Viata

Chapter II: Waltz with the Servant Boy

I hadn't been to a ball in Viata since my seventh birthday, one which I was only allowed to appear at to show the young lady they had been celebrating then quickly removed to allow for talks of politics and treason to take place.

I'm certain one would argue with you if you said this aloud but as many a young suitors presented themselves to be or, rather, were presented by their mothers I found that they would introduce themselves once on the dance floor by disagreeing with my father's views and speaking of all the things that could be done differently by a new ruler. I remained quiet yet seemingly interested as a young lady should but mentally listed which men would be worth getting to know more and which would not.

Many would not be.

I stopped for a glass of wine and found the young man handing them out to be the serf from the ship. I smiled kindly at him and placed my hand on his briefly to thank him for the wine. Only then did he look up and recognize me. A large smile formed on his face.

"Hello, Tyson."

"Ay, if it ain't the princess 'erself. Gracin' me with 'r presence twice in one day?"

I laughed at both his statement and his accent. Never before have I heard someone speak the way he does. I happened to notice a lord from earlier heading over to me. Quickly, I placed my hand back on Tyson's and smiled at him kindly.

"Actually, I was wondering if you would care to share a dance with me?"

He looked around frantically, like I was talking to someone completely different. The lord that was coming towards me narrowed his eyes and slowed. I chuckled at his confusion before repeating my question. He smiled and shook his head before replying.

"I'd love ta, Princess."

He held out his arm like a true gentleman and I hooked my own through the nook of his elbow. The lord stopped walking towards me and joined in the confused glances from some of the other nobles. Tyson and I both snickered. The odd looks on their faces wiped away any uncertainty that had previously filled his face.

The music began.

It happened that this was one of the ones that I knew well. A folk dance from Sreven, more than likely in honor of the Srevenian prince that was joining us tonight. Tyson had no idea what he was doing so he followed my lead, looking around I noticed that Natalia and Roxanne were both dancing with servants as well, Avril was dancing with the Itanese ambassador and Tamara stood off to the side talking with Kassandre's ladies.

When my eyes returned to my dance partner I noticed that he was smiling widely as his shorter legs attempted to keep up with the fast-paced music. I laughed at the sight, a little drunk off the wine and a little drunk off the silly feeling of dancing around freely without worrying about judgment. I twirled around Tyson and he laughed and complied. Once the dance ended he bowed quickly before jogging off.

Needless to say, Tyson is definitely my favorite of the servants.

After the last dance I returned to my seat and watched the ball, Kassandre glared at me when I sat down.

"That was quite the spectacle, Athene."

"I would like for all my subjects to feel like they belong, Mother, if that means making a servant boy feel included in a royal event after providing assistance on my long journey earlier then I will make that servant boy feel included."

"You and I both know these aren't your subject. You're simply a bastard in a tiara."

Those words hurt. Truly. I faced forward entirely and bit my lip to keep the tears inside my eyes. I encouraged courage instead.