Dinner was formal. I was silently thanking everyone who had made me attend the formal dinner the night before when I realized that was probably why last night's dinner had occurred. I mean, how often does just the family sit down to a twenty course meal? I was running out of room on my mental list of things to ask Marinette.
When we finished eating, there were speeches that I let float in one ear and out the other while trying to maintain an interested and active facial expression. I clapped politely with everyone else once the last speech and a tribute to the king had ended.
Without any invitation or warning, again, the chair was pulled out from under me by an attendant and I was forced to shoot my feet under me as fast as possible. I stood up with all the grace of a baby giraffe, but no one seemed to notice except Madeline, who was kind enough to hide her snicker behind her dainty hand.
"Let us attend our ball," King Richard spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, his tone commanding and powerful. He's a little scary when he talks like that.
I followed Queen Adele's lead and walked to the left of my chair, facing King Richard. As if peeling back a banana peel, the gentlemen from the far end of the table walked back towards the king, bowing as they passed him. Each in turn walked past me until finally Clarence stood beside me, turning to face King Richard.
A second later, Clarence bowed and Queen Adele curtseyed and I followed suit. As soon as that was complete, Clarence turned to face away from his father and offered me his arm in the same manner as he had when we descended the stairs to start this whole evening. I turned away from King Richard and placed my hand in Clarence's. It was only then that I noticed the lengthy line of nobles in front of me, just as they had been before entering the ballroom.
No one would ever accuse the royals of being simplistic.
"The worst is over," Clarence whispered as we waited for the people in front of us to leave the room. "Eating in front of people is always so awkward."
"You can say that again," I said, hoping it was too low for him to hear. His smile said it was not.
I followed when he led me down off the platform and through the aisles between tables as we followed the procession of people in front of us.
* * *
When we arrived in the ballroom, another crowd of guests was already gathered, curtseying and bowing as Clarence and I walked in and not rising back up until the king and queen had passed. Something about surviving the dinner made me relax in this room full of smiling people.
After snaking through the room, probably so everyone could get a good look at us, I followed Clarence out onto the dance floor and took position for our opening dance. The expansive space of the dance floor was illuminated by crystal chandeliers that sparkled as the lights flickered like a flame.
I stood across from Clarence as King Richard and Queen Adele joined us on the floor, standing about ten feet away from us. The room was a low hum of chatter as everyone strained to find a place where they could see the dance floor.
Clarence pulled me out of my investigations of the crowd. "Should I ask you if you're ready?" He smiled and winked.
"You should not and I am not." I looked around at the clambering crowd before adding, "You saw me practicing. I'm awful."
"It's all in the lead." He smiled, taking my hand as the opening notes filled the room.
"You better hope so," I took his hand and picked up my skirt in my free hand. "Or your feet will get even more bruised than they already are."
He pulled me closer with his hand on my lower back and I could have sworn he said, "It'll be worth it." I must not have been able to hear him over the music flooding the room, signaling the beginning of the dance. I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to relax into Clarence's sturdy hand guiding me around the room.
We twirled to the music, and it felt like I was floating across the floor as he confidently pressed on my back or pulled on my hand, moving me as the dance demanded. I tried to focus on where to put my head and how to move my feet, but for some reason, my brain was swirling only with the thought of how good Clarence smelled. I couldn't quite place it, but it was vaguely sweet yet spicy.
I had no control of my body, forgetting to turn my head as my eyes were drawn only to Clarence's. Finally, when the music drew to a close, he released me and backed away so he could bow and I could curtsey. My body felt his absence acutely, still warm where his hands held me moments before. When the band began to play the opening notes of the next song, I silently begged him to ask me to dance again.
For a moment, we stood staring at each other, neither of us willing to say anything.
"May I?" he finally asked, holding out his hand towards me, and my heart leapt in my chest.
"Of course," I took a step towards him and placed my hand in his, picking up my dress with my free hand once more as he placed his hand on my lower back and pulled me closer than he had the last time.
I could feel the eyes of the entire room on me as the dancers swirled around the dance floor, leaving a wide circle around us and Clarence's parents. I felt like my face was on fire and the rest of me was submerged in ice water. A shiver ran through me.
Clarence pulled me slightly closer and whispered, "Don't worry. I've got you."
Yeah, that's exactly why I'm worried.
I moved my body in reaction to whatever Clarence led, without regard for correct steps or what anyone else would like. I was solely focused on not stepping on my dress. Well, that and Clarence's deep brown eyes twinkling in the low light of the ballroom.
When we finally slowed to a stop and the dance ended, I looked up from my curtsey to see Clarence extending his hand to me once more.
"Would you allow me to escort you for refreshments?" he asked, smiling.
I raised an eyebrow. "What? Did you swallow a dictionary?"
He smiled, and spoke through gritted teeth, "No, it's the press." Then he waved at a photographer in the corner and offered me his hand again. "So, shall we?"
"I would be delighted to accompany you for refreshments," I said, forcing a smile. "I, too, can speak dictionary."
He shook his head and a small smile pulled at the edges of his lips as I placed my hand in his, allowing him to escort me off the dance floor.
"Prince Alexandre!" Someone approached us as soon as we left the dance floor. Clarence turned to face him and I was pulled along. As soon as we were facing the man, he bowed. "I'm Xavier and I'm so excited to finally meet you. My wife and I have been on the list for years and we're so grateful for the invitation." He gestured at his heavily pregnant wife, who looked far less pleased than he did. "This is my wife, Eva."
She attempted a curtsey, but with that belly and her stilettos, it was a little wobbly. Clarence reached out his hand to shake theirs. "Very nice to meet you both." He smiled and turned to me. "May I introduce Miss Genevieve Levin."
I guess we don't use the term girlfriend when we're royalty.
I also extended my hand to shake theirs, and we were still talking when the camera flash alerted me to my job here in Montalivet. Clarence's words from earlier kept ringing in my head: 'Just give them a picture of you smiling and they won't print the bad ones.' I pulled my shoulders back and smiled as I spoke to the couple and the cameras continued to flash.