“One two, AGAIN! My lady, I have told you numerous times that your eyes should be with your partner.” The man with a goatee scolded the two dancers who had been dancing for two hours.
“I’m already good at this routine– besides this is a practice there is no need to be too strict,” Francheska complained, continuing the steps of the dance as they waltzed in the room.
The dancing teacher slapped his stick on the desk which made Francheska’s dancing partner flinch while Francheska only sighed in return, to freeze to a stop which the band too obeyed.
“We are half a year away from celebrating the crown prince’s birth, do not overestimate your skills, my lady. You are a genius, no doubt about that– it is a world that only you could understand, but the world of dancing is mine to tell and teach.”
'The dance teacher has a sharp observation,' Francheska could not deny that but she agreed with his deduction that she is a genius, she– after all, has experienced this once.
“Forgive me, but my position and movements are already polished. What do my eyes have to do with this dancing?”
“Your family hired me in this position to teach you to dance, so quit your complaints and stop questioning my teachings– just because you are a lady of the Hartpinjer it does not equate to you being a good dancer. Now back to your position and AGAIN FROM THE BEGINNING!” The dance teacher then slammed his stick on the table, resuming everyone to their place.
The lady rolled her eyes and then faced her dancing partner, taking a few steps back as if they just entered the floor and made each other bow, they closed their gap by walking closer and started the instructed dance.
Francheska was grateful for her dancing teacher, their introduction was the worst. Francheska was baffled by the absurd schedule her teacher made, treating her lessons like a life-or-death situation. Francheska opposed and challenged her dance teacher so that she could memorize the dance for a week, and Francheska proved her point with her performance on the said date, making the man nod in approval of the 'relaxed' revision but of course with his few conditions of the time.
For half a year Francheska endured every two days seven-hour sessions every week for a routine the dance teacher gave her. She enjoyed it of course but it was nothing new to her, and that was probably what the dance teacher was trying to say, she lacked enthusiasm.
With a low grunt, Francheska made her way out of the practice room, finally, another session had ended.
“My lady, everything is prepared in the next room, please follow me.”
“It is alright I can do it myself, just vacate the room once I have entered.” The maid could only nod as she led the way to inform the servants of Lady Francheska’s orders.
Once Francheska had the room to herself alone, she proceeded to head in for her bath. During all those hours of dancing, Francheska’s mind could not wash away what was wrong with her dance. She even started feeling sorry for her dance partner– Although they were being paid a large sum to teach her– but that still doesn’t excuse her performance, all of it will be down the drain.
The young lass could not help but let out a sigh of her troubled mind. What can she do? She's doing everything for the empire, family, crown prince, and for herself– even for a ridiculous dance.
Maybe a new air and experience is what she needs…
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“Archie, I have a surprise for you! But you have to close your eyes first” a young boy ran to the lad who was sitting under the shade of the tree.
“What is it, little one? This is not a trick is it?” Archie asks the boy who only turns his head that it is not a trick. Despite the suspiciousness of the boy's hand behind him, Archie decides to play his game and closes his eyes.
“You need to count to three and after that, you'll open your eyes and the surprise will be in front of you.”
“Hmm alright, I hear you, kid.”
“You need to count it out loud!”
“Ok 1…” While counting Archie could hear the shuffling of leaves on the ground as the boy made moves of his plan.
“--2…” Suddenly the shuffling noises stop.
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“3!” Archie shouted as he too opened his eyes only to be–
“BOO!” A familiar person was before him that left him stunned at the moment.
“LADY FRA– I mean what!?” Archie then acted surprised to entertain the boy who was behind the person.
“SURPRISE! I GOT YOU GOOD DID I?” The boy laughed in amusement as he looked at the exaggerated face of Archie and then at the lass in a cloak, who was expecting something in return. And his hunch was correct, for the lass pocketed something and gave it to the boy who gladly took it and ran away from them to be left alone.
“Look at you my lady– I mean Shiela–”
“Francheska,” They said in unison then gave each other an awkward smile.
“Sorry, I’m scared people might hear you are here.”
“It’s alright, May I take a seat?” Francheska asked, Archie then raised his arm to the log as if he were one of her servants.
“You sure are brave for making your escapades from time to time Francheska. Let me guess, your dancing teacher?” Archie asks, seated next to Francheska.
“I was here so I could forget that person but…” Letting out a sigh, Francheska took a glance at Archie's blue eyes but it seemed obvious that Francheska gave her excuse to avoid the question, “Yes, he’s been troubling me lately.”
“I envy your dance teacher, wish I was him…”
“You are not him and you are no trouble at all, you are a good person–”
“NO, what I mean is that I kinda want to be troublesome enough that I– Hopethatyouwouldthinkofmemostofthetime,” Archie spoke fast in his last sentence.
“Huh?” Francheska was not able to catch all of that.
“Never mind, you have mentioned him in the last two letters so… It is pretty obvious.” Archie shrugged in embarrassment as he coughed up his confidence.
“He keeps lecturing me that I lack something but he doesn't even say specifically what it is! He keeps saying it's my eyes, which is irrelevant to the dance, that does not even make sense!” Francheska finishes her rant as she then looks at Archie, hoping for a response.
Archie took a minute to realize that it was his time to reply to what he heard.
“Well…” bending over to take a handful of pebbles, throwing them further he can go as the wind blows the grasses and leaves. “...I don’t understand half you saying because I’m not rich enough to understand-” Looking over his shoulder he saw Francheska’s eyes lose their glint, staring at the distant pebble he just threw.
“-Maybe you could teach a thing or two about your routine so you can– Ahh forget it! I suck at helping you–” Archie gave all the pebbles in his hand to mess up his hair.
“That's it!” Francheska stood up and walked towards Archie who in return took a step back.
“I- I do not know how to dance! I was just bluffing!” Archie raised in defeat whose eyes were shaking– scared of what would happen to him.
“Stay in your position, I will teach you.”
“But I don’t know–”
“And that is why I will teach you. Someone fresh and doesn't have a single idea can have no bias in your opinion.”
“But there is!” Archie shouted, “Y- you, you’re high status so… I might have a bias on you…”
Francheska just raised an eyebrow following a smirk on her lips as she grabbed his hands on hers and pulled him to close their gap.
“I know you’re scared and that excuse does not work anymore, we pass that so…” Francheska then guides his hands to where their position should be before the dance starts, “...please trust me, I’m a genius after all, I can make difficult steps easier and understandable.”
“Okay, I trust you. My dancing teacher, I'm all ears.” Archie says in confidence, as he makes his weight light for Francheska to maneuver him.
Surprisingly for Francheska, her new dancing partner was able to grasp some of the steps even though Archie stepped on her foot multiple times– it hurt, his eyes on their feet or hands most of the time but seeing Archie's determined reaction made it much more memorable. It did not take two hours for him to almost get the routine, and he was able not to make the same mistakes and was much more reliable in the dance. The sun was starting to set and yet the place was alive as ever, the sun’s basking glow reflecting on the field was gorgeous.
“Francheska I think it's time to go, if you make it longer you will get in danger,” Archie warned her as he let go of his hands on her.
Seeing the concerned face on Archie, she realized that she should probably obey him and follow his warning. She knows this area very well so it is best to leave now.
Seeing the golden hour setting the field, Francheska could not help herself but ask for one last dance.
The wind blew through their direction as the birds flew right above the sky to go back to their nests. Francheska looked right through Archie’s blue eyes as she smiled at him.
“Archie– No, Good afternoon my lord. This party sure is splendid, would you care to dance with me?” Francheska asks.
Archie, whose cheeks reddened in embarrassment, tried to keep a solemn face as he responded, “My how bold of a woman you are to ask a lord for a dance, pardon my incompetence but certainly my lady a dance is suited in this fine afternoon.”
Taking Francheska’s hand they both walked in the center of the field as the golden light shunned to their faces. Taking a few paces back, Francheska grabbed the back of her cloak like it was her dress’s skirt making a curtsy before him. Archie too makes his right hand hover across his chest making a bow before her, and both shorten their distance– just one breath away.
This time Archie was the one who took Francheska’s hand and guided them where they should be placed. Both of them remained in eye contact, never averting, nor looking at their hands or feet– just them in the middle of the grass field of flowers as the sunset shone before them.
Even though there was no band playing them songs, the goats bleeping, birds chirping, chicken clucking, rustling of the leaves, and whistling of the wind was enough for both of them to keep on dancing.
“My lady, it is time for you to leave.” Archie softly says for her to hear.
Even with the disguise on, Archie could still see Francheska of her unique features, even the meaning behind her eyes of ‘not wanting to go back’ was visible to him.
“I know.”
With that Archie took one of Fracheska’s hands for him to hold, with his eyes still on hers, he kissed the back of her hand and distanced himself.
“I’m elated to have this dance with you lady, and grateful for this wonderful afternoon of meeting you,” Archie said, unhanding Francheska.
“It was lovely knowing you, my lord,” she replied.
“So uhhh… I think your eyes are well– d-do you always do this with your dance partner?” Archie questioned.
“No… why? Is that your deduction?”
“W-well your eyes do need some work! Maybe don't stare at them for too long and m- maybe stare at them like this!” putting his palm in front of him like a mirror, Archie widens his eyes like a lifeless doll.
Which made Francheska only laugh in return. “Fine, I will remember your criticism, my lord!” Francheska playfully said as she began to make her way.
“Hey, be careful! And I recommend you to start running. It's getting late after all!” the lad shouted, which made the young lass give a salute to him pulling the hood above her head to cover her face as she started jogging her way into the woods.