2
1518 Words
Claudio holds out his hand. I place my own in his, a spark traveling along my fingers. I do my best to ignore it as he leads me out on to the floor. He holds me at a respectful distance. One hand resting lightly on my hip while the other still gently holds my hand. We sway along the edge of the dancing crowd. I can only hope that he is a better dancer than I, and will be able to lead us through the song.
He smiles, "Are you glad to be home, my lady?"
I try to conceal my annoyance. Too many people have asked me that question. I answer him the same way I have everyone else. With a smile, I say, "Yes, incredibly happy. It's a comfort to be back in my home with Alexanne."
He frowns, "Are you sure? You seemed uncertain as the words left you lips."
He's right, of course. My words were anything but the truth. However, I wouldn't tell a foreign boy any of my secrets. I'm not sure exactly what rank he holds and whether I should trust him.
I hold his gaze, "Why wouldn't I be happy to be home?"
"I haven't the slightest clue. I was merely making an observation."
"Perhaps you should keep them to yourself." The words are harsher than I mean, but I don't try to take them back.
I expect him to be offended, but he only smiles, "Perhaps I should. You aren't the first person to tell me that."
He leads me into a spin and a dip. I return to his gentle arms and we resume our swaying.
I ask, "Who exactly are you, Claudio?"
"I do believe you just answered your own question. I am Claudio."
"You know I meant besides your name. What is your rank? Who is your family? What is your business at this ball?"
He raises an eyebrow, "Perhaps that is a secret that I will keep."
"That seems rather unfair, considering you must know everything about me already."
"That is the truth, however I stand firm in my secrets."
He spins me again, and when he catches me.
I say firmly, "You know that I am engaged, correct?"
"As am I." He says.
"Then you must know that this is merely a dance. It means nothing."
He nods, "Certainly, my lady, I would never think of this to be something more."
I bow my head, "Thank you. I just wanted to be sure we were clear."
He smiles and twirls me again. The song ends and picks up into a joyful, fast beat. Everyone from the crowd joins in. As first it is a common song done at royal ceremonies and balls. I know all the dance steps by heart, and it appears that Claudio does as well. He spins and dips and sways along with me.
I struggle to keep the smile off my face.
But, as is the custom for the dance, we quickly switch dancing partners. I am twirled off to an older nobleman. He does his best to keep up, but his hand is a little too tight on my waist, his breath too hot on my face. I am more than relieved to be passed on to the next dancer.
My breath catches as I land in Frank's arms. He smirks and brings me closer to him. I stumble through the steps, trying to gain more distance without suspicion. His grip is too tight as he spins me and yanks me back into his greedy arms.
I dance with too many men to remember, their faces blurring together. I just smile and spin like a good princess would. I silently curse Alexanne for forcing me to come to this ball. She knows that I would rather run through the grounds or visit the city than dance in a tight dress with strangers.
The song eventually ends and the crowd thins from the dance floor. It is time for Alexanne and me to do the custom dance. It is popular for the hosts of a party to present a dance. There are often steps and moves that run through the family, taught to their children. Each time there is a ball, that family performs that dance, or one very similar, for the guests.
As to tradition, Emilienne, Violette, Alexanne, and I had our dance. We were taught the steps when we were very young. We performed them in our puffy dresses, giggling and skipping through the steps. As we grew older, the moves became more complex.
I had forgotten about the tradition of the family dance. Maybe not forgotten, but ignored. I had thought that since Emilienne and Violette were both dead, we would not perform the dance. It seemed disrespectful and wrong.
But Alexanne would enjoy watching me suffer through it.
However, Alexanne and I hadn't practiced any of the dance. The steps are still fresh in my memory, I last performed it a few months. However, without Emilienne and Violette, there will be gaping holes within the routine.
Nonetheless, the ballroom floor is completely empty, save Alexanne and I. We curtsy to each other, both of us smiling brilliantly, and the servants strike up their instruments. We follow the steps perfectly, but the dance is horrible. Seconds slip by in which both Alexanne and I are still in places where Emilienne or Violette would leap or spin across the floor. The different formations we performed fall apart with two people, instead of four.
As we stutter to an end with a deep curtsy, the people break into applause. Anything less would seem disrespectful. A few people wipe tears from their eyes.
Alexanne wanted to remind the people that our sisters were missing, and we deserved their sympathy. We should be pardoned of any mistakes we make, for we are still in grief.
She also wanted to show me that she destroyed my sisters. She is capable of destroying me. Look at how easily she made me dance along with her, without saying a word. It's impossible to disobey her with the scores of watchful nobles.
The people rejoin us for more dances. After a few more songs pass, I murmur something to my partner about my feet aching and stumble back to the side of the room. I find myself another glass of wine and find myself looking for Claudio.
I can't say why, but if I have to suffer through this night, I wish for his light smile to be at my side. Silly, when I have known him for less than a day. However, it's not as if we are getting married. I merely want some company.
●◊●◊●
In the end, it is Antonin who appears at my side. I know he's been watching me this entire night, in case Alexanne decides to find some way to attack me secretly in front of hundreds of people. It seems foolish, but perhaps Alexanne thought I would let my guard down.
I offer him a smile, "Thank you."
He simply nods. We can't risk conversation. If we were to speak of anything, even the pleasant weather of the late spring, someone might report it to Alexanne. I'm sure she is suspicious of Antonin already. Before we knew that Alexanne was the murderer, he helped Alexanne and I sneak into William's office. Antonin guided me to Grace's cell while she was accused of being the murderer. Antonin even assist me in freeing Grace before we fled the castle.
Alexanne is intelligent. She must at least suspect Antonin. However, he has remained my guard. Perhaps she is worried what will happen if she tries to fire him. Our polite stalemate might come crashing to an end. Or maybe Antonin's assistance was part of the deal Florentine made with Alexanne.
Antonin bows and motions to the empty wine glass still clutched in my fingers, "Would you like another, my lady?"
I shake my head, "Perhaps some iced water?"
He disappears into the crowd, though it's a servant's job.
Someone clears his throat beside me. I pretend not to hear, afraid it is Frank. I stare off into the crowd, acting interested in the dancers performing. The person coughs loudly. Many people glance his way. Maybe it is Claudio?
The thought is enough for me to turn my head.
Instead, a boy in a mask waits beside me. It is not unusual to adorn animal faces when coming to balls. Many of the nobles find it such fun to waste their money on shiny paper masks. Several people tonight walked through these gates dressed as cats and wolves and lions.
I curtsy, "Are you enjoying the party?" It's a vague enough answer for whoever may await beneath the mask.
The man's hand lifts the mask, and I can't keep a smile off my face.
The boy who helped me learn defense with Florentine. The boy who encouraged me to come to the castle to avenge me sisters. The boy who is one of my few true friends. Henri.
- Writer
