Between our hands

Chapter 64: Between Laughter and Bonds.

After escorting Maëlle to her suite, Samy nervously asked her if she would mind if he went to see his guard friends. She smiled at him, kissed him tenderly, and encouraged him to go, providing him with the reassurance he needed. Samy left the suite, a mix of nervousness and excitement washing over him.

As he walked through the palace corridors, he reflected on the past few days spent with Maëlle. Their relationship had evolved, woven with intimacy and responsibilities. He recalled the moments they shared, the laughter exchanged during family dinners, as well as the serious discussions about the plans ahead. Heart racing, he finally arrived at the door to the guards' common room. Taking a deep breath, he knocked and opened the door.

As soon as he crossed the threshold, a familiar uproar greeted him. A mix of laughter and animated conversations filled the room. The walls adorned with hunting paintings and tables laden with board games testified to a well-established camaraderie. Eyes immediately turned toward him, and smiles broke out on the faces of his colleagues.

"Hey, look who’s gracing us with his presence!" exclaimed a guard, Isam, with a broad, teasing grin. "The knight in shining armor of the princess herself!"

Samy instantly turned crimson, lowering his gaze but couldn't help but smile despite his embarrassment. "Hey guys," he murmured, trying to lay low.

"So, what's life like in the palace?" chimed in another guard, stepping closer to Samy to give him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Have you gotten used to bubble baths and room service yet?"

"And how's it like sharing a suite with a princess?" added Amir, an older guard, raising an eyebrow in a conspiratorial manner. "Bet you’re woken up by kisses every morning!"

Laughter erupted in the room, and Samy felt his face redden even more. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. He shrugged instead, a shy smile plastered on his lips. The light-hearted atmosphere, filled with camaraderie, made him feel at ease, but the intensity of their teasing was disconcerting.

"Come on, don’t be so shy, Samy," Isam said, approaching him with a mock dramatic expression. "We just want to know if fairy tales are true. Are princesses really as perfect as they say?"

"I... I wouldn't say it that way," Samy stammered, searching for a way to describe how he felt without saying too much. "Maëlle is..." He paused, thinking of the right words. She was so much more than a princess; she was a partner, a friend, someone who shared his vision of the world. "She’s just... Maëlle."

A brief silence fell, the other guards exchanging surprised glances. Then Amir broke the silence with an amused laugh. "Oh, it’s worse than we thought, guys! He’s completely smitten!"

"It’s obvious from ten miles away that he’s hooked," another guard added, shaking his head in a mock-serious manner. "Look at him, he’s already beet red."

Samy couldn’t help but chuckle despite himself, nervously running a hand through his hair. "You’re exaggerating. It’s not so... well, it’s complicated, you know." A warm flush filled him as he thought of Maëlle, even amidst all the teasing.

"Not so complicated, huh?" Amir pressed, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Come on, admit it, you’ve gotten a taste for luxury. By the way, have you ever used the solid gold bathtub?"

"No," Samy replied, shaking his head. "And there’s no solid gold bathtub," he added with a shy smile, amused by his comrades' exaggeration.

"But you’ve tried it, right?" another guard chimed in, always ready to add fuel to the fire.

"Okay, fine," Samy conceded, raising his hands in surrender. "Maybe. Once."

Laughter erupted again, and although Samy still felt a bit embarrassed, he was happy to be there with them. These moments of camaraderie reminded him that he was not alone in this new life. He reminisced about their first encounters, the trials they had faced together, and the trust they had built.

"And the princess," Isam continued with a wink. "What’s she like in the morning? Does she serve you breakfast in bed?"

"Or is it you who takes care of everything, our little butler?" Amir added, mimicking a servant's gesture with a teasing air.

Still blushing, Samy responded with a nervous laugh. "No, it’s actually me who makes the coffee. But seriously, guys, it’s just... different. And she’s not a princess like you imagine. She’s..." He searched for his words again, thinking of what he truly wanted to say. "She’s amazing, and that’s enough for me."

This sincere response calmed the teasing somewhat, with the guards exchanging glances, some more serious, others still amused.

"That’s beautiful what you’re saying," one of the older guards said, smiling more affectionately this time. "You’ve found a good person, Samy. That’s all that matters."

Amir nodded. "Yeah, that’s clear. But don’t forget, we’re always watching you. If you slip up..." He mimicked binoculars with his hands and then burst into laughter.

Samy laughed too, feeling a wave of warmth wash over him. "Thanks, guys. Seriously. You all matter to me, even if I can’t be here as often."

"Don’t worry," Isam replied, patting him on the shoulder. "We understand. But don’t forget to stop by from time to time. We need someone to tease."

"Promise," Samy assured with a genuine smile.

The exchanges continued, each guard sharing anecdotes about their own experiences with the royal family, the challenges they had to overcome, and the funny moments they had shared. The atmosphere was warm, and Samy let himself be carried away by the camaraderie that filled the room.

After a few more lighthearted jokes, Samy stood up to return to Maëlle. "Well, I should probably head back before she wonders where I’ve gone."

"Tell her it was us who kept you," Amir suggested, laughing. "We just wanted to make sure you didn’t turn into Prince Charming right away."

"Too late for that," Samy replied with a smile, a smile that had grown more confident with the support of his colleagues.

As he left the room, he felt lighter, surrounded by genuine affection, even under the guise of teasing. His colleagues' jests were a warm reminder of the friendship that united them all. Heading back to Maëlle, he felt more confident than ever, ready to face whatever might come, with his princess by his side and his friends behind him.

Back in the suite, Samy found Maëlle sitting on the couch, engrossed in a book. She looked up and smiled at him, illuminating the room with her presence. The rays of the setting sun filtered through the windows, creating a soft and soothing atmosphere.

"So, how did it go?" she asked, curious, gently closing her book.

"Oh, you know, nothing special, just a few jokes. They never miss a chance to tease me," Samy replied as he settled beside her. He felt at ease, as if the outside world had vanished.

Maëlle smiled, amused. "I’m sure they weren’t too hard on you. They seem really kind."

"Yeah, they are," Samy admitted. "Those moments remind me that no matter where I am, I’m not alone." He turned to her, his gaze sincere. "It’s nice to have friends like that."

They remained there, in a companionable silence, each reflecting on the challenges ahead, but finding in each other the strength and comfort needed to move forward. Samy felt his heart calm as he thought about their shared future, all the plans they had in mind, and the promise of a life together.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Maëlle offered, noticing his thoughtful expression.

"Maybe later," he replied with a slight smile. "For now, I just want to be here, with you."

Maëlle took his hand; their contact was soft and warm. They exchanged a knowing glance, and Samy realized he had found much more than just a relationship. It was a partnership, a deep bond that would unite them in both difficult moments and joyful times.

As they settled comfortably on the couch, Samy realized how lucky he was. The warm light of the setting sun enveloped the room in a comforting glow, and in this cocoon of tranquility, he knew they could overcome any obstacle together.