CHAPTER 4

After breakfast finished, the Gustova family was lead to a drawing-room as requested by them. Then, finally, it was time for them to have a meeting. Four of the family members sat down comfortably on the sofas except for Elaine. She still did not know how to confront her family correctly.

"Elaine?" Duchess Gustova worried, her eyes still red from last night's crying session. "You may sit down."

"..." Lady Elaine lowered her head, ashamed to greet her biological parents. "I cannot express how sorry I am to our family. However, I know I am not the only one going through difficulties."

"Yes, we are depressed." Duke Gustova stood up and reached for his daughter's hand. "But, we will go through it together as a family. We will not allow you to isolate yourself to stress over it alone."

Elaine sniffled as tears threatened to fall from her watery eyes. She could tell that God blessed her to have such an understanding and loving family, yet that also meant they would show a brave front to her.

'Ah. I have sinned.' Elaine realised. The worst thing a child could do to their parents was causing them heartache.

"I'm sorry." The Duke and Duchess' only daughter felt burdened, choking out apologies repeatedly. Finally, she brought her hands to her face, hiding her tears. "I-I still do not know how to face you all."

Elaine found herself in the comfort of another's warmth. Her mother and father hugged her tightly when she came about, causing the tears to well up more.

"It will all be okay." The Duchess' voice trembled. She was also convincing herself. "I know it will."

"We will love you regardless of your memories, Elaine." The Duke's words rang in his daughter's ears. Elaine heard these words from her brothers, and she felt reassured to a certain extent. But hearing them directly from her parents' lips were what she needed after all. Relief flushed over her instantly, causing her legs to feel weak. Elaine had no more energy to speak to them. She could only return their affectionate hug with a tighter squeeze. 'That's right. We can slowly build our relationship once again.'

Duke Gustova held onto Elaine's arms, walking her to an empty seat next to Noah. She remained silent after exerting all her strength. Noah and Gerard could only smile as they saw her release all her anxiety and stress by shedding tears and sobbing. It made her seem more human than the night before. Noah comforted his little sister, laying her head on his shoulder, allowing Elaine to relax.

"I am sure you are all shocked by my decision to break my engagement to the Prince." Elaine started softly, sitting up straighter after she regained some of her energy.

"King Kelvion consulted us about it last night, Elaine." The Duke mentioned their private conversation. "However, it was the Prince's request."

"I do not believe the Prince would have discussed it with you last night?" Duchess Gustova questioned gently.

"His Highness left almost as soon as His Majesty left the room, Mother." Noah shook his head.

"Elaine predicted it would happen soon," Gerard informed them. "That the Prince would take the opportunity of breaking it when she was sick in bed."

The Duke, Duchess, and Noah blinked at Gerard's words, looking at Elaine. "Is that true?"

"Well, Elaine did seem to have remembered some etiquette yesterday..." Noah furrowed his golden eyebrows, thinking.

"She also decided to take all the credit for breaking the engagement so that it would not place the Prince in a bad light," Gerard added, though he was bitter about it. Nevertheless, her intentions by bringing it up first were as clear as day. "Right, Elaine?"

"Brother Gerard." Elaine frowned at her second brother slightly.

"It seems you have thought this through, daughter." Duke Gustova said to her. "You have not lost your intelligence, I see."

"My situation is indeed curious and worthy of suspicion," Elaine nodded, agreeing to Prince Lucas' words just a few hours ago. "But all of you believed me instantly. How do you know that I was telling the truth and not have hidden intentions? Perhaps, using this trick to steal the Prince's attention?"

"You are not that kind of child." Noah turned to his little sister with a frown almost immediately. The suggestion itself was absurd. The others also looked at her with concerned eyes. 'Why is she even asking?'

Elaine turned away from their kind gazes. "I am just curious why the Prince treats me like some witch. It does not make sense."

"...."

"Ah." Elaine snapped up, figuring that her words could be misleading. "It is not that I have any affection for the Prince."

"We would like to cover your ears for a little longer, but if you ask us so straightforwardly..." Stephanie sighed.

"Vicious rumours are circulating about you, Elaine." The Duke informed her unwillingly. "For instance, the rumour that the engagement between you and the Prince was your doing."

"In reality, the King asked for it," Gerard mumbled in irritation.

"So, Prince Lucas believed it?" Elaine raised her eyebrows while tilting her head.

"There was much talk about you at the time, and rumours get twisted the further they get whispered. Everyone should know that by now." Stephanie said in frustration. "We wanted to put a stop to the false rumours, but you convinced us not to."

Elaine nodded in understanding of her past self. "It may show others that I was abusing Father's power as the Duke's daughter and that I was a spoiled child."

"You also had faith that the Prince was not one to be swayed by the rumours." Noah sighed, knowing that their assumptions were false. "He was the most outstanding out of all the King's children, after all."

Elaine squinted her eyes. 'A prince who listens to rumours without investigating facts...'

"On the bright side," Gerard smiled, "you won't have to stay under the Royal Place any longer. Instead, you will get to go home with us."

"Yet, the moment she steps out of the Royal Place, rumours about Elaine's engagement will cause an uproar in High Society." Duchess Gustova placed her palm on her forehead, already getting a headache just thinking about it.

Elaine smiled. Just sitting with her family, talking, and seeing that they were concerned about her well being made her feel like she belonged. There was nothing else she could ask for.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. When King Kelvion entered with a gentle smile, the Gustovas immediately stood up and greeted him as expected. "Blessings and Glory to the King of Athelis."

"Please be at ease." His Majesty told them to sit with hand gestures. Duke Gustova offered the King his seat, but His Majesty turned down his offer. The King approached the empty seat next to Gerard instead.

"What brings you here, Your Majesty?" Noah asked.

"I wanted to apologise to Elaine personally about Lucas' selfishness." The King knew of Lady Elaine's intentions when she brought up the conversation first. "I will make sure to punish that boy accordingly."

Lady Elaine smiled at the monarch's words. "I requested it of my own accord, Your Majesty. However, please understand that this subject of yours is not as kind as she seems."

Those present in the room did not believe a word she said, but they stayed silent. The conversation has already ended, which amused the King. "Of course, Elaine. In return for your loyalty to the Royal Family, I would like to offer you a handsome reward. Is there anything you want?"

"There is no need, Your Majesty," Elaine responded. "Returning to my home is already the best reward."

"Well, if you would like to ask something of me, then do not hesitate to. The Royal Palace's doors will always be open to you."

"I am thankful for your kindness, Your Majesty." Elaine lowered her head slightly, expressing her gratitude to King Kelvion. "Then, may I visit Your Majesty when Your Majesty has time to spare?"

"That is a simple request I can grant easily." The King chuckled. "I want a real wish, Elaine."

"But, that was a wish." Elaine frowned at the King's words.

"I will put aside some time to meet with you every day." His Majesty stated his condition with a sigh. "You must visit me daily in return, all right?"

"I will, Your Majesty."

"Why don't Noah and Gerard help Elaine familiarise herself with the Royal Palace?" King Kelvion suggested, wanting to talk privately with their parents.

"Of course, Your Majesty." The Gustova siblings stood from their seats and greeted the adults off respectfully. As soon as the door closed, the three of them walked along the hallway in silence.

"Things happened way too fast, don't you think so too, Brother?" Gerard questioned.

"In a blink of an eye, Elaine is no longer engaged." Noah nodded along.

"...Are none of you interested in a lady?" Elaine asked her brothers. It seems everyone was only invested in her 'love' life.

The Gustova brothers' popularity within the ladies of nobility is not one to be underestimated. Although people viewed them as being 'unfavourable' due to a particular incident, their looks exceeded the average. They were also at the top of the social ladder, just below the Royal Family. These two men were the prey to their predators, called women.

"We are not." Both siblings answered in unison. At every banquet or ball arranged by nobles or the Royals, these two had only two partners they were willing to dance with--their mother and little sister. They were famous for this fact, making it difficult for ladies to get closer.

"The ladies who approached us always have ill intentions." Gerard felt disgusted by their cunning eyes.

"I will help my brothers find the perfect woman for them." Elaine felt motivated as she heard their stories. It was a pity that they had not met a single woman whom they would like to court.

"We have you and our mother." Noah patted Elaine's head with a soft smile. "That is already enough for us."

"We will meet our fated one in the future, little sister," Gerard added. "You don't have to concern yourself over such a small matter."

Elaine did not respond to their words. She already decided to help them find the one for them, after all. The brothers walked alongside Elaine, guiding her through the areas of the Royal Palace they could cover for the day. When the King sent a servant to them, informing the siblings that the adults had already finished their talk, they headed towards the Royal Palace's main gate. There, they met Prince Lucas and their parents.

"How was the tour, Elaine?" Duchess Gustova asked with a smile.

"It was enjoyable."

"I am glad to hear that." The Prince said out of the blue.

"Ah," Elaine was startled when His Highness approached her from behind, "yes."

"This is farewell, but we would still be able to meet once you are in a better condition, Lady Elaine." The Prince stated.

"Of course, Your Highness." Elaine nodded.

"Let us depart at once, dear." The Duke approached his lovely wife as their carriage arrived.

"It seems we must go now, Your Highness." The Duchess said to the Prince.

"Of course. Ride safely, Duchess." The Prince bowed his head slightly.

"Blessings and Glory to the Prince of Athelis."

----

"Welcome home, Duke and Duchess." The butler, whose hair was still dark but had wrinkles covering his face, bowed. The maids behind him followed. "Welcome home, young master and young lord and... young lady?" His dark eyes faltered as he stared at the youngest daughter of his master walking on the premises.

Elaine took a peek behind Gerard, walking in the mansion nervously. As she thought, she did not know anyone in the building. The servants who took a glance at her would frown before understanding why she suddenly returned after two years.

"Is our lunch prepared?" The Duke handed his blazer to the butler, relaxing as soon as he entered his home.

"Yes, Duke." The butler composed himself. 'So this was the reason for preparing five plates.'

The head of the family nodded and led the rest to the dining room. Instructing all the servants to give them privacy after serving their purpose, Elaine sliced the mouth-watering salmon steak on her plate and took a bite.

"What are His Majesty's instructions regarding my illness, Father?" Elaine asked as soon as she and her father finished eating.

"His Majesty wishes for it not to be disclosed to the public." The Duke answered.

"We also want to keep your condition a secret for as long as we can, Elaine." The Duchess said. "But, we will respect your wishes as well."

"It would be difficult to do so realistically," Elaine wondered. "What about the existing workers who knew me since I was a child?"

"...What do you want to do?" Her father asked.

"I wish to inform the workers loyal to the Gustova Dukedom of my memory loss." Elaine decided. "It would not bother me if word about it spread in the future, Father."

"Very well."

The Duke informed the butler to gather the workers described by Elaine in her room, where she chose to announce the devastating news.

"My lady?" A young woman in a maid uniform arrived ahead of the Gustova Family. The young maid tied her auburn hair in a braid, and her large dark eyes began watering.

"Do not forget your manners due to your excitement, child." A middle-aged woman who also had auburn hair paired with bright green eyes scolded.

"We greet the Duke and Duchess, the young master, the young lord and the young lady." They bowed respectfully towards the owners of the house after the maid realised her mistake.

"Do not be too stern on your daughter, Mary." Duchess Gustova smiled. "It is a happy occasion for Elaine to return to the house, after all."

"Yes, Duchess," Mary replied, then looked at Elaine. "The young lady must be tired. We should let her rest until dinner."

"No." Elaine shook her head. "I have something else in mind..." Noah whispered two words in Elaine's ears, and she repeated after him. "Head Maid."

"Of course, my lady." Mary nodded. She opened the doors to Elaine's room, and the owner's mouth parted a little.

The room was huge. There was a king-sized bed with a bedroom bench positioned on Elaine's left, facing east. There were nightstands on either side of her bed as well. Against the wall was her dressing table, ten steps away from her bed. To her right, there were shelves of books, accompanied by a sofa and table. There was also a balcony through the windows. Elaine thought her room was warm and comfortable, smiling at the interior.

"Thank you for maintaining the cleanliness of the room even though the owner was gone." Elaine smiled at the Head Maid and her daughter. They both flinched at her choice of words--she was speaking to them rather respectfully.

"It seems the others have arrived as well." The Duke heard the footsteps of his workers approaching his daughter's room. "Shall we prepare ourselves, Elaine?"

"Yes, Father." Elaine nodded, and the entire family headed for her bed. Elaine sat in the middle of the bedroom bench with both parents beside her. Noah and Gerard, on the other hand, remained standing due to the lack of space. The Duke gestured for the house's butler to enter and closed the door as he did so.

"Will you please tell them, Father?" Elaine held onto her parents' hands, trembling. She currently needed their strength.

The Duke looked at her daughter and exhaled, nodding to her request.

"Thank you for coming at my sudden call. It is unfortunate, but," The Duke looked at his employees, squeezing her daughter's cold hands, "your young lady has lost her memories."

The room was silent. Lady Elaine looked at their speechless faces, and she trembled more as she feared they would not be as accepting as her blood.

"Huh?" The Head Maid's daughter broke the silence, tears trickling down her cheeks. "W-What does that mean...?"

Mary lowered her head, her body shaking as well. Before she was promoted as the Head Maid, she was Elaine Louise Gustova's nanny. She treated the young child as her daughter, and the news brought indescribable grief. Mary glanced at the Duchess. 'If I am feeling this way, how depressed would her real mother be...?'

"It means my lady no longer remembers us, Violet."

Elaine smiled sadly at them.

It was the truth she dares not retort.

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