Left alone in the chamber, the silence pressed in on me, bringing a mix of relief and an unexpected yearning . I took a deep breath and sat down , realizing how tightly I had been holding onto my emotions
The night outside was alive with the distant sounds of celebration, the clinking of glasses , the music , and the cheers of people rejoicing in Gastoh's victory.
The castle felt larger , echoing with the presence of the prince and the stories surrounding him. I knew that tonight was about him, about the return of the hero and the glory he brought back to his family and kingdom. Yet beneath that , I wondered if there would ever be a moment where I , too , would be part of that story, not as a witness or an attendant to his needs but as someone whose presence truly mattered to him .
I took off the thought and stood up , listening to the laughter and music that filtered into the chamber. It was time to rejoin the world beyond this room , to put on a composed face and celebrate alongside everyone else , even if I still felt like an outsider in the life I now lived .
Nancy smiled approvingly as she adjusted the fabric around my shoulders.
" You look beautiful , my lady. The prince will be proud , she said softly ,her eyes glimmering with excitement. The deep purple of my gown complemented the warm undertone of my skin , and the delicate of shoulder cut highlighted my collarbone, giving me an air of grace and elegance.
My brown hair , style to fall gently over my shoulders , framed my face added a touch of softness to my look. The room felt alive with a sense of anticipation as determined to stand out , not just as the prince's wife , but as someone who belonged in this new world , his side.
As I walked through the hallway toward the grand hall , the sounds of laughter ,music and, celebration grew louder. The flickering light from the chandeliers cast a golden glow on the marble floors, and my heartbeat quickened . I entered the hall and saw Gastoh standing at the center , surrounded by noble and warriors toasting to him.
He turned , and for a moment ,his eyes met mine , the room seemed to fade into the background as the weight of that shared glance settled between me. Nancy's words echoed in my mind, tonight was my night to show strength , beauty, and presence.
With a small smile , I stepped further into the hall , determined to embrace my place in the celebration and in Gastoh's life. I took my seat, composed and calm, as the ceremony continue.
A pang of sadness swept over me as I watched Gastoh's calm, almost indifferent gaze fixed on the dancers. The lively music and the clapping of men in the hall seemed to blue into a distant hum , making my heart feel heavier with each beat . I wondered what it would be like to see warmth or admiration in his eyes, something other than cold , unreadable stare that left me uncertain and guarded.
The dancers twirled and swayed , their laughter ringing out as the men roared with appreciation . I forced a small smile , trying to mask the ache in my chest . My mind raced with questions : was this my life now? Would Gastoh ever look at me anything other than the dutiful glance of a warrior?
Nancy, who stood behind me , leaned in slightly .
"My lady, is everything alright?" She whispered, sensing my distant expression.
I nodded , not trusting my voice to speak. But deep down, I knew something needed to change . This was my home now , and Gastoh was my husband. If I were to endure this life , I had to find a way to reach beyond the silent wall between i and him.
As the music continued, I resolved to find courage , to seek out connection , even if it meant facing the storm that was Gastoh's guarded heart.
As the lively music of the dancers faded into the background , I stood up , drawing the attention of those in the hall. Gastoh's eyes shifted to me , his expression unreadable but focused . The room feel silent as I held the ancient violin , a precious instrument passed down through generations , taught to me by my mother.
With a deep breath to steady my nerves, I began to play . The soft melodic notes filled the hall , weaving a tale of both sorrow and hope . Each strokes of bow across the string resonate with the journey of my homeland , the battle fought , and the sacrifice made by Gastoh and his men.
The music brought on hush over the room . The dancers paused, their bright expression softened as they listened , entranced . Even the king and Gastoh's brothers exchange glances, acknowledging the unexpected grace in the moment.
Gastoh's eyes fixed on me now, no longer indifferent . There was something in his gaze , perhaps curiosity perhaps something deeper , that made my heart flutter. The melody wrapped around the two of us, creating a fragile bridge that hinted at a connection yet to be explored .
When the final note lingered and faded , the room erupted into applause. I lowered the violin, meeting Gastoh's eyes , hoping that for the first time , he truly saw me.
As the applause continued, Gastoh's gaze left mine . Bowed to the king and his son's , showing them respect, and informing them that I will be excusing myself from the celebration
The laughter and the music from the celebration echoed faintly through the stone corridors, I closed the heavy wooden doors of my chamber , shutting out the noise . The flickering candlelight cast warm shadows down on the walls as I carefully undress, folding my gown and slipping into my night rope . The fabric was soft against my skin , a small comfort after the emotionally charged evening.
I sat on the edge of my bed and the reached for a book from the side table , hoping the familiar pages would soothe my restless mind. The room was quiet , save for the gentle crackling of the fireplace .
Opened the book and began to read , the words blurring slightly as my thoughts drifted back to the hall.
The way Gastoh had looked at me, even if just for a moment , lingered in my memory. It was a fleeting glance , but it felt significant, leaving me unsure of what it meant or if it meant anything at all. The uncertainty gnawed at me as I turned each page , struggling to focus on the story.
Outside , the night deepened and the castle slowly settled into silence. After a long time of tossing and turning on my bed , the chamber doors open , and there was Gastoh, he shut the doors behind and proceed to lay right next to me .
My breath caught as Gastoh's words broke the silence of the room. The closeness was unexpected, the warmth of his presence drawing my attention even as the shadows of the chamber flickered from the low light. I felt my heart pounding in my chest , a mix of surprise and something unspoken settling in my core.
His eyes ,deep and unreadable , glanced at me before looking away , as if he was searching for the right words.
"I'll arrange it soon" he said , he's voice quieter , softer than I had ever heard before . There was an unfamiliar tone , something almost gentle that made me wonder about the man who had just come from war.
But, still , I didn't understand what he meant by "I'll arrange it soon". Not long he spoke again.
"Your parents, I'll arrange for you to visit ".
I nodded slowly, the thought of seeing my parents sparking a bittersweet longing within me. The memories of home came flooding back, my mother's laughter , my father's reassuring presence.
Gastoh lay beside me , his breathing steady , and for moment the space between us seemed less vast . The silence stretched, but it was no longer suffocating , it was as if ,in that brief exchange , a bridge was being built, tentative and fragile , waiting to be crossed.
The thought that Gastoh was so close to me made my heart pound, I couldn't sleep. After a long period of staying awake , I noticed Gastoh wasn't moving, I turned slightly , daring a glance at him , and found his eyes closed, the lines of tension on his face relaxed for the first time. The powerful warrior seemed almost vulnerable, a man worn by battle not just on the field, but perhaps within himself.