The Arabian Princess

Chapter 7

The Queen led the newly wed couple through the rows of tables each accompanied by men and women strangly dressed. Emmett went in front of me but held tightly to my hand. He must have sense me tense because he squeezed my hand reassuringly. The Queen led us towards a said that had been set up, Emmett helped her up the stairs as I was having trouble navigating the shoes I had been given, as they were not my usual slippers.
I passed mama and my father who sat at one end and came to the middle where Emmett pulled my chair out for me and I sat and he took the seat next to me.
"Welcome the new union of Prince Emmett of Wales to Princess Karimah of Arabia. Please take a seat, enjoy the food and festivities, and bless the new couple." The royal announcer took his leave and disappeared into the crowd. I had never seen so many people before in my life, back in Fathers castle the only visitors were his councilmen and advisors. They sometimes brought their children but they were either crying babies or way to eager to please her. Their fathers must have pleaded with them to make friends with me so they could get closer to my father. The girls of court just loved dresses and jewelery and talk about the boys and other noblemen but, I didn't have any interest in those things. I only wanted to read and learn.
...Karimah? Are you alright?" Emmett said stirring me from my thoughts.
"Oh yes sorry, I just got... Distracted." I smiled playing it off. Person after weirdly dressed person came up to me introducing themselves and asking me questions which Emmett answered most for me whether they were true or not. I stumbled over his language and felt like a dunce. Trying to remember the alphabet and how it all went together was hard and the room was so crowded but Father was staring intently at me so I couldn't mess this up.
Finally the food was beginning to be served, we were served first and I eyes the strange food.
It was some roasted vegetable caked in a thick sauce. I ate it regardless and smiled while doing so. I was proud that I didn't gag from the horrendous stench it emited. More courses were brought out, I could only name a few. I saw a roasted pig, and several other meats. So many sauces and vegetables prepared in every imaginable way were brought to us. I felt compelled to try everything the cooks brought out as they pushed their dishes in my face that by the time the actual entree was put in front of me I was to full to even touch it.
Emmett smiled and ate his and when people were distracted snuck some food off my plate and onto his.
I smiled gratefully at him.
"He is sweet, is he not?" My mother asked in Arabic.
"Yes, he is and mama they have books here more books than I had ever seen. Mama I think I might really like it here." I smiled.
"That is good my sweet, the castle will be lonely without you and Tobias is always with your father." Sadness laced her words but her eyes creased and she turned away from me and started talking to  Father.

I fixed my gaze out at the people now up and dancing. Emmett stood and held out his hand, shyly I took it and stood. He guided towards the people dancing who made room and formed a circle around us.
"I.. I don't know how to do the dance."
I told him.
"Just follow my lead." He took a step back and I followed and he took a step to the side and I mirrored him again. We kept doing this only faster and made a circle. We twirled and spun and he held my hand and I laughed. The music changed and a slow beat ran through the crowd. I noticed couples start getting close and swaying and soon Emmett did the same. I pressed against his chest and laid my head on his shoulder. He looked so nice in his suit,

Could I really be falling in love with a complete stranger? I thought.

"The dinner should be ending soon, then I'll show you to our quarters." His voice vibrated through me, and I suddenly got all nervous and started sweating. The dozens of layers of clothing was finally getting to me and I thought I might faint. The song ended and I excused myself, I quickly walked out of the ballroom and scurried through the corridors and soon became lost. Each hallway led to another and another and they all looked the same. I swore I passed the same portrait of his mother again and again. I stopped when I came to the end of one corridor before it led to another. I heard talking and couldn't help myself so I listened.