Page 19 of A Heart Disguised 1

Darius found himself pausing at windows as he made his way through the castle, scanning the horizon for any sign of the approaching caravan. He attended to his morning duties—reviewing reports, meeting with advisors—but his attention was divided, part of him always alert for news of Robin.

As the morning wore on, Darius’ anticipation grew. He paced in his study, eyes flicking frequently to the door, expecting at any moment to hear the announcement of the Aldercrest party’s arrival. Finally, a knock came. Darius straightened, composing his features into a mask of calm authority. “Enter,” he commanded.

A servant stepped in, bowing low. “Your Grace, I bring news. Sir Calibor and his team have been sighted escorting the Aldercrest caravan through the city gates.”

Darius felt a surge of excitement, which he quickly suppressed. “Very well.”

As the servant hurried away, Darius allowed himself a small predatory smile. The game was about to begin in earnest, and he found himself looking forward to every moment of it. Yet as he prepared to leave his study, a thought struck him. Why rush to the great hall when he could observe his bride unawares?

With this new plan in mind, Darius strode out of his study, his steps purposeful as he made his way through the castle corridors. As he turned a corner, he nearly collided with Ignis, who was on his way to fetch him.

“Ah, Darius!” Ignis exclaimed, his eyebrows raising in surprise. “I was just coming to escort you to the great hall. Shall we?”

Darius’ lips curved into an enigmatic smile. “A slight change of plans, my friend. Care to join me for a bit of… reconnaissance?”

Intrigued by his friend’s unusual behavior, Ignis fell into step beside Darius. “Reconnaissance? Aren’t we supposed to be greeting your bride in the great hall?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“In due time,” Darius replied. “First, I want to observe. There’s much to be learned from first impressions, especially when the observed doesn’t know they’re being watched.”

Together, they made their way through the castle corridors. The anticipation of seeing Robin for the first time, even from afar, quickened Darius’ pace. Their destination was a small room overlooking the courtyard, offering a perfect view of the arriving party. As they entered, Darius positioned himself at the window, his eyes scanning the scene intently. Ignis joined him, his own curiosity evident on his face as he peered out at the courtyard below.

They didn’t have to wait long before the sound of hoofbeats and wheels announced the arrival of the Aldercrest party. The vehicle rolled into the courtyard, coming to a stop with a gentle lurch. Sir Calibor stepped to open the door.

Darius leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on the carriage door. Ignis, sensing his friend’s intense focus, remained silent, his own gaze darting between the scene below and Darius’ face. The air in the small room seemed to thicken with anticipation as they waited for the first glimpse of Robin.

A moment of stillness passed, broken only by the soft neighing of horses and the murmur of the gathered crowd. Then, with a creak of hinges, the carriage door swung open. Darius felt his muscles tense, his keen eyes not missing a single detail of the unfolding scene.

Darius’ breath caught as Robin emerged from the carriage. The boy was even more breathtaking in person than through Starling’s eyes. His hair, caught in the sunlight, looked like spun gold. The elaborate gown he wore, while clearly uncomfortable for him, accentuated his slender frame in a way that made Darius’ mouth go dry.

“Well, well,” Ignis whistled appreciatively. “Your bride is quite the beauty, Darius. A bit on the slender side, though. And rather… flat-chested, isn’t she?”

Darius chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. “Indeed,” he murmured, his eyes never leaving Robin.

Below, Robin was taking in the castle with wide, awe-filled eyes. Starling perched on his shoulder, her feathers ruffling in the breeze. At Robin’s feet, Russet pranced about, his tail wagging furiously as he explored this new environment.

As Sir Calibor guided Robin toward the castle entrance, the boy stumbled slightly, his foot catching on the hem of his gown. Darius found himself leaning forward, an instinctive urge tocatch Robin surging through him. But the boy quickly regained his balance, a blush coloring his cheeks.

“Graceful as a newborn fawn,” Ignis commented dryly.

Darius watched as Robin’s hand fluttered to his collarbone, a nervous gesture that seemed to be an attempt to steady himself. The movement drew attention to the flatness beneath his bodice, a detail that might have given away his disguise to a more observant audience. Darius couldn’t help but smile at the unconsciously delicate nature of the gesture, so at odds with Robin’s true identity.

“Seems rather nervous,” Ignis observed. “Poor thing must be terrified of you, Darius.”

Darius’ smile faded slightly at this reminder of Robin’s fear. “Indeed,” he murmured, his determination to change that fear into trust growing stronger.

“Look at that dog,” Ignis said, pointing at Russet. The hound was alternating between excited exploration and protective hovering around Robin. “Seems more like a nursemaid than a guard dog.”

As if hearing Ignis’ words, Russet suddenly stood at attention, his ears perked and his nose twitching. He let out a low growl, causing Robin to pat his head soothingly.

“Spirited creature,” Darius observed. “Much like his master.”

They watched as Robin disappeared into the castle, Starling still perched on his shoulder and Russet trotting faithfully at his heels. Even from this distance, Darius could see the tension in Robin’s shoulders, the slight tremor in his hands.

“Well, my friend,” Ignis said, clapping Darius on the shoulder. “Shall we go meet your blushing bride? Or do you plan to admire from afar all day?”

Darius nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Yes, let’s go.”

With that, they left their vantage point and made their way through the castle’s winding corridors. Darius’ mind raced with possibilities, strategies forming and dissolving as he considered how best to approach his bride. By the time they reached the ornate doors of the great hall, Darius had composed himself, his face a mask of calm authority.

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