Chapter 102: Scandal

POV Eleonore

The others wanted to travel to the next dungeon tomorrow, but I didn't agree with that. I couldn't understand their enthusiasm for fighting, let alone develop it myself. There had to be a way to prevent this.

I wandered aimlessly through the palace where I was staying today so that I wouldn't have to come out of the cathedral tomorrow. I was completely lost in thought and hadn't noticed anyone approaching me.

“Dear Eleonore, what are you doing in this part of the palace?” <Alina>

“Whah! Oh, Princess Alina. You gave me a fright.” <Eleonore>

Princess Alina? Why did I have to meet Corni's fiancée now, of all people? I didn't like the fact that he was forcibly betrothed anyway, and to such a young girl at that.

“That wasn't my intention. But it's a good thing that I'm meeting you here. I wanted to talk to you in private for once.” <Alina>

What did she want from me? Does she want to take Corni away from me now? I'm not going to let that happen.

“How can I help you, Princess?” <Eleonore>

“I know you don't approve of me being betrothed to the hero Cornelius. I may be young, but I have been taught politics and leadership. Nevertheless, you should understand that it was not at my request. I am part of the royality and therefore I have no say in the choice of my spouse.” <Alina>

I was irritated. I had already heard that there were political marriages, but I didn't know that it also affected royality.

“I didn't know that.” <Eleonore>

“The emperor wants to bind the hero to the empire with this marriage, as I'm sure you're aware. I'm also aware that you have strong feelings for the hero Cornelius and I don't want to stand in your way. But I can't stop the wedding, so we should make the best of the situation.” <Alina>

“There's no way I'm leaving him!” <Eleonore>

My voice got louder and the princess flinched for a moment, but quickly regained her composure.

“That's not what I was trying to say. Rather, I'm proposing a pact.” <Alina>

“A pact? What would that look like?” <Eleonore>

“I will provide you with information and you will not doubt my engagement to the hero Cornelius, at least not publicly. It wouldn't do any good anyway, apart from ruining your own reputation. My betrothal has also prevented the nobles from approaching him with offers of marriage. But apart from the information, I can also do something for you.” <Alina>

“And what would that be?” <Eleonore>

“Each of the heroes is a sought-after marriage partner for the nobles of the Empire. I can make sure that no one approaches the other heroes about a betrothal and that all previous offers are withdrawn. Then the three of you should at least have the opportunity to choose your own spouse.” <Alina>

“I only want Corni as my spouse!” <Eleonore>

“I know, heroine Eleonore. The Church of Lumos forbids polygamy, although there are exceptions. The exceptions concern royalty and powerful nobles, where no one dares to take action. But mistresses are widespread.” <Alina>

“I don't like that.” <Eleonore>

“I can understand you well. But even if I die, the emperor will choose someone else to marry to the hero Cornelius. With the current situation, however, you have an ally in me who will support you.” <Alina>

“We can also run away and leave the empire.” <Eleonore>

“Of course you can do that, but please consider the consequences. You would lose all support, both from the Empire and from the Church. In the worst case, you'll be branded and considered a criminal. Is that what you want?” <Alina>

“No, oh, damn it. Why were we reborn here? Shouldn't we have been reborn together in a quiet little town?” <Eleonore>

“I can't say anything about that. Lumos has a plan and we mortals are unable to understand the will of the gods.” <Alina>

“All right, even if I don't like it. You said you would help me with information. Would you be willing to help me with other things as well?” <Eleonore>

“Of course, if I'm in a position to do so.” <Alina>

“You will know that the others are planning to travel to another dungeon tomorrow. But I don't want to. We are close to winter and the academy is about to start again. The weather is already unstable and very unpleasant. Do you have any idea how we can prevent us from leaving?” <Eleonore>

“Let me think about it. Yes, I have a possibility. I can implement the plan tonight. But I must warn you, due to the urgency of the situation, I cannot offer an elegant solution. There will be an uproar in the palace.” <Alina>

“I don't care, as long as we don't leave again this year.” <Eleonore>

“Very well. Then I have a request for you. Please do not stay in the hero Cornelius' room this evening and during the night. I don't want you to get hurt.” Alina

“What are you up to?” Eleonore

“I can't tell you, otherwise you might give yourself away. But don't worry, nothing will happen to the hero.” Alina

“All right, I trust you. I hope you don't disappoint me.” Eleonore

“Don't worry, I'll stick to the pact. If you'll excuse me then, I have some preparations to make.” Alina

The princess bowed and left. I was left somewhat perplexed. What was the meaning of this meeting? Was it coincidence or fate? Had I really gained an ally in the princess or was she trying to trick me? I took my chances and waited for tonight.

Later in the palace in Cornelius' room

POV Cornelius

I entered my room to get ready for the journey to Tyros, which began tomorrow. We wanted to make the most of the last two weeks before the academy started again and with it the winter ball season. I was looking forward to fighting opponents other than the undead. Hence my suggestion, which was also supported by the other two boys. Only Eli was once again against it. We had to manage to dissuade her from her aversion to fighting. Otherwise it would slow down our development in the long term. I urgently needed to think of something, again.

But the problem couldn't be solved today, so I pushed all thoughts of it to one side. I changed my clothes and went to my bed. That's when I noticed that my blanket was unexpectedly bulging, as if something was hiding underneath it. I also saw that the blanket was moving and kept rising and falling slightly. I pulled it aside and saw a young woman in a negligee lying in my bed. She smiled at me. I was speechless and my thoughts stopped. It suddenly got very loud outside my door. My door flew open and a young man stood in the doorway. His face was contorted with rage and his teeth were showing. When he saw the scene, he drew his rapier.

“I knew it, I knew it all along. What are you dog doing with my fiancée! I'm going to kill you!” <Man>

I was overwhelmed and tried to justify myself.

“'You .... You've got it wrong. I have nothing to do with it.” <Cornelius>

“There's nothing to misunderstand. That's my fiancée in your bed!” <Man>

He charged at me and stabbed me. I just managed to avoid a critical hit, but still suffered a hit in my left leg. The woman in my bed screamed out loud. Just then, two guards came into my room and threw themselves at the attacker. They wrestled him to the ground and disarmed him in the process.

“Let go of me, you scum! I have to kill that bastard!” <Man>

The guards took him into custody and led him out of my room. I just stood there perplexed, not knowing what to do. At first I thought I might be able to spend a nice night with the young woman if she came to me voluntarily. But that was loudly thwarted. What's more, my leg wound was bleeding and staining my trousers red. The young woman grabbed my blanket and ran out of my room, still shrieking. I buckled at the knees and sat on my butt. Shortly afterwards, other people came rushing into my room and tended to my wound. I was also questioned.

As it turned out, the attacker was Alfons Durmark, the son of a duke and the fiancé of the woman who had sneaked into my bed. Investigations revealed that both had received an anonymous letter. One of them said that I, the hero Cornelius, was looking forward to a night of fun. It also contained the name of the young woman. The woman then crept into my bed and waited for me. The other letter said that I had asked the young woman to spend the night with me. The fiancé stormed into my room, furious with jealousy. However, it was not possible to find out who had written the letters. This scandal led to the engagement being broken off and the son being sent to the estates in the south.

The departure to Tyros was of course canceled as a result. With the injury, Eli wouldn't let me take a single step without supervision and stayed by my side the whole time to look after me happily.