Between our hands

Chapter 86 : Under the Light of the Grand Chandeliers

The royal dinner was held in the grand dining hall of the palace, a place that embodied both the prestige and tradition of this ancient dynasty. The room was magnificent: white marble columns, intricately carved with delicate details, soared towards a vaulted ceiling adorned with frescoes depicting historical scenes from the kingdom. Crystal chandeliers, suspended like sparkling jewels, cast a soft golden light that reflected on the polished surfaces. The long, majestic table was draped in golden satin tablecloths, and artfully arranged floral displays dotted the center, spreading a subtle fragrance of jasmine and lilies in the air.

Maëlle and Samy arrived together, hand in hand, after sharing a moment of intimacy in the privacy of their room. They were relaxed, a slight smile playing on their lips, as if the rest of the world had momentarily vanished. The warmth of their connection was palpable, and despite the grandeur of the decor surrounding them, they seemed to move in a bubble, centered on one another. Samy glanced at Maëlle, his gaze softened by admiration and tenderness for her. Maëlle responded with a knowing smile, savoring these moments of stolen tranquility amid their responsibilities.

The grand hall was already buzzing with conversations and laughter, but as they entered, the noise quieted slightly. Around the table, the royal family and their guests had already taken their seats, the atmosphere oscillating between formality and familial warmth. Victor, true to himself, sat next to Sacha and Daniel. The two brothers, just as mischievous as in their childhood, exchanged silent jokes, their eyes sparkling with mischief. Maëlle watched her brothers with affection, recalling the countless moments shared with them around similar meals, though these had been less solemn and more chaotic in their youth. There was a magic in these reunions, and a reassurance that despite spending less time together, nothing truly changed between them.

Not far away, Nahïa, always attentive and composed, was engaged in a serious discussion with one of the king’s advisors. Her features, delicate yet marked by a keen intelligence, reflected her commitment to the welfare of the kingdom, a responsibility she bore with grace. William and Sophie, meanwhile, animatedly discussed the latest news from their farm, their voices imbued with a sincere passion for the land and the animals they cherished.

The king, seated at the head of the table, smiled warmly as soon as he spotted them. He raised his glass in a simple gesture filled with sincere affection.

“Ah, here are our lovebirds!” he exclaimed with an amused wink, eliciting discreet but warm laughter around the table.

Samy, ever humble and slightly uncomfortable under the attention, responded with a shy smile and a respectful bow. Maëlle, on the other hand, welcomed the jest with a light laugh, amused by Samy’s evident embarrassment. It was in those moments that she admired his humility and gentleness, qualities that contrasted with his imposing physique and his role as a bodyguard.

They took their seats at the table, directly across from Victor and Nahïa. As soon as they were settled, Victor, who could never resist an opportunity to tease, seized the moment.

“So, Maëlle, are you still making us wait ages before arriving? Is it to impress us, or is it Samy holding you back?” he asked with that characteristic smirk of his.

Maëlle, accustomed to her cousin's jibes, responded with a playful smile: “Oh, you know, Victor, when you’re as important as I am, you keep people waiting.”

The cheeky response provoked numerous laughs around the table. Even their grandfather, sitting at the end, couldn’t suppress a smile. He cherished these moments when the family gathered in a light-heartedness that contrasted with the gravity of state affairs. It was a reminder that, despite the responsibilities weighing on their shoulders, they were first and foremost a family.

The service began with a refined appetizer: fresh salads, delicately garnished with edible flowers, and exotic fruits presented like works of art. The dishes were served with a fluidity almost choreographed, every detail thoughtfully crafted to provide a flawless culinary experience. But despite the splendor of the food, Maëlle struggled to focus on the meal. She felt Samy’s presence beside her, and each time their eyes met, a warm and comforting heat enveloped her. Samy, too, seemed more interested in Maëlle than the meal in front of him, his eyes filled with a silent affection.

Victor, who always observed with amused attention, couldn’t help but interject again. “It’s cute to see you smile so much, Maëlle. It seems Samy really has a positive influence on you,” he remarked, his teasing smile accompanied by a wink.

Maëlle couldn’t help but blush slightly, but she quickly responded, “Maybe.” She shared a knowing glance with Samy, aware that Victor wouldn’t let the opportunity to tease them pass.

The discussions then turned to more serious topics. Samuel, the king, leaned towards Maëlle, clearly interested in the projects she had recently undertaken.

“Maëlle, I’ve heard that you’re working on a project to assist local farmers. Can you tell us more?” he asked with genuine curiosity, his eyes sparkling with kindness.

Maëlle felt her heart race slightly. Speaking about her initiatives in front of the entire family, and in the presence of some advisors who knew more than she did, suddenly seemed intimidating. She took a deep breath before responding, trying to maintain her composure.

“Yes,” she began with a slight smile, “I’m working on developing a grant program for small farms. The goal is to help them modernize their infrastructure and offer training on sustainable farming techniques. This will allow them to increase their productivity while respecting local traditions.”

The king nodded, visibly impressed. “That’s an admirable initiative, Maëlle. Our people will greatly need this support, especially in the years to come.”

Then, turning to Samy with a teasing smile, he added, “And you, Samy, do you have any ideas for changes?”

Samy, caught off guard, felt his heart race. He wasn’t used to being in the spotlight, especially in such a formal setting. He smiled shyly before responding sincerely, “For now, I’m mainly focused on… protecting Maëlle.”

His answer, filled with disarming honesty, elicited a wave of smiles around the table. Maëlle felt a warmth flood her heart. Samy, despite his modesty, had a gift for always making her feel special, as if his mere presence was enough to justify all the efforts he put in.

The king, regaining his seriousness, set down his glass and replied in a more solemn tone: “Protecting Maëlle is undoubtedly the most important and noble task you could have, Samy. She is precious to us all.”

Victor, ever quick with humor, added with a laugh: “Well, it looks like you’ve got a lifetime job, Samy!”

The atmosphere, already relaxed, became even lighter. Nohé, who had been watching the scene with a smile, decided to join the conversation with a hint of mischief.

“Maëlle, you never tell us how you manage to handle a guy as imposing as Samy. He looks sweet now, but you must be hiding something!” he said, gesturing toward Samy with his chin.

Maëlle looked at him and smiled, raising her eyebrows, casting an amused glance at Samy before responding: “Oh, you know, Nohé, Samy is much easier to manage than you. At least he doesn’t make me lose my patience every five minutes.”

This response provoked a general burst of laughter, even from Nohé, who couldn’t help but admire his cousin’s quick wit.