"Now watch closely. It is your left foot followed by your right leading you into a turn. "Keith demonstrated the move finishing the dance. The children clapped wildly and Keith bowed. He had been teaching them some of the court dances so they can join that evening. Lance watched with a small smile seeing his younger siblings enjoying their time with Keith. Veronica picked up well and was flushed every time Keith asked to dance with her. Lance sensed she may have a small bit of a liking to the King which Lance found quite amusing. The four siblings paired up and Lance asked his mother to dance. Keith watched and corrected the family as they twirled around the grassy area behind the house. Keith enjoyed watching them have such a merry time, especially Lance. He seemed more himself than ever twirling his mother around with a gleeful laugh every now and then. Maria insisted on sitting the next one out due to needing a rest. Keith happily filled her position. Keith wrapped his arm around Lance's waist and took his hand and raised an expectant eyebrow.
"Shall you lead? Or shall I?" Keith asked and Lance reddened a bit.
"I-I-I I. You would most likely be a better leader." He said softly with a hard swallow after. The way Keith was staring made his heart race a bit, as if he was the prettiest thing Keith has ever seen. Keith smiled and rearranged their hands and positions before he started. He easily lead Lance around joining the children as they spun around happily until the sun was high in the sky and it was far too hot to continue.
"I'll race you to the stream!" Marco screamed as they four children ran off to soak away their hard earned sweat. Keith laughed watching them go. Maria had to chase after them begging for them not o dirty for there was not much time to bathe before the ball. That left Lance and Keith alone. Lance was leaning against the house watching the commotion. Keith was unable to read all the emotions on his face. Happiness, fear? Too many to figure out.
"Everything alright?" Keith asked coming to join him. Lance just stared out to the flock of white fluffy sheep who were prancing around enjoying their day as well.
"I.. Yes. I am fine. A tad nervous but I mean, in this circumstance it is right to be." He offered a small smile over to the King. "I just..May I speak freely?" Lance asked his stomach turning into a puddle of nerves and a small pit started forming. How was he supposed to say what he was about to say? To ask such n absurd thing? Maybe he had been imagining this whole time? Keith just smiled and turned to look at the boy.
"Of course, you may always speak freely in my presence." Keith noticed how Lance seemed to close his emotions even more, as if he was worried he would upset him. "Please, do not fret. There is nothing you can say to make me think of you in any way that isn't pleasant."
"That is what worries me so…your..pleasant feelings for me. I fear you may view me as much more than I should be."Lance rubbed his arm mindlessly clearly nervous.
"Lance.. I admit. I may have grown small feelings for you and what we have but please don't let it scare you away from me. I am ready to care for you and treat you well and I can do so much for you and your family. It is true I have not been too discreet in my attraction to you and I hope deeply it will not effect our relationship. I quite enjoy your family."Keith finished with a small smile. Lance had a small frown but a look of confusion. It seemed he was having an internal battle with his feelings.
"This could never happen." Keith was surprised with the other boy's response. Had he just been rejected? "We are both..men." It all clicked. Of course Lance would never have thought of laying with another man. Keith sighed a bit and pushed off the wall to stand in front of the boy.
"Lance. You should not worry about that. Your heart knows what to do. If you have doubts please, Talk with my Chancellor tonight. His name is Takashi, he may have just the right things to say to ease your mind. Love is love, and Love is never something to be afraid or ashamed of. I must be going but..I will greet you as soon as you arrive tonight. A carriage of my seamstresses will arrive shortly to prepare you all for this evening. I will see you shortly.." Keith gently took Lance's hand rubbing the back softly with his thumb before leaving the lightest kiss before leaving Lance alone to wrestle with all these new feelings. He had been right the whole time. He had caught the attention of the King, another man. What made it all the more worse was Lance could not stop his own feelings from growing as wrong as they may have been. Red was heard letting out a whiny before hoof beats were heard getting farther and farther away.
Keith had been right, not long after a carriage was seen rolling down the hill towards Lance's home. He rounded up his family and greeted the new guests. Large trunks were carried in taking up all of the floor room in the small house.
"Alright lads, one at a time. Ladies first!" Maria was up first and the other four were waiting outside.
"Now listen. We are never going to a place as nicer than the castle itself so you better not shame any of us. Be on your best behavior, mind your manners, but also have fun alright?" Lance made his rounds pulling leaves and twigs from his sibling's hair. Half an hour went by before Maria stepped out from the door revealing exactly what had been made for her. Each one of the children, Lance included, stared agape. Never had they seen their mother in a dress half as nice as the one she was wearing. She looked like a princess! Her dark navy blue with black accents have her skin a glow, her hair up and curly strands spilling out framing her face. A small sparkly hair piece shining in the sun. She was ethereal. Her face showed exactly how beautiful she looked, her eyes were sparkling as she truly felt amazing in the outfit. Her shoes matched the blue satin of her dress with small black sparkles.
"Mama! You look like a queen!" Veronica swooned going over and looking the dress over in awe.
"Just wait until you see yours!" Maria laughed picking up Veronica and swinging her around. Lance had to wipe at his eyes his heart about to burst. He hasn't seen his mother smile like this since father had gone. A woman came out beckoning to Veronica.
"The Little lady now please." Veronica practically ran in overly excited. The rest of the family crowded around admiring the magnificent dress in front of them. Soon after Veronica was heard squealing right before she ran out bouncing up and down. Her dress, the same blue satin but instead of black accents had white lace. It was a beautiful dress and suited her perfectly.
"Next one! Little lad!" Luis was hauled off grumbling not being as excited as Veronica to get into his sit. Soon after Luis Marco was done as well both in a maroon colored suit with gold accents. They looked stunning in their suits and Lance was dying of nerves. Would he look alright in his? They were getting little Sophie in her small gown and handed her back of to Maria who swooned over her children and how ell they looked. If Lance had seen them now on the streets he would think they were from behind the castle walls, they look so..royal. So clean and happy.
"Last but not least" Lance was pulled from his thoughts feeling a tug on his arm. He was being lead inside and his heart felt as if would leap from his chest. One last trunk being opened, one last outfit before he was dressed and they were traveling to the castle. His mind seemed to blank and he grew more frightened. What if he forgot the dances? Lance quickly learned that there must be no privacy in the castle as these strange women stripped him of his clothes. They were not shy and Lance felt awkward about the whole thing left only in his unders. Luckily they allowed him to change those in private. Once he returned he was dressed by multiple people fussing over every small detail.
"I can dress myself you know.." Lance said feeling them button the pants.
"Absolutely not, Sir! His Majesty would have our heads if we allowed such a thing! It is no trouble at all!" One said bringing a white fluffy thing over and tying it around his neck. Once they seemed finished they led him to see himself in the mirror and he had to do a double, triple, check. He looked like a whole new person. His skin was clean and it looked bright against the royal blue of his suit. There was small gold accents with white. He turned around to see the intricate golden swirls of the design on the back. The top coat was long accentuating his longer legs. The pants hugged him perfectly and were so soft. He felt amazing and was already scared to see Keith's reaction. What if he did not look the part? He was only a mere farm boy. He wasn't wealthy enough to look at these clothes let alone wear them. As good as he looked he felt guilty and worried that he may ruin it somehow. No eating or drinking, too risky.
"Alright! You look quite handsome! The King was correct on the color choice wasn't he?" One said with a low whistle.
"The King designed these?" Lance asked in shock. He had no idea. He indeed had an exceptional taste.
"Indeed. He wanted them all to be perfect" They started loading the trunks back into the carriage as Lance made his way outside to show his family.
"Oh Lance! You look stunning!" Maria wailed not ashamed of the tears falling down her cheeks. She came over and scooped Lance into a tight hug. "This is more than a dream' She cried and Lance pat her shoulder softly.
"I know Mama. I know." He said and finally, after all of his worrying he had a small spark of something new. Excitement.
One carriage left just to be replaced by another, gold adorned one supposed to carry them off to the castle. A footman stepped down and opened the small door helping everyone in. Lance was last making sure everyone was comfortable before giving his small home one more glance. He was still trying to comprehend how someone like him could be on his way to the castle, to the King. It was a unthinkable.
"Your Majesty!" Keith halted and inwardly groaned hearing the high pitch shrill of none other than Princess Allura of Altea. He turned to see her bounding up to him in an excited manner. She bowed deeply her smile as wide as ever.
"It is so good to see you after so long!" She said immediately taking his arm." Shall we walk together? We have much catching up to do." Keith looked sideways at Shiro who seemed to be barely containing his raging laughter at the situation.
"Of course..Princess." Keith managed and the two started their stroll. Allura was very kind, She was also very pretty. Keith had no quarrels with her as a person, he just was not interested in marrying her anytime soon. Or ever for that matter. King Alfor had other opinions on the matter though. For now Keith would have to smile and play along to keep them happy and once he sail back for Altea he may breath freely once again and sadly never receiving their marriage treaty..sadly.