King of Days: The Veiled Guardians

14. Dance of Fools

Karíto walked to the palace ballroom. He saw Princess Lucia perusing the food, and speaking with the servants who stood nearby. She wore an elegant cream colored ball dress. She was the main person in charge of the organization of servants in the house. Being the last word when it came to food services and arrangement of hospitality. King Garret walked up to Karíto and cleared his voice to get his attention "ehem, I thank you for accepting to protect my daughter, it will be well worth the struggle."

Karíto bowed to the king. "It is my pleasure your majesty, it is the highest of honors to be a personal guard to a member of the royal family. Second only to protecting you." King Garret nodded his head and motioned with his hand toward his daughter. Karíto bowed again and thought, 'I guess that is his way of saying go over there.' He walked to his position nearby Princess Lucia. Everyone moved into their positions, this formed a single line ending at the royal throne. King Garret took his seat and motioned to the herald near the door. The herald looked at Princess Lucia and she nodded to him. He then opened the main door. Many guests poured from the door, each person greeted the royal family, starting from the youngest and ending with a bow to the king. All of the guests sat opposite of the royal family, except for those who were royals from other countries. Once everyone had entered and had seated the dance began. First the Crown Prince and his wife began with their dance. The king never danced, but enjoyed watching others do so. After the Crown Prince finished each proceeding royal by age would dance. They all had their own time to dance. Princes Barin chose a random woman from the guests, while Prince Grant and Princess Elena chose people they knew from the guests. Prince Deric did a dance with two women, which was fast paced and had a lot of hopping. Next was Prince Erin, he walked out on the floor, paused, and then did a dance by himself. It was well choreographed, but Karíto thought it was a bit odd that he would not dance with another person. As the dance began to end, Karíto realized that Princess Lucia would dance next. He wondered who she would choose, would it be a random person, or by herself? As her time came she extended her hand behind her with her face toward the dance floor. Karíto stood still, 'did she choose me?' She sighed, looked back at him and slowly moved her fingers. He took off his white gloves, put them in his pocket and took her hand. She smiled broadly and the two walked into the center. Karíto whispered as they walked "I do not know your dance Princess"

She put a finger over his mouth and whispered "shh, that is why I chose you. Put your finger over my mouth and follow my movements." He put his finger over her mouth, she then took his hand and kissed it, he then turned her hand over and kissed it. She spoke again "It is a basic waltz I am sure you are familiar with?" Karíto nodded as she spun into his arms with a hand on his chest. "though I put my own spin on it," she whispered. They followed the music rhythmically when she said "double cheek kiss" He did so. They continued spinning, embraced and then did another double cheek kiss. As the music began to swell she whispered intently "as we finish, mirror exactly what I do." Karíto spun her around so that both now had a hand free. He watched her hand intently, it fell as if in slow motion, he saw her hand move and sway toward his chest. He moved his hand similarly to hers. As the music ended she placed her hand on his chest, while he placed his hand on her shoulder. The crowd applauded, they bowed and walked off toward their place. Before they made it to their position Lucia grabbed his hand tightly and pulled him into a separate hall, closing the door behind them. She paused, silently with her face against the door. Another song could be heard rising from the other room. She spun around with rage in her eyes. "I thought I told you to follow and to mirror me exactly!" she yelled "You made us look like an uncoordinated joke! The point was to end exactly as I ended!"

Karíto cleared his voice "Princess I was not about to put my hand on your..."

She interrupted him by taking his hand and holding it to her breast. "What difference does it make, if it is now or then?" She let go and he calmly put his hand down. "I chose you as my personal guard, I can easily choose another, and say that you groped me" she stomped her foot and turned toward the door moving to open it.