Doubtful

With heavy steps, she followed Lund into the palace's ballroom along with Gaelin. Who didn't seem pleased or displeased with what was happening? His expressions didn't betray his thoughts. They didn't cross anything. A cold shiver ran down her spine, pooling in her stomach. That was never a good sign.

" We are husband and wife now and soon King and Queen of this realm!" Gaelin broke the silence wearing the same irritating smile.

Iris didn't reply. She hadn't asked for any of this. She wasn't interested in queenship or in ruling anyone. All she wanted was Ian at her side and to live the life they had dreamt of since they'd been dragged into this mess.

" We are so pleased to have you back, Your Grace!" a woman beamed behind her.

Dark hair, eyes, and fair skin looked like Gaelin—his mother.

Iris forced herself to smile and nodded.

" Khiah! " Gaelin waved his hand towards his mother. "This is my mother, Lady Liesse" Gaelin paused for a moment and turned to the man next to his mother " And this my father, Lord Rhyne" he finished his introductions, and for the first time, his eyes betrayed a glint of tenderness.

His father bowed " Indeed, we are very pleased with your safe return, Your Grace! I hope that your union with our beloved son will be the start of a new life for you!" he said with the same tactful smile on his lips. And now, she knew who Gaelin had learnt it from.

Iris bowed " Thank you for your kind words!" she politely said with the same discreet smile.

If you can't beat them, join them! She thought.

The floor cleared, eclectic music echoed in the large ballroom, and Gaelin took her hand and bowed to his parents.

" We will be back! It is time for our first dance as husband and wife," Gaelin said to his parents, and they both smiled at him.

" I'm sure people are hungry! Let's not keep them waiting any longer! I'll introduce you to the more prominent guests throughout the celebration! I'm sure that they are eager to meet with you!" Gaelin was smooth with his words. Now, she was apprehensive about what was hiding behind that mask of tactful smiles and measured words.

Iris nodded and hummed and took the hand that he was offering. Gaellin pulled her closer to him. Her chin rested on his shoulder. At least she didn't have to look at him for the rest of the dance.

" Follow my lead!" Gaelin whispered in her ear.

Iris closed her eyes as they began to sway to the music. Her thoughts drifted at the night when she and Ian shared their first dance. Her dance with Gaelin felt nothing like it. She didn't open her eyes. Instead, she relived that dance and how they both swayed in their bedchamber. Ian looked at her with adoring eyes, and all his passion for her radiated from him. His love was tangible. She could feel it in his touch and how he spoke to her. A tear streaked her cheek, and she placed her face on Gaelin's shoulder to hide it.

The music slowly faded, and Gaelin stopped and rubbed her back. He sighed " The dance is over, Khiah! Food will be served soon! I'm sure you are hungry!" he slowly peeled her off him.

Iris nodded and followed him to his parents, who looked awestruck at them.

" You two look gorgeous together!" Gaelin's mother beamed, clasping her hands together, lovingly peering at them with her brown eyes.

" I couldn't agree more!" his father took her hand. They seemed lovely people, and she hoped she was wrong about Gaelin.

" You should eat something!" Gaelin appeared with a plate of food next to her.

Iris smiled " Thank you!" she said, taking the plate of food. It was nothing like she had eaten thus far. Grilled meats and green vegetables dripped with the most delicious sauce she had ever tasted. She quickly found herself looking at an empty plate.

" Oh, my dear! It looks like you need some more food! " his mother lovingly said " Gaelin!" she called her son, and the man turned with a questioning expression. He was speaking with another man from the Elden Council.

" Could you get your beloved wife another plate of food?" his mother politely asked with a warm smile.

" Of course, mother!" Gaelin smiled and took the plate out of her hand, sashaying his way towards the buffet table.

Seeing the exchange between Gaelin and his parents made her doubt her judgement. Was she wrong about him? Maybe he was a good person! His parents seemed very decent people.

" I added some more sauce since you seemed to like it!" Gaelin said as he pushed the plate of food in front of her.

" Come dear! You should sit down!" his mother placed her hand on her shoulder and pushed him to the nearest table.

" You look exhausted! I cannot imagine the horrors you've lived through!" Gaelin's mother sympathised with a genuine smile.

Iris smiled " I had help! I had a good man at my side who helped me through it!" she threw a bait to see what would happen.

Lady Lisse fell silent for a moment and frowned " Yes! Your father has told us about the man you had a child with! But don't worry. He can't get to you here! You're safe!" Lady Lisse patted her on the leg and straightened her skirt, looking troubled at her words.

Iris had more questions, but she knew if she asked more, it would make them suspicious of her. She didn't want that. She wanted information about the realm. And she had reasoned if she kicked and screamed, she would probably end up locked somewhere and wouldn't see the light for the rest of her days.

" Thank you for your kind words, Lady Lisse!" she forcefully smiled and continued eating her food.

" This a chance for you to start a new life. And you should be thankful. Not many get that chance. We are happy that you have returned safe and your father is too. Our beloved King has spent a lot of time searching for you. I haven't seen him be this happy since the day you were born!" Gaelin's father added with a diplomatic smile. That fricking smile again.

Gaelin approached them at his side a woman with the same hair colour as his.

" Khiah! This my sister, Lady Ilya!" Gaelin introduced his sister, and the girl bowed—all smiles and giddy.

" I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Grace finally!" she politely said and smiled, regaining her composure. She was relatively easy to read as opposed to her brother.

" The pleasure is all mine !" Iris stood and bowed in return as curly as she could. Her mood had somewhat improved, and she felt a little better. The celebration was an excellent distraction to take her mind off things.

" Please take a seat! Join us !" Iris waved to an empty chair in front of her, and Gaelin pulled the chair, for his sister to take a seat.

Gaelin's mother stood up and sat next to her daughter leaving the chair beside her empty.

" You should sit with your beloved, dear!" the mother encouraged, and Gaelin nodded.

The servants walked around with plates of food and various dishes to satisfy everyone's palate. Slowly food piled up on the table, and everyone began eating. It was very informal, so everything was done in a rush—a last moment decision.

" Now that we are family!" Ilya paused for a moment and looked at her parents " I was wondering if I could call you sister! It's always had been Gaelin and me, and I always wanted a sister, but mother can't have any more children!" Ilya said with a pout.

She looked young if she would have to guess, maybe fifteen of age.

Iris smiled " Of course! I never had siblings myself! " Iris briefly replied with a polite smile.

" That's amazing!' Ilya beamed " I can't wait !" she beamed again, all smiles and sparkles.

Lady Liesse let out a heartfelt sigh " This warms my heart to see you all like this together! I still can't believe that this I happening!" she teared up and sniffled.

Iris cleared her throat and looked at Lund, that was busy talking to one of the members of the Elden Council. The conversation seemed to be heated as hands moved a lot, and Lund seemed displeased.

" Yes, mother! It is wonderful, isn't it !"Ilya beamed " Brother is finally settled down! Now it's my turn!" she excitedly said and looked around the ballroom.

" Do you have someone in mind?" Iris found herself asking the question. She was surprised at herself. Her eyes were on Lund. She wasn't listening to what they were speaking of at the table.

" Yes!" Ilya beamed again and looked around the ballroom, and stared at a man. The High Guard commander. His solid build reminded her of Dakran. Whatever happened to him and the others? Edyia, Rom and Maya.

" Dear!" Lady Liesse paused " You already know that the High commander is betrothed to Lady Petra!" Lady Liesse took Ilya's hand in hers and bitterly smiled.

Ilya's gaze went downcast, and she nodded in defeat. She took a deep breath and let it out forcibly, making her lips flap.

" Ilya! That is not how you act in front of our future Queen!" Lady Liesse admonished, and the girl turned small in her chair.

" I'm sorry, mother!" the girl gave Lady Liesse a sheepish look.

" Let it be, mother! Khiah has seen worse! I'm sure she won't take offence!" Gealin looked at her. He seemed to want to add more but held his tongue.

" Gaelin is right, Lady Liesse! I won't take offence!" Iris smiled at Ilya, and the girl straightened herself up.

Lady Liesse clasped her hand and looked doe-eyed at her and Gaelin " You two are perfect for each other!" she beamed and let out a content sigh.