When I finally tore my gaze away from the captivating pages of my book, I was startled to realize that I had been engrossed in its world for far longer than I had intended. A wave of frustration washed over me as I silently scolded myself for losing track of time. With a sigh, I closed the book and rose from my seat, making my way back inside the grand castle towards the dining hall.
As I entered the opulent dining hall, my eyes were immediately drawn to the long table adorned with an array of delectable dishes. The chairs surrounding it were positioned in close proximity to one another, creating an intimate atmosphere. Above the table, three magnificent chandeliers hung, casting a warm glow that made the entire room seem even more grandiose.
Choosing a seat near Prince Regulus, I settled down and eagerly awaited the arrival of the sumptuous feast. As the servants placed the food in front of us, I took a moment to glance around the table, curious to see who else was in attendance. To my relief, Prince Regulus was present, though I still harbored some doubts about him. Nevertheless, he had always been kind to me, which I appreciated.
My attention was then drawn to the seat next to mine, where Amira gracefully took her place. I couldn't help but admire her impeccable appearance, particularly her beautifully styled hair. I wondered who her personal maid was and silently praised their skillful handiwork.
My gaze wandered towards the other end of the table, where a group of unfamiliar faces sat. I observed them discreetly, trying to discern their identities and roles within the castle. Meanwhile, Prince Regulus took a bite of his meal, prompting me to follow suit. As I savored the flavors dancing on my tongue, I turned to Amira, eager to engage in conversation.
"Amira, what did you occupy yourself with today?" I inquired, genuinely interested in her activities. Perhaps she had managed to make progress on her latest painting. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she responded, "I asked Regulus if he would join me in painting today, and to my delight, he agreed! Turns out, he's quite talented." She punctuated her statement by taking a bite of her succulent roasted duck.
I paused, momentarily taken aback by this revelation. "Oh, Your Highness, I had no idea you possessed such artistic prowess," I remarked, directing my attention towards Prince Regulus. His response was filled with a sense of pride and nostalgia. "Indeed, my mother was an avid painter, and as a child, I would often watch her create masterpieces. It seems I picked up a thing or two along the way." I couldn't help but smile at his words, though a tinge of envy crept into my heart.
"And please, both of you, feel free to address me as Regulus," he added, his voice warm and inviting. I nodded, returning his smile, though it quickly faded as I resumed eating my meal. Despite the pleasant atmosphere and the company of Prince Regulus and Amira, a sense of unease lingered within me, casting a shadow over the otherwise delightful evening.
"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Amira asked Regulus, her voice filled with curiosity. "Yes!" he replied happily, a smile spreading across his face. I took a sip of water, my gaze shifting between the two of them, eager to hear his response. "I have all older siblings. Two sisters and a brother," he continued, his tone filled with fondness as he reminisced about his family. Without realizing it, I found myself leaning in, captivated by his words.
"I would love to meet them sometime," I said, my voice filled with genuine interest as I made eye contact with Regulus. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he responded, "You shall - at the ball." In that moment, I could have sworn I heard a snort of laughter coming from my sister, causing me to glance in her direction. She quickly wiped her face, trying to hide her amusement. "A ball!?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with surprise and disbelief.
Regulus chuckled, his laughter filling the air. "You see, my birthday is in a week, and since you two are here as guests, I decided that the celebration should be extra-special," he explained, his hand tightening around mine. A blush crept onto my cheeks as I lowered my head in gratitude. "Thank you again for letting us stay," I said, my voice filled with sincerity as I continued to hold his hand.
