As the spring festival was reaching its height, Regulus was currently engaged with a conversation with princess Olivia.
"I must say your highness, I admire the architecture. It's beautiful, to say the least." The princess shared as she took a sip from her glass of wine.
"Ah, well, the king must be flawless after all." Regulus replied smiling. "Though, obviously nothing beats the stunning architecture of Loren."
"Ah, you flatter me, but as much as people think I don't think we have the best architecture." Olivia humbly said.
"Mhm, but you can't deny Loren also makes the best dresses."
"Oh, um thank you.."
"Not only that, they have one of the prettiest women in the continent." Regulus whispered to her ear, catching the princess off guard. This resulted in Olivia becoming a blushing mess, while across the table Lucius was silently cheering on while Eadic was dumbfounded as to why.
Then the music started, and everyone with their spouses, partners and fiances took the center stage and started dancing. Regulus then stood up and went up to the princess, reaching out his hand.
"W-What? With m-me??" Olivia stuttered, still flustered from Regulus' previous remark.
"Yes" Regulus replied with a smile on his face.
The princess hesitated at first but eventually stood up and took Regulus' hand, guiding her, the two reached the center stage. The music changed from a fast paced violin to a soft and somber piano. As the couples danced on, both Olivia and Regulus swayed to the music nearly perfectly.
OLIVIA POV
"I-I don't know how to dance your highness.." I muttered.
"Don't worry, I'll lead." He said smiling again.
He slowly took my hand and clasped it, his other hand guiding mine to his shoulders, while he softly wrapped his hand on my waist.
"Follow my lead." He whispered into my ear, and soon we started moving. He moved his steps slowly to the beat. Slowly but surely, he guided me, step by step. His hands not letting go of my waist, supporting me as we spun on the dance floor.
Soon the music sped up. Despite my best efforts to try and balance myself, I just couldn't keep up with these rough heels, my legs intertwined. I closed my eyes as a scream escaped my mouth as I fell backwards.
My thoughts ran rancid as I fell, maybe I should've practiced beforehand, maybe then I wouldn't have embarrassed myself like this. But I didn't feel the marble floor, instead I felt something tug my waist and skirt tightly.
"Don't worry I got you." I heard, opening my eyes, fortunately the young king caught me. He then swiftly pulled me up close to him. His hand gripped my waist tightly as a moan accidentally escaped my lips.
This froze him, a few seconds later the dance resumed. He silently loosened the grips on my waist.
"Sorry, was I too tight?" He asked.
"N-No, it just took me by surprise." I stuttered. I didn't want to admit it, since it was embarrassing to say.
But much to my dismay, the music slowly faded as he let go of my waist.
"Well…. It was nice dancing with you princess." He said, bowing like the other men around us. But unlike the others, he kissed my hand, as he then left me
I couldn't mutter a word as he blended in with the crowd, disappearing from my sights.
"I didn't thank him for the dance…" I mumbled "Would you like to dance my lady?"
A man asked, not wanting to say no, I replied.
"Of course!"
THIRD PERSON POV
"That didn't go too bad…" He mumbled to myself as the young king started looking around for someone else to dance with. Scanning the crowd, he spotted a familiar face. Excusing himself into the crowd, he eventually reached the person he was looking for.
"Alicia." He spoke out. Turning her back, Alicia was surprised but at the same time happy to see Regulus.
"Y-Your highness!" She stuttered as her face slowly turned into a light shade of red.
Bowing down and holding out his hand, Regulus asked. "Would you take this dance with me?" He asked with a curt bow.
"Yes." Alicia replied instantly, as if not wanting to waste a second.
Regulus smiled, he took Alicia's hand and guided her to the center stage.
ALICIA POV
Ah, is this a dream? I'm dancing with him, I'm dancing with his highness.
"You seem to be in a daze? Anything on your mind?" Regulus asked.
"Mhm, no." I muttered.
"Good, you know how to dance I suppose?" He asked, his crimson eyes staring at me softly. I nodded in reply.
With a smile he caught my hand and clasped it. His other hand held my waist, not wanting to delay the dance. I grasped his shoulder as the music started playing.
Our bodies movements synchronized, he let go of my hand as I spun into him, my back touching his chest. I looked up, his breath on my nape. With a nod he raised our hands as I ducked under, letting go of his hand I spun around once more. This time he held me in an embrace, I couldn't resist as my hand rested on his chest.
Feeling muscles I blushed… Wait what am I thinking of!? Snap out Alicia, he's the king! He deserves someone better than y-
Though he cut me off as he let go, then all of a sudden, he grasped my chin and made me look up to him. Then suddenly he inched closer to me, I immediately closed my eyes as all the blood rushed into my face. I'm not ready for this yet!
I felt his breath on my ear, but my heart was beating so fast that I could barely hear the words he said. "You…. Beautiful….. I love….. As always"
Wait? Is he confessing his love!? TO ME!??
As I opened my eyes, he let go of me. Bowing down like the others, he looked at me and kissed my hand. Smiling at me he left and went back up to his chair.
"A-Ah? W-Wha-at? D-Did-d h-h-he just?" I mumbled. My heart can't take it anymore! What makes it worse is that everyone's staring at me!
THIRD PERSON POV
As she couldn't seem to control it anymore, Alicia's mind seemed to have malfunctioned as she was mumbling random words.