Chapter Thirty-Five - The Banquet

The grand banquet hall of the palace was adorned with opulent decorations, the air filled with the tantalizing aroma of exquisite dishes prepared by the finest chefs in the kingdom. Nobles and dignitaries from far and wide mingled amidst the glittering chandeliers and sumptuous furnishings, their laughter and conversation filling the room with an air of festivity.

Amelia and Alister entered the hall arm in arm, their eyes alight with excitement as they surveyed the lavish surroundings. Alister's hand rested possessively on Amelia's waist, a silent declaration of their bond amidst the swirling sea of nobility.

As they made their way to their seats at the grand table, they were intercepted by the crown prince, his charming smile lighting up his handsome features.

"Ah, Duchess Amelia," he greeted her with a bow, his gaze lingering on her with unmistakable admiration. "Would you do me the honor of sharing a dance with me?"

Amelia felt a flutter of nerves at the crown prince's request, but before she could respond, Alister stepped forward, his expression tight with barely concealed jealousy.

"I'm afraid my wife is already spoken for," he interjected, his voice laced with a hint of possessiveness. "Perhaps another time, Your Highness."

The crown prince's smile faltered slightly at Alister's intervention, but he quickly recovered, his easygoing demeanor returning as he nodded in understanding.

"Of course, Duke Alister," he said, his tone polite but tinged with a hint of disappointment. "I look forward to our dance later."

With a final nod, the crown prince melted back into the crowd, leaving Amelia and Alister alone once more. As they took their seats at the table, a palpable tension hung in the air between them, the unspoken conflict simmering just beneath the surface.

Alister's jaw clenched with barely suppressed frustration as he watched the crown prince mingle with the other guests, his eyes never straying far from Amelia's form.

"Are you alright, Alister?" Amelia asked, her voice soft with concern as she reached out to touch his arm. "You seem tense."

Alister forced a smile, his features softening as he met her gaze. "I'm fine, my dear," he replied, his voice strained. "Just not fond of sharing you with others, that's all."

Amelia's heart twinged with guilt at the pain evident in Alister's eyes, her own insecurities rising to the surface. She knew she had to reassure him, to let him know that he was the only one who held her heart.

Leaning in close, she whispered, "You're the only one I want, Alister. Always."

Alister's expression softened at her words, his tension easing as he pulled her into a tender embrace. "And you're the only one I want, Amelia," he murmured against her ear, his voice filled with quiet conviction.

As the evening wore on, the tension between them gradually eased, replaced by a sense of unity and camaraderie. They laughed and joked together, their bond stronger than ever in the face of adversity.

And when the time came for the second dance, Alister whisked Amelia away without hesitation, his eyes shining with love and devotion as they moved together in perfect harmony.

In that moment, amidst the swirling melodies and twinkling lights of the grand banquet hall, they knew that nothing could ever come between them. For they were bound by a love that was as timeless and enduring as the stars themselves.