The Desert Alpha's Mate

CHAPTER 19-ANNOUNCEMENT

Eleanor was nervous, extremely nervous. All of this was new to her. She still couldn't believe she was attending a gathering. At first, when the warrior announced to her and Shafi that Prince Badr was inviting them to join the dinner at the banquet hall, she just thought it would be just a simple dinner. It was not until she got back to her room and noticed the dress that Armin carefully laid on her bed that she understood it was more than just a simple dinner. Much more

The dress took her breath away. This was the first time she would wear an extravagant dress like this. The color was beautiful, it was simple yet elegant. She forgot to ask Armin who gave her the dress. Come to think of it, she hadn't asked where all her clothes were coming from. All she knew was that the closet was full of different kinds of clothes, and Armin said it was intended for her. She just wore the clothes that she felt comfortable with and almost the same style as the clothes that she wore in her world. That's why she was always wearing trousers and a tunic rather than a dress. But this time was different, she needed to dress up for dinner.

Her expectation was confirmed when Lady Aminah came to her room and helped her get dressed. She chose the accessories that she would wear and did her hair and make-up. Eleanor was surprised that they had something to use on their faces. It was not the modern kind of make-up that she was used to, but cosmetics or their like were a trend in this place too. It was composed mostly of powders. She didn't know exactly what kind, but it seemed like different colors of Kohl and a pearlescent for the shimmering effect of their lips. She was impressed by how she turned out after Lady Aminah finished dressing her up.

Now here she was at the banquet, a nervous wreck. She wasn't used to attending parties. She was always a loner and didn't want to socialize. It was a bit too much to attend a gathering like this one. Eleanor knew some of the important people in the Sahara Capital were invited to this gathering. This was the welcome dinner of the King for the Khiterra Clan who was the first to arrive in the capital. And she just learned the Khiterra Clan was the clan where Lady Lina belonged.

She started fidgeting when a hand clasped hers. A warm feeling engulfed her, added by the tingling sensation that she always felt when their skin touched. The scent of the man beside her brought her calmness. She still didn't know why she made Lady Lina upset, Prince Badr wouldn't tell her. Instead, he just dragged her to every corner of the banquet hall, introducing her to everyone attending the dinner. A lot of people wanted to meet her, but Prince Badr just selected a few to personally introduce her. Until they arrived at the table where Lady Lina was seated.

Lady Lina didn't throw them a single glance and refused to stand up from her seat when they approached. Only the chubby old man stood up and some of the people that were seated with them.

"My Prince, it's a pleasure for us that you will join us at our table," the old man said.

"I would like to introduce to you Alpha Malik, my ward, Lady Eleanor. My Lady, he is the head of the Khiterra Clan, Alpha Malik," Prince Badr said, introducing her to the chubby old man.

Eleanor couldn't help but notice the way Prince Badr introduced her. Every time he says the words 'my ward' there is a tenderness in his voice and a hint of pride. But here, when he introduced her to the Alpha of the Khiterra clan, there is a firmness in his voice and a hint of protectiveness.

"It's a pleasure to meet such a fine young lady. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Eleanor," Alpha Malik said to her. Even though he was smiling at her, Eleanor felt creeped out by the way he eyed her.

"Pleasure to meet you too, Alpha," she answered and gave the Alpha a forceful smile. She slowly curtsied for the formality of greetings to him. As Alpha Malik extended his hand to reach for her, Prince Badr blocked him. "It's okay, Alpha. My ward is unused to such a custom. She came from a far land. Their custom was different from ours," Prince Badr said to Alpha Malik.