CH321 Bringing Home the Princess II

***

Alex took another sip from his cup, then placed it down carefully on the saucer resting atop the table.

"I can see what you're worried about," he said calmly. "I can even understand it. But still—my question stands. What makes you think that just because I maintain a good reputation with people—and sometimes call upon their help—that I'm not a genuinely reputable person?"

"I don't know," Eleanor admitted after a pause.

Alex nodded slowly. "I won't claim to be a good person. To be honest, even I'm not sure at times. But I do believe humans are social creatures. As such, we'll always need one another—whether for a small favour or something life-changing.

"So, for that day... for that need... I try, as much as possible, to maintain a good reputation with everyone I meet, regardless of who they are. Does that make me a good person? I wouldn't go that far. Does it stop me from being a bad person? Most likely not.

"However," he continued, his tone firm but even, "whether good or bad, it's still me. I don't pretend to like people I dislike. I might tolerate them, but I won't lie about my feelings. That's where I draw the line.

"The person sitting before you right now—this is the real me. I may have many shades to myself, but every one of them is still me."

He paused, meeting Eleanor's gaze directly. His expression was open, steady—inviting her to look and find no falsehood in his eyes.

"That said," he went on, "though I understand your reservations, I think you're overthinking this. Asking around for opinions about me won't help you resolve your doubts. The only way to know is to take the risk yourself.

"What you should be asking now isn't whether I'm a good or bad person based on rumours... but whether you're willing to take the risk to find out if I'm the right person for you."

Eleanor sighed softly, lowering her gaze. "He was right after all," she muttered.

"Sorry?" Alex tilted his head. "Who was right?"

"Someone once told me you're either going to become a dangerous person... or the safest person to be around," Eleanor said quietly.

Alex blinked in surprise. Then, after a moment, he chuckled and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"That's... actually a very apt way to describe me," he admitted.

"That wasn't—" Eleanor started, then stopped herself midway. She shook her head wryly. "Never mind. I suppose what you said about being too honest for your own good is true."

Alex grinned. "See? You're already starting to get to know me."

Eleanor suddenly dropped her princessly demeanour. She rested her left elbow on the table and propped her chin against the back of her hand.

The change made her seem less like a saintly princess and more like a roguish merchant weighing a deal.

"If I'm overthinking this," she said with a teasing glint, "then tell me, in your sagacious wisdom, how do you think I should approach it?"

Alex mirrored her posture, leaning slightly over the table. "Well, you just have to answer a few questions."

"Go on."

"First," Alex began, "do I pique your interest?"

"You do."

"Can you stand my personality?"

"Tolerable."

"Can you see yourself spending long hours in my company?"

"In what capacity?"

"Any."

"I suppose so."

"Do you feel any sense of hope, benefit, or security from me?"

"I believe so."

"Lastly," Alex said with a faint smile, "do you find my appearance tolerable for a partner?"

This time, Eleanor hesitated. Her eyes swept over his face and figure, lingering for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

"Passable," she said at last, lips curling into a small, amused smile.

"Only passable?" Alex raised a brow. Then he chuckled. "Well, it's a good thing I don't make a living off my looks."

That caught her off guard—Eleanor let out an involuntary laugh before covering her mouth.

"With these questions answered," Alex said, still smiling, "I think you already know whether it's worth the risk—to find out if I'm the right partner for you or not."

Eleanor met his eyes thoughtfully, then nodded.

"I think... for a start, we should work together on something. Maybe that'll show you what kind of partner I'd be." Alex suggested

"That sounds reasonable." Eleanor agreed easily.

"So, do you have anything in mind we could work on?" He asked.

"Shouldn't you be the one making the suggestion?" she asked with a faint smirk.

"I don't know yet." Alex shrugged.

Eleanor's smirk turned into a glare. "Then why did you make it sound like you already had something planned."

"I don't know. Maybe it's my confidence." Alex grinned. "It makes people assume I always have a plan."

"Or maybe it's your track record of schemes," Eleanor retorted.

"I take offence to that, Lady Eleanor. I am an upstanding citizen of the Empire. I don't scheme—I simply plan meticulously toward a goal."

"That's the same thing."

"No, no—it's completely different. Calling it a scheme gives it a bad connotation."

"I'll take your word for it," she said, rolling her eyes.

To her surprise, Eleanor realised she was actually enjoying herself. She felt strangely at ease with him—smiling, laughing, and letting her guard slip far more than she'd intended.

But then something crossed her mind—something that darkened her expression.

Alex, ever observant, caught the change instantly.

"Lady Eleanor," he asked gently, "is something the matter?"

Eleanor's gaze flicked to him, uncertainty shadowing her eyes.

"Can I trust you?" she asked quietly.

Alex was stunned by the solemnness behind her question. He immediately set aside his playful tone and grew equally solemn—if not more so.

"Yes." He replied simply.

But before Eleanor could speak, he added, "But don't take my word for it. You can stay guarded around me. It'll be up to me to convince you otherwise."

Eleanor blinked, taken slightly aback by his response.

"Tell me honestly," she said. "Is it my bloodline you're after? I can sense that you also carry a Light-Fire hybrid bloodline. However, yours isn't the same as the Imperial bloodline. Yours has a Solar attribute—much like my Fey Monarch Bloodline. In truth, it might even be a better genetic match for the Eugenics Programme than the Royal Gryphon line."

She exhaled slowly, her voice tightening. "I want to know… no, I need to know if my bloodline is what you're after."

"And if it is?" Alex asked quietly.

"I'll cooperate with you," she said flatly, "and I'll bear your child. But anything beyond that is off the table."

"I see… I understand now."

A brief, sad smile flickered across Alex's face. He met her gaze with a rare, quiet sincerity.

"What I said at our last meeting still stands," he said. "I care little for your lineage or your bloodline. What I want is you—Eleanor the Alchemist, the Healer, the Businesswoman… but most importantly, simply you."

Eleanor held his gaze, as though trying to discern whether his words were truth or calculated charm.

Eventually, a soft smile curved her lips once more.

"I'll do as you said. I'll keep my guard up and wait for you to prove that I can trust you." Her tone steadied. "But trust goes both ways. I expect you to do the same."

She extended her hand across the table.

"Deal?"

Alex smiled back. "Deal."

They shook on it.

Afterwards, they talked a little longer before Eleanor finally rose to leave.

She pressed her bracelet, and her appearance shimmered back into that of Navia Almion.

"I'll be waiting for you to come up with a plan for our first collaboration," she said.

"Let me know if you have any ideas too," Alex replied.

"Will do." She nodded before heading out.

As soon as the door closed behind her, a wide grin broke across Alex's face.

He activated his Beta Bracer and sent a message to Zora:

"Milady Queen, as ordered, your humble servant has brought home the Princess."

***

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