"So," Crystal took a break from reading in the library to start a conversation with Gold. "The wedding is right around the corner, only about eleven more days. And guests will start arriving in less than a week."

"But my father won't be here until the actual wedding?"

"Yeah, he's a king, he's busy," Crystal confirmed.

Gold nodded. "So who can I expect to see at this wedding?"

"I know Princess Daisy and her husband Prince Bill, as well as Prince Green from Kanto will be here. I haven't been told if King Oak is coming, but he might. Oh! And Yellow, the duchess of Viridian will be here."

"Cool, cool. I know none of those people," Gold stated.

"You never visited Kanto? I would be surprised if you did and weren't addressed by the royal family, they're very formal."

Gold shrugged. "When I went I tried to keep a low profile."

"Do you know the ambassador to Hoenn, Norman? Or his son Ruby?"

"Doesn't ring a bell."

"Did you ever talk to anyone remarkably noble when you traveled?"

"That's no fun," Gold teased. "If I wanted to hang out with nobles I would have stayed home."

"Well," Crystal replied happily. "Once were married you'll take me to see all your commoner friends, won't you?"

Gold's smile faded, as it usually did when she used the phrase 'when we're married.' She couldn't figure out if he was still reluctant to get married or if there was something he wasn't telling her.

Maybe, he was attacked on his way here and is a ghost now. Or his father wasn't the King, even though the Queen told him it was his son, it was a magical being and Gold has supernatural powers.

"I wish I could have invited them to the wedding, to bad these things are usually 'nobles only.'" Gold frowned.

"I'm sure you could have invited them, but it's a little late now, though."

"Wish I had known you would have been cool with it before I came down here and met you."

Crystal laughed, but thought more about what would take place at the wedding. Then it dawned on her.

"At the engagement ceremony, you didn't like me then, right? So you were trying to step on my toes?" Crystal panicked. "You can actually dance, right?"

Gold laughed anxiously. "Actually I was kinda indifferent towards you back then..."

"You can't dance?" Crystal held back her voice from yelling. "You know everyone who we need to respect us will be watching us dance. Just us! If you screw up, everyone will see!"

"Sorry-"

"Didn't you take lessons as a child?"

"Um, technically I did take lessons..."

"How many?"

"... About three-"

"You're kidding me, right?" Crystal yelled at him. "How did your parents not require it? Did you never expect to get married?"

"Look, my teacher was a mean old lady who would threaten to break my toes if I stepped on her feet, so I usually skipped those lessons to do something more exciting. Like fencing."

Crystal look a deep breath to calm herself down and silently counted to ten.

"Alright Gold, since you were an idiot, I'll teach you how to dance."

"Wait- what?"

"You didn't like your lessons because of the teacher, correct? Well now you can dance with a pretty girl, you even get to touch my waist."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining!" Gold jumped up enthusiastically. "When do we start?"

Crystal used a bookmark to save her place and put the book on the table.

"Come with me to the ballroom and we'll start now."

"Ok Gold, this is very simple. You saw what steps I did?"

"Yup."

"And you know what number I assigned to each of them?"

"Absolutely."

"Alright, try it by yourself. 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4..."

Crystal continued to count to a beat like a metronome. Watching Gold's feet, Crystal made sure he didn't mess up the steps.

"Ok, that was better," Crystal applauded when she finished counting.

"Can I dance with you now?" Gold asked, she had lured him here promising they would dance, but so far she had barely stood next to him.

"Mmmm... Sure." Crystal stood in front of him and started rearranging his body. "Now this hand goes here, and that one there and put your feet back into the starting position. You'll have to learn to lead, but for now follow me."

"Gotcha!"

Crystal did more counting and kept telling Gold not to look at his feet, she could do that, and he wouldn't look at his feet when they were dancing for real.

"Ow! Watch out for my toes, Gold!"

"How can I when you won't let me look at my feet!"

"You shouldn't have to if you do it correctly." Crystal sighed and stopped him. "I should have you practice the arm and leg movements together by yourself first so you don't get confused."

"No!" Gold objected. "I can do it with you, pretty please!" He begged.

"Do it once on your own and do it well. Then I'll dance with you."

Gold practically jumped for joy. "Alright, lets see if I can do this."

"It's just a simple waltz, Gold. You really should be able to do this," she reminded him.

"Just wait until you need someone to defend your honor in a duel, then all those fencing classes will come in handy."

Crystal rolled her eyes amusedly. "You'll be my first choice as a champion in a duel. Now get it position. Hold your arms out, remember!"

"Oh yeah!"

Crystal smiled and started counting again. Gold wasn't perfect, so she had him do it again and again until it was getting late.

"Let's call it quits for tonight, ok?" Crystal suggested.

Gold frowned, "but we didn't dance together."

"You didn't do it well enough."

"But tomorrow, we'll start our next lesson tomorrow and you'll dance with me at least once?"

"I'll do you one better, I'll have music." Crystal grinned.

"But the dance. We'll do that to the music together?" Gold clarified.

"Of course."

Gold smirked. "My, my, Princess. Dancing together with music? Are you asking me on a date?"

Crystal blinked and hardened her gaze. "Well, yes. Tomorrow is a date, as is everyday. If a day wasn't on the calendar it wouldn't be a date."

"No, like a date."

"Yes. A date, like the one on the calendar. Unless you wanted the fruit-"

"You've never been on a date? Have you, Crys?" Gold asked, leaning in closer.

"I feel like you know something I don't..."

Gold laughed and pulled away. "You don't even know what a date is?"

"Of course I do! It's a day or a fruit!" Crystal glared.

"Technically yes, but there is a third definition."

"What would that be?"

"Like... a date! An activity you do with someone you have a romantic interest in, in order to advance the relationship and learn more about them," Gold explained surprisingly eloquently.

Crystal frowned, "I was engaged for 17 years! How would I have known that!" Gold laughed and Crystal forced herself to continue. "So is it like courting?" She asked.

"Kinda." Gold held a hand to his chin, thinking before responding. "I suppose it's less formal than courting. A couple that I scouting may go on dates, but they aren't always a courting couple, sometimes they barely know each other. Dating is less of an agreement and trying to get married, as much as fun and spending time with people."

Crystal gasped. "Like... painted ladies?" She whispered.

"No!" Gold responded immediately. "A whore charges money and its usually for a... service rather than a date. A date is just to get to know people."

"Like a pre-courting?"

"Sure! It's like to find out who you want to court with."

"Then this obviously wouldn't be a date. We're already getting married."

Gold sighed, "I was just teasing, Crys. It's like a schoolyard thing to make fun of people for seemingly having a romantic interest in them."

"How would you know? You didn't go to school, you had tutors."

Gold's head shot up so quickly Crystal thought his neck would snap.

"Oh yeah I didn't- but- um- I travel, remember? I've seen other kids be in schoolyards," Gold sputtered. Crystal was curious why he suddenly was so anxious, but Gold yellowed a quick goodbye and ran off before she could say anything.

Days until the wedding: 10