Chapter 33: Shut up and Dance with Me
Shiori's pov
.......
It has been almost six months since I started tutoring the princes, and in that time they've made incredible progress in both physical and mental aspects.
As for my recommendation, it has already been sent to the academy.
"In a few months my job would be completed and I can finally continue with my search for sanemi..." I said as I wrote down my days progress in my daily journal (diary).
I heard a knock, I opened the door to see Oliver standing there in his casual clothes.
"Hey Oliver, what is it?"
"May I speak to you" he asked looking nervous
"Come in...."
He entered, taking a sit as I poured him some grape juice I had on my vanity
"So what's this about?"
A few minutes later he explained the situation
"What? You want some of our lessons time?" I quired
"That's right, in a few weeks, I and Chris would turn 18, it'll be a great ceremony, many would be attending. it's tradition to dance for a very important ritual" he explained
"Chris Dancing? Now that I'll like to see " I snicker
"This isn't funny, although he has improved in his studies, his manners are deplorable. At this rate he wouldn't cut passed courtesy let alone dance, that's why I request that we reduce our lessons time so that our instructor can train him to dance properly in time " he said desperately
"Very well " I smiled
"You really don't mind?" He asked surprised...
"Of course not, I want Chris and you too have a memorable birthday so go right ahead " I waved dismissively
"Thankyou!" He smiled before walking out the door.
Once he was gone, my eyes sparkled with glee.
"More free time equals more time to read novels!" I squealed excitedly..
.....
[Mind space]
Boss lady: this meeting between entities has begun!
Interlect: we've endured this job for quite some time, however we shouldn't forget our main objective.
Happy: everyone we meet is super kind and charming!
Insecure: but we haven't seen any phantom nor crimson cross related activities so far, and none of the white lotus members has contacted us, I wonder what's happening ?
Wild: I say we just sit tight and get through this!
Boss lady: on to the next agenda, what should we do with the free time we've been given...
Happy: read novels obviously!
Interlect: hold up! As tempting as that is shouldn't we be look for a way to gain new skills? That incident at persefial forest was humiliating!
Wild: agreed, not only were we toyed with the perverted snake, but having Christopher save us only seemed to boost his ego.
Insecure: I get what you mean but it's not like anyone here can train us, plus we can't take higher rank missions without being suspected...
Interlect: were the mind related aspects of the main body, so what we need to do is simple...
Boss lady: and what are you suggesting?
Interlect: just as there are many kingdoms as well as nations, why don't we learn different languages, that way we can handle ourselves if our barrier glasses get broken and it would be more efficient than wasting mana
Happy: sounds fun!
Insecure: ok
Wild: why not
Boss lady: then we're all in agreement, we shall use half of our free time studying new languages
Everyone: No Objections!
......
I sat by my study table, reading a basic history book written in Demi human language.
This isn't so bad, it's basically cave man English, as for eleven and humans, I can just ask Eliot or Nate to teach me...
"Prince Christopher!" A voice yelled out
I opened my door, confused at the commotion as i saw Chris running down the hall in futstration.
Huh?I blinked
I turned to see Oliver panting as he ran into the corridor
"What's going on?" I asked
" it's Chris, he's having trouble learning the steps, it's like he doesn't have a knack for dancing" he explained
"I see, you have my simpaty.." I nodded in condolences
"At this rate he'll brutally humiliate himself at the party" he said
"That's not good " I said flatly feeling something coming
"To be made a laughingstalk on your eighteenth birthday, doesn't that sound just awful...." He said looking at me with the side eye
Oh here we go 😮💨
"You want something from me don't you" I deadpanned
"Yes, I need you to bring him back to dance class!" He said grabbing my hands in his desperately.
" I sighed, figures..."
....... .....
I went to the garden, staring up at a particular tree.
"I figured you'd be here" I said staring at Chris who was resting casually on a tree branch
"I don't need dancing..." He said
"You do for the party..." I said dully
"Then I'll skip the party"
"It's yours and your brothers party, you can't exactly skip it..."
"It's not like everyone is wanting to see me, I bet they'll all fond over Oliver..."
"Don't say that..."
"Why do I have to keep doing thing I'm not good at?" He frowned.
"I'm not sure, just how life is I guess, some get an easily route, others have to learn the hard way... I suppose..." I shrugged
"That's easy for you to say, your great at everything " he spat
"That's not entirely true " I muttered staring at the ground. He noticed and turned to me curiously
"Can I tell you a secret?"
He nodded, I say down by the bass of the tree
"I have a brother, his two years younger than me, he was abducted..."
He listened carefully
"I don't know by whom or why? But he's gone, I'm doing my best to find him but I'm stumped. I know if give up it's not going to change anything, so I keep moving forward and keep trying..."
"Really?" He asked in a soft tone
"I guess, that after I've finally found him, all my hard efforts would have paid off, as for gaining others respect it's not determined by power one yields, it's earned ..." I Said calmly
"..." He got quite
"You're not a bad person, just stubborn. Now Would you please come to dance class, I'll even help you...."
"..." He leapt down and whacked my head before walking away.
Ok this dog really needs a leash!
"Come on! Hurry up!" He said crossing his arms"
I looked at him surprised.
"That smack was for showing weakness, now come on..." He said
I smiled, "you dumbass...."
......
CLAP CLAP CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP
"One two three, one two three, one two three..." The instructor clapped in rhythm as the two of us tried keeping track.
Key word, tried
"Ouch! I said follow my feet not step on them!" I scolded
"Your too slow!" He shot back
"You're too fast!" I shot back
It was soon time for the twirled
"Wait, slow down!" I begged
Ahhh! I was tossed by the momentum and crashed straight into a wall.
Damn, Oliver you owe me big time...
We spent the next few weeks practicing
I sigh in My room. I'm balancing dancing, learning and training that Tsundere, it's too much!
"Excuse me lady shiori, you've got mail" a servant said handing me a box
I opened it to see a collection of novels, apparently from an up coming writer...
"Lavender? Odd name choice but ok..." I stared at the series
......
A few days later
CLAP CLAP CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP
We managed to reach sync our movements, although he was Still a bit fast, I managed to keep up
"Good job, at this rate, you'll managed to be ok tomorrow at the party" the instructor said
"Really?!" Chris beamed
"But I won't be his partner tomorrow, would that he be okay?" I questioned
"As long as you use what you've learned you'll be ok" Oliver said with a forced smile
I have a bad feeling about this....
The next evening
The night with ventilated by the nice evening breeze, the guests had started to arrive one by one as the entered.
The room was filled with the soothing sounds of classical music, as the tables were lavished with different kind of dishes.
I stood by table stuffing my face was meat, wearing a white and blue dress Nate had gifted me a few weeks ago.
"Attention everyone!" The king announced as everyone turned to the double doors
In front of it were Chris and Oliver dress in matching red and black tuxedos, staring straight faced as if it were a norm.
"Today are my sons's eighteenth birthday, we especially prepared dishes from all over the nation so please do enjoy yourselves!" The king said proudly.
Nobles soon started approaching to greet them
"Happy birthday, prince Christopher, prince Oliver.." a noble smile
"Thankyou " they said in unison.
Noble ladies were awed at their good looks and charm as they were smiling amused...
Soon after the princes had greeted all the major nobles present, the king spoke.
"Now unto the main event! The traditional dance! If you want my sons's hand in matrimony, then step forward!"
Say what now?!
A timid lady stepped forward and took Oliver's hand. The two begun as everyone watched. They danced with such elegance and grace it hurt my bumkin mannered ass
however, instead of amused or excited,oliver seemed rather unfazed by her beauty, as if he's dancing just for the sake of it....
I wonder whats on his mind...
The dance came to a halt as a round of applause followed. Next up was Chris and I was practically sweating buckets.
A cocky noble woman came forward with a smirk.
Please don't punch her, please don't punch her, please don't punch her🙏...
The music started as the two danced, at first it seemed to be going well, until...
"Hey slow down!" The girl said as his steps only got quicker...
"Oh no ..." I paled
He accidentally steps on her foot, causing her to lose balance and the two fell on the floor dramatically...
"Chris get up! Or are you telling me that you can't even dance!" His father demanded.
Chris tensed as he stood up, people gossiped about how pathetic his performance was, how his would make a horrible future leader and how his brother was much more graceful.
It was absolutely humiliating....
"Big brother...." Oliver said with worry
I took in a breath as I walked forward...
"May I have this dance..." Chris's eyes widened as he looked up at me.
I took a sigh and deep breath before taking his hand.
"Whose that girl?"
"What's with her unclutured dressing?"
"Is she really risking her dignity for him?"
The mummers and gossiping filled the room as Chris only tensed up more.
"Just like we practiced..." I whispered
"I know that!" He said looking away.
Ok let's begin. The music started to play as we begun dancing but after a few minutes he tripped, luckily I caught him before anyone could notice his mistake.
"Don't tell me you're nervous?" I teased
"Of course I am, father is watching and so is everyone..."
"I've an idea, close your eyes."
"What? Why?"
"Just do it and focus on the rhythm of my voice."
"But.." he hesitated
"Just shut up and dance with me!"
"Fine!"
"Ready, 1,2,3,4... 1,2,3,4...1,2,3,4..."
He closed his eyes as told, carefully listened to my voice, blocking out everything else...
We moved in sync, each stepped practiced like when we used to duel with our swords at dawn.
As it ended everyone was speechless, then one person clapped and then another before we knew it everyone was applauding, Chris's eyes beamed at the praised and I just kept smiling at him.
... . .....
"My.... shiori, how did you do it?" Oliver asked still amazed.
"A beast human's ears are really sensitive, meaning Chris was nervous due to all the gossiping around him... So I just diverted his place of concentration and Viola!" I explained
"See, shiori is really amazing!" Chris praised proudly
"That's only because I wanted you to do your best..." I smirked
He smiled even more at my words.
"Oh right, your presents!" I went and came back with two wrapped parcels, hand one each...
They unwrapped them as their eyes widened
"Twin blades for the birthday twins..." I giggled
I had use my mana to make it stronger, so even if this bone head gets reckless it wouldn't break that easily
"What do you think?" I asked
A tear slipped down Chris's cheek
Was it that bad?! I was stunned
He hugged me close "thankyou, shiori, for everything...." He placed his head in the crook of my neck....
Huhhhh?!
"Your welcome..." I hugged him back as Oliver smiled at the sight.....
I guess even the bratty prince had a soft spot....