selfish will, all present out there came to know the truth. Eleanor, hugged Princess Angelina because she didn't want to make Angelina feel embarrassed in front of so many people. Not because she had some ulterior motive.

She really tends to make me surprise every single time.

Noah smirked, a new interest for her dawning inside him. First, she can be as cruel as a devil, then another second she is like a saintess. What the hell is she? Noah was thinking so densely that he didn't realize when the game had ended. And when it did, it was already time for the holy ceremonial, the one that is held for the late Empress every year.

"Ella, how about some ice cream?" Martin jumped out of no where and hugged Eleanor's arm, a innocent smile playing his lips. Looking at him, Rael was reminded of a puppy. Smiling warmly at him, she nodded. Just then Rose too, jumped and hugged Eleanor's another arm.

"Don't try to forget me, Kay?" Rose pouted.

Merrily they left, leaving behind the target group and Angelina behind them. Staring after them, Noah was still thinking about how Eleanor smiled at Martin.

Does she like that country bumpkin?

He scowled. When Angelina left and they too, were ready to leave, Noah asked," hey Monte, does the Princess like Martin?"

"Nooooooo, I mean as much as I know, I don't think they like each other in that way. But I'm not sure about Martin though." Monte scowled at the possibility, making the others burst out in laughter.

That's how they left the room, but Noah didn't know why, the tingling feeling of relief that was washing inside him was so huge?

What is it?