As Gabriella walked beside Darkon towards the hall, the silence between them became alarming. Each fighting within themselves who would speak first.
Darkon knew she waited for him to start a conversation. At least, he needed to say something. Maybe shared the story of how his life had been since he left the kingdom. The life he knew she believed he was Dario.
He contemplated several ideas to start a conversation but came up with zero effort.
It was then he heard her voice which came like a soft echo.
"I hope you enjoyed your meal, Lord Darkon?" She still found it awkward to call him Darkon. Dario would have rolled off smooth on her tongue. He could see that in the way she forced herself to say the name.
"Yes, my Princess. That was a very great meal, not like the usual meal I have come to know during my days in the military." Darkon made a brief smile and proceeded in his steps. He decided to wait for her to speak before he would respond. That way he would know how to answer each question.
Now the days of drama had begun. He needed to play his scene well or end up being a fallen protagonist. Any silly mistake would risk all he had planned.
They now stood at the doorway as the doorman held open the door leading them into the mesmerizing enchantment of the party hall, elegantly decorated with a high ceiling and gleaming marble floors. The hall was filled with the soft hum of conversation exchanged greetings and the clinking of glasses as the few top royalties mingled and sipped their drinks.
The moment they saw the King's family step in, their gazes fell on them each distracted from whatever they were doing. Some moved to greet the queen while Alexia's friends also moved towards her.
To one side, a small orchestra played soft music, adding to the morning's ambience. The tables were set with fine linens, gold plates, and sparkling silver and gold wares.
Left to be seen now was the King and the Marquess.
The concentration however was precisely on Gabriella. The one who the people believe would be their future Queen.
Some of the guests came to greet Gabriella and Darkon who they had also waited to see. A few who had known his father before they left the kingdom were glad they could reconnect again.
Gabriella became overwhelmed with the concentration on her and Darkon, which she noticed made Vanessa jealous as she desperately strived to keep the attention of the friends who gathered around her. The friends Gabriella knew were friends only for benefit.
Gabriella felt nervous, knowing that this party was not just for her to receive attention but for her to mingle with the men and definitely find herself a husband. She knew her presence commanded the attention of the men. Men who were desperate to get her attention. But the men now only stared in her direction. Those who were determined to approach her now retreated seeing the Marquess's son with her.
This gave her relief as she felt more relaxed being with the male she felt comfortable with.
The two took a glass of wine from the servant. As the servant stepped away, they were now focused on each other again.
"I'm truly glad to see you again after so many years." Gabriella looked at him, regarding him for what seemed an eternity to Darkon.
Time winds so fast indeed. He was no doubt different from that young boy she used to know. Jovial, talkative and active in everything. But now he was cold. Barely talking since he saw her. Would she say it was the military that changed him?
Darkon felt the intense gaze of the princess on him as he barely found himself responding. "I'm also very glad to see you again."
No. That was too blunt. But he had said it already.
He should have at least thought of a more enthusiastic way to express his joy at seeing the princess again. That would have been how Dario would do it. Goodness. He hated this aspect. He should have known better that the princess had friends. Those she and her father didn't wage war against. He grinned in his mind.
Her voice unavoidably came again. "It must have been tough for you in the military." Darkon could see the pity in her eyes as she looked at him. The type of look he hated to see from people.
"I must admit, it was." He simply answered. "But it is worth it when I see the lives that are saved." He added. He knew he needed to force himself to talk a lot these days. More than he does.
Gabriella smiled at his words as she regarded him with the corners of her eyes. He walked elegantly, like a strong man. His broad shoulders in no doubt reflected his strength and the way he spoke portrayed his bravery. Admirable features a woman craved in a man.
"I know your father had embedded a lot of his good qualities in you." Gabriella began to say again, sipping her wine. "His great skill in martial arts has kept him in his position today, being the great Marquess in our kingdom and ambassador in the kingdom of Blackshed." She paused and took a glance at him.
"Your father is a man of goodwill. One of the reasons our kingdom has not been penetrated, protecting the borders with his well-trained army and stopping external attacks. And you beside him fighting the battle together must have been a motivation to him." Gabriella said, recalling how she felt during the times at battle she fought with her father beside her. It was something that gave her strength, pushing her forward to victory.
"You are right, my Princess." Darkon began to say. Was this conversation going to be any better now that she came up with such talk? Darkon felt anxious though he was relieved she didn't bring up her past with Dario. However, he was not sure if he could hold this conversation for long. But he must if he needed to get the princess.
"Father has taught me a lot, starting from his great martial skill. Under his guidance, I've learned the importance of discipline, self-control and perseverance in the face of adversity." He paused, observing he had said a lot this time. Taking a moment, he struggled to say more.
"It is through his teaching that I have survived in the military. His wisdom has been a compass that steered me through the most challenging times." With this being said, Darkon studied the princess's reaction to his words. Her face was lit in an admirable smile, a smile that oddly cut his attention.
She nodded and said, "I can see he is a loving Father," She stared at him for a while as if to know if he would also come to be a loving father. But if she continued looking at him that way, Darkon was afraid of her fishing out something in him. He kept his gaze away from her making Gabriella also turn and look ahead, concentrating on her drink.
A moment of silence reigned between them. Now and then, Gabriella could feel the stare of either Vanessa or the men and most especially the Queen. Taking a peek at her mother, the Queen Mother had come to stand with the queen, both saying something within themselves and the Queen Mother nodded to it as she smiled and looked in her direction again.
Gabriella's heartbeat picked up as she remembered her mother's words. What will stop you from having such happiness? She bit on her lower lips nervously and focused on her wine until she unintentionally gulped down all of it at a go, unable to keep herself from constantly glancing at Darkon's way now.
She felt it would be too awkward to keep doing that but she couldn't help her curiosity either. It has been years. "I'm curious?"
Darkon felt a heat rise within him. What could have made her curious? Did she discover him already? "What could trigger the curiosity in you, My Princess?" Darkon forced a smile. His temper ran hot.
"Your name. Why did you just change your name?"