GABRIEL (Holy Rome)
I remember Roderich played the piano frequently, and each time Ilse listened I wanted nothing more than to sit with her, maybe even dance with her if she would let me, but I never had the courage to ask. I knew she could dance, I remember seeing her unconsciously twirl around while she swept. It was almost entrancing how she moved gracefully in time with a song in her head, in rhythm with a beat only she could hear. It was amazing watching her, made more so by the fact that I don't think she even realised she was dancing; but maybe it was just my perception of her movements that made it seem like she was. Either way, it still froze me when she started, I was able only to watch her. Thinking of it now, I'm almost sure Elizaveta knew of my crush on Ilse, she always kept shooting me pointed looks whenever she caught me watching her, basically telling me, as she would say, to grow a pair and go talk to her.
Eventually I took Elizaveta's advice and went out one day to talk to Ilse, but nearly stumbled on my words when she looked at me questioningly. I almost lost my courage, but at a glare from Elizaveta I gathered myself and finally asked her to dance with me. I believe to this day that she had asked Roderich to play for us, because no sooner had I led Ilse into the great hall, we heard him playing a waltz-like piece on his piano. I was unsure what to do, I had not expected to have music to dance to, but I took the favour and went with it. My earlier analysis appeared to have been correct, Ilse was indeed able to dance, and she was fantastic at it too. Although I led, I knew that if I wished to, I could let her lead and it would make the dance all the better.
We danced for almost an hour to Roderich's piano, though I think, for her as well, it felt like minutes. Her amber eyes were bright with laughter and she was flushed as we spun together, a beautiful smile gracing her face the entire time; and I can take a guess that I looked the same. To this day though, I can't honestly tell how I felt then beyond just right. When I took her hand it was almost like a switch had been hit between us. She moved with me as I led us around the room, and the times I had her lead, sometimes in the middle of a spin, she didn't bat an eye and took over the step sequence instantly, only to surrender control to me again a little later.
In time, we had to stop, I was growing tired, my weak health taking my breath and my energy from me. I ended the dance with a bow to her and she dipped into a neat little curtsy with a soft spoken thank you in return. It may not have seemed like much, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes, more than words ever could. If possible I would have stayed looking at her, but we both knew we couldn't. We both had responsibilities that we could not put aside, as much as we may wish to. With this thought in mind, I asked her quietly if we might dance again sometime, her answer was a yes, all the more honest as it was spoken with both voice and eyes.
We separated then, knowing we didn't have the liberty to stay as we were. I had to lead a fracturing nation and she had her job around the house. I knew her work was more grueling than mine or Roderich's, paperwork is easy compared to the manual labour she and Elizaveta completed. We helped where we could, trying to keep the house as clean as we were able to make things easier on the two girls, and I think that even if it was a small gesture, it did help them, taking some of the responsibility off their shoulders.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Once again I owe so incredibly much to my lovely editor Emily! Again, sporadic updates but it's August now and I can spend at least a little more time on my stories. I don't really have much of an explanation for my absence save for losing inspiration, but it's kind of back now so maybe I'll add more chapters or stories?Much love, and thanks for your patience ^^
-Artisiano