A Quest To Woo the Prince

Eleanor had no intention of eavesdropping. At least, that's what she told herself as she pressed her back against the stone wall outside the prince's private garden. The voices of Adrian and Cedric drifted through the open archway, low and serious. She had come to apologize for the glitter-box disaster—again—but hearing the tension in Adrian's tone had frozen her mid-step.

"...You can't keep everyone at arm's length forever, Adrian," Cedric was saying. "You're going to need allies. Real ones, not just the ones you tolerate because of politics."

Adrian's voice, colder than the morning frost, replied. "Allies are dangerous, Cedric. Everyone has an agenda. They smile at you while they're sharpening the knife for your back."

Eleanor's heart sank. She knew Adrian had trust issues, but hearing the bitterness in his voice was a different kind of heartbreak. It wasn't just coldness—it was pain, raw and unhealed.

"That's a rather grim outlook for a future king," Cedric said, his tone light but laced with concern. "Not everyone is out to betray you, you know. Some people are exactly what they seem."

"Name one," Adrian countered sharply.

Cedric hesitated. "Lady Eleanor, perhaps?"

Eleanor's stomach flipped at the mention of her name, her breath catching in her throat.

Adrian's laugh was short and humorless. "Don't be naïve. She's a duke's daughter. Everything she does is calculated. I've seen her type a thousand times."

Eleanor's fingers curled into fists, her chest tightening with frustration and hurt. Was that really how he saw her?

"She's… different," Cedric said after a pause. "Clumsy, yes. Overeager? Absolutely. But I don't think she's pretending to be kind, Adrian. She seems genuine to me."

Adrian sighed heavily. "Even if that's true, it doesn't matter. Genuine or not, I can't afford to trust her—or anyone else."

Eleanor pressed her hand to her chest as if that could stop the ache from spreading there. She understood his wariness, but it didn't make his words sting any less.

"Adrian, you're not alone," Cedric said gently. "You don't have to carry everything by yourself."

"I've been alone for a long time, Cedric," Adrian said, his voice quieter now. "I've learned to survive that way. It's simpler."

"But it's not living," Cedric pressed.

The silence that followed was unbearable. Eleanor debated stepping away before she heard anything else that might hurt, but her hesitation was her undoing. A small stone shifted beneath her boot, the sound echoing in the quiet garden.

Adrian's head snapped toward the archway, his sharp gaze zeroing in on the shadowed figure just outside.

"Who's there?" he demanded, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Eleanor froze. For a fleeting moment, she considered running, but her feet refused to move. Slowly, she stepped into view, her hands raised in a gesture of surrender.

"It's me," she said softly.

Adrian's eyes narrowed, his posture stiffening. "Lady Eleanor," he said, his tone icy. "What are you doing here?"

"I didn't mean to overhear," she said quickly. "I came to—"

"To what?" Adrian cut her off, taking a step closer. His towering presence was more intimidating than she had ever felt before. "Spy on me? Gather gossip to share at the next ball?"

"No!" Eleanor said, her voice rising with desperation. "I wasn't spying. I swear!"

"Then what were you doing?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous now.

Eleanor glanced at Cedric, who looked torn between stepping in and staying silent. Ultimately, he stayed back, watching the exchange with a worried expression.

"I…" Eleanor hesitated, trying to gather her thoughts. "I was coming to apologize. For the box. I didn't mean for it to—"

Adrian cut her off again, his eyes blazing with something between anger and frustration. "So you thought you'd hover outside and listen in on a private conversation? How thoughtful."

"I didn't mean to," Eleanor said, her voice trembling. "I just—"

"You just what?" Adrian pressed, his tone harsh. "Wanted to hear what I really think of you? Congratulations, Lady Eleanor. You've succeeded."

Eleanor flinched as if struck.

Cedric finally stepped forward, placing a hand on Adrian's shoulder. "Adrian, that's enough," he said quietly.

Adrian shrugged him off, his gaze still fixed on Eleanor. "Why are you even here?" he demanded. "You don't belong in my world. Stop pretending that you do."

The words cut deep, but Eleanor straightened her spine, refusing to crumble under his glare.

"I'm not pretending," she said, her voice steadier now. "And I'm not giving up on you, no matter how many times you push me away!" she continued out of desperation. But her expression changed when she saw Adrian's surprised expression. 

Adrian's eyes flickered with something she couldn't quite place—surprise, maybe? Or was it guilt?

Eleanor became embarrassed a bit. She felt like she was being a pushover. But that was what she needed to do, right?

"That's enough for today," Cedric said, stepping between them. "Eleanor, perhaps it's best if you leave for now."

Eleanor sighed and nodded, her throat tight. She turned and walked away, her steps heavy with the weight of Adrian's words.

As she reached the edge of the garden, she heard Cedric's voice behind her.

"She's not what you think, Adrian," Cedric said. "You might want to consider that before you drive her away for good."

Eleanor didn't hear Adrian's response, but the sound of their voices faded as she stepped out of the garden.

The System's voice chimed in her head, breaking the silence.

"Progress Detected: Emotional vulnerability identified in Target. Current affection level: 10%. Keep going, Quest-taker."

Eleanor groaned. "Great timing as always, System," she muttered.

But even as she felt the sting of Adrian's words, she couldn't ignore the flicker of determination growing inside her.

She wasn't giving up. Not yet.