Chapter 11 - "I should not keep his Highness waiting."

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Gigi couldn't tear her eyes away from the Prince. He was a far cry from the man she had rescued, just as she was a far cry from the vagabond he would remember. A healthy color had returned to his clean-shaven, handsome face and he had regained the muscle he had lost.

Gigi was so absorbed in the difference, that she wasn't aware that everyone around her was lowering into bows and curtsies. The ballroom was filled with the swishing of gowns as women dipped low. All heads dropped in respect.

"Genevieve," her grandmother whispered, her name a quiet command.

Snapping herself from her astonishment, Gigi quickly sank into a deep curtsy.

"Lords and Ladies," the King said.

Everyone rose, his voice drawing them up and capturing their full attention. Gigi straightened but found she couldn't give the King all of her thoughts. Her eyes fell back on the Prince. Thayer surveyed the room with a calm demeanor, his emotions trapped behind an even mask.

"I welcome you," the King continued. "It brings me pleasure that you have traveled from all over to be here, with my family and me." He wore an open smile, the sight pleasing added with his smooth cadence. "We are honored by your presence and look forward to the enjoyment of the coming weeks." He waved his hand to the quartet. "May the festivities begin!"

The room filled with the raining patter of applause. Taking the Queen's hand, the King led her down the steps followed by the Prince. Gigi felt her gaze riveted to him, thinking back on the lame sailor who she helped feed. That image was a harsh contrast to the man moving down the stairs. He walked with a quiet confidence, secure in his title and his knowledge of how the world worked.

Before Gigi felt ready, the royal family was in front of them. The King's gaze met Lord Brixton's. The two men greeted each other as old friends. Gigi found she couldn't look at them, the knowledge of her secret producing a smile, she was having trouble fighting. She kept her eyes trained on the floor.

"Arthur," the King said, his bass voice softening with familiarity.

"Your grace," Lord Brixton said, his tone formal but his features relaxed. He was still aware of who stood before him, years of knowing each other did not change that fact.

"I am sorry to hear of Alton's passing," the King said, gravely. "It saddened me that I could not see his Burning." For a split second his eyes darted to where Thayer stood, beside his mother. "Pressing matters kept me away."

Gigi couldn't help herself, she raised her head, knowing that their search for Thayer must have been the pressing matters he spoke of. Thayer didn't seem to notice her, his focus on the two other men. As the conversation continued, Gigi thought back to how long Thayer must have been in the encampment. Her thoughts were interrupted by her grandmother's voice. Instantly, she gathered her wits as she heard her grandfather leading up to her introduction.

"...we are blessed to have some piece of him still with us," he said.

Gigi felt the same prick at her heart with his words, color flooding her face without a known reason. Lord Brixton extended his hand to her.

"May I introduce to you my granddaughter, Lady Genevieve," he said.

The whole royal family looked over at Gigi. Giving a simple curtsy, she met each of their gazes, landing at last on Thayer's. Something sparked in his eyes, a hint of recognition flitting across his mind. But when she spoke the look faded.

"I am pleased to be before you, your majesty," she said, her tone soft as a rose petal and melodious as a song.

The King gave a single nod in acknowledgment accompanied by a generous grin. The Queen's light brown eyes held Gigi and she sent her a warm, inviting smile.

"She has Alton's eyes," the Queen said, to Lady Brixton.

Even though she saw her grandmother respond, she found she couldn't hear her words, all too aware of Thayer watching her. His gaze stayed fixed on her, studying her, as his thoughts talked him out of what he believed he saw. Gigi shifted her eyes to him, staring into the brown of his.

This broke him from whatever place his mind had been.

"We are happy to have you with us," he said, his tone hospitable but removed.

"Thank you, your Highness," she said.

With a few more comments and then parting words, the royal family moved on to the rest of their waiting guests. Thayer glanced at Gigi one last time before following his parents. She released the smile she had been holding back. His brow furrowed in puzzlement and turned away.

There was not a moment to ponder Thayer's thoughts before someone new descended on the family. This man had red hair like a candle flame and bright green eyes. He introduced himself as Duke Rothfuss.

With that, Gigi was swept into a world of introductions. It seemed her presence caused a stir and everyone was eager to meet the new addition to the Brixton title. 

As the time wore on, Gigi noticed a common thread in each meeting. The noble couple would greet Gigi with pleasant nods and inquisitive gazes, the daughters with scrutinizing looks and the sons with charming smiles and flirty eyes. Each time the sight sent a small blush through Gigi's cheeks and a fluttering feeling in her stomach.

But there was one exception.

A couple in their forties, approached, as the current acquaintances were departing. Alongside them was a young man only a year or two older than Gigi. He had light blonde hair, a pale, narrow, but attractive face and blue eyes the same hue as the early morning sky. He wore his finely tailored suit with a careless air.

Gigi sensed her grandparents brighten at the couple. Lady Brixton beamed and reached out for the woman. Like the young man, the woman shared the same pale hair and face.

"Selena," Lady Brixton said, taking the woman's hands.

Lord Brixton greeted the man with a firm shake of the hand and a murmur of their name. Gigi looked at the blue eyed young man. The corner of his mouth turned up in a half smile, but the flirty look, she had grown used to, was nowhere to be seen. Before his parents could do the honors, he held out his hand. Gigi placed hers in it.

"Davin," he said.

"Genevieve," she answered.

He made a loose, half bow over Gigi's hand. When he rose, he let go of her hand and tucked his into his pockets. The act was so causal it surprised Gigi. Her mind jumped to Huck for half a second, picturing him with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his torn trousers. As fast as the thought came it vanished, her surroundings pulling her back.

"Genevieve," Davin said, his voice even, almost bored. "I understand you are my distant cousin. One I was not aware I had."

Gigi's eyebrows shot up.

"Nor was I aware of you," she said.

Davin gave her a real smile then, the look somehow lazy. Her grandparents talked on with Davin's parents, but glanced at the two of them. Davin seemed to find meaning in the glance that escaped Gigi. With little ceremony, he offered his arm to her.

"Care for a tour?" he asked. On anyone else his words might have been playful, but in his simple tones, the question was matter of fact.

"I would," she said.

She linked one hand through his arm. With her grandparents and his parents watching, he guided her away. They wove their way through the maze of people. Murmurs followed in their wake and Gigi felt the weight of their eyes. Smiles from the young men she had met, lingered with her after she passed them.

The music played on, pulling more couples into its romantic rhythms. Large archways, with open doors led to the balcony overlooking the gardens. Down a hallway the fragrant odors of food wafted, as servants rushed to prepare for the late night feast.

As they carved a path through the ever changing mass of color, laughter and gossip, Davin offered personal comments about this or that such person. He did it in a manner that Gigi found most intriguing, for his tone was indifferent, as if the information he gave her was of no consequence. Throughout it all, Gigi stole glances at the Prince when he was in her sights. From what she could see, his manner was always formal and reserved.

When they had made a full revolution of the ballroom, Davin guided her up the stairs and to the balcony that overlooked the room. Gigi unhooked her arm and peered over the smooth railing. Below her was a kaleidoscope of color as the men and women seemed to constantly be moving and spinning. Without her notice, Davin studied her, a vague look of interest brightening his usually quiet blue eyes.

"Tell me," he said, pulling Gigi's attention away from the sea of color. "What should I know about my new relation?"

He leaned one elbow on the railing, looking as if with very little help he could fall asleep against it. Gigi twisted to him, finding his eyes unintrusive and trustworthy.

"There is not much to say," she said. "I have lived my life abroad. Away from the life of court."

Davin gave a vague nod, his focus drifting off to the world past the banister. "Then I envy you."

The words were stated as fact, no hint of his actual envy present. Gigi was surprised by the statement, not able to imagine anyone would want to be raised any other way. When her silence held, Davin looked over. A wry curve came to the edge of his lips.

"Think nothing of it. I am the donkey among the stallions and mares of this world. Not bred for this life."

"But you know so much," she asked, still mulling over his declaration.

He gave a half shrug. "I might not care for the goings on of court but that does not mean I'm ignorant of them."

"You truly do not like court?" she asked, trying to grasp this concept.

"No, my preference for entertainment lies elsewhere."

Gigi looked at him, trying to puzzle out the man before her. Her study was cut off with the sound of someone approaching. Davin's eyes traveled over Gigi's shoulder. Though there was no change in his posture, a lightness seemed to come over him. Gigi turned around to find a beautiful girl, her own age, with porcelain skin, rich blonde hair and eyes the color of ocean, walking towards them. A soft smile slipped onto her red lips, as she neared and noticed Davin.

"I half expected to find you in the library, buried in a book," she said, her voice like the wind rustling the grass.

Davin straightened as she stopped beside them. His lips twitched at an echo of her teasing smile.

"It's shocking, I know," he said.

"I nearly fainted at the sight of you."

A hint of color played around the collar of Davin's shirt. "I was showing Genevieve here, around." He pivoted to Gigi. "Lady Everly, this is Lady Genevieve."

The girl turned to Gigi, her smile shifting to something that surprised Gigi. Neither was it calculating or inquisitive, like she had received from the girls she had met that night, but a blend of sweet and friendly.

"It's a pleasure," she said, a true warmth in her words.

"Likewise," Gigi said.

Davin dropped his hands into his pockets, which Gigi began to wonder if it was his normal state of being.

"The Cashore estate boarders my family's," Davin said. "They own one of the largest libraries. Second only to the palace's itself."

"A fact, Davin has made much use of," Everly said.

Gigi glanced between the two of them, settling into the easy way of their friendship. Smiles and looks darted between them with an ease that spoke of years of it happening. Gigi was wrapped into their talk, Everly not sharing Davin's out look on court but knowing information equal to his. In their presence, Gigi found herself relaxing, her smile softening into something more genuine.

Their conversation was brought to an end when the servant, at the top of the stairs, announced that dinner was served. At the announce, Everly looked down into the ballroom, the laughter that had brightened her face dimming ever so slightly. She gathered the front of her dress in her hands and took a step back.

"I must go," she said.

Davin seemed to understand something Gigi didn't, because he gave a quiet nod, his smile lacking the lightness of moments before.

"Perhaps you will dance with me once before hiding away," Everly said.

"I will indeed," he said.

They looked at each other for a half a second longer. "I should not keep his Highness waiting."

"No, you shouldn't."

She glided away as if walking on air. Davin watched her go, with more of his emotions in his expression than he even knew. Struggling to hold in her confused frown, Gigi shifted her gaze from the retreating figure of Everly to Davin.

"What did she mean, not keep his Highness waiting?" she asked.

Davin looked at her, his face changing into an expression of indifference.

"Simply that it's been rumored," he said, his tone controlled, "that Lady Everly and Prince Thayer are engaged."

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Monster rocks!

Thayer is engaged! What?!? Oh this is shocking and devastating! Be honest, did you see that coming?

What are you thinking so far about the new characters, Davin and Everly?

Vote, comment, follow.

(Yeah, my brain pooped out and couldn't come up with something inventive. Why is 'pooped out' even a phrase?! It's so weird!)

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