"Heh!" I faked a laugh as I hung my head to the side. That was the only reply I could muster to his shameful remark.
[Cute my ass!]
As the new song started its first key, we then swayed our bodies in motion. My other hand on his, and the other on top of his shoulder. I never even thought we could be this in sync.
"Congratulations on your coming of age," he said next to my ear.
My heart skipped a beat because of his sudden action. I had goosebumps when I felt his warm and pleasant breath, I almost even closed my eyes. Thankfully, I was able to recover right away. I guess being with this man means I should get used to all the sudden irksome sensations he's sending me.
"Thank you, your highness." and then we stayed like that for some time. Just dancing. Our eyes meet constantly whenever we shift our positions as we dance to the rhythm. Nothing to talk about.
To shift my attention, I looked at our surroundings. Others were dancing, too, circling us. They are distant, giving at least a three-meter space, making us the center of attraction. Then at the side, I saw some faces of people in awe as they watch us dance. Some also flashed their jealousy. I understand they wanted to dance with the prince, too. I just hoped they won't look at me as if they wanted to pull my hair and scratch my face from here and there.
This dance seems to be longer than I expected. We have already finished the first song, but here we are, still circling in the middle of the hall. Is he aware that dancing to the second song with the same partner signifies affection and a bond for both parties? It's like he's proclaiming to the whole lot that he's showing an interest in me.
It troubled me. Moreover, we haven't talked since earlier, so I'll break the silence. I can't take it anymore. To tell him something, I have no choice but to close our distance to reach his ear as the hall is now louder than earlier. I tried my best to reach it but failed. I'm tall, so I thought that I could just easily get to whisper at him, but no, I can't. I almost got myself off balance tiptoeing.
I was so focused on reaching his ears that I didn't realize he was turning me.
"Woah--" it was so fast the last thing I knew I was already bending, my head almost to the floor, him holding my waist tightly while he was above, with our other hands still holding each other, arms stretched upwards, my free hand clutching his neck tightly.
I gasped as I stared at him, at his eyes sparkling eyes, down to his nose, and onto his pinkish lips. Our current position made him even look gorgeous. Our faces were so close that I gulped.
After realizing our position, on reflex, I directly sent him a piercing look. I cannot tell what he was thinking at the moment because his face doesn't show any emotions. It was like he just froze for some seconds with a blank face. Once he's back to his senses, he lifts me, then we continued with our slow stride. This time with our bodies close to each other, both my hands pinned to his chest and his arms linked to my back, we look like hugging.
I am not even minding the others anymore, I am just focusing on calming myself first, my head pressed to his chest. I stayed like that for a while with my heart beating loud. It's a good thing he's not showing any discomfort. Was it my heart beating, or was it his? I do not know.
Moments later, I tried reaching his ear once again, determined to say something. This should not be hard this time as we are already closer than before. But why was it that I can't reach him still? I was already about to give up and let it go when he bowed his head a little.
"Eh--" I bet my face turned to a tomato once again. He must have realized what I have been trying to do.
"Yes?" the side of his lips raised. Teasing me.
"Ehem!" I cleared my throat first. "Wouldn't you be dancing with these other ladies who were waiting to be graced by your attention, your highness?" then I pulled myself to look him in the eye.
He smiled. "Were they?"
"Haven't you looked at them?" my voice raised a bit. Is he feigning ignorance? Or did he just not care about his surroundings? It is clear and bright as the chandelier's light from above how much these ladies are willing to do everything just so they could have him in their arms.
[By the way, speaking of that chandelier, it's exquisite. Since electricity is not yet invented, it must be powered by magic.]
"I have," he said confidently. As if it was nothing. And when we turned, he roamed his eyes to the entirety of the hall.
"See?" I blurted out. Urging him to consider the idea of dancing with them because it seems to me that he has a lot of energy to dance.
"Were you tired?" he asked instead. Trying to drop the subject.
[Tsss. This person...]
"Yes. My feet are sore. I don't think I can stand anymore." this is my chance to get away. Good thing he asked, as I, a humble subject, cannot just go and say it of my own accord.
He may haven't noticed, but I have been subtly clutching him tightly for a while now, leaning my own weight to his.
"I know," he said as a matter of factly. So, he did notice! But he still didn't let go.
"You--!" I stopped myself. It's not good to raise a voice to the sole heir of this kingdom. I should not forget that I am not in my own world. "You... are so... kind... your highness! Ha-ha!" I laughed sarcastically.
"Thank you!"
A breath of relief escaped as the song ended. He finally let go. I automatically stepped back and curtsied.
"I will take my leave now, your highness the crown prince." not even a second passed and we were already swarmed by the other ladies in the hall. I was continuedly pushed to the side as they continued to move closer to the prince, doing their best to talk to him, hoping to be asked for a dance. Our eyes met, him in the middle of the eager ladies, and I at the far end. Then I grinned, turning my back away from him.
At last! I could be alone.
I was walking to the food area when a servant holding drinks passed. I swiftly took one glass of wine and drank it in one go while still walking.
"Ahhh..." what a wonderful thing. I miss liquor so much.
There, I enjoyed my time filling up my stomach to my heart's content. I remember meeting Chris in the middle, with some other young ladies. We talked and drank. Time passed by so quickly. And that's how I remember this long day ended.