The next morning Alberto approached Elli's bedroom with a tea tray in hand. He cautiously knocked on her door. The image from the day before still firm in his mind, Alberto made sure that Elli was dressed this time before entering.
After hearing Elli's voice on the other side of the door, Alberto entered the room and hurried over to Elli's bed and handed her some tea. There was a faint blush on Alberto's cheeks as he was unable to look straight at Elli and kept averting his gaze.
Elli picked up on Alberto's awkwardness but decided it best not to bring it up. After Alberto finished serving Elli her tea, he politely bowed his head and exited the room in a faster manner than usual.
Elli giggled a little after the butler left the room, she thought it was amusing and wondered how long he would act in such a manner. Though Elli herself was still embarrassed from the occurrence, she thought it best not dwell on it or it would only make their interactions more uncomfortable than need be.
Elli streched her arms, she felt energized after drinking her tea. Elli directed her gaze to the window and her eyes glimmered from seeing the beautiful azure sky outside.
"What a lovely day." Elli said under her breath as she admired the scenery.
It was Elli's first morning in Altaria and she wanted to spend that day to its fullest. Elli planned to spend every day in Altaria learning about it and seeing the wonderful sights it has to offer.
Deciding she was going to spend the day seeing the sights of Altaria, Elli kicked her blanket off and jumped out of bed. Elli looked overly cheerful as she hummed to herself while getting ready to go out.
Elli was in the middle of preparing her camera when there was a knock on the door. Elli thought it couldn't possibly be Alberto, he wouldn't be in such a hurry to see her again after he just left. Elli ambled her way over to the door and slowly opened it. Standing on the other side with was none other than Roberto with a bright smile.
Elli's eyes widened a little from seeing the prince at her door.
"Good morning." Roberto said cheerily.
"Good morning, Your Highness." Elli said seemingly still in shock from seeing the prince. Roberto chuckled a little at her surprised expression.
"Never seen a man before? Or wait a prince maybe?" Roberto smiled mischievously as he teased her. Elli snapped out of her daze and shook her head.
"Don't be silly. I was just surprised to see you here. Aren't you busy?" Elli curiously asked Roberto.
Roberto continued to smile as he replied, "Nope. I have the day off today, so I thought I would see what you are up to. I need to take care of my special guest after all."
Elli was once again speechless from his words but quickly pulled herself together and told him her plans.
"Really? So you want to see some of Altaria." Roberto said and grinned at Elli," Well then, allow me to be your escort." Roberto said as he stood tall and placed his hands on his hips trying to look cool in front of Elli.
Elli gasped, she never even thought that the prince might want to accompany her.
Seeing how eager Roberto was to tag along, Elli couldn't turn him down and so she accepted his offer.
Roberto immediately notified Alberto that he would be joining Elli to sightsee around Altaria. Alberto wasn't to quick to agree with him and would only let him go on one condition.
Roberto sighed as he sat in the back seat of the car alongside Elli. "Why, did he have to tag along with us..." Roberto grumbled under his breath and Elli giggled from besides him.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure him coming won't hinder anything." Elli said with a cheerful smile trying to cheer up Roberto. Elli was surprised to see him pouting, she couldn't believe Roberto was a prince when he acted this way.
"You don't know Al... His mere presence can signify doom for me." Roberto furrowed his brow, he tried to look serious but continued to pout. Elli tried her best to keep her laughter concealed as she stared at the princes expression.
Before long they had arrived at a lakeside park. Roberto mentioned to Alberto before they left that he would like to show Elli this particular location.
Roberto quickly got out of the car and reached his hand in the car towards Elli. Elli stared at Roberto's hand before placing hers in his, she could feel how warm his touch was and it made her hand tingle.
As soon as they both were outside, Roberto told Alberto to wait in the car and so Alberto kept an eye on them from the distance.
Elli breathed in the fresh air as the cool breeze gently brushed over her face and blew her hair serenely about.
"Mmm, this is so good. The air is so clean. This place is beautiful." Elli said as she enjoyed herself being surrounded by the many trees and the bright clear lake in the distance.
Roberto beamed at Elli, he was delighted that she could see the beauty hidden within nature.
Elli and Roberto walked side by side down to the lake, along the way Elli eagerly snapped shots of her surroundings with her camera.
"You really enjoy capturing nature shots don't you?" Roberto asked Elli curiously, though he was sure what her answer would be.
Elli didn't even need to think about it as she nodded her head and smiled broadly. "Yes, I have always felt most at ease when surrounded by mothernature. I wish to share the beauty of nature with everyone." Elli spoke passionately as her eyes sparkled.
Roberto grinned, he loved hearing Elli speak with such enthusiasm about what she loves and he thought it was admirable that she was so dedicated on spreading about the beauty of nature.
Elli stood in front of the lake and continued to take photos with her camera when Roberto jumped in front and pulled a face.
"Waah!" Elli yelled out from seeing the princes face through the lens. "Your Highness! You scared me."
Roberto began to snicker from her reactions, "I'm sorry. I couldn't resist, you just looked so adorable when you are so focused like that."
Elli gasped, she didn't expect the prince to call her adorable, her cheeks went visibly red and she faced away.
Roberto continued to laugh when he thought of something, "Please call me Roberto." Roberto asked so suddenly it surprised Elli. Elli spun around to face the prince with a surprised expression.
"Huh?" Elli asked looking confused.
"I don't want you to call me 'Your Highness' please just call me Roberto." Roberto asked her once more and Elli thought about it. Elli wasn't sure if she should call a prince by his first name alone but he asked her so earnestly so she agreed.
"Okay, Roberto." Elli said sheepishly, she still wasn't entirely sure about the idea but she would try her best.
Roberto's whole face lit up when Elli said his name and was nearly jumping on the spot. Elli thought he must be really easy to please as she smiled.
"Want to go for a swim?" Roberto asked as he gazed at the lake and then directly at Elli's face with the biggest grin he could muster. Elli's whole body tensed up from the way Roberto was looking at her, she could tell he was up to something.
Elli didn't even get the chance to respond before Roberto took the camera out of her hands and placed it a short distance away from the lake so it wouldn't get wet. In a matter of moments Elli's feet were no longer on the ground as Roberto scooped her up in his arms and stepped into the lake.
Elli closed her eyes, she didn't know what he was thinking, "W-Wait!" Elli exclaimed as she gripped onto Roberto's shirt in fear he might drop her.
"Don't be afraid, a little water won't hurt you." Roberto said cheerfully as he waded deeper into the lake and finally let go of Elli into the clear blue water with a splash.
"Ahhh!" Elli cried out as she surfaced after been thrown into water, "It's cold!" Elli shivered a little and Roberto grinned like an innocent child.
"You'll warm up to it. I have always wanted to splash around in the water like this." Roberto sounded like a little kid as he enjoyed himself.
Elli wanted to get upset at the fact he threw her into the lake but those words left her speechless. Elli felt a tinge of pain at the thought that he is a prince and it's not everday he would simply get to enjoy himself.
Elli was deep in thought as she admired Roberto when she was suddenly hit in the face by something bringing her back to reality.
Elli saw Roberto's cheeky grin as he splashed water at her. Elli smiled mischievously back at him as she decided he wasn't going to get away with that. Putting as much force as she could behind her arms, Elli splashed the water back at Roberto.
Roberto was excited Elli decided to join in and a water fight ensued between the two as their laughter filled the air.
They both were thoroughly enjoying themselves when a sudden presence made them both grown tense. A shadow loomed over the lake. They both slowly turned around to see Alberto looking at the two of them, completely expressionless.
"Your Highness! Get out this instant." Alberto yelled out.
Roberto sighed, he had no choice but to listen as he made his way out of the water; Elli followed closely behind.
"I allowed you to accompany Miss Elli today but I never said you could go play about in the lake and drag Elli in with you nonetheless." Alberto sternly lectured Roberto who was pouting.
Alberto then faced Elli looking apologetic, "I'm sorry, I didn't know Prince Roberto would drag you into the water like that." Alberto sighed and bowed his head.
"I'll get you-" Alberto stopped mid sentence as he noticed Elli's wet clothes had turned see through. Alberto immediately averted his gaze his face grew hot.
"Al? What's wrong?" Roberto quickly spoke up when he noticed Alberto acting strangely.
"Nothing, just don't look at Elli right now." Alberto said in a quiet voice but Elli still picked up on it and was perplexed to what he meant. Roberto ignored Alberto's words and directed his gaze at Elli. Roberto eyes instantly widened when he realized what Alberto meant.
"Elli... Your clothes..." That was all Roberto said, his face had also grown somewhat warm but he was unable to stop staring.
"Huh!?" Elli looked at her clothes and gasped when she noticed exactly what they were seeing. Her white button up blouse had gone completely see through and to make matters worse the leggings she wore also went see through.
"Oh no!" Elli exclaimed, she didn't know what to do being in the middle of a park. Elli looked at Alberto who was facing away and Roberto who was staring directly at her. Elli shot Roberto a look which Roberto didn't seem to mind.
"Do you happen to carry towels?" Elli asked hopefully.
"Actually, yes. There is towels in the back of the car." Alberto replied and Roberto looked confused.
"We carry towels?" Roberto asked.
"Of course. That's not all thats is stored in the car. When looking after someone such as you it's good to always be prepared. Alberto said with a slight smirk as he looked at Roberto and Roberto looked shocked.
"What!? You make it sound like I'm an animal or something..." Roberto said and looked dejected.
Alberto chuckled and kept his focus elsewhere as Elli thanked him. Elli hurriedly picked up her camera and dashed towards the car.
Elli immediately searched the boot and just like Alberto said there was towels among other stuff crammed into the back of the car. Elli swore she saw some kind of high tech gadgets amongst everything but paid it no heed as she grabbed the towel and began drying herself off.
Roberto and Alberto waited a bit before returning to the car, they wanted to make sure Elli had dried off a bit first. At least Alberto made Roberto wait as he was eager to follow after Elli not long after she had hurried away.
After the events at the lake Elli continued to travel around with Roberto and Alberto for awhile before returning to the castle.
It was now night time and Elli was preparing to turn in for the night after having spent a most joyful day out with the prince when a knock on her door echoed throughout the room. Elli quickly sprang out of bed, she didn't know who would be visiting so late at night.
Elli slowly opened the door and was suprised to see it was Alberto on the other side.
"I'm sorry to disturb you so late. I just came to inform you tomorrow the princes from the neighbouring kingdoms will be visiting and Roberto will most likely introduce you to them..." Alberto continued to talk but Elli stopped listening after Alberto said Roberto would introduce her to all the princes.
Elli never thought in her wildest dreams she'd meet a prince let alone several princes. Sometimes Elli still believes this is just a dream and she would wake up eventually but so far that hasn't been the case. Alberto left the room and Elli made her way back to her bed, she could hardly sleep now due to not only excitement but also nerves.
Elli would need to be on her best behavior and not make a fool of herself, she wanted to make a good first impression and not come across as some crazy person. With that in mind Elli tried her best to sleep eager for what awaited her the following day.