This will be an extra long chapter today so enjoy!
I do not own Midnight Cinderella Ikémen Royal Romances.
Chapter 10: More Like Correcting
August 21
A little while after Alyn left my room, Nico returned and woke me. I only ended up getting a half hour or so of sleep, and Nico woke me gently.
"Princess Ava?" Nico asked after he had woken me up.
"Hm?" I asked sleepily, rubbing my eyes.
"Breakfast is to begin shortly. Do you really think you're up to it?" I smiled lazily, yawning before I replied.
"For food? Sure. For a day's worth of royal crap? Not a chance." Nico laughed a bit nervously, before leaving me to change, then he lead me to the main dining hall.
The meal was as delicious as I could have expected. It was practically a buffet, with huge, fluffy waffles, steaming bowls of fruit filled porridge, juicy sausage, in link and patty form, and probably every single kind of juice in the whole wide world. Eating was just about the only thing that could keep me from falling back asleep, so eat I did. Luckily the table this morning consisted of only a few people, Giles, Nico, and I, and a few other awkward appearing palace bureaucrats. Mostly the non threatening kind, or at least that's what I got from them. As breakfast was coming to an end, Giles approached me with a warm smile.
"Well, Your Royal Highness, are you ready for today's schedule?" I received a much colder smile from Giles when I laughed. He opted to ignore me rather than ask why. "You will begin with dance lessons, then we will have a meeting in my office. If the time permits, we will also have history, and imperial studies. We'll go over etiquette, practice your regal walk..." Giles' explanation continued. This is all in one day? Jesus... "... And that's it, Your Highness. I look forward to assisting you in your new duties. From here on out, I am at your service."
"What does 'if the time permits' mean?" Maybe it was just me, but Giles' smile seemed pretty lackluster just then.
"I'm afraid your first two events of the day... Well, let's just say that the men aiding you are a bit more in tune to their own clocks than anyone else's." I raised an eyebrow, but felt like it would do nothing to ask him anything more.
After breakfast I convinced Giles' to let me back to my room for a tad more freshening up. I'm sure he didn't really believe me, but what with the night I'd had, I think he allowed it just this once. I was planning on catching a few more minutes of sleep, but speak of the devil, I had another run in with one of the delightful palace staff. Well, he wasn't exactly the worst of them, but definitely not the best either, what with that blank calculating look, or worse yet, the wry, fake smile.
"Watch where you're going."
"Alyn," I stepped backward rubbing the spot on my forehead where I had bumped into Alyn's armor. He gazed down at me, seemingly just as surprised as I was.
"Wow. With those bags under your eyes, it's no wonder you can't see where you're going." Alyn's teasing was all the wake up I needed. I shoved his shoulder, and said wry smile from earlier appeared on the knight's face. "I know this princess thing isn't easy, but it's only been one day!"
"Ha ha, very funny. Anyways, you know Louis, don't you?" I sighed heavily, crossing my arms and rolling my eyes. "I have to start dance lessons with him today." Alyn whistled and I shot him a dirty look. "What do you know about him?"
"Louis?" Alyn's eyes widened, but only for a second, before they narrowed again and the wheels began to turn. "He's totally weird." I snorted.
"I feel like we've gone over that before."
"But beyond that... He's actually a pretty good guy." At that I looked up with wide green eyes.
"Really?" Alyn nodded. Then there was silence. For three or so minutes. He just... stared at me. Really intently. "O-kay then, I've got places to be, so I'll see you around..." I nodded my gratitude, turning to leave, but was quickly interrupted.
"Well, there's this one other thing. I heard Giles say something about how..." I raised one of my eyebrows, taking a few steps so that I was standing within inches of Alyn. I stood up tall, looking up at him. The guy was a good five inches taller than me, at least.
"About what?" It was occurring to me just how well composed Alyn was. He was just as good at keeping only what he wanted shown visible as Louis had been, only much less cruel and seemingly without any bad intentions. The captain stared down at me, his red eyes giving nothing away.
"Nothing. I don't know what I was talking about, it was nothing." I sighed heavily, turning and watching as the knight quickly made his escape.
"Obviously, nothing."
I made my way back to the entrance of the gardens, where Giles was waiting for me, his lips stitched into a tight smile. He lead me through the beautiful foliage, towards the wing of the palace which held the ballroom. As we walked, I looked at all the doors and passages, and then the gorgeous architecture. Whoever built this place definitely payed attention to detail... There were small etchings and carvings in nearly every place they would fit, and even places where they wouldn't normally be noticed.
"Do you have any dance experience, Ava?"
"Hm?" I looked up and saw that Giles had fallen backwards to walk next to me, and was watching me with an amused interest. "A little I suppose, but..." I frowned, squinting and trying to remember one of my earliest memories. It was also one of my happiest. I smiled a bit before answering Giles. "It's not really the kind of dancing you people are used to."
"Whatever do you mean, Your Highness?" I clasped my hands behind my back, staring back at the warm sunlight we were leaving behind as we entered a hallway.
"Well, my father taught me to dance when I was very young. He taught me the gist of a lot of the more regal dances, but for the most part we just... danced." I went on after Giles gave another questioning look. "No solid rules, just moving your body to whatever music is on, kind of like a freeform dance. We used to do it all the time, and it's some of the most fun I've ever had."
"My lady must show me someday." I averted my eyes from Giles, running a hand through my thick, blonde hair. It was warm from sunlight.
"Yeah. Someday." Giles watched me for a moment, before swinging open yet another door and bowing slightly as I entered. Before me was one of the most elegant rooms I'd ever had the pleasure of seeing. It was enormous, and even my soft footsteps echoed throughout. There was a balcony above my head, a stage for an orchestra to set up, and on two walls there were floor to ceiling archway windows, covered with thick, gold silk curtains. A grand crystal chandelier hung above it all, along with a few smaller chandeliers. The color scheme was made up mostly of golds, bronzes, deep yellows, and a bit of peach and dark orange as well. It seemed to me a shame that the curtains were drawn on such a sunny day. It gave the room an abandoned, lonely feel.
"Here we are, Your Highness." I nearly walked right past Louis without noticing him at all. Even his elegance was having a hard time competing with the beauty of the ballroom. I smiled at him at first, about to make a comment about how unimpressed he seemed to be, but then I recalled how much I hated him. Last night had not been very much fun, for either of us. His face was composed as ever though, showing no hint that he'd missed any sleep at all. "Duke Howard, it seems Her Highness has little experience with dance. Please do try to be gentle with her."
"Of course."
"'Please do try to be gentle, of course.'" Giles' head snapped towards me when he heard me quietly mocking the both of them, his cold eyes silencing my joke. Unfortunately it's humor didn't reach either of the men in my presence. "I do have some experience with dance, I just haven't danced formally in many years." My crossed arms and finalized tone didn't seem to prove whatever point I'd set out to prove. I opted instead to stare at my feet rather than meet the blank stares of Giles and Louis. After a moment though I had to look back up, and see Giles staring back expectantly.
"Aren't you forgetting something Your Highness? Your manners, perhaps?" After giving one of my more obnoxious eye rolls I curtsied to Louis and greeted him.
"Thanks for teaching me the graceful ways of dance Louis, I promise I'll try my hardest." I was honestly surprised that Giles didn't drag me away by the ear for the amount of sarcasm in that one statement. Instead, he merely sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in concentration.
Louis silently extended his left hand to me, and I carefully placed my right hand on his palm. I gasped in annoyance when he pulled me towards him with an abrupt tug, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace. Just spectacular, it's going to be the slow, boring, couples dancing, isn't it? I'll be in his arms the entire freaking time! Louis held me so close I could feel his breath upon my forehead. Puffing annoyedly, I averted my gaze away from his chin, which was right in front of my face.
"Ah. I see you'll be starting with the waltz." Giles' comment sent my heart pounding uncontrollably. Of course I'm going to have to learn the one dance I never could get right... When I looked up to Louis for direction, he lowered his head to meet my gaze.
"Let's get started." As I stared into his perfectly formed lips, Alyn's words came flooding back.
"Nothing. I don't know what I was talking about, it was nothing."
I wonder what he was going to say about Louis? Obviously something he decided that I would be better off not knowing. Damn though, you can't just go and say you know something only to back out of it like that! It makes a person way too curious for their own good...
"Is something wrong?" Louis' question snapped me back to reality. I looked up to him again with slightly annoyed but mostly bored emerald eyes.
"Um, no. It's nothing." I need to focus on this dance lesson. The faster it's over the faster I can become a dumb princess.
"Lift your head." Louis slid a hand beneath my chin and gently raised it. I blinked in surprise, my brows furrowing on the spot. "Your chin should be parallel to the floor."
"Huh?" How can he stay so focused when we're so close together? I hated the fact that I couldn't control the heat rising in my face. I raised my head to look into Louis' eyes, but the hand still on my chin quickly corrected my pose.
"This is the basic posture of dance. A straight back and a raised head."
"R-Right." My cheeks burned as I became painfully aware of my disappointment. Before Giles interrupted.
"Your Grace, if I may intrude for just one moment, Your Highness, may I ask where your high heels are?" Instinctively I looked down at my feet, earning me another chin grab and correction from Louis.
"Uh, they're um, in that huge closet? You know, in my room?" Giles sighed again.
"I thought I mentioned to you at breakfast that you should begin wearing them my lady?" I pushed my tongue against the inside of my cheek.
"I don't like them..."
"Princess Ava, just because you don't like them, does not mean that you may do as you please. You have responsibilities, Ava, and-"
"And wearing fancy, uncomfortable shoes is one of them?" I gave Giles a questioning, innocent smile, with just a dash of smirk, then turned back to Louis, who was instructing, well, more like correcting, again. Giles left the room, eventually returning with a pair of high heels in hand. I stumbled for a few minutes, but thankfully became somewhat used to them.
"Bend your upper body more. Relax your knees. Don't break your posture." Hadn't he promised Giles he'd be gentle? I think the two have different definitions of that word... We hadn't even been practicing the waltz for that long, but Louis' firestorm of corrections and insistence on perfection had me on the verge of a breakdown.
"Extend your right arm. Bend your elbow slightly. Stand up straight. Relax your shoulders." How can one dance have so many rules?! I could feel the color draining from my face with each flatly delivered order. "Extend your right arm again." I practically growled, quickly stepping away from Louis.
"I thought dancing was supposed to be fun! This isn't fun! This is a nightmare!" Louis stared at me with those deep blue eyes, giving nothing away.
"Giving up already, Your Highness?" I watched him intently, trying to decipher what he was thinking. Of course he'd be happy if I did. I chewed on my lip in frustration, my heavy eyelids blinking slowly. Sighing and running my fingers quickly through my hair, I tugged on my front bangs a little bit, before I then stepped back towards Louis. I held my head high, trying to make my posture as perfect as possible, and I took his hands into my own a bit forcefully. Louis sighed, but the lesson began again. It was far more exhausting than I'd imagined, and my feet were growing heavier by the minute.
"Keep your body centered." I nodded, correcting myself immediately, but found it a bit hard to do so. If I give up now, how can I possibly be a princess? I have to learn this stupid thing. I have to show everyone what I'm capable of. But just as I renewed my motivation- My lack of sleep took it's toll, and the world began to spin. My footing was becoming sloppy, and I started to lean into the blonde man standing before me. "Oh-" I gasped lightly as I tripped over my own foot, stumbling awkwardly into Louis. Louis' sky blue eyes widened slightly. He caught me in his embrace, but as he did, I noticed a faint crease form on Louis' forehead. Uh oh. I had planted the point of my high heel right in the middle of his foot. I quickly pulled myself away, stumbling even then as I did so.
"Oh God, I'm sorry Louis!" Even I felt bad. I knew how much those things hurt.
"..." Louis stared at me for a moment, then turned away without a word.
"I- uh, Louis?" He walked over to and whispered a few words to Giles before lowering himself onto a chair. I must have really upset him this time... I didn't know what to think about it. I hated Louis, but I felt a bit bad for stepping on his foot and being such a nuisance. Giles left the ballroom silently, and I made my way over to Louis' side. "Um, are we going to continue?" I asked cautiously. I half expected some sort of outburst from the man, despite his always being so cool.
"It would accomplish nothing to continue at this point." I blinked, my thin lip turning downwards into a frown. I clenched my fists, and looked down. I knew how bad I'd been, and I was disappointing myself, there was no way that I could blame Louis. I am a lost cause. Always have been, guess I always will be. "Have a seat." Clenching and unclenching my fists, I sat beside Louis, almost hating myself for getting a rest. Looks like Giles might have to find a new 'volunteer'. Dejected, a short sigh escaped my lips. I guess even Giles couldn't bear to watch me trip over myself. And to top things off, I planted my heel on Louis' foot. I thought to myself sarcastically.
"Ah, is your foot alright Louis?" I asked, trying to rid my mind of such self deprecating thoughts. He brushed the question away with a nod.
"It happens." I raised a lazy eyebrow at the light answer.
"... I really do apologize. I was trying to remember everything, and I just-" I shook my head. "I screwed up."
"Dancing shouldn't be this rigid. It's so much more than a set of rules." I looked up with wide green eyes in absolute shock. I hadn't ever expected Louis to have any sort of opinions like this, let alone agree with him. He lowered his blue eyes, which I strained to see, and spoke in a whisper, as if sharing a secret. "But that's the custom here. They have to codify everything." I was silent for a few minutes, unsure of what I could say. There was something about Louis' face in profile, with his long, downcast eyelashes, that made him seem so sad. There it is again. That look of sadness...
"Louis I... I completely agree with you." His face was just about to change, just about to reveal something, but of course-
"Your Grace. Your Highness." Giles returned to the dance hall at that moment. "I've brought you some lavender Lady Grey."
"Wha-What? We're having tea? Now?"
"Bon appétit!"
"Um, thanks." I cautiously accepted the cup and saucer from Giles. The relaxing fragrance of lavender and Earl Grey tea filled the air. And just like that, my rattled nerves, began to settle. I took a moment, simply to breathe in the scent. A small smile became apparent on my calm face.
"Hopefully this will help you to relax and focus on your lessons, Your Highness." My head certainly felt clearer. In fact, all of my tension had melted away. Giles must have realized how badly I needed that break. Okay. I'm better. I can do this. I'm ready! I set my empty teacup down, creating a clink that resonated throughout the room, and jumped to my feet, completely revitalized.
"Duke Howard!" I announced, smiling proudly. "I would be most grateful if we could continue our lesson!"
".,,.." Louis responded to my determined appeal with a small sigh. Then he slowly rose to his feet. I followed him with my eyes as he walked past me, never once turning my way. "I told you last night. There's no need for formality." I rolled my eyes smiling. "There will be no further breaks until lunchtime." My smile faltered for a moment, but I steeled myself up once more and it returned to my face.
"I know." Louis stopped at the center of the dance floor. "Thank you, Louis." He didn't answer my exclamation of gratitude. We resumed, and Louis proved as strict as ever. But I played the devoted student, immersing myself in the particulars of the waltz.
A couple of hours later...
"That's enough for today." Louis announced the end of the lesson as we held a finishing pose. He then turned to face me. It was like waking from a trance; I'd been so focused on the routine I couldn't recall having any other thoughts at all. Louis had been dancing all day, but hadn't taken so much as a single labored breath. I took in a deep breath, brushing my hair back from my hot forehead.
"Well, Louis, I am grateful for what you did today. You were amazing, and I do think that I am becoming much better as well."
"I have no idea what you're referring to." I snorted, trying not to take that personally, and Louis turned and walked away. Giles and I watched as he left the ballroom without uttering another word. Well, I suppose the whole thing could have gone a lot worse... With a deep sigh of relief, a day's worth of tension drained from my body.
"You did very well, Your Highness." To my relief, Giles did indeed seem quite satisfied.
"If it weren't for your tea, I don't think I would have gotten this far Giles. Thank you."
"I'm hardly the one you should thank. I was merely following the duke's orders."
"What?! Louis' orders!?" The surprise on my face was obvious, and met with a hearty laugh from Giles.
"Yes, he specifically requested that tea. I simply did as he asked." He saw me stumbling, and growing dizzy. I suppose that makes sense... I still hate it, though. Louis helping me like that. It's so... weird. "Ah, and I should mention- Duke Howard had agreed to instruct you in a variety of other arts as well." And now all the tension was back.
"What?! Why!? What for?!"
"We will be holding your coronation ceremony five days from now. It will be our first opportunity to officially present the new princess to the people of her kingdom."
"Coronation ceremony? In five days? Oh boy..." I ran my fingers through my hair, breathing through the pressure.
"There's little time left to master the etiquette and decorum one expects of the princess elect. Fortunately, Duke Howard has agreed to share his expertise with you."
"Again, why!?" My eyes must have been nearly as wide as Giles' ever-expanding smile.
"Do be sure to show him the proper respect and gratitude , Your Highness. His Grace has even agreed to stay here in the palace for the duration of your tutoring, and he'll be tweaking the busy schedule he's set up for the two of you because of some other lessons you'll be taking."
"Other lessons?!"
August, 21