Husband With Benefits
Chapter 217: A Discovery

Chapter 217: A Discovery

Eleanora stared at the large balcony outside the studyroom, which was now covered with potted plants of various sizes... Gaia was a genius landscaper. She should have expected that from a man who was the ’Head’ of the Queen’s mansion since the Queen’s gardens in Estania were already famous, but she was still surprised.

She’d hesitantly tried to explain her vision to the man, fearing he would scoff at her for asking for the impossible. However, he had simply nodded his head while she had wondered if he’d even understood a word. But then, an hour later, the plants he had brought to her were exactly as she had said. It was as if he could read her mind.

"Princess Eleanora. Do you like it or do you need me to change anything?"

Eleanora shook her head and looked at the man with shining eyes, " Mr. Gaia. This is just perfect. Thank you."

"I’m glad you like it, princess. If I may..."

Eleanora sighed as the man then extended a plant," This is for you."

Eleanora looked at the little rosette-like blue-green plant and widened her eyes. It was so beautiful... "What is this?"

"This plant is called the Blue Elf or the happy plant. I think this would make the perfect center piece for your little garden... and I hope looking at this plant will only ever make you feel happy."

"Thank you, Gaia." She smiled and happily accepted the plant even though looking at it, she somehow felt sad. The plant seemed to be telling her that she was forgetting something.

As her hand brushed against his, her eyes caught sight of ink on his wrist. Surprised, she looked at him, "You have a tattoo?"

The man looked at her as he said," Hmm."

She looked at the tattoo and frowned. "Nora’s?"

Gaia looked at his wrist before nodding his head," Its my wife’s name."

Eleanora looked away thinking of her own tattoos. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Gaia looked at her and answered readily.

"Why did you have her name tattooed on your hand? I mean how do you trust someone so much that they will forever stay with you?"

"Princess Eleanora, trust is the foundation of any relationship."

"Where is your wife now? Does she like the tattoo?"

"She is far away from me... for now. And I never had the chance to show her. When she comes back, I will show it to her. I am sure she will be happy."

"Where is your wife?"

"She is..."

Before Gaia could say more, a little girl came in angrily, "This is what I get for being thoughtful? Now that you have your little garden, you’ve forgotten all about your little sister? Are you not even going to feed me? I am hungry!"

Eleanora shook her head and asked mockingly," Little Dora, has your stomach been replaced by an endless pit? You just had dinner."

"But I did not have dessert! I need something sweet."

"Fine, tell me what you want and I will have it delivered."

Dora was immediately pleased and quickly rattled off a variety of sweet dishes before finally saying," I’ll have only these. And you can order for yourself, whatever you want! Gaia, will you stay for dessert? It will be fun! I might even share some of my desserts with you. Though you cannot tell anyone that because I never share it with anyone else. "

"Thank you, Princess Dora. I appreciate your generosity. Unfortunately, I have to leave and would not be able to join you."

"You’re going?" Eleanora and Dora both asked in a sad tone.

The man looked between the two and nodded his head," Yes. I have to meet someone."

"Can’t you cancel?" Dora asked the question that was in Eleanora’s mind.

"Not this time. It is really important."

"How can it be more important than having dessert with a two princesses?"

"It is when I have to go to meet the man who is the father of one princess and the uncle of other."

"You’re going to meet my father?" Dora asked in astonishment. "Why?"

"I don’t know. I think he wants me to create a small garden for him as well."

"Alright alright. Since you have to meet that old man, I won’t stop you. But next time, you have to stay and have dessert. Of course princess Dora."

As Demetri left the two girls, Dora continued to be her happy self but Eleanora was lost deep in thought. She did not believe the reason that Gaia had given him. What would Alexander Sterling care to talk about with a gardener?

"Dora? Can you tell me something?"

"Hmm?", Dora played with her phone as they waited for the dessert while waiting for her sister to question her.

"You, Evangeline and I have titles before our names. And so does our grandmother. But my uncle, your father, he does not have a title. Why?"

When Dora did not answer for a few moments, Eleanora assumed that it was because the girl did not know. But then suddenly Dora spoke up," Its because of your father."

"My father?" Eleanora asked in astonishment.

"My dad says that your father did not want to be King so he gave up his right, his title, etct to go and live in another country. This hurt our grandfather deeply. My father was his half brother and the king thought that it was because of him that Uncle gave up his rights and to appease grandmother so that she would be happy that her own son was going to inherit."

"Even though grandfather never said anything, he was deeply troubled. So, when your father had a daughter and Evangeline was born, my father proposed that since there was already someone who could inherit the throne in the future, he should also give up the right to the throne. So, my father decided to give up the title and serve as only a Lord and nothing more."

The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆NovelFire