The Royal Love Triangle

14: An Unexpected Connection

Gabe's POV

“Make sure you save me a dance, Tessie.”

I knew that Tessa liked Callie, but did Callie feel the same way? I looked at the two of them standing there then quickly looked at the ground. When I looked over again, I saw Queen Melissa stopping Callie from talking to Tessa. Melissa was whispering something to Callie as she brought her over to me, but I didn’t quite hear it. Callie looked up at me and smiled.

“I’m feeling a little nervous… You look extremely handsome today.” I smiled. I was going to answer her, but I was interrupted by the announcements of the King and Queen. Chandler came over and ushered us behind Marcus and Tessa. Before I knew it, we were both standing in front of the set of closed doors. I took a deep breath in.

“It is with great pleasure and honor that I present Prince Gabriel Saint-Clair and Princess Callie Bohon.”

A roar of applause broke out and I could feel Callie stiffen. I had my arm around her waist, trying to show her my support. I knew she was nervous. The gentleman at the door was waiting until I nodded for him to open the door. I held up a finger, telling him to give us a minute.

“Callie, you can do this. They are just people. Just find something in the room to focus on. Pretend that nothing else exists. Besides, you look breath taking tonight.”

I held both of her shoulders at arm’s length. She looked up at me with her big blue eyes, gave me a weak smile and nodded. I offered her my forearm and she wrapped her small hand around it. The double doors opened, and everyone gathered closely around the bottom of the stairs. Callie took a deep breath in as we walked to the bottom of the stairs. I looked over at her and saw that she had taken my advice and found something to focus on. I smiled knowing I could help. Once we reached the bottom of the stairs, I felt Callie release my arm. I looked up to try and see where she was going, but she didn’t go far. She ran right over to Tessa.

“Tessie, will you honor me with my first dance as a Princess?”

Callie beamed up at Tessa. Tessa looked around the room and then her eyes landed on me. She quickly looked back down at Callie and smiled.

“Cals, of course I will. I’d be completely honored.”

Callie grabbed Tessa’s hand, fingers intertwined, and lead her onto the dance floor. Tessa shot me a glare and a victorious smile from over Callie’s shoulder. The lights in the ball room dimmed slightly, and the music played a slow song. I watched as Tessa pulled Callie closely against her. Callie had her head resting on Tessa’s shoulder and a content smile on her face. I could feel that some people had their eyes on me. I hung my head and went to head out of the room, but someone grabbed my wrist. I jumped and turned to see who it was.

“Excuse me, your highness… I didn’t mean to scare you…. I was just wondering if you would like to dance…”

It was Clara. Her voice was quiet, which was out of character for her. She looked lovely. She had her hair in an up do and she was wearing a deep red evening gown that had a slit going up to her mid-thigh. My eyes met hers and she blushed. “I’m sorry… I was out of line. If you’ll…”

“I’d love to dance with you.”

I smiled at her. I offered her my hand and lead her out on the dance floor. The floor was still mostly empty, since everyone wanted to watch Callie, but we joined them anyway. I pulled Clara close to me and led her around the dance floor. We talked the entire time. When the song ended, there was a short applause and a few people walked up to Callie to talk to her. I looked at Clara only to realize I hadn’t let her go.

“Sorry…” I said and laughed nervously.

“Thank you. That was…” I saw her look over my shoulder then out her head down. “I… I have to go….”

She curtsied and walked away from me quickly, disappearing in the crowd. I looked over my shoulder to see Queen Melissa and my mother standing there. Melissa had her arms crossed and my mother shook her head in disapproval. I rolled my eyes and sighed. When I looked back over at them, they were both shooing me to go over and talk with Callie. I nodded and made my way through the crowd. When I finally made it to Callie, she looked up at me and smiled.

“May I have this dance?” I said with a cheeky grin.

I bowed slightly towards her and smiled. She giggled but looked over at Tessa. My eyes met Tessa’s and she sighed and crossed her arms over her chest but nodded. Callie walked over to her and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Tessa blushed slightly, but I could feel her burning holes into the back of my head. Callie made her way back over towards me and I offered her my arm.

She smiled and wrapped her small hand around my arm. I smiled. It felt right having Callie on my arm. I could feel a ton of eyes on us as I lead Callie to the dance floor. The song started and it was another slow song, I’m assuming that was my mother’s doing. I smiled as I placed my hand on her hip and the other one had hers in it. I pulled her in close to me. She rested her head on my chest. I glanced around the room and saw that there were a few other couple’s dancing. But there were a lot of people watching us. When the song ended, Callie lifted her head and smiled at me.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, if you could please turn your attention back to the stair case, Queen Melissa would like to propose a toast. Prince Gabriel and Princess Callie, could you please join her at the stairs.”

I looked at Callie and shrugged, I didn’t know they were planning a toast. Callie wrapped her hand around my forearm, and I lead us up to the stairs. Everyone was handed a glass of champagne and waited patiently for the toast.

“Dear friends, thank you all for joining us today to celebrate the return of Princess Callie.” There was a short applause before the room was quiet again. “Before dinner is served, I would like to say a few words. As all of you know, New Biblica can now properly fulfill the treaty with Newait. I just want to take a second to acknowledge what a wonderful couple Callie and Gabriel make. Don’t you all agree?” There was a roar of applause and a few people whistling and cheering. “Please join me in toasting to our future, Prince Gabriel and Princess Callie!”

“To Prince Gabriel and Princess Callie!” The crowed repeated then everyone raised their glasses and took a sip of the champagne.

Tessa was standing in the front of the crowd. She kept switching from glaring at me to gazing at Callie. The crowd began to move to the massive dining room while Queen Melissa gathered Callie and myself in a huge hug. King Franklin nodded to his wife and they headed towards the dining room. Tessa, Callie and I were the only ones left in the room. Callie looked at the ground awkwardly and I looked around trying to avoid Tessa’s gaze.

Marcus entered the room and his eyes lit up when he saw Tessa.

“Lady Tessa, may I escort you to dinner?” He bowed then offered her his arm. She smiled and blushed a little. Tessa accepted his arm without hesitation, and they headed to dinner. I looked over to Callie and her face fell. I wondered if she knew that Marcus was gay.

“Princess?” She looked up and met my gaze. I smiled at her and she returned it with a weaker smile. “Callie, may I please have the honor of escorting you to dinner?”

I dipped down and bowed in front of her as sarcastically as I could. I knew that she thought all the bowing was unnecessary. I didn’t move, but only looked up so I could see her face. A wide smile grew as she curtsied just as sarcastic back. Callie wrapped her small hand around my forearm, and we entered the dining room laughing together.