THE Knight's Hidden Princess
Chapter 111: Surrender

Chapter 111: Surrender

All eyes were on us immediately Reagan and I entered the great dining hall. It didn’t help exactly that I strolled in hand in hands into the dining hall and then everyone had to stand as soon as we entered. I tried to go find my seat which was at the last end of the table but Reagan pulled a seat for me right beside him at the head of the table. This was a bold move, one that didn’t go unnoticed with his family and with the people lords of the court that had gathered for this dinner party.

I had maintained an air of indifference as I lowered myself down to my seat, but on the inside I was shaking and starting to get anxious. I love the attention I get when I am in the room but only when I am in total control of my own move and seem to know what’s going on.

But here, I didn’t want any of the attention, I didn’t like it one bit. In fact I was starting to feel less confident than I was few minutes ago. I could feel their eyes on me, every single one of them swimming with questions as to why the lord of the house was acting this way. They were all silently asking questions that even I wanted to know.

I reached for the grape right next to me silently munching on it when I suddenly felt eyes on me, but this one felt different. My skin prickled with the sensation and I looked up just to see Marina glaring at me. I stared back at her already knowing she wouldn’t be an easy one.

I could take on all the court people staring at me, the servants whispering and all of that but Marina. Oh she was going to be the most difficult one, for some reason she hates my gut! It was far from just the whole mother in law petty drama. This hatred ran deep, it was personal.

My gaze rose to find Reagan who was busy talking to Nikolai in hushed whispers. If I looked closely I could still see the angry faint red lines from where she slapped him. Reagan never told me but I pieced it together. She had demanded they have a talk in her room, a mother to son talk which I have no doubt was about me and it was obvious it didn’t end to well.

For some reason that made me really angry! If it had been anyone else, I would have grabbed my sword and drive it straight into their throat for daring to lay hands on him. But this was his mother, so I can’t really do much except avoid her gazes.

I decided to allow myself to enjoy the rest of the party. Light music flowed from the background and then lively chattered followed with few murmurs of congratulations. The drinks flowed in endlessly and just like that I was forgotten temporarily, they were more focused on hearing about Reagan’s conquest. If we would be going to war soon and what kingdom he would be conquering next.

Of course things like war would seem entertaining to them when they hide in the comfort of their home while Reagan and the rest of the troops actually go into battle! I thought to myself as I stared at a lady who wanted to hear tales of Reagan killed the rebels who troubled us.

It was moment like this that I wished I could have a drink but I guess I will have to settle for this instead! I thought to myself as I reached for my golden liquid in a flute, an apple drink.

"So is it really true you followed your husband into battle?"

I turned next to me to see a woman holding a wine drink in her hand. She looked to be around my age but the heavy makeup she wore on her face made it seem as if she was older than her age. There was a slight tilt to her mouth, her grey eyes shining with curiosity but there was also something else there.

I downed what remained of my apple drink, allowing the crisp sweetness to settle on my tongue before I decided to answer. "It would appear so."

Her red painted lips tilted higher into a smile, "How fascinating." She says, casually reaching for a champagne drink that was being served by a servant. "I can’t imagine a woman in that kind of scenario, with all the dirt and improper facilities. I have to say it’s really something, especially in your condition." She finished her gaze dropping to my stomach.

I hummed in response, "Well I guess I couldn’t just bear the thought of my husband in danger just didn’t sit right with me."

"I wonder what kind of danger your husband would be in for you to run out of this and stay in the woods for days." She muttered as she sipped her drink, "I mean you do know your husband isn’t the bravest knight in the kingdom?"

"Yeah, but sometimes even the bravest do fall and they need someone to get them back on their feet when it happens."

The woman smiled again, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Oh, how noble."

"That it is, lady_"

"Ivana!" She said with a smile.

"Hmm." I responded before I poured myself another drink, "So what about you Lady Ivana? Would you have done the same if your husband was out there?"

Lady Ivana snorted, "Oh goodness no and besides I do not have to worry about my husband in such a precarious situation."

"And who is your husband?" I asked her.

Smiling, Lady Ivana turned to look at the man sitting across the table from her who was busy laughing with the rest of the lords. Immediately I saw who it was, my stomach dropped at the familiar face in front of me.

"Lord Skarde!" I breathed out.

Lady Ivana hummed, "So I guess in a way, we are family after all." She stated and continued to take her drink.

I turned to look back at Ivana. If we ignored the heavy makeup, the puffy dress that looked like it would belong on some old wife rather than on a twenty something year old, she would be a very beautiful woman. Her heart shape face were delicate beneath all that paint, high cheekbones and pretty naturally full lips, she was gorgeous. But there was something else about her, something sharp and calculating.

I heaved out a sigh before I turned to back to look forward. "Family is a bit of a stretch, don’t you think?" I informed her gently although there was a certain firmness to my tone.

She was associated with Lord Skarde, an enemy of mine. Someone I didn’t like but then it also didn’t help that he is related to Reagan my husband. Now they may be okay with each other but that doesn’t mean that I have to like him and that includes anyone associated with him.

Ivana could tell our conversation was over because she chuckled and went on to go and have a talk with an older woman beside her. I continued to take my drink while eating things that I craved for. Though the chocolate cake seemed to be what I craved the most because I couldn’t get enough of it.

Reagan seemed to notice what I liked because each time I finish off a plate, it was replaced instantly by a servant. I glanced at Reagan catching the smile playing at the corner of his lips and that made warmth pool in my chest.

I scooped another bite of my rich chocolate cake onto my fork, enjoying the decadent sweetness as it melted on my tongue when suddenly, Reagan cleared his throat.

A heavy silence descended on the room as Reagan stood up to speak, "First of all, I would like to thank each and every one of you for honoring my invitation and to my men_" He said turning to look at Nikolai and few of his men who were gathered right next to him, "To the ones I ride into battles with, to the ones who continue to stand by my side through it all, I raise my glass to you all!"

"Hear, hear!" Nikolai yelled.

"Hear, hear!" The rest of us chorused raising our glass in unison and I smiled when Nikolai shot me a wink.

Reagan continued, "But there is one person I will like to honor tonight, the one person that continues to surprise me and to who I will not be here if not for her_"

Oh no! I thought to myself as a huge murmur went round the room and all eyes fell on me, this wasn’t going to end well!

"She’s the one person who has my heart and now, now she has my life too and the only one who can end it if she so chooses!" Reagan’s gaze fell on me as he spoke the words and I could feel my heart beating fast in my chest, "She is the fiercest and most stubborn woman I’ve ever met and though I thought I could fight her on it but I’m tired of fighting and right now, all I want is to surrender!" He said then unsheathed his sword before presenting it to me, "Do you accept it Dahlia?"