Unable to meet his gaze, Princess Eleanor stared fixedly at the tablecloth, her heart hammering anxiously.
He was silent for a long moment, studying her averted face until he asked.
"Is there something on my face that you are so determined to avoid looking at it?".
"Of course not". Princess Eleanor whispered shaking her head in a frantic denial, her eyes still locked on the intricate pattern of the tablecloth.
The king said nothing and simply watched her silently for a while then he released her wrist, his gaze softening as he called her name.
"Eleanor ".
The seriousness in his tone made her look up, her hazel eyes wide and tense in anticipation of whatever he was going to say.
"You don't always have to flinch or be on alert when you're around me". He began, his gaze holding hers with an unnerving intensity.
"I would never hurt you. You are my bride and it is my duty to protect you and ensure your comfort." "
He paused for while before continuing, choosing his words with care. "I know you are scared because of what you saw happened the other day and I am sorry about that. The violence, the brutality… it is not something I ever wished for you to witness."
Princess Eleanor's breath caught.
This was the second time he was apologizing, and now he was doing it openly.
"But". He continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "In another way, I am also glad you saw it. So you would understand the world you were walking into earlier and know how far I'll go to protect you".
"I promise you, Eleanor, no one will ever dare to touch as much as a strand of your hair."
The conviction in his voice was absolute and a genuine, relieved smile touched Princess Eleanor's lips at his words.
He saw her smile and a corner of his own mouth quirked upwards. "No one will dare to touch as much as a strand of your hair as long as they still want their heads."
The deliberate addition of the threat, so at odds with his gentle tone gutted a soft laugh from her, totally doing away with the tension in her nerves.
He had meant to make her smile and he had succeeded.
"Thank you. Your Majesty ". She smiled , her voice steadier now.
"Nikolai". He corrected gently, resuming his meal.
"Huh?". Princess Eleanor was stunned at his sudden words.
"You may address me by my name when we are alone." He added.
She felt a fresh blush warm her cheeks immediately . "Yes, Your Majes…". She stumbled, catching herself. "Nikolai ."
He erupted in a low chuckle at her clumsy actions and nodded in acknowledgement. "That's better".
He smiled and continued eating and so did she. They ate in silence for a while, the earlier tension and awkwardness now nowhere to be found.
Finally , Nikolai dabbed at his mouth with a linen napkin and stood. "I have to attend to court matters. Take your time and eat to your fill. I will have Orion on standby to take you on the tour whenever you are ready."
"Yes, Your Majesty". Princess Eleanor said, automatically bowing her head.
Nikolai shot her a pointed gaze and she immediately realized her words and corrected herself, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Nikolai ."
"I will take my leave now." He nodded, his lips curling up into a small smile.
He then turned and walked towards the great doors where the maids opened and closed the door behind him.
Only then did Princess Eleanor slump back in her chais, releasing a long shaky breath she didn't even realize she was holding, a small smile creeping up her features.
The moment the heavy oak door of the dining hall clicked shut behind Princess Eleanor, Liora immediately rushed to her side, her hands fluttering anxiously.
"My lady! Are you okay?". She asked, her eyes scanning her mistress for any sign of distress.
"What could possibly go wrong over a simple breakfast?". A familiar, amused voice huffed and Orion stepped out from behind a pillar, a grin playing on his lips.
Princess Eleanor smiled at the duo. "I'm all good, truly. The breakfast was pleasant."
Liora let out a visible sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping. "That's great to hear."
"So, Your Highness". Orion said, executing a playful bow. "Shall we commence the grand tour?".
Princess Eleanor nodded, a spark of anticipation lighting her eyes. "Please."
"Where are we going, what grand tour ?". Liora asked, falling into step beside her mistress as Orion led them down a new corridor.
"A tour of the castle". Princess Eleanor answered, her voice filled with a mix of anticipation and excitement and Liora's face broke into a matching smile.
For the next several hours, Orion proved to be an exceptional guide.
He led them through the vast, echoing galleries wall lined with tapestries , through libraries, chambers and even showed them a few discreet, hidden passages behind some tapestries.
He explained the history of each hall and chamber with a storyteller's flair, making the stone walls feel alive with history and by the time they found themselves back near the dining hall, the light filtering through the high windows had softened into the deep gold of late afternoon.
"Why are we back here?". Liora asked, a little weary but still bright-eyed.
"There's one place remaining and I bet you ladies will love it thoroughly. Consider it that I've been saving the best for last." He smiled and led them not into the hall, but down a side passage that opened onto a grand archway.
Stepping through it was like entering into another realm of colors.
Before them lay a garden of impossible scale and beauty, flowers and herbs bloomed in all shades of red, silver, deep indigo, luminescent white, and velvety black and even the air there was cool and fresh.
"Then I guess this is indeed your favorite place". Orion said, grinning as he watched the stunned expression on their faces.
"Of course!". Liora breathed, spinning in a slow circle. "This is so wonderful!"
"And look!". Princess Eleanor exclaimed. "There are so many rare flowers and herbs. I've only read and seen this book, I never expected to see them with my own eyes ". She inhaled the fresh air, stepping forward as her fingers gently brushed against the petals of the flowers.
"Well, you can look around. Feel free to explore, Your Highness". Orion said warmly.
Princess Eleanor needed no further invitation, she and Liora immediately ventured deeper into the garden, exclaiming over each new discovery.
They were so engrossed, bent over a bush of sunflowers that they didn't hear the approach of boots on the gravel path.
A uniformed guard bowed before Orion. "My lord, His Majesty requires your immediate presence."
Orion nodded. "Understood." He then turned towards the two women in the garden. "Ladies, duty calls. I'm afraid I must take my leave."
Princess Eleanor looked up and smiled. "It's perfectly alright, Orion. You've been a wonderful guide all afternoon. Thank you."
"I'll take my leave then". He said with a final bow before following the guard.
Left alone, the two women continued their exploration. "With this many rare flowers and herbs". Princess Eleanor mused, her mind racing with possibilities, "I can already imagine what to do with them."
Liora chuckled. "I know right, I can see how excited you are".
"I can make beads with the roses , perfumes, and powders… oh, and the pigments for dyes would be exquisite!". Princess Eleanor said, counting off on her fingers and they both laughed.
"Did you really like this garden that much?".
"Of course, it has so many rare collections of both flowers and herbs and I can't even imagine what to do with them. I'm so excited thinking of it". Princess Eleanor replied without even turning back at the voice that had asked.
The voice released a low chuckle and added. "Well don't hold back then, do whatever you want to do , if it's not enough there's an even larger collection other than this".
"Really". Princess Eleanor said chuckling alongside Liora excitedly and then upon a sudden realization, their laughter died in their throat.
They exchanged startled , curious glance, whirling around to find the source of the voice. They had been so engrossed that they didn't even realize they had company.
Nikolai grinned and approached them silently and both women immediately dropped into deep curtsies, nervously.
"Your Majesty". They stammered in unison.
"It's okay". He waved them off and walked directly to Princess Eleanor, his blue eyes studying her face with that same, unreadable nostalgia he had when he looked at her in the morning.
He then reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair that had come loose during her exploration behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek. The touch was fleeting but it did sent a jolt through her.
"Do you want to see an even larger collection?". He asked.
Princess Eleanor's eyes widened and she could only nod, stumbling over her words. "Larger than this?. This garden is… immense and there's another that's even larger?".
"Of course ". He replied, a faint smile touching his lips.
"Wow". Princess Eleanor breathed, amazed. "It seems Your Majesty really likes flowers and gardens."
The moment the words left her mouth, his hands, which had been resting gently on her shoulders, froze and the warmth vanished, replaced by a sudden, steellike rigidity that stunned her.
And a cold dread trickled down her spine.
Did I say something wrong? .
Nikolai noticed her tensed reaction instantly and the strange tension he emitted melted away as quickly as it had come.
"Let's go then". He said and took her hand firmly in his and began leading her out of the garden.