A Time to Dance--Part 3 -

As the now familiar waltz repeated itself once more, Paul finally took the lead. Leda smiled as he lead them around the room in perfect harmony with the music’s rhythm. They continued to dance, enjoying the music and each other until the melody began to end.

“Computer, enough,” Leda announced.

Paul stilled, surprised by Leda’s command. He quickly stepped back away from her and bowed. “Thank you, my lady.”

Leda smiled, her gray eyes betraying amusement. “Is that genuine gratitude or are you simply being polite?”

Paul shrugged. “A bit of both, I must admit.”

“Well, if we are being honest,” she replied, the amusement slowly fading from her eyes, “I have to say that I have stayed too long. Mother told me before I found you that the ball is being moved up. I have to help with some of the arrangements.”

“How far has it been moved up?”

Leda sighed. “It will be held in three days. The majority of the mayors and other notables will be arriving the day after tomorrow. However, a few have already contacted us, stating that they will be arriving sometime tomorrow morning. I’ll spend most of the next few days giving tours and entertaining, I guess.”

With a sigh, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and glanced up at the clock. “Of course, socializing means full court clothes. I won’t be comfortable again until they have departed, which will be days after the ball.”

Paul laughed. “And I thought that most girls enjoyed dress-up and balls.”

“Idiot,” she muttered in reply, valiantly fighting the urge to kick him in the shins. “Try spending an hour in an air-restricting dress and matching, feet-pinching shoes and just see how you feel afterwards.”

“But you always look beautiful, Leda,” he stated quietly, his gaze lingering on her face.

Leda froze. She merely stared up at Paul, unsure of how to respond to such a comment from her best friend. The awkward moment was finally broken by the rumble of their stomachs.

“Hungry?” she asked, a small grin gracing her face.

“Yeah,” he replied, matching her smile. “Who would have thought that dancing would generate such an appetite?”

“Why do you think that there’s always food at these things?” she asked flippantly, leading him out of the room.

“I thought it was for such people as me would cared not to disgrace themselves on the dance floor,” he replied good-naturedly.

The door swished quietly behind them as it closed. To his surprise, Paul found he and Leda were alone in the usually busy corridor. However, if the ball had been moved up, then most of the palace would be occupied with the necessary preparations.

“Well, if we accomplished anything this afternoon, that will no longer be a problem,” she stated. Without further ado, she grabbed his arm and began to haul him bodily to the kitchen. “Hopefully, no one will be looking for us to help with preparations until after we eat.”

* * * * *

Paul shook his head as he watched his best friend hopped unto the surface of the counter. Dressed in jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt, and tennis, Leda appeared like any other girl relaxing in the familiarity of her kitchen. However, as Paul reminded himself for the hundredth time that afternoon, Leda was the future princess.

“What?” Leda asked, moving a hand self-consciously to her face. “I have mustard on me or something?”

Again, Paul shook his head. “No, I was just thinking about something. That’s all.”

“Should I be worried?” she asked, her tone teasing.

‘Yes, you should be, Leda,’ he thought, taking a drink of his soda. However, outwardly, he merely shrugged. To his relief, Leda focused once more on devouring her sandwich.

In the silence, the pair finished their meal in a few minutes. With a sigh, Leda slid down from the counter and carried her few dishes to the sink. Marsali would rant about the discovery later, but the palace’s head cook was always complaining about something.

“I guess I’d better go find Mom,” Leda stated, as Paul carried his plate to the sink as well.

He nodded. “Yes, I’m sure she will need a lot of help to get things ready so quickly. I need to finish a few things before I am ready to help.”

“Well, if I don’t see you before the ball, remember to save me a dance.”

Paul merely watched her leave the room. Did she honestly expect him to dance in public so soon? Then, he recalled her troubled expression as they had danced.

“I was just thinking of another reason it would be nice that you learn to dance,” she had said quietly, her guard lowered as she confided to her best friend. “It’s kind of selfish, but if you learned to dance, sometimes you could cut in and save me during the balls.”

For a third time, Paul shook his head. ‘That’s right,’ he told himself. ‘You’re her friend and will never be nothing more.’

“What if I don’t find something different?” The memory echoed in his head despite himself. “What if every man I meet is only interest in my title and my position? What if no one can love me for me and not as the future princess?”

He knew that one day she would find someone and fall in love. Hopefully, that person would love her with the same intensity. However, until that day came and after it, he would be there for her.

“Very well, my lady,” he murmured, “as you wish.”


Part III As the now familiar waltz repeated itself once more, Paul finally took the lead. Leda smiled as he lead them around the room in perfect harmony with the music’s rhythm. They continued to dance, enjoying the music and each other until the melody began to end. “Computer, enough,” Leda announced. Paul stilled, surprised by Leda’s command. He quickly stepped back away from her and bowed. “Thank you, my lady.” Leda smiled, her gray eyes betraying amusement. “Is that genuine gratitude or are you simply being polite?” Paul shrugged. “A bit of both, I must admit.” “Well, if we are being honest,” she replied, the amusement slowly fading from her eyes, “I have to say that I have stayed too long. Mother told me before I found you that the ball is being moved up. I have to help with some of the arrangements.” “How far has it been moved up?” Leda sighed. “It will be held in three days. The majority of the mayors and other notables will be arriving the day after tomorrow. However, a few have already contacted us, stating that they will be arriving sometime tomorrow morning. I’ll spend most of the next few days giving tours and entertaining, I guess.” With a sigh, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and glanced up at the clock. “Of course, socializing means full court clothes. I won’t be comfortable again until they have departed, which will be days after the ball.” Paul laughed. “And I thought that most girls enjoyed dress-up and balls.” “Idiot,” she muttered in reply, valiantly fighting the urge to kick him in the shins. “Try spending an hour in an air-restricting dress and matching, feet-pinching shoes and just see how you feel afterwards.” “But you always look beautiful, Leda,” he stated quietly, his gaze lingering on her face. Leda froze. She merely stared up at Paul, unsure of how to respond to such a comment from her best friend. The awkward moment was finally broken by the rumble of their stomachs. “Hungry?” she asked, a small grin gracing her face. “Yeah,” he replied, matching her smile. “Who would have thought that dancing would generate such an appetite?” “Why do you think that there’s always food at these things?” she asked flippantly, leading him out of the room. “I thought it was for such people as me would cared not to disgrace themselves on the dance floor,” he replied good-naturedly. The door swished quietly behind them as it closed. To his surprise, Paul found he and Leda were alone in the usually busy corridor. However, if the ball had been moved up, then most of the palace would be occupied with the necessary preparations. “Well, if we accomplished anything this afternoon, that will no longer be a problem,” she stated. Without further ado, she grabbed his arm and began to haul him bodily to the kitchen. “Hopefully, no one will be looking for us to help with preparations until after we eat.” * * * * * Paul shook his head as he watched his best friend hopped unto the surface of the counter. Dressed in jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt, and tennis, Leda appeared like any other girl relaxing in the familiarity of her kitchen. However, as Paul reminded himself for the hundredth time that afternoon, Leda was the future princess. “What?” Leda asked, moving a hand self-consciously to her face. “I have mustard on me or something?” Again, Paul shook his head. “No, I was just thinking about something. That’s all.” “Should I be worried?” she asked, her tone teasing. ‘Yes, you should be, Leda,’ he thought, taking a drink of his soda. However, outwardly, he merely shrugged. To his relief, Leda focused once more on devouring her sandwich. In the silence, the pair finished their meal in a few minutes. With a sigh, Leda slid down from the counter and carried her few dishes to the sink. Marsali would rant about the discovery later, but the palace’s head cook was always complaining about something. “I guess I’d better go find Mom,” Leda stated, as Paul carried his plate to the sink as well. He nodded. “Yes, I’m sure she will need a lot of help to get things ready so quickly. I need to finish a few things before I am ready to help.” “Well, if I don’t see you before the ball, remember to save me a dance.” Paul merely watched her leave the room. Did she honestly expect him to dance in public so soon? Then, he recalled her troubled expression as they had danced. “I was just thinking of another reason it would be nice that you learn to dance,” she had said quietly, her guard lowered as she confided to her best friend. “It’s kind of selfish, but if you learned to dance, sometimes you could cut in and save me during the balls.” For a third time, Paul shook his head. ‘That’s right,’ he told himself. ‘You’re her friend and will never be nothing more.’ “What if I don’t find something different?” The memory echoed in his head despite himself. “What if every man I meet is only interest in my title and my position? What if no one can love me for me and not as the future princess?” He knew that one day she would find someone and fall in love. Hopefully, that person would love her with the same intensity. However, until that day came and after it, he would be there for her. “Very well, my lady,” he murmured, “as you wish.”


Part IV Chronicles