Let's Dance~

Let's Dance~ Chapter 1

(Authors note: This short story is not yet complete but it is being revised as we speak/type!)

It was just one of those days. The days where you feel like all is right in the world. The spring air was fanning my face as the sun was shining and keeping me warm. I needed to take a small tea break from my duties. I decided to have some green tea, it is but a simple choice yet so soothing. I also fancied some watercress sandwiches. Not the most appealing of foods but I mustn't spoil my appetite.
I was about to take a bite out of my perfectly sliced sandwich when I heard him shouting for me from across the courtyard.

"Luke! Luke! Where are you?! I do not have time for hide and seek! Show yourself this instant!"

I let out a small sigh. "Coming your highness!" I set my food back onto its plate before I rushed over to where his highness was calling.
"I apologize for the wait Prince Keith. How may I help you?" I gave him my award winning butler smile as I tried to distract myself from my hunger pangs.

"It's about time Luke! I have been looking for you for three minutes!" His highness titled his head backwards as he ran his fingers through his hair and exhaled a loud sigh. In my mind, I call him overdramatic but I would never dare say that to Prince Keith's face!

"Luke, I have a ball that I must attend to in two weeks time and I have been requested that the new maid, Rana, was that her name?" He had his hand on his chin as if contemplating if she had a true name. He then shrugged and said, "whatever her name is, you know who she is. She is to be at the ball alongside me."
As soon as I was about to speak my first syllable, Prince Keith interrupted me by saying, "Do not ask questions Luke because I have not the time nor the patience to be bothered with this. I assure you that this commoner does not know how to dance so since I cannot he bothered by this hindrance. Therefore, you will teach her to perfect her ballroom dancing, starting from square one. Is that understood?"

"B-but Prince Keith, I hardly know Miss Rana myself and I am not a professional ballroom dancer so how could I possibly teach her in such a short amount of time?!"
His Highness chuckled, "I know you are not a professional Luke. The way you pour tea so gracefully yet you seem to have two left feet when you dance is beyond me." He gave me a smirk before he turned around and said, "you are a promising butler Luke, you can handle this menial task, can you not?"
"W-well I suppose so but I will do my best, as your butler, to make sure Miss Rana becomes a suitable dance partner." I said this with as much conviction and confidence as I could muster.
"Very well Luke, now off with you." He waved his hands towards me as if he was shooing away a bird from his crumpets.

Before I begin my task of locating Miss Rana I need to clean up my snack and tea that have both gone cold. I signed inwardly but I must follow Prince Keith's orders whenever he asks them of me. I try to take a sip of the tea but it is just not the same as a cup fresh from the pot, when the appetizing aroma is still in the air. I finally make my way back to the kitchen and reluctantly toss away and clean up my unfinished snack.

Now that I had cleaned up it was time to find Miss Rana. I feel as though this conversation will become awkward. I hardly know her and she knows not I. My eyebrows scrunched together a little as I was thinking how to properly broach the subject.
Just at that moment, I heard a very faint sound, it was, how you say, soothing. As I walked closer towards the sound I realized that it was Miss Rana humming. She was dusting the curtains in the main corridor and even though she hasn't been a maid for very long, she already seems to feel comfortable, which made me smile inwardly.

I slowly walked up to her and cleared my throat before saying, "Excuse me Miss Rana." "Eeeek!" Suddenly broken out of her fantasy, Rana jumped and turned around. "A-Ah!! Lyuke! I-I um...I not see you...I a-apolah..apoloh...I sorry!." She swiftly bowed to me and I was taken aback by how respectful she was to me. Even though I am just His Highness's butler, I still felt warm inside.
"Miss Rana, I have a request from Prince Keith. He would like for you to partake in ballroom dancing lessons from me so you will be prepared to walk alongside him at the ball that will be held in two weeks time."

I was explaining why she was expected to attend and why she must learn to dance properly. For a moment, she looked...confused? Like she doesn't understand what I am saying. As I was speaking, her eyes seemed to open wider with every word I said.
"B-but Lyuke, I just maid to water flowars and clean! W-why Prince Keythsu want me to go to ball?"

The poor girl looked at me with a confused and worried expression. Knowing how Prince Keith is, I can understand why she would look that way. He is not known for his kind and gracious attitude. If I dare say, I have not met one person who has had a good first impression of him.

"It is alright Miss Rana. His Highness did not give me a reason as to why he chose you as his partner but it would be an honor, no?"
"W-wel...I...I s-suppohs...but I not know how to dance. I still have cleaning to finash."
She shows me her cleaning supplies, hoping that I will take back my request as she frantically darted her eyes around.
"I apologize Miss Rana but Prince Keith chose you. I know you are nervous but you are a lovely girl and I'm sure you will be just fine." I gave her a small smile and she gave me one in return but it was still hesitant and anxious.
"I have already laid out a simple dress in your room that you may change into. Please come out when you are ready and I will escort you to the ballroom."
"Okay Lyuke, thank you."

I had chosen but a simple red dress that I hoped was to her liking. The dress stopped just below the knees and the sleeves were puffed out, which I had found adorable. I was sure it would complement her hair and face.
She slowly closed the door and I waited no longer than three minutes before she exited her room. Even though I had chosen but a simple red dress, she looked like a beautiful rose.

My eyes had widened at how beautiful she was, my cheeks had turned almost the same shade as her dress. I hadn't meant to stare until she spoke.
"Lyuke, you okay? Your face red and you space out. You not sick, r-right.?"
I shook my head and composed myself. "No, I am feeling just fine. It is just a tad warm in the castle today."
She seemed to question my response as she had tilted her head to the side but she thankfully she did not press any further.
"Miss Rana, shall we be on our way to your first dance lesson?"
She nodded her head and walked a step behind me. It felt a bit awkward but it wasn't in a bad way.