32. Dance

Roy sighed as he sat on a lone chair, in an empty ballroom. Tonight was the night where he finally had to dance for the first time.

Problem was, that he didn't know how to. He was not much of a dancer like Lalum, or even his mother. Although he begged for his father to let him sit out of this occasion, Eliwood insisted that he participate, Roy being the duke and all.

Roy gulped, his heart pounding and his palms sweating. What if he embarrassed himself? His father wouldn't let him live it down…

"I figured you'd be here."

Roy jolted, startled out of his thinking, and he looked up to see Marth.

"Oh, Marth," he said, as he tried to smile.

"I was looking for you. What are you doing here?" Marth asked.

Roy gulped. "I…I'm just thinking about the ballroom dance tonight."

"And?" Marth tilted his head.

Roy got up from his chair and sighed. "I…I can't dance." His face turned a bright red once the words came out.

Marth eyed him. "You can't?"

Roy nodded, still blushing. "Y-yeah…it's embarrassing…"

Marth's eyebrows furrowed. "It's not embarrassing. It'll take some practice, but…"

"But it's tonight! I can't learn it that quick!"

"You can if you learn it now." Marth winked, grabbing Roy's hand.

Roy stared down at their joined hands, and he blushed even brighter than before-if that were possible. "Y-you'll teach me?"

Marth nodded. "Of course. A duke should learn the arts of the waltz."

"Waltz?" Roy stared at him.

Marth grabbed his other hand, and he held them up. "Follow my lead," he instructed, as he brought his left foot back.

"Now, move your right foot forward…"

Roy nodded, and did as Marth instructed.

"Good, now move it back to the position we started in."

Roy did so as Marth moved his left foot back to its original position, as well.

"Now, the count is one, two- three, one, two-three..."

The two moved back and forth to Marth's count, and Roy stared into Marth's eyes, losing himself in the rhythm. Those beautiful, blue eyes…he was so distracted by them, that he tripped on Marth's feet and nearly fell. Marth caught him, holding him in his arms.

"Whoa, careful there," Marth said with a chuckle.

"S-sorry…" Roy apologized, as he got back on his feet.

After a few more practice steps, Marth raised their arms high, and he instructed, "Now spin."

Roy did so in a graceful manner, and the two held hands again.

"One, two-three, one, two-three, one, two-three…"

Roy was in sync with Marth as they continued to dance, and after half an hour, they decided to take a break.

Roy sat down in his chair. "That was wonderful, Marth."

Marth smiled. "It's not that hard. I'm sure that if you find a dancing partner, you can do well in the ballroom."

Roy stared at him. Dancing partner? He certainly doesn't have one one of those...

"Marth?" he asked timidly.

"Hm?"

"I…" Roy tried to gulp down a lump in his throat, and his palms began to sweat again. He was blushing hard. "Would you like to be my dancing partner tonight?"

Please say yes, please say yes…

Marth smiled and nodded. "Of course, Roy. Anything for you."

Roy smiled. "Th-thank you!" he exclaimed, his face as red as his hair.

Marth's smile grew wider. "I'll be waiting for you there, Roy."

Before Marth left, Roy stopped him. "Wait! I…thank you for teaching me how to dance the waltz."

Marth nodded. "It's nothing, Roy. See you tonight."

"See you."

When Marth left the ballroom, Roy heaved a sigh of relief.

This ballroom dancing was going to be a good experience for him.

Constructive criticism is welcomed! Requests are still opened!

Beta Reader: h34rt1lly