Under The Kings Watch (Dark Roylaty Core)

Just a Dance

The two men were standing at the head of the big hall, looking down on the guests, mostly women or should he rather say girls, who came from everywhere around the kingdom. All of them clad in the finest dresses of which worth a small family could probably live off for a week or two. They were occasionally looking up at the prince, the desperateness in their glances evident. Eldrin huffed and looked away. This demeanour disgusted him. From all these girls had known the prince could have been a terrible person but here they were, trying to look as presentable as possible, ready to marry a stranger if asked to. Still, he seemed to be the only one thinking that marrying someone just because of their wealth was pathetic. So he tried to play along with it as he always did. "Have you already seen one of your liking, your Highness?" Eldrin now asked the prince calmly turning his head towards him. The prince's eyes were darting around the room examining the situation. To Eldrin's surprise a dismissive look was evident on his face. Trying to hold back a small grin he added, "you do not seem very satisfied, your Highness." The prince now turned towards him looking directly in his eyes. "Don't act like you don't also hate everything about this." This time Eldrin wasn't as successful, and an ever so slight smirk came over his lips. It lasted just a second, but this was enough for the prince to now fully grin at him, eyes sparkling. "I knew it, I can tell when you're acting Eldrin so there's no point in trying to fool me." He said still grinning. Despite feeling a slight sting in his chest at the prince's words Eldrin let a small smile play around his lips bowing his head. It would probably be better if the prince danced with one of the girls, if he was amidst the crowd he wouldn't be as noticeable and therefor it might be saver. "Maybe your Highness could try and dance with one of the girls. This is a ball nevertheless." Eldrin said turning to the guests und pointing at the dancing pairs. He let his gaze slide over their faces not recognizing any of them. Perhaps they didn't choose this night for their big plan. In the corner of his eyes Eldrin could still see the prince looking at him for a moment until he also drew his attention back to the guests.

"Maybe you're right, my friend. There is a slight chance that I might not be completely bored, so why not give it a try?" The prince finally said after spectating the dancers in the middle of the room. "This girl with the dark hair has a nice face and doesn't look as conceited as the others." He noted nodding towards a girl with long black hair and a dark blue dress. She wasn't looking up every couple of seconds, like the others around her, but was talking with some guests, a pretty smile evident on her face. "She is really pretty indeed, your Highness." Eldrin remarked still being on guard looking through the crowd. "Well, her it is. Since I'm going to dance and try to amuse myself why don't you try the same. I don't think anyone here has the intentions to attack me and if so, there are many guards around to stop them, so try and have a bit fun yourself." The prince now said a grin playing around his lips. Eldrin looked at him. He was right, they placed guards at every entry of the hall and in every corner, but would that really be enough to stop them from coming in here? He knew that he couldn't say no to the prince. This stupid Prince and his kind heart Eldrin thought while looking at him, golden hair perfectly placed on top of his head, the red velvet Jacket complimenting his broad shoulders. It was understandable why these girls were all trying to get his attention, the prince was indeed very good-looking. At that thought Eldrin shook his head a smile creeping its way towards his lips. "Well, I can't say no to your Highness. Still I'm going to keep an eye on you, while having fun if that is in your Highness's interest." He remarked eyes still on the prince whose smile grew even wider. "I think that's acceptable for me, that's the best I can get I suppose." His words came with a small laugh which made Eldrin's smile grow just the tiniest bit. "That is indeed so, your Highness." The prince again let out a laugh shaking his head. "Well, you are certainly something else, try to enjoy yourself while it lasts because if it doesn't go well, I will be in desperate need of your company." He paused for a second. "Also, I believe my dear sister is just waiting for an opportunity to dance with you." He added, eyes looking somewhere right from Eldrin's shoulder. He turned to follow his gaze and indeed the princess was standing on the side, now smiling in their direction. Eldrin sent a smile her way before bowing his head and turning around again to face the prince, who now had his eyes on him. Something indefinite was in his gaze as he hesitated for a second. Then with a slight nod he said, "have fun my friend" and turned towards the dancefloor. "I will." Barely understandable over the music Eldrin nearly whispered the words as he watched a smile creeping onto the prince's face before making his way towards the dark-haired girl. Eldrin followed him with his eyes also slightly looking around noticing how the whole room was focused on the prince as he now stood before the girl, whose pretty face lit up with joy as she put her hand in his, making their way to the dancefloor. As he watched them starting to dance while already talking Eldrin felt something weird creep up inside him. An undefinable feeling in his chest that got stronger as he saw the prince laughing at, as he supposes, the girl's words. Taking a deep breath, he let his gaze drift away from the pair examining the room further.

To his surprise everything seemed totally normal, but how could this be? Was he just paranoid? Still, it wouldn't harm anyone if he stayed on guard, paying an extra bit of attention on the prince's surroundings, because what if... "Eldrin." A soft voice coming from his right made him get out of his thoughts and turn around. Now standing right in front of him was the princess, her long golden Hair tied up, revealing her elegant neck. She was wearing a dress of the same red colour as her brother's Jacket, complimenting her pale skin and red lips. She looked pretty, there was no question to that. Eldrin bowed deep before standing up straight again and putting a light smile on his lips, as he always did when talking to her. "Dance with me." She said simply, looking directly in his eyes. As always, she didn't try to talk to him first or ask him, she just states what she wants, and everyone has to do it. Despite not wanting to Eldrin lets his smile get a little bit wider acting as if this was his biggest wish. "With the greatest honour, your Highness." With another bow he held his hand out in front of her, which she took now turning towards the dancefloor. As they walked to the dancing pairs, Eldrin noticed that many of the guests were following them with their gaze seemingly intrigued. As they finally came to a halt the princess put her hand on his shoulder without hesitation. Trying to look as happy about the situation as possible Eldrin placed his hand on the princess's waist touching it softly. They start dancing, Eldrin now focused on his every move.

"Are you enjoying the ball so far, your Highness?" he asks trying to seem interested. Her bright blue eyes bore into his as she says, "I was a bit bored, a lot of the guests are really stupid, talking to them nearly made me fall asleep, but I am enjoying dancing with you now." Eldrin really was astonished by how honest she always spoke to him. He let out a small laugh looking away trying to seem as if he was flustered by her words. Taking the opportunity to throw a quick glance at the prince, who was still happily dancing with the dark-haired girl. "I am happy that your Highness is finding entertainment in dancing with me, even though I'm not the best dancer. It is a big honour for me." He placed a sheepish smile on his lips before speaking the words looking at the Princess's face again. "I always enjoy your company Eldrin. You make my life here much more bearable. I know that I can trust you and that I can always be honest. I don't have to pretend to be someone I'm not." She was still looking directly in his eyes as she spoke these words. Without batting an eye Eldrin put on a big smile, despite knowing that the princess had put her trust in the wrong person. "This is the greatest compliment anyone could have given me. I am delighted to hear that you like my company, I myself also really enjoy spending time with your Highness." He paused for a second before shyly saying," I apologize, but I feel the need to say that your Highness looks breath-taking tonight." He was taking a risk by saying that but the way he did it was just right, the pause, the slight shyness, to get the exact reaction out of the princess that he hoped for. She looked away from his eyes, seemingly flustered by his comment, her smile growing even wider. It didn't occur often that the princess was flustered so seeing her like this made a genuine smile creep onto Eldrin's face. He suddenly realised what had just happened his expression faltering a bit as he was taken aback by his own actions. So, for a short moment the smile from his face was replaced by astonishment. For a second, he was not in his role. He nearly stopped dancing but managed to compose himself quickly, plastering the smile on his face again trying to act as if nothing had happened. To his luck the princess wasn't looking at him therefor didn't notice that she, for once, had made him smile.

"My sincerest apologies your Highness, I should not have said that, I didn't want your Highness to feel uncomfortable with me" He finally managed to say, trying to collect his thoughts after what had just happened. "Oh no you didn't make me feel uncomfortable, I was just not expecting you to say that. I'm flattered. Thank you, really." She quickly said looking up at him a soft smile on her lips. Seeing her like this was so unlike how she usually acted. It seemed that even the princess had a soft spot and to his luck this soft spot was he himself. Despite her usual cold-hearted demeanour, it seemed like she was not completely bad. This thought made a weird feeling erupt in Eldrin's body. He felt guilty. His task became harder and harder as the days went by. His path and goal becoming more blurry. This doubt inside him growing bigger. But this wasn't the right place nor time to think about this. Trying to bring his thoughts back to the princess he looked at her still smiling as the song that they had danced to came to an end. "I think I had enough from dancing, there are too many people around us for my liking, let us go to the side." The princess said, taking a step back, still having a smile on her face. She was right, there now were a lot more people on the dancefloor making it hard to dance freely. So Eldrin also placed a smile on his lips as he bowed and the two of them went to the side