A dance? Allen was not expecting that, and it came out of nowhere. Then again, this was a banquet, so it made a sense they would have something like this.
But still, why would they ask if I was participating? I don't know how to dance!, he thought in his head.
"Something wrong, Allen?," August asked, but the smile at the corner of his mouth was still there.
"Ah no, nothing," he said. "What's the dance for?"
"The dance? Ah, each time my family holds this banquet, we hold a dance sometime before the event ends. I give a small announcement beforehand, and then Milli and I usually start first, and anyone else can join in," August explained.
"How many times have you held this banquet?," Allen asked, curious.
"Oh, usually about once a year. Been attending these since I was probably eight," August shrugged.
Eight years old?, Allen thought. At eight I had started my training with William. People like him are really attending these fancy things at that age? Allen couldn't believe it.
"If you're worried about not having a partner to participate, I'm sure one of the lovely ladies your age here would be more than happy to partner up with you," Reynold gave Allen a slight grin. "If you're interested, I could introduce you to one of the-"
"No need," Allen quickly interjected, his face a little embarrassed.
Is it me, or all Windblades like this?, Allen thought to himself. Reynold's comment and facial expression had reminded him of Stephen. Then again, they are cousins.
"Are you sure? Ah nevermind, you must have your eyes set on someone already then, yes?," he gave him another curious look.
"Allen definitely has someone he could ask to dance with him," August smirked at him. Was it Allen, or was August learning too much from Stephen? Allen gave him a glare.
"Interesting. I wasn't expecting Allen here to already have someone set for him," Reynold put his hand on his chin in thought.
When will this day end?, Allen thought as he sighed.
"Oh, I forgot to mention Allen. Usually when I bring guests, they usually help lead to start the dance," August said, but Allen knew he didn't forget and was waiting for the perfect moment. Allen once again gave him another glare.
Not even a few moments later, they noticed Millicent coming back in from outside, briskly walking over towards them.
"How's Rose doing?," August asked out of concern.
"She's alright, she's just a little shaken up from what happened. Seems like that former knight in-training of yours really got her past an annoyed mood," Millicent explained the situation.
"Good to hear. Rose seems like the strong-willed type, so I believe she should be alright," August nodded.
"I'll go check in on her too, just in case," Allen said as he already began to turn around and head outside to find her.
He made his way outside to the balcony, and began to dart his eyes around to find Rose. She shouldn't be too hard to find, considering her long, bright blond hair. Not to mention the dress she's wearing stands out.
As he looked around for her, he noticed the balcony was quite larger than what he was expecting. If not for the fact he was looking around for Rose, he wouldn't have minded being out here and just hanging around with the beautiful night sky above him.
Just as he was about to believe she must have gone elsewhere, he found her sitting on a seat in the back corner of the balcony. He couldn't believe it took him this long to find her, even if it was just a minute.
He quickly made his way over to her, seeing her looking up at the night sky.
"Mind if I sit next to you?," Allen asked, mimicking what she had said back at the Training Camp.
"Umm yeah, go ahead," she gave him a wry smile, as she also mimicked what Allen had said back to her.
"I see what you did there," Allen laughed.
"You said it first," she gave him a look as Allen took his seat.
After a short moment of silence, Allen finally spoke.
"So, did you talk to Milli at all?"
"Yeah, for a little bit," she nodded. She's really nice. I'm happy that August has a beautiful and wonderful future wife"
"I am too. Though it was really odd meeting her," Allen admitted.
"Why? Did something happen?," she looked at him.
"Ah, she approached me, and said I looked like a lost puppy," he rolled his eyes.
"She said that?," she laughed. "She's probably right about that one"
"Oh shut up," Allen rolled his eyes again. "Anyways, are you doing alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just got really annoyed at that supposed knight in-training, is all. He really knew what things to say to piss me off," she crossed her arms.
"Glad to hear you're fine. August was still a bit worried about you"
"I figured, but you guys don't need to be worried, nor did you really need to help. But, I do want to thank you for helping out regardless," she gave him a faint smile.
"Anytime," Allen nodded his head. "Though, I understand you can handle yourself just fine. But still…"
"I know, that's just how you are," she smiled. "I know I can count on you, alongside the rest of the training club, if they were here"
"Of course. Though, I wonder how Stephen would be if he was here. Damn, why does he always luck out on the coin flips?!," Allen sighed.
"I dunno, he just has a lot of luck," Rose said, after laughing.
The two of them talked for a little bit longer, talking about everyone in the training club, and some of the more recent events.
"Alright, are you ready to head back inside?," Allen asked. "If not, that's okay"
"Yeah, I probably should," she admitted, getting up from her seat. "They've worried about me enough by now"
"Let's go inside then," Allen finally said.
They made their way back in, with surprised looks from August and Milli as they walked back up to them.
"Glad to see you are okay!," Milli nodded.
"Thank you"
"Did Reynold wander off?," Allen asked August.
"He did," he nodded. "He has many people that he speaks to on a daily basis, and some of them are here"
"I see," Allen responded, thinking once again about what Reynold could be wanting from him.
"So Rose," August got her attention. "Were you participating in the dance this evening?"
"The- the dance?," Rose's face got flushed.
"Well of course. I told you about this, didn't I?"
"No, you didn't," Allen stared at him with a slight annoyed expression.
"Ah, my apologies"
He went over the dance once again, to Rose. She kept nodding her head as he explained, her flushed face starting to go away, but still there.
"So, all that considered, would you two mind if you partnered up for the dance?," he asked. "I would love to have my guests participate, but if you don't wish to, I won't force you"
Despite him saying that they didn't have to, a small smile was once again on his face, which probably meant he was really hoping for them to say yes.
"I-," Rose began to say, but she looked over at Allen.
"Well, if- if Rose is fine with it, then I'm okay," he scratched the back of his head.
"I'm fine with it," she nodded her head furiously.
"Oh? I see how it is," Millli smirked as she looked at both of them.
"Good to hear. I will be making the announcement here in just a bit," he said as he already began to walk away, with Milli following behind him.
August made his way to the front as Allen and Rose stood next to each other as they waited for August to start. A few guests in the crowd had noticed August going to the front.
"If I may have everyone's attention," he said after clearing his throat.
Anyone that wasn't already looking over at August, surely was now. August's voice always seemed to carry a sense of authority, drawing any and all voices to his attention when desired.
"I hope all of you are enjoying your evening so far. As per each banquet my family hosts, we have a small dance before we end the banquet," he began to explain.
As August continued speaking, Allen made a sudden realization: he doesn't know how to dance!
"Umm, Rose?," he turned to look at her as she listened to August speak.
"What?," she asked, turning her head.
"I- I don't know how to dance…," he admitted.
Her face turned red for a moment, but it looked like she was expecting Allen to say this. "D-Don't worry. Just let me take the lead, and we will be fine". Allen nodded his head.
"-to start the dance, my fiance Millicent and I will begin, followed by my guests Allen Fleming and Rose Marion," he spoke, pointing his hand towards the two of them.
As expected, everyone in the audience's attention was focused on the two of them for a moment. It wasn't that long, but it was enough for the two of them to do their best to not act nervous. Rose was better than Allen, but he could still tell she didn't want to be the center of attention at this very moment.
If Sarah was here, she wouldn't have any issues, Allen thought. Wait, why am I thinking of Sarah, of all times?
"-and anyone else who wishes to participate in the dance and has a partner who can join them, feel free to participate. I only wish for all of you to enjoy your evening further," August continued, as Allen's attention was back on him.
"Now then, without further ado, we shall begin our banquet dance," he finally finished, already heading out towards the center of the room, Millicent once again behind him.
Everyone else in the room began to make space for them, to allow them to have plenty of space in the center. August and Millicent then prepared themselves just as the music in the room began.
"Get ready, we'll be joining them soon. August will be giving us the signal," Rose alerted Allen.
"R-Right," he said, still really nervous.
Seconds later, August and Millicent began. Allen didn't know much about dancing, but he could tell that the two of them knew exactly what they were doing.
It was hard to take your eyes off of the two of them. Their movements were smooth, almost never stopping once, always going at a perfect pace. To say that their dancing was elegant was an understatement.
Just over a minute of the two of them dancing, August's eyes seemed to stare at Allen and Rose, but just for a moment.
"That's our queue," Rose whispered.
Before Allen could respond, Rose grabbed his hand, already pulling him towards the center.
Someone please remind me again why I allowed myself to come here tonight, he thought as Rose was already moving him where she wanted him.
"Okay, so your left arm goes here, and your right here," she instructed, pointing to her body.
"W-What?!," Allen whispered loudly, but it was quiet enough.
"D-Don't make this too difficult please!," she whispered back, her face flushed again. "You know what-"
Instead of waiting for Allen to do it, she grabbed his arms forcefully and put them where she had instructed him. Allen's body began to shake as he realized how close he really was to her, with his hands on her body.
"Let's get moving, we should've started already. Just let me take the lead, okay?," she instructed again, already moving him.
"A-Alright," he said, trying his best to follow her movements.
Despite how awkward they probably looked, it didn't seem like the crowd had any issues. Instead of giving them weird looks, the crowd gave them looks of approval. Allen didn't know how they were doing okay, he just trusted Rose and went with it.
Not too long afterwards, other guests from the crowd joined in, turning the middle of the room into an eloquent dance Allen was expecting to see.
"How'd you learn to dance?," Allen asked, as Rose kept directing him.
"I- I had a few lessons," she looked away for a moment. "My family, and all-"
Allen recalls that Rose hasn't really spoken about her family much, but when she has, it's never really been positive. He does remember there's something about her mother that Rose doesn't like, back when they first met Vice Director Walter Garet.
"Ah, okay," Allen gave a slight nod. He decided to not pursue further.
They continued their dance, Allen still doing his best to follow Rose's directions. He began to pick up on it a bit, making it easier for him as they continued. Despite a few 'bumps' along the way, their dancing was rather smooth.
"Hey Allen, there's something I want to tell you," Rose suddenly spoke, some time before the dancing was coming to a close?
"Yeah?," Allen asked, still learning how to dance as they continued.
"I know that you don't share the same feelings that I do for you, but…"
"But what?," he asked, nervous and confused.
"But… I won't give up," she declared, her face showing a bit of confidence. "One day, you'll fall for me"
What she said caught Allen off guard so much, he almost went out of sync and fell. Luckily, Rose caught him before he could, and they continued on as normal.
He wasn't sure how to respond, so Rose probably took his silence for an answer based on the face she made.
The dance finally came to a close, with August and Millicent ending it. The audience began to applaud, as the rest of the participants stopped. Allen was glad it was finally over, because he could feel his heart pounding really fast.
Allen looked over at August, who only gave him a slight nod. Looks like they did better than he thought they did.
Allen and Rose finally met back up with August and Millicent. Reynold Windblade joined them shortly after the four had met up.
"August, Milli, you both did very excellent, as always," Reynold complemented.
"Thank you, Rey," he nodded.
"And you two," he turned to Allen and Rose. "I wasn't expecting you two to pick up so quickly, I almost would've thought you two were already professionals"
"Thank you," they both responded. How in the world they did well, Allen had no idea.
"Well if you'll excuse me, I have a few guests to speak to before I make my way out today," Reynold informed them, just before he left.
He's a lot different than I expected him to be, Allen thought, thinking about the times he spoke with Reynold tonight. He wonders if he will ever speak to him again.
"I doubt that will be the last time you speak with Reynold, Allen," August said, as if he was reading Allen's mind. Allen gave a slight nod as he kept thinking.
"Well, is this banquet about over? Because I am getting tired," Rose said, her eyes about ready to close.
"Yes, it's almost over. Though, if you want to make your way out now, you can. I just have a few things to attend to before we take our ride back to the academy's dorms," August explained.
"Thank god," she said, already wondering off.
"August, I have to leave, as I told you earlier," Milli suddenly spoke.
"Right," he nodded. "I'll leave you to it"
"Thank you," she responded, making her way out.
"Allen, feel free to hang around here. You can talk to others as you wish. I'll be back in a bit," he said, just as he turned around.
"Wait- what are you doing?," he asked, but before August could answer he was already making his way towards the balcony.
Just before August had opened the doors to the balcony, his face had made an odd expression. It looked sad, but at the same time composed.
Just what is he doing?, Allen thought. He doesn't seem to be wrapping up the banquet as he said he would.
At this point, Allen had two options: he could hang around here like the lost puppy Milli said he was, or he could go see what August was up to.
Well, let's go see what's wrong with the prince, he thought, as he decided to follow him out on the balcony.