Dastan swiftly reached the two, instantly stepping in between Farris and Noori, going as far as to remove Farris's hand from her shoulder. His glare was deadly as he shifted his focus to Noori. "Do you have any idea what your carelessness could have cost us?" His tone was laced with fury, but Noori, anticipating such behavior from him, simply raised a brow, as if questioning the audacity of his accusation.
"My behavior? Are you sure that any of this was my fault, Your Highness?" Her sarcasm cut through the tension like a chilling wind.
Dastan rolled his eyes at her question before turning away. "I don't think we have time for such baseless conversations." His gaze shifted to the guards at the door as he issued commands. "Tell the maids to prepare another outfit for her. We don't have much time." The guards hurriedly made their way into the palace to execute his orders, while Dastan remained in place, unmoving, as if standing guard.
Ignoring Dastan's actions, Farris spoke with concern. "You don't look okay. What happened?"
Noori shook her head calmly. "Nothing happened. I will be on my way to get changed and attend the banquet. I can't keep the people waiting for long." With that, she softly excused herself, sparing neither of them any more attention as she made her way to prepare for the event.
The music in the banquet hall failed to captivate the guests any longer. Murmurs of confusion filled the air as the absence of the newlywed couple cast a shadow over the purpose of the gathering. Without their presence, conversation faltered, leaving attendees uncertain of what to discuss. Speculative remarks about the delay and potential complications stemming from the Princess of Nuria's arrival circulated among the guests, adding to the tension.
Azorius found himself in a daze, perplexed by the prolonged absence of the couple. The murmuring and watchful gazes of the guests began to wear on him, urging him to resolve the situation swiftly. Sensing his unease, the guards at his side approached him, prompting him to investigate the cause of the delay. With a nod, the guards moved to carry out his orders, their footsteps echoing as they left the hall.
Suddenly, a drumroll pierced the air, commanding the attention of all present. The couple made their entrance, accompanied by a resounding announcement from the guards at the door. "Your Highness, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess of Nuria are entering!" The announcement reverberated throughout the hall, drawing every eye to the newly arrived couple.
In that moment, Dastan's attention was caught by something amiss. He turned to the guard with confusion etched on his face. "Did he just say the Crown Prince?" Though hehad heard people address him differently it was usually becasue of absense of Isa in the palace but declaring him that in official setting felt a little odd when he shouldn't be the crown prince.
His voice barely rose above a whisper, yet Noori caught every word, causing her to turn towards him with a furrowed brow. Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, there was a subtle exchange between them. Dastan seemed momentarily entranced by her gaze before abruptly breaking eye contact and turning away.
"Greetings to the happy couple," the crowd chimed in unison, their eyes scanning Noori and Dastan from head to toe. However, their scrutiny of Noori carried a hint of disdain, as if they were observing an alien in their midst. Her fiery red hair, crimson eyes, and darker skin tone set her apart from the Solryrian women, eliciting judgmental glances from the onlookers.
"I wonder what the Crown Prince thinks about this. I bet he never wanted a wife like her," muttered some of the attendees, their faces masked with forced smiles that failed to conceal their underlying displeasure towards Noori.
Feeling suffocated amidst the crowd's scrutiny, Noori found little solace even in the midst of a sea of people. As she and Dastan proceeded forward, reaching the stage where the King and Queen were seated, they exchanged greetings before taking their reserved seats, marking the official commencement of the party.
As the guests gradually began to offer their respects and presents to the couple, extending invitations to future celebrations and personal events, Noori and Dastan received each gesture with a gracious smile, acknowledging the well-wishes of their friends and acquaintances. They graciously accepted the offerings, exchanging pleasantries and expressing their gratitude, until it was Farris's turn to present his gift.
Farris approached the royal couple with a dignified bow, catching the King by surprise with his unexpected presence. "Farris? You still have a gift to give to the new couple, although you have already bestowed numerous gifts upon them," the King remarked, a hint of curiosity coloring his tone.
Farris offered a soft smile in response. "Well, your Majesty, this is nothing but a small recreational activity I have planned for the couple at my estate. I hope that they accept my invitation," he explained, placing a scroll delicately upon the table before them.
"An activity, you say? What sort of activity may I ask?" the King inquired, his interest piqued by Farris's proposal.
"A hunt, your Majesty," Farris replied, his tone confident and his gaze unwavering. "I have come to know that the princess enjoys it greatly, so I decided to arrange something of that sort," he added with a subtle nod.
The King shifted his gaze towards Noori, who exuded an air of cool reserve amidst the guests, her demeanor suggesting a reluctance to engage with those who treated her as an object of curiosity. Sensing her silent disapproval, the King refrained from commenting further, opting instead to laugh off the moment.
As the guests continued to approach one after another, Dastan found himself growing increasingly uncomfortable, his body temperature plummeting as if seeking solace in Noori's presence, despite his ego's protests. He stole occasional glances at her, only to find her lost in thought, her hand resting in her lap, obscured by the gloves she always wore.
As time passed, Dastan felt the tension in his muscles increase, the people before him morphing into an irritating mass of bodies. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the ornate ballroom, adding to the surreal atmosphere. With no other recourse, he stood up abruptly, drawing puzzled glances from those around him. Noori, too, turned to look in his direction, finding him extending his hand towards her.
"I would like to have a dance with you," he said, the undertone in his voice carrying a hint of urgency and meaning.
Noori couldn't help but tilt her head in confusion as it was too sudden for him to do such a thing. His actions not only surprised her but also the crowd, who a second ago were questioning how Dastan might consider marrying into Noori's family. In their eyes, he would have been reluctant to do so, given his status as one of the spoiled royals of Solyria. Yet, what they saw now made them question if he really was reluctant in marrying her, as he seemed to be eagerly hoping that she would take his hand.
Silvia observed the unfolding scene in the crowd, her expression inscrutable amidst the murmurs that rippled through the onlookers. Noori, after a moment's hesitation, finally took Dastan's hand and rose to stand by his side. The somber melody abruptly halted, giving way to a new tune as they prepared to dance.
"Your Highness, I know I shouldn't be delusional, but what should I make of your actions just now?" Noori asked, a hint of teasing evident in her voice.
Dastan clenched his teeth, struggling to articulate his thoughts. He had been distant and dismissive towards her ever since their conversation in the library, and now, out of nowhere, he was seeking her company once again.
"I am doing it for the people. I don't want them to start talking about me or my family behind our backs," he replied, masking his true intentions with a hastily constructed excuse.
"I am sure no one would dare to talk behind your back, Your Highness," Noori retorted, her hand poised as she held Dastan's, waiting for him to place his on her waist. She turned to look him directly in the eyes, her gaze unwavering as she purposefully stepped closer, deliberately provoking him.
"No, thank you," Dastan replied stiffly, his gaze shifting away momentarily before returning to meet hers. He was determined not to give in to her teasing, even if it meant enduring the discomfort a little longer.
Noori couldn't help but chuckle at his stubbornness, her amusement evident in the glint of her eyes. "Suit yourself," she said, her tone light despite the underlying challenge.
As they continued to dance, the crowd around them seemed to blur into a swirling mass of colors and movement. The music swelled, enveloping them in its melody as more and more guests joined the festivities. Despite the jovial atmosphere, Dastan's stiffness remained palpable, a stark contrast to the fluid grace of Noori's movements.
With each passing moment, Noori couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. She knew all too well the weight of pride and stubbornness, how they could imprison a person within their own walls. Yet, she also knew the power of humility, of letting go of one's ego for the sake of connection and understanding.
"Are you sure you don't want me to help?" she asked again, her voice softening with genuine concern. She held his gaze steadily, silently willing him to let down his guard, if only for a moment.