The Florist And The Prince

~ 47 ~

Avery

Two days had passed with Avery not finding her necklace, even though she searched her room from top to bottom, causing her to believe that she must have truly lost it but apart of her knew that was not true.

Today, there was another dance practice with the male students of the Royal Baudelaire Academy. Walking down the hall, Avery and the other eligibles all came to the large doorway that led into the ballroom and walked in orderly manner, where the students as well as their teacher Madam Beatrice and Madam Eunice waited for them.

Stepping away from her discussion with Madam Eunice, the younger woman came and stood before both the eligibles and her students. This time the male students all wore light grey uniforms, instead of the navy blue ones that they had worn the first time they came.

"Good day ladies, before we begin our class. I would like to see if you still remember The Waltz of The Flowers." Madam Beatrice said in a loud, clear voice getting straight to the point.

From her peripheral vision, Avery saw some of her fellow contestants glance at each other, even Linda shifted nervously from one foot to another. The Waltz of The Flowers was the dance that they first learnt and although she herself wasn't that great of a dancer, the lesson was only a few days ago so she was sure that she would be quite alright.

"Now, please find your partner and we shall begin." Madam Beatrice continued before she walked over to the record player on the other side of the room, where Madam Eunice also stood along with another member of the Royal committee who had just joined them.

"Hello Avery." Avery's dance partner, Earl Eugene Guildford appeared beside her with a smile. This time his hair wasn't gelled back, but in a center part mullet. It suited him nicely.

Smiling, she did a little curtsy. "Hello my Lord."

"You can call me Eugene, it's okay." The young man chuckled, watching her.

"Alright. Eugene."

"Shall we?" He offered his hand and she accepted before they moved to the center of the ballroom.

"Before we start, I'd like to apologise in advance if I do step on your feet, like I did last time." Avery said guilty. Remembering their first lesson.

To her suprise, the young Earl laughed, whole heartedly. "Thank you and I will accept it in advance-"

"Let's begin!" Madam Beatrice interrupted their conversation then the record player began playing The Waltz of The Flowers by Tchaikovsky.

Stepping closer to each other, Avery placed a hand on Eugene's shoulder while he held the other in his hand, then with his other empty hand he gently rest it on the small of her back and they began dancing. Just as she had thought, Avery remembered most of the moves but did accidentally step on Eugene's feet three times during the duration of the music. Once the music finally stopped, they respectfully took a few steps away from each other than turned to face their tutors, awaiting their next dance.

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The picture at the top is how I visualised Eugene, but with darker hair.