Chapter 19 Dance with A Charm

Today was my dancing lesson with Prince Fred and I wanted to wear something light.

Hmm...which dress would suit me better?

Lime or turquoise blue? I don't have time for this. I have to get dressed and to fix my hair like what a normal human being. I cannot embarrass myself again. I already did with the last four of them.'

I reached out and snatched the blue one and the maids helped me get dressed. I checked myself in the mirror and found it satisfying. The dress compliments my blue eyes perfectly.

Someone knocked at my door and I hurriedly went towards it. Nope. I am not excited. I opened the door and revealed Fred in all his majestic glory in his suit.

Now this is a sight to behold. I shook the thoughts out of my head as soon as they appeared.

He smiled, adding a sparkle to his already hot image. "Morning."

Why am I suddenly seeing flowers?

"Morning." I nodded back at him. Why do these guys look like models anyway? It's so unrealistic!

"You look nice today, Princess." He complimented making my cheeks flush in embarrassment. Why was it so easy to hate Ace, to feel annoyed with the twins and Nate? But so hard to do it on Fred? Maybe fact that he was the only one with a gentle ambiance with him.

"Thanks" was all I managed to say.

You have to admit that he really looked good. "Uhm...are you okay? he asked. giving me a weird look.

"Why do you ask?"

"Your face. It looks like you have a murderous intent." Do I really look like that? I suddenly became conscious and shook my head as I grabbed Fred's arm and started to pull him. "Come on. Let's go."

I heard him chuckle as I dragged him away. Damn. How embarrassing. Why do I have to be so weird?

Fred started to offer his arm to me. I linked mine with his and he started to lead the way.

I hope I can manage this lesson without getting too flustered. Or cause any more trouble.

***

Fred led me to a large ballroom like the one that you see in fairy tales. Multiple chandeliers hang from the roof that lighten the room giving it a golden glow. I feel like I'm inside the castle in Beauty and The Beast. But this time, I am the beast and this prince is the beauty. My face is probably as pretty as his butt.

Near one of the floor to ceiling windows stood five men holding some instruments. They all nodded at me and Fred as we entered the room. Is there some kind of concert? I looked at Fred and saw him looking at me too.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. You just look like a lost pup." Then he started to chuckle.

Is he laughing at me? I frowned.

"So what now?" I asked him as soon as he was done laughing at me. He looked 100 times better when he laughed, but of course, I know my limits. This is all a part of the Queen's plan.

Well....a little late for that I guess.

"Sorry." He said and composed himself and grinned at the men holding the instruments. He nodded at them and soon, they started to play. The music was slow and melodic. The kind that soothes your mind and helps you relax. Imagine that you are mad with someone and then you heard a song and it easily takes your bad mood away.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Fred approaching me and offered a hand to me. I only looked at his palm. I know that he wanted me to take it, but I decided to play dumb and raised a questioning eyebrow at him. "What am I supposed to do with it?" I asked and still didn't take his hand.

"You take it. Because today I am going to teach you how to dance." I was caught off guard when he was the one who took my hand because I didn't even make a move to take it. He slowly took hold of my right hand and placed my left hand on his shoulder, then he placed his right hand to my hip which startled me. I was uncomfortable with how little the space was between us that I took little steps back, but he pulled me back afterwards. "Rose, don't move too far from me." He said and held me in place.

"F-fine. Just get on with it." I said and looked away. I could feel his stare and his breath on my cheeks.

"Why? Are you uncomfortable?" He looked worried.

"No I'm not." I defended myself. "I'm just making sure that you won't get too comfortable with this. Who knows?"

He laughed. "Too late I guess."

"Excuse me?"

He gave me a side unsure smile. I guess he's a bit worried about my state. "Setting that aside. Let us start. You really don't have to do anything here. You just have to follow me." He said and adjusted my hold on his shoulder, which became loose and elevated his right arm so it was level with his shoulder. His right hand was on my back. "In dancing, the male is always the one who leads. The female just has to follow. If I step my right foot forward, you step back with your left. Do the mirror of me." I only nodded as a response to him.

Taking that as a response, he took one step forward and I did the same using my left. Resulting in me stepping on his right foot. "Ow" He said and I immediately took my foot off of his and muttered a low 'oops'.

"That's okay." He said. "Let's try again." Then he stepped his right foot forward again. This time, I made sure to step back with my left.

"Okay. That's it. Now I'm gonna do the same with my left. Just try to follow me and you'll soon get it."

"Okay." I said. I sounded a little skeptical.

For one hour and a half, we practiced. And the majority of those times was me stepping on his foot. It's as if his face wasn't enough of a distraction and here he goes adding a smile that seems to summon those imaginary flowers.

What's with those!?

I keep looking away. Fred raised a hand to the musicians to signal them to stop. The music died. He then led me to a chair to sit. "Let's have a break for a while." He said then turned his back to wipe the sweat off of his forehead and went to the band. He said something to them that made them leave the room. Probably telling them to have a break too. Once the band left, he didn't acknowledge my presence or even bothered to speak to me as he stood there by the window and gazed at the scenery outside.

It made me wonder if he was pissed off at me for repeatedly stepping on him?

I started drumming my feet absentmindedly to a tune back from Earth. Without thinking, I started humming the tune. "That's a nice song. Did you compose it yourself?" I jumped back. Fred now stood beside me. His eyes regarded me curiously.

"No. It's a song back in my world." I said.

"It's unique. And you sing pretty well."

"I hardly call that singing."

"I'm curious. Does dancing exist in your world?"

"They do." I laughed. His question sounds silly. "Although we don't usually do the dances that you do. There are all sorts of dancing. You can dance in groups, pair, or solo."

I saw Fred's eyes sparkled with interest. "Tell me, what form of dance do you do?"

"Um..." I hesitated. I rarely dance. And when I do, I do it while taking a shower. "Well I sort of did a group and a pair dance. But only because our school requires it."

"A school?"

"An institution where kids and teens like me go to learn."

"Interesting concept. The people in your world seem smart."

I laughed nervously. "Yeah...I must be from a different planet then." I mumbled.

Fred seems to sense my discomfort and thankfully change the topic. "So, you've done a pair dance?"

"Yeah. During prom."

"What's a prom?" he asked. Looking confused. Great. Now how am I supposed to tell him what a prom is?

"Um...let's see." I rubbed my chin as if I have an imaginary mustache as I think for the right words to say. "It's some sort of event where...teenagers gather to socialize. The males would wear tuxedos while the females would wear dresses."

He smiled. "I'm interested in the dances that involve a partner in your world. Can you teach me? Maybe that way I'll know your style and find a better way to teach you our style."

I looked away because I only know how to do those cha cha moves when in a pair dance. I tried to imagine Fred dancing the cha cha and I have to stop myself from laughing. "Oh my God." I whispered.

"Is there a problem?" Fred tilted his head to the side. Fred would do good in a waltz, but I don't think that dancing the cha cha would suit his image.

I averted my gaze yet again. Should I? I have to admit that I also want to see what he would do. Pursing my lips to hide my grin, I got up. "Okay." My voice cracked.

"Are you sure? You're shaking, Rose."

"Of course!"

Fred and I went back to the center of the room. "Uh...let us resume the position we did earlier." I instructed. He followed and took my left hand then placed his right hand at my back. "Alright Fred. this time, follow my lead. I'll count."

I started to count. "Fred, step your right foot forward, tap it shortly two times and then step it back again." I said. He nodded and followed my instruction. It was a little awkward at first so I showed him how to do the stepping.

"Now do the same with your left foot, but this time tap back two times then a step forward." I bit my lips at how robotic he looks with the movement.

"Keep up with me Fred. The steps are just the same." Fred nodded and focused his eyes on mine. "Okay." I saw him struggle a bit, but he was slowly starting to get it. "Um, this is actually both a solo and a pair dance." I admitted. "And I really can't remember what the other steps are, maybe you can just add to it. Either way, what we did was the base of that dance."

Fred chuckled. "Like I said, your world is interesting."

We basically did the steps over and over again. Before I knew it, it was Fred who was leading the dance. He laughed a melodic one. "Well this is fun. I thought at first that this would be hard."

"What are you talking about? You practically mastered it. You're even leading the dance right now." That comment brought a smile to his face. "Well that's because I have a good trainer." He said proudly, making me look away in embarrassment.

The dance ended and we paused. He gave me a smile which I avoided. I was about to let go when Fred gestured to a song from the musicians.

The sound of the violin once again filled the room. It was sweet and slow. Elegant and alluring. But the emotion in it seemed off.

Fred pulled me towards him with an amused expression. "I think it's time for me to teach you again."

"O-okay." I stuttered. We swayed to the music. Fred led the dance as I struggled to keep up with him. All the time he was looking at me while I looked at anywhere but him. He sighed. "Rose, you should look at your partner when you dance."

"No" I frowned. I lowkey miss our cha cha session. Fred sprouts less imaginary flowers when he's struggling.

Every time Fred takes a step towards me, I would quickly back up. "Remember what I told you? Don't put too much space between you and your partner." He said and pulled me back towards him when he noticed that I created a new space between us again.

Don't put too much space between you and your partner! I swear he was so close that I could feel his breathing. "I kind of like this song. What is it called?" I asked in a desperate attempt to fill in the awkward situation.

"Setting Valley." He answered. When I looked up, I saw him smile. "It's an original. Composed by myself."

"Really? I didn't know you can write a song."

"I do. I gave a copy of the musician earlier. I thought it would be perfect."

"The song is amazing, Prince Fred. Is there anything that you can't do?" I asked in admiration. "The tune is just right. I slow down so that it helps me coordinate with the dance but..." I trailed off.

"But?" I pursed my lips in hesitation. Fred gave me an encouraging smile. "Go on. You can tell me."

Fred led us on a circle as we explored the room while still holding on to each other as we danced. For some reason, I think his steps are getting wider and wider. That's why I also widened my steps so as not to be that close to him.

I even think that this is the reason why we were able to consume the room as we danced. I even glanced at him as soon as I realized what he was doing.

"The song. Why is it lonely?"

"Really?" He suddenly twirled me, which was weird since the step was off the tune.

"Really."

"Must be your imagination." He twirled me again.

"Do we really have to do the twirl this much?" I asked. Feeling dizzy all of the sudden.

"Nope. I just find it amusing that you're actually quite flexible and cooperative." He chuckled.

I frowned and looked away. This jerk.

"You're not looking at me and moving away. Why?"

"..." I feel like puking all of a sudden.

"Rose?"

"Nothing."

"Come on. tell me why."

"Shut up."

"Come on. You can tell me!" He whined, which was so out of character for him.

"You're so annoying!" I feel sick. And even though Fred was charming, we weren't helping my current situation. "Fine! You're butt ugly."

Wait. What did I just say?

I gasped in horror as I realized what I said and turned to look at him. He looked shocked and sad. "Really?" He looked like a puppy. His eyes dropped. "I'm that ugly?"

"What!? You actually believe what I said?" Guilt was creeping in.

"I'm sorry. You may not look at me." He dropped his head and his bangs covered his eyes. Still, he was being professional seeing as how we were still dancing.

"No! I didn't mean it that way. You're handsome. Really handsome!" I insisted. I bent my head down to look at his face. In return, he looked away. I couldn't see his expression. "In fact, you're more handsome than the rest of the princes! Really really good looking. If you were in my world, you would be a model." I showered him with compliments.

I cursed at how sensitive these guys are with their looks. I called him ugly once and now he's acting like this.

I heard him snort.

"Fred?"

A melancholic laugh echoed in the room. There was a small pause as Fred laughed. And I swear that I saw sunflowers blooming and rained all over him.

WTF. Is wrong with this world that is making me see things?!

I stood there frozen and I kept seeing flower petals.

"I'm so sorry. You looked really adorable." He apologized while wiping tears from his face. Then he leaned in close. "Sorry I avoided your gaze. Can you see me now?"

It was a sudden movement that I got caught off guard. I took a quick step back and tripped on my other foot. I closed my eyes and waited for my fall. But that didn't happen as I felt Fred's hand on my backing, pulling me back to him.

I dared to sneak a peak and saw him looking at me with a tiny smirk on his face.

"Are you alright?" He looked at me worriedly.

I frowned and waved my hand over his head. Fred gave me a weird look. "Something there?"

"Flowers." I said the words as if I was cursing. "I'm making sure that they won't appear."

"Flowers?" He asked as he pulled me up.

"Yes." I said seriously. Good. It didn't appear.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

We suddenly ended up in a slow dance as the music almost come to an end.

"As long as I don't see them damn flowers again." I said through gritted teeth. He laughed but didn't ask about them again.

The song finally ended and we did a short curtsey. Fred smiled when the song ended. "Very nice, Princess Rose. As your tutor, I'm very proud. Not once did you step on my foot."

Then it dawned on me. I was dancing!?

Fred looked up as if he was thinking. "Although you still need a LOT of improvement when it comes to eye contact and space." He came to me and messed my hair up. "Rest for a while, Princess. Wouldn't want you to trip again and see those flowers now, don't we?" He said and laughed again when I started to waved my hands at his sides when I saw a ray of sunshine where the flowers usually appear.

"I think it is time for you to rest." He said and guided me back to where I was resting before. But I stopped when something caught my eye. I stared at the window. Without thinking, I headed for the window and looked at the scenery behind it. It was a garden!

I heard Fred walking towards me and paused. "Do you want to go out?" I stiffen and looked at him with wide eyes.

Did he just...

I could tell that my face was red. "W-What did you just say?" I asked. He pointed at the window, specifically to the garden, and asked me again. "Outside. Do you want to come with me there?" he asked me and smiled.

Finally, my mind seemed to process what he said. "Oh. I thought you said - never mind." I shook her head. "Sure. I'll come."

Of course. He meant literally. I slapped a hand to my face for being so ridiculous. I should get a hold of myself. I wouldn't want to be a pawn of the queen, right?

"Out of curiosity. What were you thinking earlier?" He asked.

"Nothing! Let's go." I yelled and quickly made my way to the door. Behind me, I heard him chuckle.

***

Once we were out in the garden, I couldn't help but notice a slight pain on my ankle. Did I sprain it?

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" He looked worried.

Great. Why can't I get through one day without causing any problems. Poor Fred had to be involved with this too. I shook my head in response and gave him a smile.

"Nothing." I said and began to walk. On the way to the small garden pavilion, I forced myself to walk as normally as I could and keep a straight face.

Of all the reasons to sprain my ankle, it has to be while I was dancing. And I wasn't even wearing really high heels. Only an inch high. How embarrassing.

I suddenly felt a presence behind. Without any warning I was swooped off of my feet. I let out a yelp as Prince Fred carried me. He didn't say anything or even joked with me as he walked towards the pavilion at the center of the garden. He sat me on one of the rails surrounding the pavilion and removed one of my shoes with the swollen ankle. It was my first time seeing it. It wasn't that bad? At least that's what I think.

"Your ankle is swollen. You even have a small cut."

"Seriously, Fred. I'm okay."

"Why didn't you say you were hurt?"

"Overreacting much? It doesn't hurt that bad."

He raised a brow and poked my ankle. "Ow! Fred."

He chuckled. "I thought it didn't hurt?" I only let out a 'humph' and looked away. There's no one to blame but my own clumsiness. I wonder how long would it heal?

"Just leave it alone." I insisted and tried to move my foot away.

"It looks like it hurts." He said and gently touched the swollen skin. Fred was still looking at my food. He looked so focused for some reason. Well, I have no idea why he would bother about it that much. It will take some time to heal, but it will heal on its own.

It was embarrassing though. He was still looking at it. "Let go?"

"No." He said firmly. "Just stay still."

"I said I am fine." I snapped. I want out of this awkward situation. I don't want anyone to see us.

"I said stay still." He insisted.

I grumbled in frustration at how stubborn he was. Stupid Prince. All of them are stupid. I might as well throw a bomb at them. Ace is a big arrogant jerk. The twins are a pain in the butt. Nate is a flirt. Fred is too nice. The Queen is crazy and the King couldn't do a thing about it. I sighed

Wait. Speaking of Fred, he suddenly turned quiet. What is he doing with my foot anyway?

"Yo, what are you doing?" I look down on him.

He looked up at me and smiled. "Nothing." He simply said.

I was about to ask him again when we heard Nate calling out to us. "Fred! Rose!" He said and came running to us. He paused when he saw Fred holding my foot and the two of them had a short starring contest before Nate broke up and looked at me.

"The Queen wanted to talk to us inside. She told me to call the both of you."

Now what does the crazy queen want? Now?

I smiled at him. "Okie dokie. Wait up." I jumped down from where I was sitting. When I landed, I couldn't help but notice that the pain from my foot wasn't there anymore. Surprised, I looked at Fred for an explanation but he only smiled and offered me his arm. I took it after I put on my shoes. We followed Nate to the castle.

While we were walking, I couldn't help but to think of what Fred had done to my foot. I was sure that I had a small cut at the back.

Something was definitely wrong.