'Why do I need to learn a dance? I'm supposed to be playing the king's advisor. I don't need to dance at a ball. I hate this.'
Koumei wasn't happy. He didn't want to be on screen, he didn't want to sing, and he sure as hell didn't want to learn a traditional dance that has plot relevance for him to know. If Gyokuen hadn't been the one to threaten Kouen and Kouha earlier, he would have walked out. This was going to far, his brothers could fend for themselves. Unfortunately for him, Gyokuen had complete control over Al Thamen and could easily go through with her threat.
Kouha and Kougyoku were doing fine. They both actually like dancing. Kouen was putting up with it; he was coordinated, he just didn't like doing things like this. Koumei hated this. It was a waste. He really didn't want to be here. He made it clear that he didn't want to be here. He didn't hold back on the complaints. He didn't particularly pay attention to the choreographer either.
Kouen wasn't happy with him though, he could tell. Well, his brother could deal with it. He was dealing with all the stupid things he hated about being on camera so his brothers didn't have to worry about threats from the witch. He definitely earned a difficult day. He was putting up with a lot of shit.
"Koumei, come here."
Here we go, I've used up all of Kouen's patience with me. Here comes the lecture. I really hate today. It sucks. "Yes?"
"Stop being a pain."
"I don't know what you are talking about." I'm not giving up so easily. This day sucks and you need to understand that I really hate this.
"Pay attention to the choreographer and learn the dumb dance."
"I don't want to. I hate dancing."
"The sooner you learn the dance the sooner you can go sleep or work on something else."
"You don't seem to get it. I chose to not be on screen anymore. I did it for a while, I didn't like it, now I'm out. But I'm not out, I'm being blackmailed into doing this stupid movie against my will."
"The sooner you do it the sooner it will be over."
"Kouen I'm not an idiot. I'm perfectly aware. I'll learn the fucking dance, just leave it be. I don't want to be here, the only reason I'm doing this is because you and Kouha were threatened. I don't need you telling me what to do right now. Believe me when I say I'm properly motivated."
"En! MeiMei! It's time to start again. Get your asses over here."
The music filled the room. The kingdom's traditional dance would start off the ball, led by the king and princess. Kouha stood beside Kougyoku behind the curtain at the top of the stairs.
"Are you ready?"
"Of course, brother."
Kouha offers his arm and she takes it. He didn't have a wife yet making her the most suitable woman in the country to be on his arm. "Shall we?" He led her to the top of the stairs and waited as everyone turned to them and bowed. The music began once again and Kouha brought Kougyoku down the stairs and to the center of the dance floor. He offers his hand and she takes it. The dance begins. The room watches them as they spin around and glide across the floor. Kouha lifts her into the air effortlessly. Kougyoku is careful not to miss a step. The general led his date to the center of the dance floor and turned her around, matching his moves to the king's. Kouen wasn't quite as smooth in leading as Kouha but it wasn't obvious to the untrained eye. The head advisor joined them next. Koumei was playing his part well. He led the actress around the floor as Kouen and Kouha did.
The dance ended and Kouha escorted Kougyoku to her seat. He would watch over the ball and his younger sister, making note of all her dance partners. Koumei joined him soon after. Kouen stayed on the dance floor. Kouha left Koumei to watch over Kougyoku and asked women around the room to dance. Kouen left his date after a time to lead Kougyoku around in a dance. A noble cut in after the song melted into the next. Kouha pulled Koumei to a dark corner. Kouen was with his date once again. Kougyoku was with a man who claimed to be a prince of a nearby kingdom. Kougyoku wasn't sure about him but felt comfortable enough with her brother and his most trusted companions nearby.
Her trust was misplaced though. The advisor and king were off doing something. General Kouen didn't know to be watching out for her. That foreign prince led her in the dance to the farthest reaches of the dance floor and held her close. From the other dancers view, it looked as though he was brushing away a hair. From the other side, he could be seen holding a drugged cloth over her mouth and nose. She lost consciousness and he held her up against him. He walked her over to the doors and outside. His partner met him outside and they snuck away using underground tunnels.
Hello!
For clarification: Kougyoku and Kouha are the only siblings. Koumei and Kouen are not related to each other or Gyoku/Ha. Kougyoku is Kouha' s little sister.
Some more interesting stuff is coming up soon (hopefully. we shall see. I have so much work to do right now.)
Do me a favor and check out some of my other stories! That's My Spotlight should be updated really soon so stay tuned for that.
Request and review please
Until Next Time!
-Kizuna
