The wind was blowing just enough to rustle the leaves of the Oaks surrounding the courtyard. Enough of a breeze to send a slight chill down Keith's spine as he adjusted his gloves. He was awaiting the arrival of the carriage holding Lance and his family. His stomach a fit of nerves he tried to calm himself by taking deep breaths. Shiro was standing tall beside him which gave him comfort. It was nice having him there. He was excited to introduce him to Lance.
"Carriage approaching Your Highness!" A gatekeeper called as the gates creaked open opening the road leading into the windy square. The leaves danced around the cobblestone as horses hooves clacked against the rough surface. The closer the carriage got the less nervous and more excited he got. He was eager to see him in his outfit he had planned for him. He would look absolutely stunning he was sure of it.
The horses halted in front of the King and his small crowd or sentries and council members curious to see who his honored guests were. Keith picked at his own suit his fingers restless as they dug at the seams of his deep scarlet jacket lined in black velvet with a black fur capelet laid across his right shoulder held on by a chain with a lion brooch. His hair pulled snugly into a small ponytail, Shiro had definitely complemented his appearance saying anyone would be lucky to have him as a partner which in turn just made Keith a sputtering mess as he tried to change the subject. Now as he stood his heart in his throat waiting for the doors to open he felt not like a king but as a scared little boy. This just as new to him as his crown. Keith had a hard time making connections but somehow the boy from the market was able to twirl his way into a small place in his mind and maybe his heart as well. He wasn't sure what love was but he didn't care about that now. He was happy to just be able to have someone he could grow to love. Lance seemed the perfect person for it, he was the brightness in Keith's dark grim days and Keith was Lance's stability when Lance was stumbling. They would make quite the pair together and Keith could not wait to fill the lonely halls with the other boy's sweet laughter and his warm light. Everyone is going to absolutely adore him just as much as he did.
The carriage drive hopped down from his wooden seat and pulled the small step down before opening the door. He held out his hand to help the passengers out. Keith's heart stopped as he saw a black gloved hand reach out and take the doorman's. Lance's mother stepped out looking around wide eyed in amazement. Keith couldn't help but smile as the children poured out too anxious to wait there turn. One, two, three, four.. Then he saw Lance. He stepped out and thanked the doorman graciously before looking around himself. His eyes were sparkling as he took in the courtyard with the biggest smile that battled the sun any day. He turned and froze as he met Keith's gaze. Both boys looked at each other in stunned silence. Keith looking dark and handsome while the blue of Lance's outfit made his skin glow and look soft under the quickly fading sunlight. His whole family looked beautiful in their own outfits as well. Keith swallowed hard and made his way to greet them. Lance snapped out of the daze and bowed quickly followed by his family.
"Your Highness." They greeted. Keith smiled and bowed quickly back.
"I am glad you have arrived in good condition. I hope the ride was not too long?" Keith asked directing his statement to Maria but his eyes never left Lance as him and his siblings explored the nearby area in awe.
"Oh it was wonderful! We saw parts of the kingdom we had not been able to before. It was lovely. The sunset too was gorgeous." Maria replied with a small smile. She looked over at what Keith had been so infatuated with. She covered her mouth with her hand casually not wanting to embarrass the King.
"I'm sure they would love a quick tour before the ball?" She spoke once she could contain her amusement at the King's obvious affection for her boy. Keith looked over at her quickly realizing he had been caught staring.
"O-o of course! Right this way My Lady" He held his arm out to her and Maria gently took it letting the King escort her to her family. They group made their way around the square as Keith showed them the stables, the kitchens, and anything else they seemed to be curious about.
"Can we go into the gardens?" Lance asked seeing the bush hedges leading into them. Keith wanted nothing more than to sweep Lance into the flowers by the fountain but knew the ball had started not long before and he should make an appearance sooner than later.
"I promise to show them to you later this evening. Shall we go inside?" Lance tried to hide his brief disappointment but smiled at the prospect of actually entering the castle now.
"Inside inside? Inside the castle inside?" It was Marco that spoke his voice high in anticipation as he bounced from one foot to the other.
Keith huffed a small laugh and lead the small group inside his council and guards following as well. Lance looked side to side uneasy at the amount of men surrounding them. It must be suffocating having so many people crowd you all the time. It now made sense why Keith snuck out so often. Lance would too. Lance was eyeing Shiro, Keith's Chancellor as he had been introduced. Keith had said to speak with him. Lance eyed him trying to figure out why and the man must have felt his gaze for he turned and raised a slight eyebrow. Lance reddened a bit and turned away quickly. Keith lead them down the main hall that was littered with people in gowns and suits that Lance felt he couldn't even breath on they must have cost so much. Veronica was agape at the gowns but the boys were more interested in the soldiers and their swords. Keith stopped and turned to his guests with a wide smile. The ballroom was right behind him and the smooth music of the instruments was heard. There was a soft murmur of conversation as the crowd awaited the King's entrance. The dancing did not start until the King had arrived so it was fairly mellow at this time.
"I must go in and welcome everyone. Please, make yourselves at home. There is food and wine, and cider" He said looking at the younger children. "So please, eat your fill and be merry. I will find you in the crowds once the ball has begun." Keith watched Maria gather her children as they hurried in excited to see everyone. Lance stayed behind looking a little more pale than usual.
"Lance.." Keith started but Lance just turned away leaning against the wall gently.
"Sorry.. I just need a moment." he said his voice shaky. This was too much. He felt so self conscious among these people. He felt as if he stood out, as if he had walked in in his dirty overalls leading his cow. What if people stared at him? Or talked poorly of his family? Lance was broken away from his thoughts feeling a soft hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Keith his eyes wide with worry.
"Lance. Take your time. I assure you though. These people will accept and adore you and your family. I promise. Now please. You're strong. Lift your chin, walk in there as proud knowing you look damned fine and have a great time. I'll find you shortly and will make sure you never stop smiling. But until then I need you to to be brave. You'll love it, promise." Lance smiled a bit and nodded. He stood up and brushed himself of of the mental dust he had pictured and stood up straight. Keith nodded in approval before gently fixing a small strand of hair that had fallen in Lance's eyes.
"There. Perfect as a prince." Keith smiled before entering the ballroom leaving a tomato faced Lance to almost break down again in embarrassment.
Lance took a few deep breaths before entering himself and seeking out his family who had already made themselves familiar with the food and beverage. It wasn't everyday they got food so high end. Sophia poked at a quail egg in curiosity.
"It's just an egg Soph" Marco said picking it up. "Why aren't they cooked though?" He wondered eyeing it. A woman chuckled a bit and picked one up for herself.
"Look here! You take this little spoon and" She tapped it gently breaking into the top of the shell and scooping revealing a perfectly hard boiled egg inside. The children gasped seeing the display and each grabbed an egg and miniature spoon before following the demonstration.
"These are so good!" Sophia bounced up and down spooning another bite of the egg into her mouth. The woman threw her head back and laughed at their enthusiasm.
"I thought so too! My first time here I hadn't even known what a quail was!" She chucked and went on explaining all the new and interesting foods happily. Lance watched unable to stop smiling. His family was being accepted without and judgment. The crowd quieted as Keith stood on his small platform with a huge smile. He raised his goblet adorned in jewels and a lion's head.
"Welcome, my dear friends and family. I am so thankful you have joined me on this amazing evening for a night of joy and laughter. I hope you find both. Now, let's drink, dance, and be merry! Please! Music!" He called and everyone clapped and the small orchestra started playing filling the room with a more upbeat style. People moved away from the center creating a small ring for people to dance. There were already lines forming and dances beginning. The children scarfed the rest of their duck they had been eating and pulled Maria into the ring to dance as well. Maria laughed as she was pulled into the crowd. Lance watched them get into line and begin dancing. They were not as good as the others but they were able to keep up somewhat but Lance couldn't help but laugh out loud as they turned in the wrong direction or bumped into each other. Maria was holding Sophia on her hip as she danced with Luis and Veronica was swinging around with Marco looking happier than Lance had ever seen them and not one other person even looked at them wrong, not minding them at all. It filled Lance's heart to the brim all his worrying for nothing.
"They look good out there." Lance jumped a bit not expecting to hear Keith. He looked over at the King who just sipped his wine watching them twirl around.
"Yeah. They do. Thank you by the way. For teaching them. We surely would have been lost in all of this." Lance said glancing at Keith again taking him in more. He was sinfully handsome in red and it made Lance's stomach flutter. Lance looked away his fingers mindlessly fiddling with the edge of his cuffs. Keith handed off his golden cup to one of the servants and held out a hand.
"Shall we join them?" Keith asked looking over. Lance looked nervous but it just made him all the more enchanting. The way hew chewed his bottom lip ever so slightly and the small furrow of his brows. Lance looked around unsure if it would be proper.
"Don't worry about them. Focus on us." Keith said his voice softer meant only for Lance. Lance swallowed hard and decided to see what happened. He wasn't sure why but he wanted to take the King's hand and let himself be twirled around the room like they had in the orchards not long ago. Keith broke out into a wide grin feeling Lance's warm and creep into his inviting one slowly. Keith looked straight ahead as he lead his partner into the ring and lined up. The only stares Keith noticed were ones of admiration and no doubt towards Lance as he looked like an ethereal being. Lance looked at everyone's position and ran through the steps in his head praying he would remember them all.
"I have you. Just have fun." Keith said right before the new song started. The two walked around each other slowly resting their raised wrists against each others gently. Lance couldn't help but look around at the semi shocked crowd watching. Most seemed not too concerned which put Lance at ease. The switched directions before stopping and bowing slightly. Keith smiled as they stepped together turning around each other Lance keeping step perfectly. He was a natural the way his body just flowed so easily in tune with the music. Keith loved watching Lance circle him his hips doing the smallest of shimmies probably unknown to Lance but it drove Keith mad. They were traveling the circle spinning and hopping as the songs became more upbeat until it was the kid's favorite. It was just a lot of bouncing and spinning so they loved it twirling around wildly. Lance laughed seeing Marco trip but get right back up and continuing. Lance admitted. Keith's arm guiding him into the turns felt nice. His arm lightly around his waist and the other holding his hand as they danced around. The music faded and everyone clapped loudly at the end. Lance clapped and Keith bowed dramatically earning one right back from Lance. They two laughed a bit and walked out of the ring arm in arm. They had been dancing for a while Lance hadn't even realized he was having too much fun. Maria was seated at a small table watching Sophia play with Veronica as they hopped in circles arm and arm. Lance made sure all his family members were accounted for and they were having a good time before he turned his attention to Keith who was waving down to glasses of wine. Keith offered one to Lance who gratefully took it having been quite thirsty.
"Thank you." he said taking a sip. He gagged slightly but was able to swallow it. Keith broke out into a fit of laughter at Lance's reaction to the liquid.
"Not to your liking?" He asked between soft huffs of amusement. Lance smiled a bit and tried another sip.
"it is an acquired taste for sure." He replied laughing a bit himself. Keith waved another servant down whispering something quickly into his ear before the boy ran off. Lance raised a curious eyebrow abut Keith just smiled. The boy was back carrying a bottle of what Lance assumed was the wine.
"Shall we go to the gardens?" Keith asked taking the bottle.