While Aleyna fiddled with the laces on her shoes, Eyvan chatted about inconsequential things with Regnar. Aleyna admired his ability to be able to talk to everyone he met, no matter the circumstances. Then a knock at the door heralded Arner's arrival. As he entered Aleyna's parlour, gone was the warrior. Here now standing before them was a king.
He was dressed similarly to Eyvan, but burgundy was his colour, and it suited him. A high collared, long tunic, the hem of which was stitched with silver was worn over trousers the colour of wine. Over this, a black coat was worn open, displaying a triple moon belt buckle securing a belt from which hung his sword. Only Arner and Petor were allowed to go armed in the palace.
'I have already given Eyvan his gifts,' Arner said, removing from his pocket a small parcel. 'This is for you.'
Aleyna took the proffered gift and opened it. 'It's stunning.' Inside the soft cloth was a silver necklace from which was hanging a triple moon pendent, matching Arner's belt buckle.
'The triple moon is the symbol of my house,' he explained. 'I had thought you might wear it tonight?'
Another knock on the door interrupted the moment, and Eyvan went to see to it. Arner helped Aleyna with the necklace, and as his fingers lightly brushed the exposed skin of her neck and throat, she wished Eyvan could have done it.
After that moment of awkwardness, Eyvan stuck his head round the door. 'The carriage is here. Are we ready?'
Arner told Regnar he would see him with the rest of his men at the palace. Then they exited the house and carefully climbed into the awaiting carriage. Aleyna felt the eyes of her neighbours as she took her seat, and realised she was going to be the recipient of many stares that evening.
The ride was silent, and tense. It was also short. Soon their arrival was being announced at the palace by a fanfare of trumpets, much to Aleyna's embarrassment. She was pleased to see that Arner also looked uncomfortable at this. Yet Eyvan, much to her surprise, seemed to be enjoying the occasion so far.
Once inside, the palace was full. It seemed that Petor had orchestrated it so that they were the last to arrive.
'My Lords and Ladies, Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, may I present to you, ArnerStrom, King of Mynythia, Professor Aleyna Rienenska and Professor Eyvan Valetenko.'
Those gathered, including Aleyna and Eyvan, bowed to Arner. He smiled graciously, and then together, the three of them descended the stairs. All eyes were on this strange group as they crossed the room and headed for King Petor. The princess Leena was standing beside him. She still looked unhappy.
The two kings put their heads together for a moment, and talked privately amongst themselves.
'Hello, Leena,' Aleyna began, but she was cut off as Leena turned away from her to focus her attention solely on Eyvan.
'How can you smile, Eyvan? Your heart must be breaking-'
'I shall find us some drinks,' Eyvan said, ignoring Leena and speaking to Aleyna.
When they were alone, Aleyna tried to get Leena to thaw towards her. 'Please, Leena, I-'
But instead of listening to what Aleyna had to say, she simply turned and walked away.
When Eyvan returned, the gong sounded for dinner, and, with Arner on one arm and Eyvan on the other, they entered the great hall. They took their seats to the right of the King of Lyknisia, Arner, then Aleyna, then Eyvan. As they sat down, Arner leaned in close.
'Petor wants to make the announcement before we eat, not after. He wants everyone to witness this sober. And...and...'
'And what?'
'He wants this to look as authentic as possible.'
'Meaning?'
'He thinks we should...umm...kiss.'
Aleyna's eyebrows shot up. Petor's stance the night before seemed to have evaporated and in its place the great statesman was trying to put on a show for his subjects.
'I told him it was up to you. We don't have to.'
'Will it look better if we do? Is it the done thing when royal marriages are announced?'
Arner sat back and shrugged. She was pleased to see he too was starting to find Petor's suggestions cumbersome and not altogether helpful. Aleyna tried to think things over and work out what should be done for the best. From the look of him, Arner had given up and was letting her choose what they did and didn't do, which was kind but didn't aid her in the decision-making. She turned to look at Eyvan, and remembered the purpose behind the display: to spare Eyvan any awkwardness.
Turning back to Arner, she indicated for him to lean in. 'We will do it. It's the only way we will convince those watching that you have fallen in love with me.' She had to try not to laugh again.
'You really don't think it's possible for me to fall in love with you, do you?'
Before Aleyna could respond, King Petor had got to his feet and was striking a glass with an item of cutlery.
'Thank you all for coming here this evening at such short notice. You see, time is short. My good friend, Arner, the King of Mynythia,' he nodded in Arner's direction, 'travelled the great distance between our kingdoms, to offer us aid against the raiding parties which have been plaguing the coast in these parts. We are ever so grateful to have friends such as these in our time of need.'
This was met with cheers and applause, which Arner acknowledgedgraciously, with a nod and a smile.
'Though this good news settles the hearts and minds of many, it is my greatest pleasure to have the honour of announcing a forthcoming marriage, joining Lyknisia and Mynythia, not only with the bonds of friendship, but of kinship also. Come, stand, my friend,' he said to Arner. Slowly Arner got to his feet.
Aleyna was beginning to notice the tell-tale signs of when the King of Mynythia was uncomfortable, and something told her that Petor had not told Arner of his plans for this lengthy announcement. Yet it seemed Arner was no longer keen to just go along with it. As he leaned in to clasp forearms with his friend, Arner pulled Petor close so that he could whisper just loud enough for Aleyna to hear.
'Keep this short and simple, my friend. This is dragging on for too long.'
They pulled away and Petor's attention transferred to Aleyna.
'And Aleyna, you too please.' He outstretched his arms and brought her close to him. 'Sorry,' he whispered in her ear. 'I fear I am making a mess of things.' He relinquished hold of her, allowing Aleyna to stand once more on the other side of Arner, who took up her hand in his.
'You all know the niece of my second cousin, Professor Aleyna Rienenska, of whom I am terribly fond and proud. Well, it is with great joy I can announce that she and Arner are to be married.'
The king, Eyvan and the other Mynythian warriors seated further down the hall all started to clap. Yet there was a period of quiet fromthe other guests. Aleyna was sure she heard Lady Vedymyrcy say, 'So it was not a jest after all. Poor Professor Valetenko.' Yet propriety won out and cries of congratulations and hearty applause followed.
Aleyna noticed Leena didn't even pretend to be joining in with the others. She sat their scowling at Aleyna, which she could see out of the corner of her eye, but as soon as she turned to look at her, Leena turned away. As Aleyna sat down, she couldn't help but wonder if their friendship was damaged beyond repair.
'That could have gone better,' Arner muttered.
It was only once they were all seated, Aleyna realised they hadn't kissed.
'Do we need to kiss?' she asked him hurriedly. 'If so, let's do it now.'
Arner got down on one knee next to Aleyna's chair, placed a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her to him. It was a gentle, brushing of lips, no more, but he lingered over it, trying to show those present that this was a meaningful union. It must have worked, because this display got a better reaction than King Petor's announcement. There was clapping and hollering, banging on the table and stamping of feet.
'Well, they all came round in the end, didn't they,' the king laughed after Arner had regained his seat.
As the first course was brought in, Aleyna couldn't help but wonder how a single kiss could change everything.
* * * **
[Word count for chapter: 1406, Word count for whole story: 16278]
Thank you so much for reading this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please consider voting for it and / or leaving me a comment to let me know what you think.
It was all a bit tense there for a moment, wasn't it, but they seemed to have pulled off the little charade. Do you agree? Do you think Aleyna is warming to Arner a little bit more now? What do you think about whether it's possible for people to fall instantly love? And what do you think of what Aleyna was thinking at the end of the chapter. Is it possible for a single kiss to change everything? What do you think she is referring to? I would love to hear your thoughts...
Have a great day!