The dining hall was alive with soft chatter and polite laughter. Guests discussed the day's sightseeing, the Italian architecture, and the delicacies of the meal. Isabella tried to focus on small talk, her fork moving absentmindedly as she listened.
Sitting beside Elijah, she found herself stealing glances at him, trying to read the calm expression on his face.
"Why… why am I sitting next to you?" she asked softly, attempting casual curiosity. "And… where is your fiancée?"
He looked at her briefly, dark eyes unreadable, and offered only a small, enigmatic smile. "You'll see," he replied smoothly. "Some introductions are best made later."
Isabella frowned slightly, shrugging internally. Later? What does that even mean?
The conversation at the table shifted as others noticed the subtle tension. A guest cleared their throat. "So… who is actually getting married?" they asked. "And why hasn't it been announced yet? Surely everyone should know by now."
"Yes, it's unusual," another added. "It feels strange not to know the bride or groom at this point."
Christian exchanged a worried glance with Lucien, but Elijah leaned forward, his presence commanding without raising his voice.
It's time you all know," he said clearly. The room went quiet. All eyes turned to him.
"I… will be getting married," he announced.
A murmur passed through the table, a mix of curiosity and surprise. Guests looked around, expecting more details.
"And… who is the bride?" someone asked hesitantly.
Elijah's gaze met Isabella's, dark and unwavering, and he spoke as if stating a fact they both shared. "She's known about it all along," he said softly, almost casually, letting the words linger. "We've been aware of this for some time."
Isabella's heart raced. Inside, her mind screamed in disbelief: I don't know anything… this can't be real… who is he talking about? But she maintained her calm, outwardly composed, hiding the storm of emotions.
Elijah, noticing her subtle tremble, shifted slightly closer under the table. His hand brushed hers, then rested gently on her thigh, careful that no one else noticed. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through her body, a mix of fear and an unfamiliar thrill.
"Isabella," he whispered softly in her ear, low and intimate, "it's real. You know it, even if you think you didn't."
She stared at him, wide-eyed and silent, trying to process his words. Is he serious? Or is this some kind of elaborate joke?
The rest of the dinner carried on, oblivious to the tension between them. And though Isabella hid her shock perfectly, she couldn't deny the pull she felt — the subtle pressure of his hand, the quiet certainty in his voice, and the realization that her life had just changed, with Elijah at the center.