Nights with a King

Dancer

Chapter 2: Dancer

I was pacing the streets when a gong sounded. Madame Huang called all the girls over as the man beside her banged on that noisy thing.

"There will be a contest," she announced. "One of dance. Our house hasn't done anything exciting for a while so I thought a little contest should lighten things."

The girls all whispered among themselves.

"Will there be a prize for the winner?" a girl asked.

Madame nodded. "A sack of gold as well as a pair of diamond earrings!" she announced.

The girls gasped. Excitement buzzed through the room. I was fully listening now.

"Will the winner get to see the King?" another asked.

Madame shook her head. "This is for the girls only. The King is much too busy."

Some girls were disappointed but I was even more fired up. Money without royals! I clenched my hands together. This was almost too good to be true!

That prize was mine...

The day of the competition could only be described as orderly chaos with almost 80 girls. Each girl who entered was gifted with a dance costume. Mine was a deep red that matched well with my dark hair. The dress itself was made of red silk. The top looked more like a bra with a mid-section made completely out of a fringe of beads. The costume then had a long skirt with a slit on the side.

I outlined my eyes and dabbed on some lipstick in front of the mirror. My long dark hair was braided and then twisted with a dozen glittery hair pieces. There was a circlet with a ruby pendant that dangled between my eyebrows. A handful of gold bangles, a choker necklace, and glittering gold earrings finished my look.

When I finished, I headed down to the stage area with my scroll that proved my eligibility. The candles reflected on all the gold and beads of the costume and cast shimmers on the wall.

The other girls lined up by the wall until they were called up one by one. Because I didn't shove and push, I ended up dead last. My one concern was that the judges wouldn't get bored when they finally got to me. A titleless girl only meant so much in anyone's eyes.

Since there was a lot of time to waste, I found an empty corner and stretched, wanting my dance to be perfect.

"Annabelle!" Rosemarie called, running over.

Rosemarie's dance costume was a deep indigo with glittering silver swirls. The straps of the dress were delicate silver chains.

"Did you go already?" I asked.

Rosemarie nodded. "It was fun. Madame lets you pick any song you would like. I also love any event that gives you free clothes. This color is so exotic."

I laughed trying to hide my nervousness. "I'm in it for the prize."

Rosemarie gasped. "Are you going full out?"

I nodded. "There's no royals anyways. I think it's safe for me to show them that I can truly dance."

Rosemarie nodded. "Good luck then," she said, squeezing her hand. "I know you're the best."

Rosemarie left to go sit in the pews and watch. Finally a few hours later, it was my turn.

I stepped out onto the stage. My bare feet felt the smoothness of the wood and I tried not to be nervous. I just had to trust my talents. Yes... be confident.