Masquerade

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎

After my father had run from his study, I begrudgingly left Percy and headed to the ballroom to meet Madam Julie. The very last thing I wanted to do (especially while my mind was still racing from the commotion outside) was learn how to do some stupid cheesy waltz, but I didn't want to piss my father off any further.

As I walked through the ballroom doors, I shuddered. The room was ginormous, and largely empty except for a large grand piano and few tables along the sides. I guessed those were being set up for my birthday. I gulped. In three days time this empty hall will be crowded with people, dancing and laughing and all trying to win me over. I grimaced.

"Your highness, I've been expecting you." The gravely voice of Madam Julie pulled me from my thoughts and I gave her a tight-lipped smile. I was already wishing I was back in the gardens with Percy but it wasn't her fault that my father had put me up to this.

A slow, rhythmic song echoed through the room, as if bouncing off the walls and ceiling. A maid I didn't recognize was plucking away at the keys of the grand piano, her fingers gliding across them as if made of water. I closed my eyes for a moment, the song hypnotizing, almost putting me to sleep.

Madam Julie made her way towards me, reaching for my hand. "Alright Prince Vale, let's begin. Before we start the dance itself, I must teach you a few things. For one, hand placement. Hand placement is very important whilst ballroom dancing. You want to gently place your left hand on the maiden's waist."

I reached to comply, and Madam Julie laughed. "Dear, that's your right hand."

I flushed with embarrassment. This was going to be a very long lesson.

...

Percy howled with laughter, wiping a tear from his eye. "And then... and then what happened?"

I cringed to myself. "I asked, 'was the ballroom floor always this bumpy?' and she was like 'your highness, you're on my foot.'"

Percy broke into another fit of giggles, and I scowled at him. "I'm glad somebody is amused."

The two of us were sitting in the courtyard, watching the sunset over the large castle walls as I recapped every humiliating moment of my first ballroom dancing lesson to Percy. Despite my growing shame, Percy found each story funnier than the last.

"Relax," chuckled Percy fondly. He patted my shoulder comfortingly. "I'm sure there's... at least one maiden out there who's a worse dancer than you."

I slapped his arm playfully. "I'm a great dancer, actually. Everybody starts somewhere. Just wait until you see me in action."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I can't wait for your parents to catch a glimpse of you, their son, their pride and joy, tripping over his own limbs like a spider in bowling shoes," Percy quipped. He then paused for a moment, thinking. "Hey, speaking of your parents, do you have any idea where the queen has gone?"

I regarded him with confusion. "Father said she was out, talking to the public. She should be back by now, she never stays out after dark. Why do you ask?"

Percy's face softened, but worry still clouded his eyes. "No reason, I just haven't seen her all day. Usually when she leaves the palace, she says goodbye to me, and she's always back before sunset. I didn't even see her leave today."

A pit of anxiety twisted in my stomach, but I pushed it down. "I'm sure she's alright. Perhaps she just left really early, or while you were otherwise occupied. Also, she could be helping somebody in town today. You know my mother, always trying to fix problems she doesn't have to. That's what makes her such a good queen. Plus, if something was awry, I'm sure my father would have mentioned it to you."

My words seemed to reassure Percy. "You're probably right. I tend to overthink when it comes to the safety of you or your family. I'm sure she's doing just fine, she's a very capable woman after all."

I nodded in agreement. "Got that right. Now, what do you say, want to duel once more before it's my royal bedtime?" I grinned.

"Actually, your highness, I'd rather see some of those killer dance moves you've been describing," Percy said with a smirk. "Now if you'll just place your left hand-"

"You're such a dick!"