Between our hands

Chapter 102: Complicity and Confidences

Arriving in front of the dining room, Maëlle and Samy slowed their pace, savoring this moment of silent complicity before entering the bustle of family conversations. Their fingers brushed lightly, a simple gesture, but one that spoke volumes about the depth of their bond. Behind the closed door, laughter and discussions seemed to fill the room, bringing a comforting warmth. Maëlle exchanged a tender glance with Samy, her eyes sparkling with quiet joy. They both knew that these moments spent with family were precious, especially after the recent trials they had endured.

Maëlle kissed Samy before gently pushing the door open. As soon as they crossed the threshold, the warm atmosphere enveloped them immediately. The dining table was beautifully set, as always, but what truly captured attention was the joyful energy radiating from every corner of the room. Family members were already seated, engaged in lively discussions and bursts of laughter.

Victor was the first to notice them. With his usual theatrical flair, he raised a dramatic arm in their direction, his bright smile lighting up his face. “Ah, here are our two favorite lovebirds!” he called out with a playful wink, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

All eyes turned toward them, and they were greeted with warm smiles and cheerful greetings. Maëlle and Samy made their way to the table, their footsteps lightly echoing on the marble floor. They took their seats, Maëlle sitting next to Samy, her hand briefly brushing against his under the table in a furtive yet intimate gesture.

The meal began with a lighthearted atmosphere. Generous dishes paraded in front of them, brought by discreet servants, while the family shared memories of the chic evening from the night before. Each person enthusiastically recounted the fascinating encounters they had made. Kings, queens, ambassadors, and other prestigious personalities had livened up the evening, bringing with them exotic and sometimes hilarious tales. Conversations flowed freely, mixing funny stories with more serious comments about political alliances and future plans.

It was a true joyful cacophony, where voices overlapped, laughter erupted, and knowing glances were exchanged. Maëlle listened attentively, appreciating the lightness of the moment. She felt as if she were floating in a cocoon of goodwill, where the troubles of the outside world seemed far away.

Marie, always on the lookout for a chance to joke, suddenly turned to Sacha, a mischievous smile lighting up her face. “But tell me, Sacha, you disappeared for quite a while last night…” she began teasingly. “You wouldn’t be hiding something from us, would you?”

The question hit like a time bomb. All the gazes, previously scattered around the table, instantly converged on Sacha, whose face turned bright red. Caught off guard, he sank slightly into his chair, his hands nervously playing with his fork. “Uh… No, nothing at all,” he mumbled, clearly uncomfortable under the weight of the stares.

But Daniel, sensing a golden opportunity to tease his brother, seized the moment. “Come on, Sacha, don’t be so modest!” he chimed in with a mischievous grin. “You don’t just disappear for no reason at a party like that… A pretty princess, perhaps?”

Laughter erupted around the table. Jokes flew from all sides, with everyone chiming in to add to Sacha’s embarrassment. Even Sophie, who usually kept more to herself, couldn’t help but give a knowing wink to her nephew. Charles, still too young to grasp the subtleties of the conversation, simply laughed along, imitating the older ones, his innocent giggles resonating in the room.

Sacha, feeling completely cornered, blushed even more, carefully avoiding eye contact. He risked a glance at Maëlle, desperately seeking an escape route. Understanding his distress, Maëlle decided to come to his rescue.

“Speaking of princes…” she interjected with calculated lightness, skillfully redirecting the attention from her brother. “Samy and I had quite an interesting encounter this morning at the farm.”

The diversion worked wonders. Immediately, all eyes shifted from Sacha to Maëlle. Sacha, relieved, let out a discreet sigh and shot Maëlle a grateful look.

“Oh?” Victor said, still curious. “Who did you meet?”

Maëlle smiled, recalling the pleasant morning she and Samy had spent with the young princes. “Four princes, actually. Two brothers and two cousins. They came to talk to Samy while I took care of the horses. They were really charming.”

“Princes?” Sophie repeated, surprised. 
Maëlle nodded. “Yes, they were at the party. They came from neighboring kingdoms. It was interesting to hear their stories, especially about how they overcame the political tensions between their countries.”

Intrigued, Marie added, “And how did that go?”

“Very well,” Maëlle replied, casting a knowing glance at Samy. “They asked a lot of questions about our relationship, but also about life in France. They had this very idealized view of Paris.”

“Ah, Paris…” Daniel sighed with a laugh. “They must have imagined romantic strolls down the Champs-Élysées, with croissants and fancy cafes.”

“Exactly!” Maëlle replied with a laugh. “But I quickly explained to them that it’s not always so glamorous. Between strikes, protests, life in Paris is far from a fairy tale.”

Laughter erupted once more. Everyone at the table seemed amused by this reality contrasting with the idyllic image many had of the French capital. Maëlle, with her sense of humor and ability to depict complex situations lightly, captivated everyone's attention.

“Sure, France has its charms,” Victor added with a smile. “But it also has its storms.”

The conversation flowed smoothly, shifting from the princes met at the farm to shared family memories. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, each family member adding their own touch of humor and tenderness to the evening.

As the meal went on, Maëlle couldn’t help but sneak discreet glances at Samy. He seemed relaxed, his hand occasionally brushing against hers under the table, as if to remind her that he was there, by her side. Their silent exchanges were filled with sweetness and complicity, and Maëlle felt a wave of happiness wash over her. She realized how much she cherished these simple moments, surrounded by her family, with Samy by her side.

Victor, true to his role as a well-meaning troublemaker, couldn’t resist throwing one last jab. “So, Maëlle,” he said with a playful smile. “Are you planning to invite those young princes to the palace next time?”

Maëlle burst out laughing. “Who knows? Maybe. After all, they loved the peaceful atmosphere of the farm.”

Samy, feigning exaggerated jealousy, took on a dramatically false air. “If you start inviting princes, I’ll have to step up my game to keep you close to me,” he joked, eliciting smiles all around the table.

The meal ended in an equally joyful atmosphere. After dessert, everyone slowly returned to their quarters, full not only from the food but also from laughter and shared moments. Maëlle and Samy lingered a little longer at the table, savoring the calm after the animated meal. They exchanged one last knowing look before getting up.

“Shall we go?” Maëlle whispered, slipping her hand into Samy’s.

“Gladly,” he replied, gently squeezing her hand. Together, they left the dining room, their footsteps echoing through the palace corridors, ready to enjoy the serenity of their suite, away from the world’s hustle and bustle.