A Plead Of Affection

TRIÁNTA DÝO

However, before I could leave, the Noble grabbed my hand and made me stop in my tracks before letting it go. "Come here," He said as he extended his hand, "I will take the ring off for you,"

I took his hand in mine. My plans to leave him once he gets the lady he seeks were shattered following this official engagement. Given his impatience, I will not get out of this engagement unless I force my way out.

"For the very first time, I am excited to attend a banquet in this lifetime," As he stated, Alexios did not like attending balls and banquets; it also came to me as a surprise when I saw him that night, "Why? Do you hate gatherings?" My question made him stop.

According to the stories and gossip that circulated across town, Alexios disliked attending feasts, whether it was a ball or a gathering. He despised the idea of himself mixing with other Houses. He chose to avoid these festive.

The reason for this is because, in order for the House of Schleswig to be powerful and wealthy, everyone expects them to pursue and seek the prestige and reputation they already possess. People are compelled to seek out the people they desire.

"I will only go because I am with you," He whispered as his gaze averted. "Although, I am afraid about those annoying gentlemen gazing, thinking about stealing you away from me," He added.

I laughed out, raising his head, "Let us make the most of the banquet, as you said, we will not be going alone. We have each other," I held his hand, the man smiled in assurance, "Right, we have each other," Alexios held my hand back, intertwining our fingers.

Looking at my fingers with the ring for the very last time, he released my hand and slid the jewelry off. "I want to declare you as my beloved in front of other people, until then, I will be patient-" He took a deep breath, sighing as he placed the ring back to the velvet box, "In order to put this ring back into your finger, I must contain myself,"

His statement surprised me because it was not typical of him. Alexios, he has changed... This guy, who claims that he does not associate with just anyone, keeps his cool because of me. He wants something that he would hate.

"I will keep the ring until the engagement ceremony," He voiced out as he rose and composed himself. "Is anything wrong?" I questioned, with his eyes straying on my hands.

"Your fingers feel empty without a ring on them," Alexios snickered as he grabbed my hand. "Should I get you another ring to wear until the engagement ceremony?" I shook my head.

To tell the truth, I am not sure what changed in him. Maybe it is his demeanor or his personality. I continue to ponder whether I needed to push him away after discovering that he was not the cold and tyrant Noble that the tales claimed.

"No, I have enough rings in my wardrobe," His forehead creased instantly, "Why? Then that is enough reason for me to buy you another," To ease his worry, I kissed his temple.

He is not the ruthless and vicious person that they depict him to be. Alexios is no longer icy or violent if he was in the past. This man is not even close to being the person they claim he is. Noble Schleswig is far from what they say, too far and too different.

"Should I buy another diamond ring, or maybe a jade or emerald," I shook my head, "No, I do not need it, I am fine with it."

A lingering thought soon appeared in my mind; I want him to be mine. "Oh, I also heard something interesting." He chuckled, "In the past, you loved to party and attend every gathering that could make you shine. How did you change drastically, Lady Rabellino?" I hid my face in embarrassment.

"It was because of Lady Cassiopeia Pagliarini, seeing her work hard made me rethink my decisions in life. She was also the reason why my Father became strict to me," I explained, "I know that it is for the good of me, and I am thankful for that, that is why after Brother and the others were sent to war, I stopped attending such festives."

"If you did not attend the balls, how come I saw you that night?" I fell stunned with his question, "Well that night, I fought with Father that is why I attended the gathering to avoid him, it was due to my rash decision." His appearance on the ball is also a question to me.

He nodded, "That rash decision brought us together, Eva. I should thank your Father then for fighting with you, if not, we would not be together by now," I playfully slapped his arm, "I am just kidding, that aside, with all that you said, I am grateful, you should not regret the decision you have made, we are together now."

I smiled, "Of course," He reached out, hugging me, "Just stay with me, be with me. I love you so much and all you can do is remain beside me,"

With a tap on his back, the man released me from his grasp, "I will oversee the preparation for the Engagement ceremony myself," He said to me, "Since it is our celebration and I will introduce you to the Land publicly that you are my woman everything must be at its place,"

I nodded, "You should rest as much as you can, Alex. I do not want to see you all drained and tired at the day of the ceremony," The Noble grinned in response, "It is necessary to me, I want to do it and I will do it."

"Since I cannot stop you and have no reason to-," I joked, "I will let you be,"

"Just take care of yourself," I advised the gentleman, "I will, thank you, Eva. For now, I should get going, it seems like I stayed for too long when you are supposed to be resting by now," I led him to the front as the Noble soon vanished in the distance.