The Saintess and the Villainess

Chapter 36

Nia was a very competent leader, but Anne still stumbled her way through the first few steps, almost immediately stepping on Nia's toes.

"I'm so sorry," said Anne, staring at her feet and concentrating hard as she tried to keep up.

"Saintess," said Nia gently. "Saintess. Anne!"

Anne finally looked up.

"There you go," said Nia. "Don't think too much about the dance, and don't look down. Just look me in the eyes and chat about idle things."

"But I'm gonna end up stepping on you again," said Anne.

"No, you won't," said Nia, guiding them both into a smooth, sweeping turn. "You struggle to follow the flow of the music because you're overthinking it. Think about other things."

Anne tried to think of other topics of conversation to distract herself.

"Um, Belle and Collette were telling me all about themselves earlier, and I already know a lot about Corvina," said Anne. "But I haven't actually had a chance to talk to you much. Your father is the Quellinian ambassador, right?"

"My mother is," said Nia. "My father is Baron Armine Lowind. You don't need to remember his name. He moved his permanent residence up to Tranmere in the far North many years ago. I live with my mother."

"Oh," said Anne. "I'm sorry for assuming. And I'm sorry if that was a painful topic to bring up, I shouldn't have assumed you'd want to talk about your family."

"It's fine," said Nia, with a reassuring smile. "Besides, it's working. See?"

It was true. Anne had been dancing much more smoothly while distracted by the conversation. The movement felt good, when it was flowing correctly. It was even kind of fun.

"That's incredible!" said Anne. "You weren't lying when you said you were a good leader. I've never danced this well before."

"The skill was yours all along," said Nia. "You just had to get out of your own way."

"I'm still impressed," said Anne.

"Whatever you say, Saintess," said Nia. They danced a few steps in silence before Nia spoke again. "You know, Saintess?"

"Yes?" said Anne.

"You should try to be patient with Lady Corvina," said Nia.

"What do you mean?" asked Anne.

"Corvina is like..." said Nia. "An architect. Who's spent years of hard work constructing her life so that it flows straight and controlled, like a man-made canal. Because that's what everyone around her demanded of her. They needed a canal. So she built that for them. But now you've come along and told her that you want her to let her life flow freely down its natural riverbed, with all its twists and turns."

The song came to an end and Anne and Nia ceased in their spinning.

"Even if she wants to flow free, it's going to take her a while to demolish the walls of the canal and rediscover the natural riverbed," continued Nia. "That's all I'm trying to say. I hope you'll keep this in mind. Thank you for the dance, Saintess."

Nia bowed and took her leave.

Deep in thought, Anne wandered back over to where she'd left her companions.

"Anne!" said Agis, waving her over. "Look who's here! It's Helen!"

"Pleasure to see you, your eminence," said Helen, curtsying. "I should probably get back to work though, Agis."

"Aww," said Agis.

"Where's the prince?" asked Anne, looking around. "He said he wanted to dance with me next, didn't he?"