At Emilia's signal, Alice prepares a bowl and sets it before Robert, placing food down with careful grace.
"I know you work for the King," Emilia said, raising her glass slightly,
"But if you're going to stay here, then you don't have to follow very rules so strictly."
She clinks her glass gently against his. Robert gives a shy smile, his cheeks tinged with pink.
He kept his gaze low and started eating slowly, almost nervously.
Emilia watched him curiously.
"You haven't changed at all, you still love spicy meals," she said.
Robert nodded, not lifting his head.
The interaction is followed by a quiet stretch. Emilia focuses on her own food.
Her dark hair shifted across her shoulders like silk, and Robert watched her in silence, entranced by the way she tucked it behind her ear repeatedly, struggling to keep it out of her bowl.
His fingers twitch.
He wants to help. Brushed it aside for her so she could eat freely, but he didn't dare.
"You don't like the food?" Emilia asked suddenly, getting him lost in thought.
Robert jumps slightly and shovels food into his mouth too quickly.
"I wasn't trying to—" Emilia paused, then smiled.
"Never mind. Eat however you like.
Robert swallowed and cleared his plate with quiet precision. Then he sat upright.
"I'm done." he told her.
"June," Emilia called calmly,
"Prepare a good room for Robert to stay in. Assign a maid to attend to him." She instructed.
June nodded and turned to go ahead.
"I don't need a maid," Robert protests immediately.
Emilia turned to him with a soft but pointed look.
"If I told you not to report to the King, would you listen?"
Robert fell silent.
"Exactly. Why should I also listen to you?" she said mischievously.
"Go ahead, June."
She exits the room, and Emilia sips from her water again.
Robert remained seated, a bit conflicted, and watched Emilia continue to eat.
His gaze softens as each second passes and he relaxes slowly.
~
Eleanor's Palace
"You did what?"
Eleanor's voice pierced the room like a whip, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared down at Cole, who was trembling on his knees before her.
The moment the words leave his lips, she strides toward him, her silk gown swishing like a snake preparing to strike.
"I…I just wanted to relieve your anger, to scare her a little… I didn't know Commander Robert would be there," Cole stammered, bowing his head lower as if it might shield him from the storm he was unleashing.
His explanation only enrages her further.
"You fool!" Eleanor hisses, grabbing the front of his collar and yanking him up with startling strength. Ready to squeeze life out of him.
"Did he see your face?" she questioned, her breath hot and furious against his skin, and her grip tightened like a vice.
"I…I don't know," Cole stuttered, his voice cracking.
"I ran. Fast. I don't think he got a good look—"
"That's not good enough!" Eleanor yelled.
She shoved him back, her hands trembling now from both anger and fear.
She spins around, clutching her head for a moment before pointing sharply at her maid.
Missy ran forward quickly, also understanding the seriousness of the issue.
"Get him out of the palace!"
"Right now!"
Missy bowed and grabbed Cole without hesitation, dragging him toward the back exit.
Eleanor's heart pounded violently in her chest. Robert. Of all people.
She remembers clearly like yesterday. He was the one who arrested Cole back then when she set Helen up with him.
Eleanor had arranged the scandal perfectly and pretended to be genuine about making friends with her, giving her easy access.
She bribed Cole to seduce and ruin her reputation at first, but when Helen wouldn't fall for it, she drugged her.
But then, she learned that Helen had got pregnant later that night with Cole and rescued him, letting someone else take his place.
But now, not only is he not able to fulfill the only reason he is alive, but he is putting her neck in trouble.
Not just her involvement in Helen's scandal, but also her infidelity would be exposed if Cole is caught.
Taking a deep breath restlessly, Eleanor motions to one of the servants to serve her some heart-relieving tea and takes a sip.
A sudden knock broke her spiraling thoughts.
"Your Highness, Commander Thomas is here," a maid announces breathlessly from the doorway.
Eleanor freezes.
Thomas.
The crystal glass in her hand slips and shatters on the marble floor.
She quickly straightened her spine, smoothed her dress, and lifted her chin just as the tall, imposing figure of Thomas stepped into her chambers, flanked by guards.
His presence fills the room like an iron wall, unyielding and cold.
"Your Highness," he greets, bowing ever so slightly.
Eleanor forces a smile.
"commander. To what do I owe this… visit?"
Thomas's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I have been ordered by His Majesty to conduct a search for every servant and maid in your quarters."
"What?… why? What happened?"
"A criminal escaped here a few days ago," Thomas answered.
Before Eleanor could protest, he turned to his men and barked,
"Lock every exit. Leave no one out and search every corner.
The guards move instantly. Locking the doors and heading further inside.
Eleanor slammed her hand on the armrest.
"How dare you storm into my quarters like this?" She yelled, putting up a fierce look despite the pounding of her chest.
"What do you think you are doing barging in here like this?" she asked.
Thomas meets her gaze, unflinching.
"I'm following the King's order. And I will be searching for your personal chambers myself," he told her.
"You don't have to worry about anything," he informed her, his voice dropping with subtle bite.
He didn't wait for permission and walked directly into her room, flinging open drawers, tearing aside silken curtains, and sweeping aside rugs.
He upturned her pillows, and threw her closets open as well.