The following evening was filled with the loud screams and squeals of Theo and Cyril as they received their newest gifts from the king and queen of France.
The castle's dining room had been specially set up for Adèle's family. Instead of having a normal, tedious dinner, Mary had taken up the opportunity to have a livelier, yet comfortable party. The dining table was removed from the room, and replaced with different settees, sofas, armchairs, sent from Paris, and cushions with silk coverings of maroons, emeralds, and deep purples. The fireplace was well lit, along with a great number of candles. Its small flames twinkled, dancing in the dark. Several golden vases of a variety of flowers were also set out around the room to please its guests with its sweet fragrances.
Mary sat with Francis, of course. They urged Adèle to let them accompany Theo and Cyril throughout the evening. Adèle was barely surprised; for they have only been begging to spend more time with her little brothers. She, however, spent most of her time sitting next to a Bash on a single velvet settee at the corner of the room, next to a vase of light blue hydrangeas set on a small, circular, mahogany table. A silver tray of two goblets filled with wine had also been placed on this table. As Adèle took another sip from her goblet, she looked at her parents, both of whom were busy conversing with Catherine. They seemed to be indulging in their conversation, for she noticed that they had not even taken one sip from their wine yet.
Then Adèle's eyes darted to Francis and Mary, who were now sitting on a vast rug placed on the floor, along with Theo and Cyril. Francis, who had taken a liking to Theo, gave him grand gifts that Adèle would have thought too expensive for a gift for a young boy.
Cyril rested on Mary's lap, as Mary read him a fascinating story from a book of children's tales. Cyril seemed very much amused, as he kept grinning, laughing, and gasping during different parts of the story.
"Who are you staring at?" Bash asked quite suddenly, as he brought the goblet to his lips, before giving Adèle a smirk.
"Just my brothers, and Mary and Francis," she said, her eyes still locked on the four of them. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't know, you seem to have this sense of curiosity and admiration in your eyes whenever you look at them," Bash replied. "Don't tell me you have taken a liking to my brother."
"Why would I do that," her eyes averted to Bash's, speaking softly. "..when I've got you?"
Because of her little tease, Bash became visibly flustered, his face reddening madly. This made Adèle giggle loudly, making a few heads turn to look at her, making her clasp her hand over her mouth in embarrassment. Taking another light sip from her wine, her eyes began staring blankly at the ground. Adèle now stood between a state of embarrassment and happiness. The reason why she seemed so happy was still unknown to her. Was it because she and Bash had finally returned to one another? Or was it because her life simply appeared at peace, and filled with much more joy that she needed?
"Adèle," Bash spoke her name, making her thoughts completely dissolve into nothingness. His eyes still lingered on hers, hinting her that he did not want them to break eye contact. Adèle grew quite nervous, as Bash appeared so serious, yet so calm. "I need to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Do you want us.. to marry soon?" Bash asked this with a soft, almost inaudible tone, to make sure that no one else except Adèle had heard him ask this question.
She took her time to respond, even though she knew that she was, surely, definitely, unquestionably, going to marry him soon. "Yes," she then replied plainly. "Sure. Why not? We no longer have to wait, right?"
"That is true. But.. you are completely sure that you want to?"
"Of course I would. You seem troubled, Bash. Is it because you don't believe my words?"
"No, it's not that," He shook his head. "I just, I find myself quite.. dumbfounded."
"Why?"
"A woman like you wants to marry someone like me," Bash grinned from ear to ear. "That would mean my father was a great matchmaker, surprisingly."
"Are you saying that in a positive or negative context, because I am thoroughly confused," Adèle beamed, looking at Bash, and trying not to seem so puzzled by his response.
"I meant that in a positive context, of course. Adèle, I would have never thought that I would have the honor to soon marry someone like you, to be united until the end of our days. I admit it's very unexpected. Unexpected, yes, but frankly, simply amazing." He gently gripped her hand, not wanting to let go.
Adèle blushed, as her eyelids flickered from their fingers, interlocking with one another, to the oceans in Bash's eyes. "You always know how to charm me with your words,"
"I cannot say that I am an expert, but I've had years of practise," Bash chuckled. "Come, Adèle. Let us get out of here for a bit,"
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me," He uttered. Still holding her hand, Bash took Adèle to a much smaller exit of the dining room; a wooden door leading to some sort of storage room. The room was fairly minuscule, and was only filled with unused wooden drawers, which Adèle assumed meant to be placed in bedchambers.
"Bash what are you—" before she could finish her question, Bash immediately pressed his lips against hers. He abruptly broke their kiss, which was something that she did not expect.
"Forgive me, I had forgotten to ask."
"Ask what, exactly?"
"I couldn't stand being in that dreaded dining room, surrounded by your parents, your brothers, Mary and Francis, and so many servants.. and not being able to kiss you. So.. may I kiss you, Adèle?"
She chuckled softly and his ridiculously sweet sounding answer. "Go on," she responded shortly, before allowing Bash kiss her again, now in a much slower, and gentler manner. His hands went on to cupping her face, and slowly beginning to caress her cheeks. Adèle's thoughts seemed to have wandered off as their lips locked, for she was basking in the happiness that this moment had provided her with. Bash pushed her against the pile of wooden drawers, as she wrapped her arms around his waist, making both of them giggle quietly.
She thought one of the servants, Mary or Francis would notice and come looking for them by now, but she could not care less. Bash's eyes now flickered open and began to gaze at her longingly, as if he wanted more than just another kiss."I want you," Bash murmured, whilst his right hand remained on her cheek. "..badly, my lionheart."
"Be patient," she simply replied, kissing him again. However, they had been forced to pull away from each other when a servant entered the storage room unknowingly, unaware of the fact that they were in the room. The servant, a very young man, a boy even, who Adèle recognized to be one of the sons of the chief caretaker of the royal horses, stopped dead in his tracks, and gave them a startled expression painted on his face."F-forgive me for interrupting," the servant stuttered. He looked no older than thirteen, for he still very much possessed an air of innocence.
"It's quite fine," said Bash. Adèle was no longer leaning against the pile of drawers, and instead standing next to Bash, who appeared much more flustered than Bash was. "Are you a servant?"
"Yes, I work in the k-kitchens. King Francis has told me to look for you, and Miss Prouvaire as well. They expect you t-to come to dinner right away a-and that the f-f-feast has been prepared,"
"Very well, thank you for notifying us. We will leave straight away." Bash tried his best not to look at Adèle and laugh, for they were currently more than embarrassed.
Although Bash did not feel as abashed as Adèle, for he had already been caught kissing girls in rarely visited rooms in the castle before (numerous times, in fact), back when he had not met Adèle yet. She noticed Bash turning his head to her and giving her a reassuring nod, and they left together, hand-in-hand.
Adèle, red-faced, said to Bash, "Well, I predict that my mother will be very much infuriated once someone tells her about what we did,"
"You shouldn't worry of that," Bash gave a grin. "For you will not feel even the slightest feeling of guilt."
"And why will I not?"
He leaned in, whispering in her ear. "Because you know that you would want to do it again."