Thomas nodded slightly and took her offered hand. “I… If you can handle it, then so can I.” he answered, remembering how her husband had stared at her when they had been waiting for the delegates to arrive. And knowing what he did now, he would not be surprised if Sirus had also stared briefly.
Eleanor nodded firmly. "I can handle it," she stated, not sure who she was trying to convince more: herself or Thomas.
"We should be going then," she reluctantly murmured. "Wouldn't want to be late, now would we?" She looked up at him and held up her hand to slip through his arm when he offered it.
Thomas smiled at her words and nodded. “No… We don't want to be late.” he agreed, predictably offering his arm before walking with her. “Just remember that I'm there for you.” he whispered as the door opened.
Eleanor clung to his arm as she walked. "I know," she whispered back, smiling to herself as they walked. The trip to the dining room never felt so short before.
Thomas smiled softly at her but the expression faded quickly once they were someone could see them. But he would agree that the walk was regrettably short.
Once they arrived, he bowed respectfully to Eleanor and all the guests, though he didn't look at any of them, before taking his post.
Eleanor took a shallow breath as she entered the dining hall, accepting Thomas' bow and striding to her seat. Much to her delight, she discovered Irene was in the seat next to her. Much to her disdain, Sirus was seated across from her. It took all her self-control not to snap at him off the bat. Instead, she smoothed her skirt as she sank into her chair. She found it odd no one was speaking, so she lifted her eyes to look around the table. She immediately realized why.
Oh, stars. Everyone was staring at her. More specifically, at her dress. More specifically, at the skin it revealed.
A glance at Marcellus proved to be needless. She knew what his reaction would be already. He was ogling far beyond what was necessary. It was all Eleanor could do to keep from rolling her eyes.
Suddenly, there was a small scuffle heard only a seat or two further down the table. Eleanor glanced over to see Lionel rubbing his side and the woman beside him, Queen Génévieve, glaring at her. It took Eleanor a few seconds to realize what had happened. The other monarch had been staring at her for too long, and his wife was now pissed.
Eleanor reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear just as Irene leaned over to whisper in her ear, "Well done." A shy smile grew on her lips, and she looked over to meet Irene's grey eyes. There was a new sparkle of mischief in them. On Irene's other side, her consort Julian was subtly inching himself forward to look as well. Eleanor sat back a bit, completely surprised by the reaction she'd gotten. But then her eyes lifted again to look at Sirus.
The man was studying her intently with his eyes narrowed and a subtle smirk tugging at his mouth. His gaze was intense, but Eleanor met it wordlessly and all but glared at him. It was a bit of a risk since the visit was diplomatic and they were all under a banner of peace. But what he'd done to her in the gardens couldn't be overlooked. She despised him. Her internal anger flared as red as her gown.
So much so that the woman on her right side took notice and frowned. She lightly touched Eleanor's elbow to get her attention, inclined her head ever so slightly toward Sirus, and arched an eyebrow.
Eleanor realized she'd never told Irene what had happened in the gardens. But now was certainly not the time. Eleanor shifted to sit up straighter in her seat and offered a barely perceivable nod. Later.
Irene was satisfied and widened her gaze to the king at the head of the table. "Marcellus," she said, her clear voice striking through the otherwise silent room. "You are ever a gracious host. What say we start the feast? I'm sure it will be delectable."
Thomas was likewise relieved to see Queen Irene sitting beside Eleanor and equally irked by even just the presence of Sirus. Hopefully having a friend so near her would help Eleanor be strong.
Though he tried not to blush or clench his fists when everyone stared at his Queen. King Marcellus was somewhat excusable since they were married despite his treatment of her. King Lionel was something of a surprise, but Thomas found it somewhat funny that Queen Génévieve had to remind her husband that she was also present… Hopefully, Eleanor’s dress hadn't made an enemy of the third Queen at the table.
Sirus… the image of having the snake’s eyes gouged out briefly crossed his mind, which was something of a shock. Was he really that… protective of Eleanor? That hateful against Sirus? Thomas wasn't sure and that alone made him nervous. Nervous enough to the point where he barely noticed the subtle interactions between Queen Irene and Eleanor. Though the Queen’s little speech helped bring him out of his mind and refocus on his job.
Marcellus jerked to attention at Irene's words and nodded as though just realizing his duty to begin the dinner. "Yes. Let us feast in honor of our mutual alliances with each other and to the ending of the thrice-crowned queen's imperial campaign. May we see the kings and queens restored who have fallen."
A round of agreement sounded from around the table as the food was brought out.
Eleanor pursed her lips slightly and didn't speak much during dinner. She ate politely and shared a few more words with Queen Irene. Her personal silence was enjoyable until a devious voice cut through the air like a whip as it spoke her name.
"Queen Eleanor," Sirus said, eyeing her and sending all other quiet conversations into silence. "I have to ask… what compelled you to wear such a lovely dress to our dinner?"
The question stilled her, and she did her best to keep her face impassive. Though judging by Sirus's expression, she was failing at that.
Eleanor pressed her lips into a thin smile. "I thought my dear husband should like me to look as complimentary as possible," she answered shortly.
Sirus's eyes narrowed further. "But shouldn't such a revealing garment be saved for only a husband's eyes?" he asked slyly, attempting to trick her into a condemning answer.
"Surely, Queen Eleanor wanted to impress us with her beauty," Irene chimed in, sensing Eleanor's hatred towards the man. "And she has certainly done so, would you not all agree?"
Génévieve quickly turned her head to glare at Lionel, who was suddenly transfixed by his wine goblet.
Sirus narrowed his eyes but respectfully dipped his head. "Of course, Queen Irene," he cooed, returning to his food instead of pressing further.
Thomas watched the dinner in silence with the other guards standing around. Though he didn't pay much attention to the general conversation since much of it wasn't of importance.
Though his hand clenched at his side when Sirus had to comment on Eleanor’s dress. He was proud of her deflective reply and deeply relieved when Queen Irene stepped in to help defend Eleanor and finally silenced the snake.
Eleanor was grateful for Irene’s intervention in their conversation. She was even more grateful for the change of topic, despite the awkwardness that lingered over Sirus’ pressing remarks.
Lionel cleared his throat. “Marcellus, what of Cleopatra? Might her reign soon be over?”
The other monarch gravely shook his head. “My toast was merely a hope,” he explained. “Rumors are the conquering queen will march on Reinerre before the season’s end.”
Murmurs broke out between the leaders.
Irene leaned over and whispered to Eleanor, “If that witch ever tries to take my kingdom and my crown, I’ll have her head,” she muttered.
Eleanor blinked quickly before nodding in return. “Yes…” she agreed quietly, a bit startled by Irene’s sudden violence. She cast a look at Thomas, hoping dinner would be over soon.
Thomas did catch interest when the conversation turned to the kingdom thief herself. Everyone knew her reputation and her goal, so it wasn't much of a surprise when they brought up the next suspected kingdom of her attack.
He vaguely remembered the king and queen of Reinerre from a previous visit back when he was still in training. Though he distinctly remembered how sad their daughter had seemed for the few brief minutes he had seen her.
He looked back over at Eleanor and met her gaze. Though he couldn't smile at her here. He couldn't do anything that would give them away. But he may have looked at her a little longer than he should have.
Irene noted where Eleanor's gaze led, and she quickly tapped the other queen's wrist to catch her attention. Eleanor looked over as Irene mouthed almost inaudibly, "Meet me in the library after dinner?"
The younger queen's heart began to race, but she nodded briefly.
Thankfully, the rest of the dinner didn't take too long. Irene smiled kindly at Eleanor and slipped her hand through her consort's arm. "I'll see you shortly?"
"Yes," Eleanor murmured in reply, striding towards the door and signaling Thomas to come over to her.
Thomas stiffened when he saw Queen Irene glance his way and kept his posture for the rest of the meal until Eleanor beckoned for him to approach. He so badly wanted to smile at her or ask if everything was alright but he didn't.
Eleanor hurriedly laced her arm through Thomas's and practically pulled him out of the room. Once they were in the hallway, she glanced back over her shoulder to make sure they weren't being followed before speaking quietly, "Queen Irene and I have agreed to meet briefly in the library before settling in for the night. I should like to go there before heading back to my rooms."
Thomas was surprised by her speed, though he didn't blame her for wanting to get away from Sirus quickly. “Of course.” he nodded slightly at her explanation and walked with her to the library.
"Thank you." Eleanor nodded and released a pent-up breath of frustration. It irritated her how much Sirus got to her. She wished she could be as casual as Irene in dismissing him.
“Are you alright?” he whispered once they were a fair distance away from anyone else.
"Yes," Eleanor murmured in reply, though immediately after, she went into a whispered rant. "I just can't stand Sirus. I'm sure he means to use this visit as a means to embarrass me every opportunity he gets. It's infuriating. And I can't believe how much they all stared. You saw Lionel, didn't you? It was humiliating. He wouldn't take his eyes off of me until Génévieve struck him. Even Julian was trying to look. I swear to the stars, I'll never wear this forsaken dress again."
Thomas raised a brow at the quiet ranting but nodded. “I don't blame you. I can't stand him either.” he whispered with a brief encouraging smile. “I'm sorry you were uncomfortable but, if I may, I thought it was a little funny that King Lionel had to be reminded that he was with his wife.” he admitted. “And I wouldn't worry about Julian. Queen Irene will most likely deal with him later.”
Eleanor couldn't help it as she raised her eyebrows. "You thought it was funny?" she asked, more confused than anything. After a moment, she shook her head with a wry smile. "I suppose it was a little bit funny. But he shouldn't have been staring."
“Yes, a little.” he nodded. “Though I agree they should not have stared at you like that. But I would not blame them if they had just been admiring your beauty instead of leering like pirates.”
Eleanor exhaled through her nose swiftly as a means of agreement. She rubbed a bit of the fabric in between her thumb and forefinger. "Yes. I just hope any potential relationship I have with Génévieve isn't completely soiled now."
“Would you rather speak with her tomorrow, instead of King Lionel?” he asked. “Not only to explain but to mend any bridges.” he suggested, especially since Queen Génévieve seemed to have some influence over her husband.
Eleanor pursed her lips in thought. "I should speak to both of them," she murmured. "Though not at the same time. Perhaps it would be wise to speak with Génévieve first, then Lionel." Eleanor shook her head subtly. "I can't believe he stared at me like that with his wife right there."
“Of course, my Queen.” Thomas smiled at her decision, though he had to bite his tongue to keep from chuckling at her second comment. “Neither can I.”