A Strange Tale (multiverse fanfiction) (On Hold)

Chapter 15: So This Might Be A Fairy Tale After All...Or Not

I rolled my eyes.

"Rachel..."

Rachel shot me a venomous smile. "Nice dress," she placed her hands on her grey and silver dress and tilted her head. "Where'd you get it?"

"Why the interest?" I asked. I was not interested in talking to her. 

"Just want to know where a street rat..."

"Street rat?" I raised my brow in amazement. I saw the princess watching from a distance. "Oh, I get it...she's been rubbing off on you, hasn't she?"

"She did have a thing or two to say about you, "Rachel remarked and checked her perfectly polished nails.

"Really now?" I crossed my arms. "Well, please, enlighten me."

"You don't belong here...and never will...you're a worthless pretty-face and waste of space..." Rachel winked at me. 

I clenched my fists. There were only two things stopping me from starting another catfight. One, for dignity and aversion to arrest and secondly...well, I REALLY liked this dress. Her remarks stung. I knew I shouldn't care what she thought, but I sorely struggled with jealousy. She managed to gain the attention of the king and just about most of the guardians. For crying out loud, Prince Arthur had asked her to dance!

"Is that it?" I asked, swallowing bile and anger rising in my throat.

"No...you're also a..."

"Ladies," Arthur suddenly sprang into view. He stepped in front of me and Rachel. "Let's not repeat any course of history, shall we?"

"Ah, my prince," Rachel batted her eyes, and I rolled mine. "Come to ask me for another dance?"

"Actually," Arthur turned to face me, and my heart skipped a beat as he stared at me. "Would you do me the honour?"

"Erm...yes, of course," I said. I grabbed his hand and realized to my surprise how gentle but calloused it was. He leads me away from Rachel, but I couldn't help but give a small smile towards her sour face. I knew he was only probably asking me to dance to remove the two of us. Considering we had a history.

Arthur pulled me close to him, and gently slid his hand onto my waist and the other with my hand. "Thank you...for getting me out of that."

"It's no problem, I had intended to ask you to the next dance anyway,"

A small blush seeped into my cheeks. "I am honoured..."

Arthur gave a small smile, and we started dancing. I could see, in comparison to Merlin, he was far-better practised. I struggled to hide the thrill and butterflies in my stomach. I was dancing, in a ball, with an actual prince! Talk about a fairy tale. He twirled and dipped me. I gave a small gasp, and for a split second was afraid I would drop. However, Arthur steadied me with his arm, and I felt safe. He lifted me up again, and I caught a glimpse of Mary who was showing thumbs up and excitement for my part. Then I saw Brad offering his hand to her and  I focused my attention back to Arthur. His blonde hair shimmered in the candlelight.

"You look very beautiful," Arthur complimented me.

"You don't clean up so bad yourself," I said and another smile slipped through onto the prince's face. At last, some emotion other than deep-dark seriousness.

He took me round along with the others. He was moving in perfect step.

"I'm gonna spin you to the next dancer... don't be afraid..."

"Ok..." I said hesitantly. He did indeed spin me, and I had my arms out for whoever was meant to catch me. I gasped as a firm, strong hand gripped mine, and I came face to face with Geralt.

"You dance?" I asked, surprised that the Witcher was even on the dance floor.

"Only on certain occasions," Geralt grimaced. It looked like he was in pain.

"Do dances give you grey hairs? Oh, sorry..." I grinned at his frown. He led me, but he was certainly far more awkward.

"Oops," I tripped on my dress and fell forward, but Geralt gripped me tighter and pulled me up.

"It would help if you were not  a klutz,"

I raised my brow. "Arthur lead me just fine thank you."

"He's nothing but a rich spoilt prince who had nothing better to do..."

"You don't like him. Why?"

Geralt stared at me then shook his head. Of course, he wouldn't say, and it was starting to get frustrating.

"Why are you even dancing?" I asked him. He didn't respond.

I loosened my grip and started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Geralt asked and I froze.

"I don't want to dance with a statue, thank you very much," I took another step, but Geralt gripped my arm.

"I'm dancing because of you..."

"What?"

"Please," Geralt lifted his hand again. I sighed and took it, and he leads me back to the dance floor, back into sync.

"I'm not good at..."

"Talking? I figured," I said and sighed. He focused hard on leading me correctly, and soon he was spinning and dipping me with ease. This Witcher made me so nervous, but he frustrated me just as much. Then, he spun me again and I wondered...

I was grabbed my warm familiar hands, and I looked up and smiled.

"Evening," Derek spun me and got me back into sync with the rest of the dancers. I watched and frowned as I saw Geralt leave the dance floor. It rang true and clear, he only had an intention to dance with me, but why?

"Enjoying your attention with the princess?" I asked. I don't know even why...I suppose I was just in general conflicted inside. 

"She certainly has a refined style of talking," Derek spoke and I laughed. He grinned back, and he leads me left, right and centre. He was quite smooth, but then again, Arthur certainly would have won best lead dancer award according to me. Derek spun, and I expected a dip...instead he grabbed my waist and swung me in the air. I bit my lip to avoid gasping to loudly. He did it so effortlessly. I felt as light as a feather. He brought me down again and spun me, and I landed straight back into Arthur's arms.

"Enjoy the little side-trip?" Arthur asked me and I grinned.

"It certainly had its moments..."

"Was a little worried, I saw you almost left..."

I frowned. "You saw that?"

"Not that I was watching," Arthur coughed and kept moving. Something strange was going on. Soon the music came to an end and I could not stop smiling.

That was until all the chandeliers burst and I found myself on the floor with a heavy headache.