Zenith of Jealousy
Ange fidgeted uncomfortably on the spot as she watched the dance unfold. She was not the most social person in any room, which sometimes made her stand out, even more at a party like this, in the presence of her once family. She tugged on the tie around her neck, loosening it a bit. It didn't help the crushing feeling of suffocating.
Chise was equally as quiet but at least she made sure to be polite about it, Ange was just anxious. It wasn't a good look for a spy. However this was no normal mission, it was hard enough to detach herself from Charlotte, now she had to detach herself from her family, from the ties she used to cherish and thought she got over.
"If you keep standing there you're going to attract the wrong kind of attention." Almost seamlessly Dorothy slipped beside her.
"As opposed to the attention of lecherous noble men?" Ange glanced down at the open dress her friend was wearing, with the clear intent to attract attention to her… assets. Assets that Ange didn't have.
"Precisely. We need intel and socializing is the best say to obtain it on missions like this. Take our Princess for example, she was born for this mission." With a gesture of her wine glass Dorothy directed Ange's attention to Charlotte who was currently dancing with a nobleman's son. This was her fourth dance and her smile or politeness never wavered. "Such a charmer don't you think? You could learn a few things from her."
She had to resist rolling her eyes, they were glued to Charlotte which was a more important task.
It bothered her. The smiles, the words, the flattering, the soft touches exchanged between Charlotte and her dance partners. All of those were empty and fake gestures on Charlotte's part. "She is talented. Maybe I should learn." In a strut of jealousy Ange crossed the dance floor to Ange and the young noble before Dorothy could stop her. Or before Ange had time to think her actions through.
Before she even asked the princess for a dance she smiled at her and made Ange's chest tighten. "Ange. May I help you?"
The nobleman turned to her with a scowl, offended that his flirting was interrupted. "I'm dancing with the Princess."
"Is that was you thought you were doing? She was the only one dancing here." Ange pierced him with her words as much as with her icy glare.
"Excuse me but might I have a word with my friend?" Charlotte knew how and when to turn on the charm and the time was right now. It was easy for her, it had to be. With a very obvious scowl the nobleman walked away. Ange had every intention of dragging Charlotte away but she was pulled into the next dance instead. "There is a time and place for jealousy, my dove." If there was something Ange hated that was being scolded during work. And outside of work.
"The time is when flirty men won't leave you alone and the place doesn't matter to me. You're the Princess, you should have a say in the company you keep. It can reflect poorly and pose a safety risk. A good spy knows that." Ange tried to keep her mind on her surroundings but it wasn't the easiest task when Charlotte was this close to her and getting closer. It was like she was the one who walked into a trap.
Charlotte cupped Ange's cheek and smiled. "Right you are, a good spy would know that. However I am also holding you to being a good girlfriend. As my girlfriend do you trust me that little?"
"I trust you. I also want to keep you safe. And the last time you tried to fight me I flipped you on your back in seconds." She frowned, not exactly what she would call skilled. Ange was more skilled than most, but a few seconds is still pretty bad performance.
"That's not all you did." The whisper sent shivers from her ear to her toes.
More of Charlotte showing off her other strengths. If she spoke like that, so low, so close to Ange then the spy would fold easily. This was a proven theory.
"My point still stands. As a Princess you should be more careful, and as your girlfriend I will make sure to keep you safe regardless." She had that don't argue with me face that Charlotte loves so much.
"What ever you say, your Highness." Charlotte teased and kissed Ange's blushing cheek right as the song ended.