HIS EYES

Everything happened so fast that she couldn't comprehend it. It was just in a blink of an eye. The suddenness of her fall and his swift movement made her heart race, but the protective embrace brought a strange sense of comfort. 

Gabriella became utterly still as he held her in that position, her body still pressed against his. His eyes now bore deeply into her eyes and hers widening and lost in the stormy blue of his. She could see a flicker of pain flash in those eyes but it quickly vanished, replaced by a softness that made her heart flutter. 

His gaze seemed piercing straight to the core of her being as if he was searching for answers in the depths of her soul.

That eyes.

"Are you alright?" Darkon's voice suddenly billowed into her ears putting her back on track. 

Gabriella weakly nodded before he gently helped her into a steady stance. "I...I am sorry." She apologized. "I didn't mean to..." 

"It's okay. Nobody is above mistake. We are all human beings after all." Darkon cut in. He saw her look away, her cheeks flustering red from embarrassment. His expression unconsciously softened before he shook it off and quickly turned serious.

Gabriella's breath grew shallow, and she found herself paralyzed with an inexplicable sense of dread.

She always felt that way whenever someone talked about the loss of their loved ones. She couldn't help the feeling. It was as if it was those people she and her father had killed their families at battles. Their cries, the agonies her father enjoyed. Those times she would see her sword desperately wrecking their hearts and blood fiercely dropping from her sword. 

She inhaled deeply to calm the beating of her heart, it was then it came to her full senses that all eyes were now on her. All eyes had seen the princess fall.

Vanessa and her mother were obviously happy about it. Vanessa had stopped dancing now, approaching them, making her feel more embarrassed at the whole situation.

Seeing her fall in such a manner. What would these prestigious people think?

"Sister dear, are you alright?" Vanessa acted touched while the mocking expression clung to her face. "How could you not be mindful of your actions and consequences even in a party like this? It isn't a good impression showing them how clumsy you are now." She spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. 

"This has nothing to do with any clumsiness, Vanessa." Gabriella couldn't help but retort, fighting hard to control her anger.

"There is nothing to be angry about dear Princess Gabriella. I didn't see anything offensive with what my daughter said. Are you also having anger issues now too? Goodness, how do you think you can rule with these attitudes?" Alexia was at it again, her statement bringing whispers and murmurs that filled the room.

Gabriella couldn't make out what they said but the atmosphere wasn't good at all.

"Stop it, Alexia. What happened now has nothing to do with the impression you're trying to make. Do not bother creating an unreasonable scene." The Queen Mother defended.

"I'm not creating an unreasonable scene, Queen Mother. I'm just concerned about her. She had been acting in that manner currently, spacing out when important matters are discussed. Weren't you there at the table earlier? I'm not sure this will bring any good for anyone." Alexia said.

The murmurs rose again and Gabriella couldn't help but stare around. For the first time in her life, she was short of words, not knowing how to defend herself. What really happened to her now? What happened to her boldness?

In the process of looking around, her gaze fell on the King and the Marquess who stood silently watching. They had joined the party when she was not aware and became visible in this situation.

"Father," She bowed as the King came closer.

"It seems you have been stressed out lately. You can go and take a rest now." The King said.

Gabriella glanced at Darkon. He was calm, having no expression on his face. She wanted to worry about what he would think about her, but quickly shook the thought off.

It matter anyway. This kind of happiness wasn't meant for her. If it was, this strange thing wouldn't have happened to her now.

"I hope you enjoy your stay here, Lord Darkon. See you later," Gabriella bowed and turned, leaving in a hurry without waiting for his response. Neither did she care about what his expression would be.

The Queen Mother and every other person in the hall was left dumbfounded. 

Once Gabriella returned to her room, she threw herself on her bed, still feeling the flush of embarrassment all over her body. She clasped her hand on her face, feeling the burning of her cheeks on her palm. 

With her palms on her face, something clouded her senses. It was his scent.

She couldn't figure out exactly what he smelled of, it stuck on her palms where he had held her. She couldn't help it, it was not just on her palm but on her body too, where his body had held hers, stopping her from falling.

For the first time in her whole life, she felt saved and not she saving instead. 

Absently, Gabriella stared at her hand also remembering how his eyes bore into hers. Those eyes. Why the strange feeling that came with looking into those eyes? Again, her stomach flustered.

A knock came at the door and Priscilla pulled the door open. "My princess, how did go?" Priscilla asked hastening close.

"It was good at the beginning, but I couldn't help but freak out at some point."

A gleaming smile appeared on Priscilla's face. "As long as Alexia and Princess Vanessa were there, I'm sure it would be that way."

Gabriella wanted to tell her it was not just about Alexia and Vanessa, it was because father whose greedy interest now haunted her life. She sighed and changed the topic. 

"Help me get off this." She pointed at her dress. 

"But my Princess, the party is not yet over."

"I don't want to return to that party. I just want to get out of the dress, to feel free, please."

Noticing the urgency in her voice, Priscilla quickly hurried, helping her out of the dress.

"I'm glad you met the Marquess's son again. Didn't I tell you he would be a very handsome man?" Priscilla said in an attempt to make her get rid of her anger. "He is tall and has long glinting black hair. The way he walks... Goodness gracious! He has grown into a very charming man!" She began to untie her belt.

"Where you watching us?" Gabriella felt her heart skip at the question, strengthening herself to let Priscilla take the sleeve down. 

"No... Yes. I... had to take a peek at him in the dining." She admitted, pulling the dress lower.

Gabriella raised her leg, stepping out of the dress. "And after the dinning?"

Priscilla stuttered. "I saw you... Take him to the party hall." She began to fold the dress.

Putting it in the dresser, she hurried and got something more free and simple.

"And after that?" Gabriella asked immediately she returned with the dress as if to know the number of people that saw her fall, or possibly find out their thoughts.

"No–nothing else. Yes, I saw you begin to dance with him. Of course, that's how I knew you danced with him. But I didn't wait till the end... I went to the kitchen to help the other maids wash the dishes." She began to help her into the dress.

Gabriella sighed. 

"Is there an issue with you and Lord Dario?" Curiously she watched the princess stare at herself in the mirror on her new dress. She helped her remove the pins on her hair as it fell into waves. 

Gabriella began to comb out her hair with her fingers not wanting to lose the curls. Her hair was the type to easily loose curls, however in some mornings she would wake to see it curled on its own. "Darkon. He is now called Darkon."

"Darkon?" Priscilla blinked and drew closer as if she didn't hear her well.

"According to him, he changed his name when his mother died. A way to forget her memory."

Priscilla's face began to cloud in sadness. "It must have been a very tough time for him at that time."

Gabriella now turned away from the mirror, her silky strands cascading down her shoulder, making her appear loving with her expression that gave way to anxiety now.

"He acts so different now."

"I noticed that too. He is now a strong man."

"It's not just about his strength as a man. It is...I can't figure out exactly, but he acts so cold now."

"That was before he went into the army remember? The attitude of most men changes when they go into the army. I can still remember when my brother went into the army, he was one dull boy. But after his years of training, when he visited us before going fully into service, he was one we couldn't help but fear." 

"You think the military changed his attitude?" 

"There is a high chance of it happening to him. One's attitude is mainly cultured by his environment. Especially the military makes one fierce. Don't worry, my Princess, you will get along with him again in the future like you did before. All you need to do is be patient. And most of all, spend more time with him."

Spend more time with him? Would that be possible? She didn't even know how long they would stay in the castle. This made her think even more. 

Just then, they were distracted by the sound of approaching footsteps. She knew those footsteps. It would be no other than Vanessa.

She waited patiently for her to give her whatever she wanted if she came for it. Quickly Gabriella opened the door and as expected, Vanessa stood there with lips parted. Gabriella knew she was provoked, ready to tear her into shreds if she got the chance to.

Gabriella ordered her maid to leave the room and then she faced Vanessa.