“Let go of me” Elsida murmurs to the man and his grip on her waist loosens.“You should know better than to grab a lady without consent,” she says as she turns to face him.Some of her anger dissipates when her eyes take him in. To his advantage, he genuinely looked sorry and he was above-average-looking suddenly, an idea struck in Elsida’s head.“I'm sorry, I wanted to ask you for a dance” he murmured sheepishly as he ran his hands through curly hair that lightly shaded his face.He wasn't just average-looking he was handsome and Elsida knew he was just what she needed. After all, Julien had his fair share of fun too.“I’ll take you up on that dance offer,” she said with a surly smirk spread across her lips. His face spread into a wide grin as he took her hand and led her to a chamber. As they stalked to a red cube, she felt Julien’s lingering gaze at the back of her skull and a surge of adrenaline bolted down her spine.“Show me what you can do Mia Cara” her dance partner murmure
Elsida sluggishly sat up, rolling down the window and locked gazes with Julien’s Chauffeur.“How can I help you?” she asked, feigning ignorance. “Mr Benoit has asked me to fetch you, he’s waiting in the car for you.”Elsida looked at Anne helplessly heaving a reluctant sigh. “I’m sorry darling it’s out of my hands now” Anne said as she scrunched her face up in pity.“Let me know you made it safe okay?” she said as she pulled Elsida for a hug, placing a kiss on her cheek.“Good night Anne” Elsida muttered as she walked to the waiting Porsche, fuming silently.“What do you want, Julien?” Elsida asked as she slid into the car keeping her distance from him.“That's a funny question El because I'm trying to understand why my Wife decided to go home with someone else”She let out an incredulous scoff. “Oh please Julien stop with the selfless act we both know you wouldn't care even if I went home with another man.Julien’e gaze darkened as he pushed himself off his spot inching towards Els
Elsida woke up the next morning with a hammering headache, the events of the last night surfaced in her memory.She went to a club after a long spell, danced with a stranger, and kissed two men.Well if she was being precise, she did more than kiss Julien she mused as she recalled how his hands made her feel last night.She sat up and picked up the glass of water next to her armoire but didn’t take a gulp as she rushed to the bathroom, retching into the toilet bowl.So much for making mistakes, she mused as she brushed the stench of alcohol from her breath.Returning to the room, she heard the blare of her phone and struggled to find it, not remembering the last time she had it with her.Finally retrieving it, she picked up the call on the last ring. “Hi Natasha” she rasped into the phone.“Dad collapsed again El,” Natasha sobbed into the phone.JULIEN“I need to see my Father Julien.” Elsida bellowed as she barged into his room, her eyes red-rimmed.Julien peeked a look at her from h
“Merde” Julien cursed as the elevator stopped moving.“What just happened, Julien?” Elsida asked as dread coursed through her bones.“Italians and their fucking inefficiency” Julien rasped as he stalked the small expanse of space.“We’re stuck El,” he said as his face scrunched into a grimace.“This may not be the best time to say this but I don't do well in small spaces,” Elsida said as her face started to turn red.Julien’s gaze snapped to her and his eyes lit up with remembrance.” Merde El are you okay?” he asked as his eyes roamed her face hurriedly for any signs of a panic attack.“I'm going to be fine, I just need a distraction,” she said her gaze focused on the ceiling as she counted the golden boxes. 1, 2, 3, 4, …12. “You’re going to have to look at me if you need me to distract you.”Elsida felt Julien’s heady gaze on her and she was starting to think she would be better at counting numbers.Reluctantly, she tilted her head to meet his deep blue eyes that were staring her do
Two days had passed since Armand caught Elsida and Julien in the past elevator together and Elsida was a confused mess.Just as she was starting to entertain the idea of being sexually involved with him, he completely shut her down, he had said nothing more than twenty words in the past two days, one of which was; “we are leaving for Vienna in two days.” Since then, it’s been radio silent.He was so keen on avoiding a conversation with her that she had to occupy herself, she had so much free time on her hands and it was the first time in weeks that she wasn't dragged to attend one ball or the other.She requested paint and brushes from her maid yesterday and since then, the only time she left the drawing room was to sleep.She had finished three pieces and she was exhilarated. When was the last time she had so much time in her hands to paint?She let out a satisfied laugh as she put the finishing touches to her fourth painting.“Thank you Mr. Clemntine, I look forward to working with
“Julien my boy come give your mother a hug,” Cressida Benoit the lady in the wheelchair mumbled as she beckoned for her son.Elsida felt rooted to the spot as memories surged through her veins all at once.She felt dizzy.“It's good to see you, Mum,” Julien murmured as he held onto her tightly.“I missed you, my boy,” Cressida Benoit said, placing a tender kiss on his forehead.“What kind of son gets married without even inviting his mother and to such a lovely girl!” Cressida Chastised and motioned towards Elsida.Julien spared Elsida a glance and it held nothing but warning. If Elsida had been shocked earlier, this felt like a slap on her face.Cressida Benoit did not remember Elsida and she was not sure what to think of it.“Come here Darling let me have a look at you!” Cressida murmured beckoning towards Elsida.“Hello Mrs Benoit,” she murmured as the frail lady enveloped her in a hug.“Oh please darling call me Cressy,” Cressida murmured in her ear.She smelled like cherry blosso
NATASHANatasha plucks an image from her bathroom wall, in this one she is nude and in a compromising position with the man she wanted to so desperately forget.Her hands started trembling as she plucked the other photos on the wall, her breath came out in puffs as tears streamed down her face.As she turned one of the pictures over, she sucked in a gasp and collapsed to the floor as she read what was written on it.ELSIDA“That was a beautiful show Cressida,” Elsida says as she comes up to her with a bright grin on her face.“Your art is amazing just like you Mum,” Julien says as he hands his mother a bouquet of Lillies and drops a kiss on her cheek.Elsida stares at Julien with utter shock on her face. It was the first time she heard him give outa compliment and she supposed it was only right if the compliment was doted on his mother.He was a mummy’s boy she mused as her shock morphed into amusement.“Thank you my lovelies now we must celebrate!” Cressida says with an excited clap
Elsida’s footsteps falter at the sound of Armand’s voice coming from the dining room, she tips her head downwards and is met by the sight of Armand Benoit whispering sweet nothings in a giggling Cressida’s ear.She felt her bones quiver at the sight of Armand, memories of him and Cressida rooting her to the spot.How did they work things out? She mused. “Elsida dear, come join us for dinner,” Cressida says as she tilts her head up mid-laughter to find Elsida’s curious eyes on them.Feeling caught in gear lights, Elsida’s cheeks turn crimson as she continues her ascent down the stairs.“Good Evening Mr Benoit,” Elsida murmured as she took her place on the table.Armand’s sharp gaze met with Elsida’s and his face transformed into the same sinister smile his son wore, the resemblance was eerie.“Hello Elsida how do you like Vienna so far? Cressy tells me you’re a bit of an art connoisseur.”“I did dabble in art once or twice,” she says sheepishly as her gaze roams between the pair; fro
ELSIDA “Tell me El, did you run from the peony garden to get to me?” My cheeks flush impossibly redder as I try and fail to glare at him. The moment I stepped into Julien’s limo his eyes started to twinkle and his lips drew into a large grin before he took in my disheveled expression. “Fine,” I huffed. “I won’t tell you.” His gaze grew serious as he closed the gap between us with one arm reaching for the curve of my neck. “I’m never letting you out of my sight El. Never, nothing is going to stop us from being together. Morals be damned.” I let out a bated breath as his lips hovered over mine. I try to speak but my mouth opens and closes like a fish. My head swarms with so many thoughts all at once but one stands out the most. I have him now and I don't plan on ever letting go. He robs me of breath with a light peck on the mouth that starts first as light, almost tender before it picks up. All at once, he’s everywhere. I’m clutching onto his shirt like a lifeline
ELSIDACORONATION MORNING 5:45 AMThe last thing I remember is Adrian joining me on the bed in the earlier hours of the morning, pulling me softly to him, his grip almost fervent as he whispered sweet nothings to me.“I love you El, I hope you know that,” I recall him whispering and now at about 5 AM I feel nothing but guilt stretching me into four equilateral pieces.I stifle a yawn and stretch to his side of the bed. Noticing the emptiness, I sit up and my eyes quickly adjust to the brightness of the day.Where could he be so early?Adrian never got up until at least 6:10 so this was a tad bit too early for him to be up.I wrap my silk night robe around my body, place my feet in my slippers, and make my way through the castle in search of him.I needed to see him this morning before it was too late.I needed to tell him how I felt about everything and what I wanted to do even if he’d hate me for it.I search almost every living space of the bustling castle where servants and maids
ELSIDA My little surprise meet cute with Beatrice turns into a sob session I had no clue I needed.Scratch that, it’s exactly what I needed, it was like the universe positioned us in the same place when I needed her the most cause what were the odds that I would find the only female friend I ever made in high school in Spain?“I know I shouldn’t love him but I just-“ I croak, trailing off as I wipe my tears hastily.“Oh please Elsida, don’t say that. We cannot control who we love. If we were able to do that, I don’t think love would have had such value.”“Not helping,” I murmur. “You’re supposed to be telling me that it’s entirely wrong and I shouldn’t be thinking about Julien in such a way when we share a sibling.”Beatrice blows a raspberry and moves closer to me, she rubs my arm softly. Luckily, the peony garden shields us from my guards and over-curious maids.“You know I can’t do that, this isn’t the first time something like this is happening in the universe. Shit happens, our
ELSIDA PRESENTWith Adrian in Cartagena carrying out the coronation tradition and the bustle of the castle, I needed a freaking reprieve from everything.A reprieve from work, a reprieve from work, Fae’s incessant disturbance due to boredom of not having her brother around to pester, Natasha’s nagging over what she was going to wear on the coronation, and my father’s constant “Are you okay?” I didn’t think twice before I slipped past the castle doors, packing a picnic basket alongside my laptop and other drawing essentials.It was just 9 am. Two hours after the sun had risen but it seemed as though the sun had been up for over eight hours.It was all too stimulating.I let out a sigh as I chew on a strawberry and my free hand doodles nonentities on my sketchbook.“Hi El.”Julien’s voice slides into my ear and my hand flies to my chest as I stare at him with wide eyes, my heart thuds at a rapid pace as I take in casual yet classy attire.“What the hell Julien, you’re not supposed to b
CONTINUATION OF FLASHBACKELSIDA“Can I turn around now Beatrice?” I huff as I cross my arms around my chest and feel the shimmery fabric of the red Dior dress my mother dearest purchased for me.“One more minute, patience is a virtue dear!” I snort. If I were allowed to have my eyes opened, they would have rolled to the back of my skull by now at her overzealousness for high school events.“Okay, you can open them now. Tada!” Beatrice Bellows just as I blink at the 2.0 version of me in the mirror.A smile tugs at my lips and for a split second, I let it slip through. “I look…”“Magnificent!” Beatrice completes.“Don’t you think it’s too much though?” I ask uncertainty clawing my thoughts. I looked like I was going to draw a lot of attention, attention that I could certainly do without.“Oh please Elsida, who cares? There’s no going back now. Give me a minute, let me slip into my dress and we can get going!” She bellows as she scurries across the room with her perfect-as-ever makeup
ELSIDATWO MONTHS LATER “Are you ready?” I peer up at Adrian from my position on the bed. He sent all his assistants away who tried to pamper him with traditional powders and help him complete tasks he considered too menial to not get done by himself.He gave me a small smile through the mirror but I could see the slight frown forming on his forehead.“I’m okay Elsida,” he mutters and I have my answer confirmed.Adrian was far from okay I was one hundred percent certain that beads of sweat were lining his forehead even before I rose to my feet and clasped my hands around his shoulders.“You’re going to be a great King Adrian,” I whispered into his ear and drew soothing circles on his shoulders, the exact thing he did whenever I was nervous.I don’t blame him. If I were him, at this very moment I’d be shitting my panties.It’s not every day one got to partake in a reversal coronation.His shoulders visibly unclench. “Thank you Princessa,” he murmurs and places a soft kiss on the back
JULIEN Two months later.It’s been exactly two months, three weeks, and four days since I last had a meaningful conversation with Elsida. She’d done her best to make sure our interactions were curt and cordial at best but whenever the opportunity came for us to be alone or have a casual conversation, she would immediately dismiss me and not spare me a further glance.However, I could tell from the longing in her eyes, that it wasn’t what she wanted, we both knew what she wanted but it wasn’t the right thing hence, at least one of us had to be mature and leave it to Elsida to be the bigger person.“Mr Benoit,” are you listening?” A business associate’s voice filters into my mind putting a pause on my mental spiral.“Of course, yes go on,” I rasp, zooming in on a recent photo of Elsida attending a ball with none other than her lovely husband.I turn my laptop off and fight the urge to throw my phone on the floor, I don’t think I can stand another minute of listening to any talk of bus
ELSIDA“Are you ready?” Julien asks while I readjust my lipstick in my compact mirror.“Just a second, Mr Benoit.”Julien’s glare is scathing when his gaze flicks away from his phone to mine. “I told you to stop calling me that.”I ignore him and return my compact in my Chanel purse, I place my hand on the door to make my exit when his warm palm snakes around my ankle.“Are you good El?” He calls me by the nickname even though I’ve warned him several times not to use that title on me and I roll my eyes at him.“You know, this is a very important meeting for this project, we cannot let our emotions get the best of us.”As if I wasn’t aware?I knew how important this meeting was, this company was my baby and Mr Gonzalo’s investment wasn’t something I planned to play around with.He was a very successful business tycoon in Spain who liked to give nouvelle companies and empires of the sort a chance with his hefty investments and today might just be my lucky day. So, to answer his questio
ELSIDA I swallow. “Yes your majesty, that’s the name, Julien Benoit.”“Hmm,” she mumbles before taking a sip of her tea. “And your company for J, tell me, what inspired the name?” She asks in an all too curious voice.Holy shit, I muse.The Queen knows, there’s no way she’d be asking this question if she didn’t.My heart thuds faster against my rib cage and I do my best not to fidget.“Could you rephrase your question, I’m not quite sure what you mean Your Majesty,” I add the last part with a bow.The clang of her tea cup against the plate is resounding and her eyes narrow to stilts in my direction.I’m so fucked.“Let’s not pretend Elsida, I tried sugarcoating this to see if you would come clean but since you insist on me being blunt, I have no choice but to cut to the chase then.”“Your majesty I-““I know about your past with Julien dear. I know everything,” she says, her voice soft.How her tone switches gives me a whiplash and I’m left staring at this formidable woman with my