The Glossy Eyes

Chapter 66: The Knight

Nathaniel took hold of Alannah's hand, leading her to a more secluded corner of the bustling ballroom. With a mix of frustration and concern, "what are you doing here?"

Alannah's initial confusion quickly transformed into annoyance as she crossed her arms, mirroring his exasperated expression.

"What am I doing here?" she shot back, her voice laced with irritation. "Well, what are you doing here? It's not like you give me a detailed itinerary of your whereabouts, Mr. Mysterious."

Nathaniel groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair. "This is my work, Alannah. I can be wherever I need to be. But what about you? Why are you here?"

Alannah's glare intensified, her annoyance bubbling to the surface. "Oh, so you can go gallivanting around without a care, but if I step out of line, it's a problem?" She crossed her arms, her tone dripping with mock anger.

Nathaniel stood there, his expression a mix of frustration and concern as he confronted Alannah about her decision to come to the ball without informing him. His voice was laced with a hint of anger, but mostly worry.

"Alannah, do you realize how dangerous this could have been? We don't know who called you here. It could be a trap, and you walked right into it without even letting me know. How could you be so careless?" Nathaniel's words came out sharp and tense, his concern for her safety evident.

Alannah, however, was not one to back down easily. She crossed her arms, meeting his gaze with defiance in her eyes. "I don't need your protection, Nathaniel. I can take care of myself. I made sure to be cautious and alert. Besides, I thought we were partners."

Nathaniel sighed, his frustration mingling with a sense of helplessness. "Of course, I trust you, Alannah. But this isn't about trust alone. It's about ensuring your safety. I care about you, and I can't stand the thought of anything happening to you."

Alannah's voice softened slightly, though her tone remained resolute. "I know you care, Nathaniel, and I appreciate that. But I'm not helpless. I can handle myself. I don't want to be treated like a fragile doll. I need to make my own choices, even if they come with risks."

"I understand your independence, Alannah. I admire it, truly. But please, understand my concern. I can't help but worry about your safety, especially in situations like this." Nathaniel's features softened, his anger dissipating as he realized the depth of Alannah's determination. He reached out and gently held her hands, his touch warm and comforting.

Alannah sighed and narrated the whole story about her getting the package and her getting a call about finding clues about her parents murder.

Nathaniel's expression turned serious as he listened intently to Alannah's account of receiving the dress, the mysterious letter, and the unsettling phone call. His eyes narrowed with a mix of concern and frustration, and he let out a deep breath.

"It could have been a trap, Alannah," he said, his voice laced with worry. "How could you be this careless? You should have been more cautious."

"I was cautious," Alannah whispered.

Nathaniel's frustration grew as he looked at Alannah, still searching for answers. He took a deep breath, trying to contain his anger before speaking.

"Why didn't you tell me when I called you, Alannah?" His voice was stern, reflecting his concern for her safety. "You know how dangerous this situation could be. We don't even know who called you here. It could be a trap, and you willingly walked right into it."

Alannah bit her lip, her eyes darting away from his gaze. She could sense the anger and worry in his voice, and it made her defensive. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin, determined to stand her ground.

"I didn't tell you because I knew you would try to stop me," she replied defiantly. "I wanted to handle this on my own, to prove that I don't need constant protection. I'm capable of taking care of myself, Nathaniel."

Nathaniel's brows furrowed in frustration. He paced back and forth, running a hand through his hair. "It's not about constantly protecting you, Alannah. I just want to keep you safe. By going off on your own, you're putting yourself at unnecessary risk."

Alannah's voice wavered slightly as she fought back tears. "I appreciate your concern, Nathaniel, but I can't always rely on you to shield me from everything. I need to face my own battles and grow stronger. I can't stay dependent on you forever."

Nathaniel stopped pacing, his anger tempered by a mix of hurt and understanding. He sighed deeply, his voice softening. "Alannah, I'm not trying to keep you dependent on me. I want you to be independent and strong. But that doesn't mean you have to face every danger alone. We should support and protect each other."

Alannah's eyes met his, reflecting a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. "I understand your point, Nathaniel, but I need to prove myself. I need to show that I can handle challenges on my own, even if it means taking risks."

Nathaniel took a step closer to her, his voice filled with sincerity. "Alannah, I know you're strong, and I believe in your capabilities. But please understand that I can't bear the thought of losing you."

Alannah's shoulders slumped, and she released a heavy sigh. "I know you care, Nathaniel, and I appreciate that. I promise I'll try to include you more and communicate better. But please understand that I need to grow and face challenges on my own terms as well."

Nathaniel reached out, gently placing a hand on her arm. His voice softened, carrying a mixture of love and concern. "I understand, Alannah. Let's find a balance between independence and reliance on each other. We're in this together, and I'll do my best to respect your choices while keeping you safe."

Alannah's gaze softened, and she nodded. "Thank you, Nathaniel. I'm sorry for not telling you."

As tears welled up in Alannah's eyes, Nathaniel's heart sank. He reached out and gently brushed the tears away from her cheeks, his expression filled with regret.

"I'm so sorry, Alannah," he whispered, his voice laced with guilt. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I let my anger get the best of me, and I promise it won't happen again."

Alannah sniffled, trying to compose herself. She looked into Nathaniel's eyes, her own filled with a mix of sadness and remorse. "No, Nathaniel, I'm the one who should be sorry," she replied, her voice shaky. "I didn't mean to come across as a snobby toddler. I didn't want to worry you, and I wanted to prove that I could handle things on my own."

Nathaniel cupped her face gently in his hands, his thumb wiping away the remaining tears. "You don't have to prove anything to me, Alannah," he murmured, his voice filled with tenderness. "I already know how strong and capable you are. I just worry about you, and sometimes it gets the better of me."

Alannah's gaze softened as she leaned into his touch, seeking comfort in his presence. "I know you care, Nathaniel, and I appreciate that more than words can express. I should have communicated better with you, and I'm sorry for not doing so."

Nathaniel pulled her into a warm embrace, holding her tightly. "We both have lessons to learn in this relationship," he admitted, his voice gentle. "Let's promise each other to be open, to communicate our fears and concerns, and to support each other through it all."

Alannah nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "I promise, Nathaniel. I'll be more open with you, and I won't hesitate to ask for help when I need it. You are my knight in shining armor after all."