Color of Roses

Learning to Dance

Chapter 8

I had trouble getting myself to sleep. Leo's actions the past few days pestered me all night to the point of exhausting myself. I force myself out of bed and ready myself for the day. Tonight was my coronation ball and I needed to conserve my energy for the long awaited night. I dress casually and progress to breakfast. Giles, Alyn, Nico, and Leo are gathered in the dining room. They stop talking once I enter. Giles greets me first followed by Leo and Nico. Alyn stands quietly off to the side as he usually does.

I take my place at the table and my eyes glance in Leo's direction. His eyes brighten and his lips curl into a playful smirk. I can't help but wonder what he's thinking about. Suddenly Giles' voice breaks my trance.

"Leo has been asked to help me with final preparations for tonight. I've asked Nico to attend to your dance lessons." Hearing his name Nico steps forward and bows. "I've also asked Sir Alyn to watch over you in the meantime. Some of the noblemen can get a bit impatient at these types of events." Giles smiles at me apologetically. I force myself to eat everything on my plate before excusing myself. A hand on my arm halts me and I spin around to be inches from Alyn's face.

"Where are you going?" He asks, his crimson eyes questioning. "My bedroom. Would you like to attend?" I say raising my brows. Hee removes his hand, his face nearly as red as his eyes. He coughs before gesturing for me to proceed. I hear him slowly following behind on behalf of Giles' request. My lips spread into a smile as I make my way to my room.

Once inside, Alyn stands outside my door. I almost feel guilty leaving him out there. I wanted to take a nap but I know it'd be cruel to have Alyn stand there for so many hours even if it's his job to do so. I think better of it and open the door. "Let's go for a walk. I could use some fresh air until lessons start." I walk past Alyn who sighs behind me.

We walk around the courtyard until we reach a large garden I hadn't seen before. I race for the entrance and Alyn's armor clangs about as he tries to keep up. "Don't run off like that," he says once beside me.

"I'm sorry it's just that I saw this garden and my hope got the better of me," I say truthfully. His eyes widen as he realizes what I'm talking about. "You're still stuck on that flower?"

"Don't forget you agreed to help me find it," I retort and he grunts. "Yeah, yeah."

I dance around the garden in search of any white flowers but I'm let down once again. Nothing here matches the picture of the lily the girl wanted. Alyn approaches me from the opposite route, a look of disappointment upon his face. "I couldn't find it." Even though he was the first to claim the flower wasn't real, he seemed to have put in some effort.

His eyes meet mine and I hadn't realized I was smiling at his kindness. "What's with that look? Nico must be waiting for you in the library by now," he averts his eyes and marches off towards the castle.

***

"You're quite the dancer, Your Highness," Nico says in between steps. I smile at his kind words and continue to follow his pattern. "I think you're ready," Nico says as he releases my hands and looks towards the knight leaning against the wall looking rather bored.

"Don't you agree, Sir Alyn?" His eyes narrow at the disinterested knight. Alyn looks up and his eyes shift between us. "Yeah, sure." He says indifferently. Nico steps back and holds his arms out towards me. "I'd like to see the two of you dance," he says slyly.

"I wasn't ordered to play dance partner today," Alyn scoffs.

"I believe that Princess Aria should dance with you to get accustomed to dancing with several different people."

"Won't she be doing that tonight?" Alyn is no longer leaning against the wall.

"Would you want to see the princess stumbling as she dances with a variety of experienced dancers?" Alyn mulls over his answer, his face showing he wants to say yes but he knows he won't hear the end of it if that happens. "Alright. Fine." He approaches me and grabs for my hand aggressively. His other hand remains at his side, hesitating. Nico notices the knight's indecision and grabs his hand and places it around my waist. Alyn refuses to look me in the eye as he begins to move his feet. I try to move along but find it difficult.

"Stop. Sir Alyn, why are you so tense?" Nico taps the knight's back. "Quit it," Alyn whines.

"The princess is having a hard time dancing with you because you're so stiff. You need to loosen up and dance properly."

Alyn mumbles under his breath something I can't understand but he begins to dance again and I find it much easier to keep up with the rhythm. Nico applauds, whether in general or at Alyn, I'm not sure. Alyn releases me immediately, his eyes still refusing to look my way. Nico has a sadistic smile upon his face and I can't help but hold back a laugh. Alyn wasn't much of a dancer and Nico knew it. His reasons for putting Alyn in the spotlight were unknown but it helped relieve the tension I had built up regarding this evening.

"That's all I can teach you, Princess. I'm sure you'll do great tonight." Nico smiles kindly at me. "Thank you, Nico," I reply happily. Alyn pouts near the doorway waiting for me. "Cheer up, Alyn. You dance wonderfully too," Nico teases and Alyn scowls. Once Nico has left the library Alyn closes the door. "I can't stand that new butler," he says to me. "He made me look like a fool."

"I thought you were a great dancer though," I admit. He glances at me momentarily but quickly turns his head. "You need to get ready for the ball." He reaches out and grabs my wrist and pulls me out the door and down the hall.