The holiday at the duke's Castle turned out to be far more satisfying than expected—not only for Eleanor, but for the children as well.
"Good day, Lady Orleans.""Please, just call me Clarisse, my lady.""Then please call me Eleanor, too."
The Castle still housed the wet nurse who had cared for Kaidel as a child. With her warm and motherly presence, she managed the three children with effortless ease. Her skill in childcare was nothing short of impressive.
Thanks to her, Eleanor could entrust the children with peace of mind and focus on taking a proper rest.
"You're off for horseback riding, I see," the nurse remarked upon spotting Eleanor dressed in riding clothes. Eleanor nodded."Kaidel promised to teach me."
The nurse looked momentarily startled at how naturally Eleanor spoke the duke's name. If she had been permitted to call him by name, then it surely meant she was someone he carried in his heart.
"You couldn't ask for a better teacher. There was never anyone who could rival His Grace when it came to riding, even from childhood."
Eleanor's eyes sparkled."Was Kaidel much the same as he is now, back then?""In some ways, yes… and in others, not at all.""You must tell me all about it later," Eleanor insisted, securing a firm promise before hurrying down the stairs, her steps nearly skipping. She was already running a little late for her appointment with Kaidel.
Throwing open the doors, she stepped outside and found Kaidel leaning against a column in the colonnade. At the sight of her, his eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise, and he straightened.
"Sorry to keep you waiting.""I just got here myself."
But the faint flush on his cheeks, sun-kissed from the late summer light, betrayed him. Eleanor chose to pretend she hadn't noticed.
"So… are we going riding now?""No."
Eleanor tilted her head up to look at him."But you said you'd teach me horseback riding.""First, you need to befriend the horse. That comes before everything else."
As he spoke, Kaidel subtly shifted their path so Eleanor walked in the shade. Together, they entered the great stables. Eleanor's eyes went wide at the long rows of horses lined up in their stalls.
The stable master, busy cleaning the troughs, hurried over."Ah, young master, welcome!""It's been a while."
Kaidel inclined his head, then reached out to stroke the mane of a horse that had recognized him and leaned close. Without hesitation, he strode deeper into the stable."This one will do."
Eleanor, still slightly wary of the large creatures, kept a cautious distance."Does it have a name?""Ray. Gentle and clever."
He beckoned her closer. When she approached, Kaidel overlapped his hand lightly over hers. Eleanor tensed instinctively at the contact."Stroke here. He likes it."
Guided by Kaidel, Eleanor stroked Ray's neck. The soft warmth of the animal's coat was unfamiliar, but pleasant. Ray gave a small, contented snort.
"He seems to like you. Wait here."
Kaidel returned with a carrot taken from the stable master."A carrot?""Horses love them."
When Eleanor offered it, Ray eagerly accepted, crunching happily with a satisfied expression. Watching him chew, Eleanor burst into laughter, and Kaidel couldn't help smiling quietly with her. Seeing her joy was enough to warm him.
She learned how to brush the horse's coat and how to approach without startling him. Though her movements were clumsy, Ray's mild temperament allowed him to endure it patiently.
"This is more tiring than I thought," Eleanor admitted, wiping away the beads of sweat on her forehead."That's enough for today. You've gotten close enough with him—you'll be able to mount tomorrow.""Really? Wonderful!" Eleanor nodded enthusiastically.
"Goodbye, Ray. See you tomorrow," she said, waving before she and Kaidel left the stable. Their clothes were a mess of straw and dirt, but both their faces were bright with smiles.
As they walked back indoors, chatting lightly, Eleanor's gaze fell upon a wall filled with portraits."Are you among these?"
Kaidel hesitated before pointing. A boy of about six sat with a sulky expression."Pfft—Is that really you?" Eleanor burst out laughing. Kaidel's face turned red."That's enough." He raised a large hand to block her view, but Eleanor caught it and tugged it down."It's just—you're so cute. I always imagined you were born looking like a grown man."
She looked back at the painting, chuckling. The features were unmistakably the same, but the chubby cheeks made him look like an entirely different child."And this one's you as well!""…No."
The next portrait was of a boy around fifteen. Gentler, perhaps, but already bearing the face she knew so well."This one can't be more than a few years old."
Eleanor stopped in front of the third portrait. It was breathtaking—so finely rendered it could have been preserved for posterity. A face meant to be remembered forever…
Kaidel nodded. It had been painted two years ago.
Looking between the painting and the man beside her, Eleanor spoke earnestly:"Still, the real thing is better. At least three times so."
At her praise, Kaidel's features softened, the corners of his lips twitching upward.
"And these?" Eleanor pointed to another portrait."My parents."
Her eyes widened at the sight. They were strikingly beautiful, both of them."You're the spitting image of your father. Damian looks more like your mother.""That's right.""They're extraordinary. Truly beautiful," Eleanor whispered, awed. She had never seen such people. Anais was stunning in her own right, but even she could not rival Kaidel's mother.
"But… Damian's not here?" Eleanor asked curiously."Usually, only the heir is painted. Still, I think Damian should have one too."
I'll have to summon a painter. Kaidel nodded as though the idea pleased him.
"It wouldn't be finished while I'm staying here, would it?""Unlikely."
At Eleanor's disappointed expression, Kaidel seized the chance."Then you must come back. Next time, Damian's portrait will be here waiting."
The grand, ancient castle was a perfect playground for children. They roamed until their feet ached."So many stairs!""And so many rooms."
Unlike the sprawling low buildings of the imperial palace, the castle rose tall and sharp into the sky, a novelty even for Lucas. Siena, looking around with excitement, proposed,"Let's play hide-and-seek."
Damian and Lucas immediately agreed. After a quick round of rock–paper–scissors, Damian became "it.""You have to count all the way to a hundred. No skipping numbers!"Damian nodded."But we only hide indoors, right?""Got it."
He shut his eyes and began to count."One hundred, ninety-nine, ninety-eight…"
Siena and Lucas dashed from room to room. The castle was overflowing with hiding places.Where could I hide to be remembered as the best?
There were too many choices—it was harder to decide. With the count nearly finished, Siena hastily ducked under a tablecloth and curled up.
"What are you doing here?"Lucas was already crouched there."And what are you doing here of all places?" he shot back with a scowl."I was here first. Find another spot!""Shh! There's no time. Be quiet."
She clamped a hand over his mouth. Her face was suddenly close, and Lucas's cheeks flushed red.
"Where are you hiding?" Damian's voice came from outside the room.
The two children pressed close together under the table, holding their breath. The door creaked open."Not in this room either…"
Damian's footsteps drew nearer.Thump, thump.
Siena and Lucas stared wide-eyed, covering their mouths, their hearts pounding loud in their ears. Damian paused close by, hands on his hips. Even the faint rustle of his shirt reached them."Where could you be hiding?"
Then, with a turn, he left the room. Siena and Lucas collapsed onto the floor, sighing with relief."Phew…""We almost got caught.""That was so close.""Yeah, I thought for sure we were done."
They giggled softly, the tight little space suddenly feeling like their own secret hideout. The tension ebbed away, leaving them drowsy.
Yawn.
Lucas yawned hugely, and Siena followed suit.We shouldn't fall asleep… But the warm, dim nook lulled them both into slumber.
Fifteen minutes passed since Damian had started seeking. His face grew pale. No matter how hard he searched, there was no sign of the other two.
"I can't find you! Siena, Lucas, come out now!"
No reply. Panic rising, Damian ran frantically from room to room."Hide-and-seek isn't fun anymore. Come on out—we'll play something else!"
But the castle had endless rooms. Sweat beaded his brow as he searched.
"Demi, what are you doing?"
At that moment, Eleanor and Kaidel came up the stairs. Seeing familiar faces, Damian felt a sudden swell of relief and sorrow.
"Where are the others?""Waaaah!"
Bursting into tears, Damian clung to Eleanor. She and Kaidel exchanged a startled glance."What's wrong, Damian? Why are you crying?""We were playing hide-and-seek, but I can't find them."
Eleanor gave Kaidel a look."I'll find them," he said quickly, dashing up the stairs.
Eleanor patted Damian's back gently."Let's search together. With the three of us, we'll find them in no time."
Their voices rang out through the halls, calling Lucas and Siena's names. Still no answer.
Though the dangerous rooms were locked tight, the fact they couldn't find the children gnawed at Eleanor's nerves. She ran up and down stairs until she was sweating.
"Those rascals… don't tell me they've just dozed off somewhere." Eleanor sighed, pressing her forehead."That's exactly what happened," came Kaidel's voice behind her.
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