The evening air was cool, carrying a crispness that hinted at the coming winter. As the sleek black car pulled into the driveway of the royal estate, the headlights illuminated the grand, imposing structure of the Vaeloris Palace. Gray and Princess Mireille stepped out of the car, the gravel crunching beneath their heels.
Gray was still basking in the warmth of their earlier conversation, a faint smile lingering on her lips. But the moment they reached the main door, that warmth evaporated, replaced by a sudden tension in the air.
Prince Dale was standing there, framed by the doorway, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His dark eyes were narrowed, his expression one of barely contained irritation. Mireille, sensing the brewing storm, immediately took a step back, hiding behind Gray's taller frame.
"Gray," Dale greeted coldly, his eyes flicking to her before returning to his sister.
"Dale," Gray responded with a polite nod, though her voice was tinged with caution.
He didn't respond, instead focusing all his attention on Mireille. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" he demanded, his voice low but seething. "You're three hours past your curfew. I've been trying to reach you, but your phone was conveniently out of battery."
Mireille peeked out from behind Gray, her expression a mix of defiance and guilt. "I was with Gray," she said defensively. "We just lost track of time."
Dale's eyes flicked back to Gray, suspicion flashing across his face. But before he could say anything, Mireille stepped forward, surprising both of them with her boldness. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I should have let you know. But I'm not a child, Dale. I can take care of myself."
"That's not the point," Dale shot back, his voice rising. "You know the rules. And when you're out that late, I worry. Anything could have happened."
Mireille rolled her eyes but quickly softened her expression when she noticed the genuine concern in her brother's eyes. "I get it, Dale. I'm sorry for worrying you. But you don't have to hover over me all the time. Besides," she added with a small, almost teasing smile, "Gray looked out for me."
Gray, who was halfway up the staircase, paused, her heart skipping a beat at Mireille's unexpected defense. She glanced back over her shoulder, watching the exchange with quiet interest.
Dale's glare wavered for a moment, surprise flickering in his eyes at Mireille's words. But he quickly masked it, clearing his throat. "Fine," he muttered, clearly not satisfied but not willing to argue further in Gray's presence. "Just... don't let it happen again."
Mireille nodded, her expression softening further. "I promise. And thanks... for caring," she added in a quieter tone.
Without another word, Gray continued up the stairs, giving them their moment. She could still hear the faint murmur of their conversation as she headed to her room to change.
---
When Gray descended the stairs again, freshly changed and composed, she found the entire family already seated in the grand dining hall. The long table was set with a sumptuous spread, the rich aroma of roasted meats and spices filling the air. Queen Amara was at the head of the table, with King Gregor on her right, engaging in a soft conversation.
Gray took her seat at the far end, next to Mireille, who greeted her with a small, encouraging smile. Dale was seated opposite her, his gaze distant, still simmering from the earlier encounter.
The family began their meal, the clinking of cutlery the only sound for a few moments. But soon, the quiet was broken by Mireille's clear voice. "I have some news to share," she announced, looking around the table with a mixture of excitement and nerves.
All eyes turned to her, and Gray noted the flicker of curiosity in the eyes of the other family members. "I've been shortlisted for the architectural internship in New York," Mireille continued, her eyes sparkling. "The interview is in a few weeks."
King Gregor beamed, clearly proud. "That's wonderful, Mireille! I knew you had it in you."
"Congratulations, dear," Queen Amara added warmly. "I'm sure you'll impress them. Just be yourself."
Mireille nodded, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "I couldn't have done it without Gray's help," she confessed, turning to Gray with a grateful smile. "She helped me prepare my portfolio and gave me some pointers."
There was a brief, stunned silence, as if everyone was processing this unexpected alliance. Queen Amara looked pleasantly surprised, her eyes softening as they rested on Gray. Even King Gregor gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
Dale, however, stayed silent, his fork paused halfway to his mouth. He seemed to be weighing his words, the gears turning behind his eyes.
Prince Lucian, Dale's older brother, broke the silence with a teasing grin. "Well, look at that. Maybe Gray's influence isn't all bad after all."
Gray offered a polite smile, but kept her gaze down, focusing on her food. She wasn't used to being the center of such positive attention in this household.
The conversation soon shifted to lighter topics, with the family discussing the latest developments in Vaeloris.
King Gregor's voice took on a graver tone as he brought up the recent political tensions. "The economy is stabilizing, but we're still facing resistance in some of the rural territories. They're not happy with the new tax reforms."
Prince Lucian leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It's the older aristocracy. They're clinging to their privileges and stirring up dissent among the commoners. We might need to revisit the policies to ease their concerns."
Queen Amara sighed softly, shaking her head. "We're doing what's best for the state. But change is never easy, especially for those who have benefitted from the old ways."
Gray listened quietly, her focus on the conversation while keeping herself unobtrusive. Her presence here still felt like walking on thin ice, and she didn't want to overstep by offering her opinions.
Mireille, however, wasn't shy about voicing her thoughts. "Maybe it's not just about the reforms. People are scared of losing what little they have. Perhaps we should look into more community programs to build trust."
King Gregor nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good point, Mireille. We'll discuss it further in the council."
As the conversation shifted to upcoming royal events and business ventures, Dale finally spoke, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Speaking of missions," he said, his tone casual but laced with something sharper, "how was your second medical trip, Gray? You must be quite the dedicated doctor to go on two back-to-back international missions."
The table fell silent, all eyes turning to Gray. She met Dale's gaze steadily, though her heart raced at the thinly veiled accusation in his words.
"It was fulfilling," she replied calmly. "Helping those in need is always a priority, no matter where they are."
Dale's eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could press further, Queen Amara interjected. "We're grateful for your dedication, Gray. Your work is a blessing, not just to this family, but to the people you help."
Gray inclined her head, grateful for the queen's intervention. The rest of the dinner passed with a mix of light-hearted banter and deeper discussions. Gray remained on the periphery of the conversation, content to listen and observe.
As the meal concluded, the family rose to disperse for the evening. Mireille lingered, pulling Gray aside with a shy smile. "Thanks again for your help. And... for tonight," she said quietly. "I know Dale can be overbearing, but... he means well."
Gray nodded, offering a small smile. "I understand. He just wants to protect you."
Mireille's eyes softened, and for a moment, there was a genuine bond between them. "I'm glad you're part of the family, Gray. Maybe... things will get better."
Gray hoped she was right, but as she glanced over to where Dale was watching them from across the room, his eyes still filled with suspicion, she knew that their challenges were far from over.