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"Maybe your father will have some allies, then," he said and immediately regretted it once he'd said the words.
Eliana frowned and peered at Kadeem. "Give him time, Kadeem," she said. "I think he'll come around to accepting this."
"I hope you're right," he replied as they reached the top of the staircase which led down to the entrance hall. Kadeem halted and looked down the stairs. He drew in a deep breath. There were a lot of people down there, he told himself.
He glanced at Eliana and she smiled at him. "Ready?"
He nodded. "Let's go."
She extended her arm to him, in that royal manner which seemed to come so naturally to her. He took her hand and they started to walk downstairs. From the reception hall on the right at the foot of the stairs, Kadeem could hear the sounds of traditional music mingling with the hubbub of voices.
Kadeem glanced at Eliana and saw that she had adopted an almost imperious expression. This was a role for which she'd practiced her entire life, he told himself. She was a natural.
In that instant, he felt incredibly proud of her. She looked every inch what she was. A regal princess who was entitled to revel in every movement, every little gesture, especially when she was in public. He'd already guessed that, given a chance, she liked to show off. Given her station in life, anything less than that wouldn't have been normal, as far as he was concerned.
Kadeem glanced down to the foot of the stairs. All eyes were on them, now. And, most significantly, the eyes of Gretchen and Azem were on them. Eliana's parents stood at the entrance to the reception hall. They were shaking the hands of arriving guests. But, now that they'd noticed the sight of their daughter descending the stairs, with her hand held firmly by the sheikh, they were frozen, staring at Eliana and Kadeem.
As they reached the bottom step, Kadeem glanced at Eliana and smiled. Her lower lip was pouted temptingly and her brows were furrowed as she peered across at her parents. It was a defiant gesture, a signal of her confidence and her comfort at being with Kadeem.
Gretchen and Azem came to them. Gretchen smiled. "Eliana. You look wonderful," she exclaimed.
"Thank you, mother," Eliana replied.
Gretchen ran her gaze down the length of Kadeem's traditional robe. "And you, Kadeem. This is quite a sight." She squinted. "You look so different."
"Wonderful is the word I think you're trying to find, mother," Eliana interjected.
Gretchen nodded. "Yes, Eliana. You're right."
Azem looked impassively at Kadeem. "Is the room to your satisfaction?" he asked.
"Very comfortable," Kadeem confirmed coldly.
Azem nodded casually. He seemed almost disinterested.
Kadeem wondered if Azem was simply determined not to recognize Kadeem in any way whatsoever. Dead set on refusing to grant Kadeem even the slightest acknowledgement.
Especially not now that Kadeem had gone to the effort of dressing in his traditional robe. Did Azem feel threatened by that? Kadeem knew that, this evening, he and Azem would be playing a game with each other. He just hoped that Azem didn't have anything planned which would spoil the proceedings. All he wanted was to get through the evening, have Eliana by his side, and make the best possible impression. Surely Azem wouldn't do anything to interfere with that, would he?
Guests were looking with great interest at Eliana and especially at Kadeem. Gretchen made a few casual introductions. And then they all made their way into the reception hall. Kadeem guessed there were around two hundred guests. That didn't bother him. He was used to grand banquets.
Tables were laid out in rows in the room. There was one long table at the far end of the room. Kadeem knew that was where he and Eliana would be sitting. As they were shown to their table, various dignitaries of Zahram came up to Eliana and Kadeem and introduced themselves. Because of this it took a long time for Eliana and Kadeem to finally make it to their table.
Once they had taken their seats, Kadeem leaned closer to Eliana. "That was quite an ordeal," he murmured casually.
"They're all just interested in you, Kadeem," she replied. "I didn't see one single disapproving look, did you?"
He sighed. "I guess not. But, I can't help feeling like the prize animal on display at some trading stop."
Eliana frowned. "It's nothing like that, Kadeem. They're just curious."
Kadeem gazed down the length of the tables. Guests were taking their places, being helped by a veritable army of servants. He saw plenty of looks pointed his way. Heads leaned close together. Kadeem couldn't help wondering what they were all saying about him.
Eliana's parents took their place alongside Eliana. And, within a short while, all the guests were settled in their seats and the doors on the far side of the hall flew open. An army of servants emerged through the open doors. They all carried trays at head height. Dishes were distributed amongst the tables. While all this was happening, the room was filled with a steady buzz of conversation.
Kadeem couldn't avoid coming to the conclusion that this kind of royal banquet was something to which these guests were quite accustomed. There was an air of casualness about the proceedings, as if this was just another invitation to attend the royal household.
But, Kadeem knew different. There was nothing routine about this evening. He glanced along at Azem. He was gazing out across the room. Azem's entire demeanor was stiff and very formal. Kadeem wondered if Azem was going to keep this up for the whole evening.
