When Elaine returned to the dining area, the male protagonist had already left. She asked several nearby servants, but they did not know his location. After a brief rumination, Elaine recalled her peculiar encounter with him two days ago. Despite her uncertainty, she climbed the stairs to the upper deck.
Brightness greeted Elaine at the main deck's entrance as sunlight grazed her skin, and a cool breeze fanned her cheeks. Immediately, she noticed two figures standing by the ship railing, observing the cloudless skies. The female figure's gaze followed her male counterpart's. Yet, her concentration was not on the sight above but the black-haired young man beside her.
Elaine recognized the fervent glimmer in the young girl's amethyst eyes. Though she had not experienced the emotion, she had seen enough depictions in her original world to understand the meaning behind the intensity. Elaine realized the raven-haired young girl's feelings would not be reciprocated—doomed to wither before they could bloom. Yet, she still dreaded having to once again disrupt their two-person orbit. However, she had no choice since her plan and life were both at stake.
"I pray I am not disturbing you, milord." Elaine motioned for Cecil and Mariam to stay back and glided toward the pair.
Elias tilted his head, glancing back. "You did not," he replied. The placid countenance revealed no hints of his thoughts on her sudden change of heart. "How can I assist you, Lady Estella?"
"If I may borrow some of your time, milord." Elaine lifted her head, locking eyes with him. She then shifted her gaze to his female companion, wearing her commercial smile. "I would like a short private chat with your commander. I hope you will not mind the minor inconvenience, Miss Clara."
"N, no, milady. I would not dare." The raven-haired young girl lowered her head, concealing her expression.
"Go on ahead, Clara. I will rejoin you later," the male protagonist reassured her.
"Yes…" Clara's shoulders shivered. She then bowed and withdrew.
Elaine believed the young girl had misinterpreted her intention. Though she expected the reaction, she still experienced a twinge of guilt for breaking them apart. Elaine glanced at the black-haired young man before her. If it were not for the cursed circumstance threatening to derail her plan, she would prefer to avoid Estella's future archnemesis until their destined collision.
"Shall we walk, milady?" Elias extended his hand.
This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
"Of course." She accepted his gesture and followed him toward the front of the ship.
The passing servants gawked at the unlikely pair with unabated curiosity, only to scurry away when Elaine's silver eyes pierced them like sharp daggers. She furtively sighed. Elaine would be naïve to assume Gerard was not monitoring her on the current journey. Gerard would undoubtedly receive reports of all her movements when she returned. Rumors would spread even among those knights and servants who were not his spies. Considering the House of Croix's and d'Amboise's infamous rivalry, it was of little surprise others would perceive their interactions as unusual. However, she had no time to worry about future unsubstantiated gossip since they were beyond her control. Elaine peeked at her travel companion, and a sliver of jealousy emerged. His face remained nonchalant, unaffected by everyone else's reactions and opinions.
After they reached a relatively quiet location, Elias cast a barrier spell. A translucent membrane enveloped them, and its thin wall blocked any sounds inside from escaping. "What would you like to discuss?" he asked.
"You once said I should ask for help when needed." Elaine referred to the black-haired young man's statement from the original Estella's coming-of-age ceremony. "Then…" Her nails dug into her dress, tensing her body like a child about to seek assistance from an adult after causing trouble. It was not in Elaine's nature to rely on others. Yet, desperate times called for desperate measures. "Will you help me, Sir d'Amboise?" She finally forced out her request.
"I will," the male protagonist answered without hesitation, neither asking for a reason nor reciprocation. His resolute gaze stayed on her.
Elaine analyzed Elias' expression, attempting to discern the deception under his composed appearance. Unfortunately, her search yielded no results. "Thank you, milord." Elaine's gaze lowered, suddenly feeling contrite. She sought the black-haired young man's assistance but answered his generosity with skepticism instead of gratitude. Perhaps the time spent at the Croix estate had amplified her cynicism tenfold. "I will repay your kindness in the future," Elaine said with sincerity, though she doubted the male protagonist would require her help to achieve his triumphant ending.
"I am helping you of my own will, milady, and do not require compensation," Elias reaffirmed his intention.
"Even if you say that…" She wrinkled her brows.
"Lady Estella," the black-haired young man advanced closer. "Please enlighten me on the problems that are plaguing you." His towering height eclipsed Elaine's as he leaned forward, placing his countenance inches away from her.
The male protagonist's unexpected actions surprised Elaine. She stepped back, shifting away her head to avoid eye contact. She sought to maintain an arm-length distance between them. "Y, yes," Elaine agreed, realizing she had yet to inform Elias of her predicament. "Forgive me for delaying your time, Sir d'Amboise."
He did not respond, waiting for her to continue.
"Could you tell me more about the monsters from the list of rules the Caispean crews provided us? I wish to learn how to fight against them."
"Fight against them?"
"Yes," she reasserted, again facing him. Her silver eyes steeled with determination. "To fight against their temptations and survive until we reach the Léonas Empire."