As they played, Amelie learned that Lionel was very patient and didn't get easily frustrated. He was, however, unexpectedly clumsy, a trait she found rather cute. She was spending such a good time with him that she felt shamefully disappointed when some guards sent by the King arrived to escort them to the dining hall. Despite having years living there, that was actually the first time she was going to eat with her 'family'. She had never been to the dining hall either, so she couldn't help feeling extremely nervous.
The royal family was already seated at the table when they got there, except the Crown Prince's wife ⸻who had given birth recently⸻. Amelie felt their intense stares on her as soon as the door opened, and her stomach twisted right away. She was no good at dealing with this type of situations, and had to remind herself to continue breathing. She wasn't aware she had been digging her nails into her right forearm until she felt a tender touch there. She turned only to find Lionel's calm countenance. He smiled slightly when their eyes met and offered her his arm as if to escort her. She didn't know if he had noticed her pale face or if he was just being a gentleman, but his presence by her side was definitely comforting. She linked her arm with his and, although the armor was cold against her skin, she felt nothing but warm.
The King was sitting at the head of the long oak table. On his left side were the Queen and the Princess, while the two Princes were sitting on his right ⸻first the Crown Prince, Renald, and then the second Prince, Richard⸻. Keeping in mind that order, she logically had to sit with the other women, and Lionel had to sit with his brothers, opposite her.
She hadn't seen Elise in years and, honestly, she didn't want to at all. Just thinking about sitting next to her made her temples throb. She knew she would do something as usual, and that's why it was so scary.
As she was hesitating, Lionel let go of her, walked to the chair and pulled it out for her. She smiled at him the best she could and took a seat. Lionel sat in his respective chair as well.
Once everybody was seated, some servants entered the room carrying shallow basins filled with water and linen towels. It was part of the tradition to offer them when having dinner with a guest to emphasize cleanness. Amelie had read about it many times, but it was actually her first time doing it. Although she knew she was wrong, she kind of felt welcomed for the first time, like she was really part of it.
Everyone washed their hands with the warm water and then proceeded to dry them with the towels. While this was being done, a pair of maids filled everyone's glasses with red wine.
Once the servants retired, the King began to talk, picking up his glass. Everyone else at the table did the same, so Amelie followed suit.
"Let us toast for Sir Lionel, the hero of our Kingdom"
Amelie's eyebrows went up immediately, resembling a tensed bow. Hero?
"We are immensely grateful and blessed that you were able to return home safely. I hope you enjoy your victory, and the rewards you got for it. Cheers!"
Amelie was a bit confused at first but, putting all the pieces of information together, it was easy to figure out that Lionel had fought during the war between Luxseldar, Gladral, and Hexham. Luxseldar was bigger and more powerful than most kingdoms in the continent, but it was still difficult to fight two kingdoms at the same time. Amelie didn't really know the details ⸻in fact, she had no idea they had won until that dinner⸻ but she was glad it was finally over. However, she was feeling more insecure now about her marriage with Lionel. If he was such an important and famous person, why would he want a wife like her? It didn't benefit him in any way after all. With all the more reason, he should look for someone better.
As she was thinking about this, the others were clinking their glasses together. She thought she should join them, so she tried to clink her glass with the one closest to her. Unfortunately, she didn't realize it was Elise's, who obviously retreated it before they touched. Amelie felt disappointed in herself for getting hurt by her rejection. Shouldn't she be used to it by now? Why did she even want to be accepted by someone like Elise in the first place?
Disheartened, Amelie was about to put down her glass when something gently collided with it. She quickly looked up, meeting Lionel's smiling face.
"Cheers," he told her in a low voice and took a sip of the liquid.
Unconsciously smiling back, she did the same. She had never drunk alcohol before, but she knew people loved it, so she had been excited to try it. It was very disappointing when the bitterness made her scrunch up her nose. This wine was definitely not for her.
While she was washing away the unpleasant taste with water, Lionel began to talk:
"Thank you very much for your words, Your Majesty. I am immensely honored to receive such recognition and grateful to His Majesty for his generosity. I got everything I could have ever wished for, and I could not be happier" he threw a quick, gleeful smile in Amelie's direction, and she could swear her heart stopped for a moment.
She told herself not to get her hopes up, but she somehow felt that she was one of those things he wished for. Was she being too optimistic? Probably yes, but....
What did that smile really mean if not?
The higher you fly, the harder you fall. She was painfully aware of it, and that's why she had never dared to hope for anything again. However, this time she couldn't help it.
She longed to be wanted.
She longed to be happy.