By the time Estelle, Arcrayne, and Sachis returned topside, it was nighttime, and the grounds were dark.
“Your Highness! Lady Estelle!” shouted Leah, who’d been waiting at the exit along with other employees of the Libra Palace. She was the first to come running their way. “I’m so glad you’re safe! You look a little pale. Have you been eating properly?”
“I was too anxious to eat, so that must be why,” replied Estelle. “But as for looking pale, you should see yourself.”
“We were anxious too...”
May, Haoran, Neil, Cian... Seeing the familiar faces of the Libra Palace put Estelle’s mind at ease.
“Estelle, I want you to head back to the Libra Palace with everyone else for today,” said Arcrayne, while Estelle and the employees of his palace enjoyed their reunion.
“What will you do?” asked Estelle.
“I have to discuss our future course of action with my father, and do some other things... I might not be able to return to the Libra Palace for a while.”
No. I don’t want to be away from you, Estelle thought reflexively. While things had ended on an unsatisfying note, they were finally safe. She had many questions for the prince: How had he been after getting arrested? Had he been in danger when securing the palace...? He doesn’t seem to be hurt, at least.
Estelle wanted to stop him, but kept it to herself. The thought that she might’ve been able to help in some way if they’d already married and she was part of the royal family made her frustrated with her current position as fiancée.
“I shall await your return at the Libra Palace,” said Estelle, suppressing her feelings, though they threatened to come spilling out at any moment.
She forced a smile, telling herself that all she could do right now was make the Libra Palace a comfortable place that Arcrayne could return to at any time, and wait for him. The prince reached out and lightly embraced her.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said.
“I know.” Estelle returned the embrace.
✦ ✦ ✦
After they held each other for a moment, Estelle parted with Arcrayne and made her way back to the Libra Palace. There, she found Snow waiting at the entrance hall. With a meow, she rubbed herself on Estelle’s legs.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Were you worried about me?” asked Estelle.
“She was constantly restless. It was really hard on us. Maybe she’s somehow realized things are safe now,” said Leah.
Estelle squatted to pat the cat’s head.
Petting Snow, a warm meal, a bath with floral balm... The employees of the Libra Palace had shown consideration for Estelle in many ways.
When she thought of Arcrayne, busy taking care of the aftermath at the Leo Palace right now, she felt sorry for him.
As Estelle was exhausted in both mind and body, she went to bed early. She chose to sleep in the shared bedroom. While she knew Arcrayne wasn’t coming back, she wanted to feel his presence to whatever extent she could, no matter how small. But she was too full of emotion to fall asleep so easily.
I need to sleep... she told herself. If she didn’t live a healthy lifestyle, eating and sleeping properly, she couldn’t welcome the prince with a genuine smile on her face.
Estelle closed her eyes, lying in bed. Even if she couldn’t sleep, simply lying down and cutting off any information coming in through her eyes might allow her body to rest.
She fell asleep at some point, and she was hungry when she woke up. Estelle once again found herself shameless, just as she’d thought back in the cell, and laughed at herself on the inside.
She got dressed as always, ate, then headed to the office. It was deserted, as its owner was still away.
Estelle brought her unfinished embroidery, which she’d started as a way of killing time, but she wasn’t making progress on it today at all.
“Your mind seems to be somewhere else, Lady Estelle,” said Leah, who’d brought tea.
“I can’t help but feel uneasy when I think about what’s to come,” replied Estelle.
“His Highness Prince Arcrayne will finally become crown prince, yes...? Which would make you crown princess...”
“Don’t say it...”
Having reality shoved in her face made it feel like the weight of responsibility could crush her. Getting away from Arcrayne was no longer an option for Estelle.
Perhaps she had no right to all this, given that, back in the Tower of Albion, she’d wished—if only for a moment—that Arcrayne had never chosen her.
Estelle lowered her eyes and laid her hand on her chest.
“Lady Estelle, may I come in?” asked May after knocking. She entered once Estelle gave permission. “His Highness has called for you. He wants you to come to the Leo Palace.”
“He said that?” Estelle shot up from the couch.