Juniper Whiteblossom walked to the right of the young duchess of Northern Ireland: Abigail Dallas. They walked distanced but in some way feeling a mild hidden affection for each other.
The baron of the North was a few inches taller than her and his gaze seemed cold, frozen, almost paralysed.
The duchess on her side seemed more relaxed in every way and her big green eyes reflected happiness and lightheartedness.
The young woman's hands lay one inside the other, wrapped in soft white silk gloves, while her very long red hair lay loose on her back. Juniper had not changed that much from his usual: as always he had his curly golden hair, covered by a white wig, as usually his face was pale and enlightened by two blue eyes like those of his late father.
-I'm happy- commented Abigail approaching her hand to hold that of her boyfriend -I'm happy that you can meet my family for the first time ...-.
Juniper was only one year older than Abigail: they were both young and inexperienced.
The young man would have turned seventeen in two months, when his fiancé had turned sixteen for eight months now.
-I am also really happy to meet your family, my dear ...- commented him trying to smile -it's just ...- a long pause of silence was created between the two.
Abigail turned her gaze to the young man, looked at his pale face, his sad look.
-I would also like to have someone I can introduce to you ...-.
Abigail saw how sad the baron was and she somehow felt a kind of compassion for him.
With her fingers, Abigail caressed his boyfriend's arm, she smiled friendly, she wanted to help, to receive love from him, to become a good wife.
-You don't have to worry, Juniper ...- commented the young woman with a smile -I imagine how terrible it could have been for you to live all this ... you will soon be my family and ours will be the children we will bare together-
Juniper looked intently at his future wife, he smiled slightly.
The young baron saw how the soft pink lips of his fiancé were gathered in a smile and inside, he wondered how she could always be so positive and cheerful.
Being with her made him feel good, gave him security.
-Did you understand?- repeated Abigail, squeezing Juniper's hands more tightly in hers -you don't have to be afraid, you don't even have to give in to these bad thoughts ... -.
The young man tried to compose himself, to look happy, while his mind continued undeterred to drown in resentments and sad thoughts.
On any day, he would open up, he would vent his anger and resentments from his past, but in that moment it was impossible for him to express himself.
It was the princess's birthday, he had to show respect and to look happy and shamelessly lie.