Gobbie was in his classic "drama queen" mood. It had been a while, but of course, the princes were the ones to bring it back to the surface by dancing with his adored daughters.
Through the corner of my eye, as I danced with Cedric, I saw Gobbie's face twist with each movement we made. By his side were Lord Castelo and Lady Di'Mello. In the beginning, though Gobbie looked like a gobbling through the shadows of the fire, he did just that, look.
But as the dance grew more and more rhythmic and Cedric put our bodies closer, Gobbie turned crazier and crazier. I supposed the same happened when he watched Jenni and Francis, who were dancing together.
I saw the grown-ass man throwing the tantrum of his life, his arms up in indignation, while a supportive Lord Castello nodded in serious consideration. Lady Di'Mello, however, let her head hang in exasperation. Then, surprising everyone around, she clashed her cane on his head.
She was done with his foolishness.
I chuckled, glad I had a Lady Di'Mello in my life.
"What are you laughing at?" asked Cedric, his head tipped to my side.
I was incredulous at how bafflingly clueless he was being at the moment. The duke was doing a scene not a meter away, but he hadn't noticed it or even looked at where the noise was coming from. He just danced like nothing was happening outside of me and him.
Cedric made me do a turn, bringing me closer, his brow arched in question.
I smiled. "It is nothing important. Just an adult making a fuss."
This time, he peered to the side and finally understood what was happening. His lips curled before he gave me his undying attention and we continued to dance, unconcerned by the adults who watched.
Until the music ended and Gobbie walked through the makeshift dance floor around the fireplace, before Lord Castello or Lady Di'Mello could stop him. They, however, followed behind, the last bearing a face that screamed "You crazy fool".
I feel you Lady Di'Mello.
Yet the duke never wavered, rushing through the crowd to get to us. He arrived just when Jenni and Francis had managed to come closer.
"Your highness." called Gobbie to both princes, with a smile faker than the one Lady Juliette gave to me at the beginning of this party. "Happy to see you both enjoying the party." He glanced from prince to prince, his lips twitching with an added effort to keep his face agreeable.
I kept the urge to snort buried. For now, at least.
Gobbie glared at my hands, and I noticed I still had one of them under Cedric's grasp. I could have let it go, but I refused to back down because of a fool. Instead, I sent a mischievous glance at Cedric, who shared the same idea. His grip tightened, and the cold rose from the air, causing the fire to die a little with each breath.
Silence reigned as the guests stopped to watch, the scene much more interesting than a dance.
"Your grace." called Francis, the cold bringing him forward into motion. He no longer had Jenni by his arm. Instead, he rested his hands on his back. "We are enjoying tremendously. These dances are a fantastic exercise and a great learning experience for prince Cedric." he finished with a smile the size of the sun and a side glance that deterred me and Cedric from saying anything else.
Thinking it best to not stir the beast and cause a storm, I let go of Cedric's hand. For a moment, nothing changed in the cold front. Then it all stopped, and the duke replied to the prince with an even bigger smile.
Francis took a step back, suspicious. An expression mirrored by Jenni.
"Happy to hear that, your highness!" said the man in obvious excitement.
Cedric threaded carefully. "Yes. We were also about to switch partners." he glanced at Jenni, hoping for her to go along.
Thankfully, Jenni did, and she nodded in agreement.
The icy breeze returned for just a moment, and Cedric paled. There was something on Gobbie's sharp grin that made me think Cedric had just sealed his fate. His and Francis.
"How lucky are my daughters to have been shown such generosity and affection. To have the royal princes dance with them twice!" A vein popped up on his throat as his jaw tightened. "A grace very few ladies could ever dream of getting."
The princes exchanged worried looks as Gobbie's blue ocean eyes flickered with the same intensity as the flames behind.
"I fear we must not take such gift away from the other ladies in attendance." Gobbie reached a hand to his heart. "The Mountnero are an honourable family and we shall do the honourable thing. For the Empire."
Panic rose within the royal princes, their bodies shuddering at the possibilities. This differed significantly from Francis's prank. This was a nightmare that even the devil would fear.
And Gobbie had yet to finish. He raised his arms and his voice. "You must have heard it, my ladies!! The princes wish for a dance partner. The more the merrier! Please help fulfil their wishes! For the Empire!"
As his proclamation came to its end, shrills raised among the surrounding ladies. They rushed to the princes's side, making it impossible for me or Jenni to stay close.
The furious and determined ladies rendered both princes speechless and motionless. I saw Wolff at the back trying to offer some help to them, yet he too got caught by some cheeky ladies who had given up on the princes and settled on a royal aide instead. Even one with sharp teeth.
They knew he couldn't bite them at the party. Not when the princes had "agreed" to such an open invitation.
And the other aide, you may ask? Lord Fridh. That one gave up the moment he saw the chaos, deciding it was best to fetch some refreshments, as the night was turning out to be quite long and turbulent.
Gobbie... that one was glowing with me and Jenni by his side. With us were the Di'Mellos and the Castellos, watching the work of a madman.
After a while I heard "You are a prick to children." it was the reproving tone of Lady Di'Mello's voice.
The music started again, and the chaos subsided, yet the queue of girls by the fringes of the fireplace extended. They waited for the princes who danced and would continue to do so until the end of the party. Out of duty and honour.
Gobbie mumbled some words back at Lady Di'Mello, although I only caught "wolves disguised as sheep" type of thing...
The drama queen was mad and happy. And in retrospect, that may be a good thing. That way, it may cut the shock of my proposal.
So yes, it was good he had some fun before he got a heart attack.
Surpriseeeee!
Now I finally managed to be on schedule and compensate for the missing chapter.
Sunday there is more :)
This chapter if I am truly honest is only for fun. Does not exactly move the story forward but I like it because Gobbie and his drama queen moods are a fun thing to see and write about. And after so much sadness in previous chapters, I am always up for some fun.
Besides, I am with Lulu... I strongly believe we all need more of a Lady Di' Mello in our lives.