A Dream's Reality

Day 3 – Dance

Today I felt a little less pressure since I would be learning dance instead of some power I didn’t know existed. However, I am nervous to be learning from Karayan. I was guided toward the ballroom by one of the maids whom I learned was named Sora. She looked to be around my age was very energetic. Cute!

“Bye Sora, thanks for walking me here!” I gave her a sweet smile and she waved.

“Later Queen – I mean, Celeste!” I giggled and made my way into the ballroom where Karayan was standing with his arms folded. He gave me a weird look and stared at me with is piercing red eyes.

“You let them speak to you so informally?” Karayan asked, probably talking about Sora. I folded my own arms and stood in front of him.

“Yes. I don’t feel a need to separate us, she is just a girl like me. I am of no stature to being standing above people.” Karayan just tsk’ ed at my comment and looked away.

“Suit yourself, Celeste.” He gave me his usual smirk. “Now today we will just focus on learning the waltz. I don’t want to get you too confused about different things.” Karayan chuckled at his own words. Rude… I just ignored his comment and his deep laugh filled the room.

“Okay, Prince Karayan.” I emphasized the prince to tease him but he acted as if he didn’t hear it. He forcefully grabbed my wrists and pulled me to him. W-what?!

“Flustered? I haven’t done anything to be flustered about…” He whispered in my ear with a seductive tone. I felt a shiver run down my spine and he laughed. He’s just toying with me! He smiled.

“Now, one hand goes on my shoulder and the other goes in my hand.” He placed my right hand on his shoulder and rested his cold, left hand on my hip. He’s so tall. I blushed at the contact and Karayan just smirked cockily. “Good.” He took my left hand in his. “Follow my steps, I’ll go slowly so you can keep up.” I wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic or he was being considerate. Can never tell with him.

He looked deep into my eyes with such an intensity I couldn’t look away. I didn’t know what he was trying to do and felt awkward under his gaze. He just kept staring before looking away and muttering to himself. Is he okay? He’s staring so hard.

“What is it, Prince Karayan?” I gave him a worried look. He looked at me with wide eyes for a moment before smirking.

“Oh, nothing. Was just wondering if you will be able to keep up.” I scoffed at his words. He swiftly brushed his purple hair out of his face before holding my hand again. “Let’s start. The first step back with your right foot. Then step to the left with only your left foot. Bring your right foot next to your left. Step forward with your left foot. Then step to the right with only your right foot. Finally, bring your left foot next to your right.”

To my surprise Karayan spoke softly and slowly, waiting for me to take my steps before instructing me on the next one. That’s sweet actually. I pondered about his sudden change in attitude but shrugged it off to concentrate on my feet. I was staring at my feet so hard trying to coordinate the movements.

“Celeste. You don’t need to stare so hard, the steps are not difficult. You should be looking at your partner.” Karayan said taunting me and the thoughts of him being sweet left.

“I just don’t want to mess up!” I huffed and he laughed, his breath hitting my ear which turned pink.

“Well let’s try moving together now.” Karayan suddenly pulled me much closer and started moving slowly in the steps he taught me. I tried to keep up but stepped on his foot. Oops. I cringed, waiting for a lecture or rude comment.

“I’m so sorry Prince Karayan.” I bowed my head in embarrassment.

“It’s okay Celeste. Keep going.” My head shot up to look at him in surprise, there was no rude comment. He was being so patient with me.

It continued like this for a while, I made a few more mistakes but started gradually getting better. Each time, Karayan would be patient and allow me to start over. He would occasionally tease me about how I’m too clumsy and should try harder to not injure his foot. I would get a little frustrated but he just made me more determined to show him off.

I was starting to get tired when Karayan stopped moving and just stood still. I tried to get a look at his facial expression but he quickly pulled me close and moved his face towards my ear. I felt a shiver run down my spine and could almost hear his grin. I instantly thought about him being a vampire. He won’t bite me, right?

“Celeste. Do you want me to? Bite you, I mean?” Karayan whispered teasingly and my whole body tensed. My face turned bright red. Karayan pulled away with a deep laugh, his red eyes filled with amusement. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t bite you…Yet.” He gave me an evil smirk and laughed as he started walking off. “That’s all for today.”

“Ah. T-thank you Prince Karayan!” I stuttered from embarrassment and bowed. He stopped and turned around.

“What’s with you? You allow maids to call you by name only, yet you a Queen call me Prince and bow at me.” He gave me a confused look and I straightened my body. “Besides, I told you to call me Karayan or Master.” He didn’t wait for a response as he left the room. My mouth was wide open and my face red as a tomato. Why you?! He’s so smug! I felt annoyed at his cocky attitude but couldn’t help but be grateful for his surprising patience with me today.

~~~~~~~~~~

Karayan’s POV:

I wasn’t really in the mood for teaching dance, but I knew it was my duty so I went through with it. In Grimoire, dance is a very important part of educating royalty. If you can’t dance properly, the elders usually get fussy. It’s so stupid. Even though I think that I’ve tried very hard since I was young to do well. Being the only son with just my father, Danton, made the expectations of me extremely high and pressuring.

Celeste walking in after saying bye to one of the maids shook me out of my thoughts. Why does she treat them like friends? I questioned her but she held her ground. I felt the same way as her when I was younger. My father used to always tell me not to talk to my servants unless giving them an order, but I never listened.

I became very close to a woman named Nereza. She was extremely beautiful and about 10 years old than me. Nereza would always play with me, and one could say I may have loved her. But out of nowhere she turned and killed my mother, Viktoria. She was under orders since she started as my maid to carry out that mission. After that, she was sentenced to death which I didn’t go see and I didn’t really trust anyone again.

I shook my head to get the memories out of my mind and decided to start the lesson. Not without teasing her first. It worked and I laughed at Celeste’s little glare. To get back at me, she emphasized ‘prince’ and I felt myself get annoyed. No, don’t give her the satisfaction. I pretended I heard none of it. I pulled her to me and she became flustered. Ah she is too easy to get flustered. I decided to tease her more by whispering in her ear seductively. It worked.

I couldn’t help but grin at her reaction. It’s too fun. She shows so many emotions. She blushed again when I started placing both our hands in the right place. I smirked, feeling triumphant at making her blush once again. Ah, she’s so warm.

At first, I tried reading her thoughts and seeing if I could make her do the movements without speaking. But for some reason, I can only hear some of her thoughts here and there, and I can’t control her like with everyone else. I can’t use my mind control on her and it baffled me. Just a mere human, even though she is supposed to be this divine being, and I can’t use any simple mind tricks on her. “Damn…” I muttered to myself out loud after she asked what was wrong. Why is she acting sweetly?

I explained the steps slowly, waiting for her to catch up with it. She followed obediently and I liked having that power. But Celeste was staring so hard at her feet trying to keep up, it was quite amusing. I taunted her once again and she got upset. This is too funny. I laughed.

I pulled her closer so we could move together, and also to feel her warmth. After a few steps, she stepped on my foot. Celeste apologized, looking really upset that she stepped on my foot and scared of my reaction. Heh. Is Celeste afraid of me? I smiled to myself but I’m a surprisingly patient man. I told her it was okay and to keep going, she seemed surprised.

It continued for a while with only a few more mistakes. Celeste’s not too bad… I couldn’t contain myself from teasing her more though. She seemed to get determined every time I teased her and I found it quite amusing. I noticed she started getting tired after a while and stopped. Feeling bad, I brought her in for a hug but stopped myself from completing it. A hug, really?

I heard her thoughts this time and couldn’t help but grin. My lips were extremely close to her neck and I could smell her sweet scent. She was afraid I would bite her. I almost let on that I could read her thoughts, but quickly asked if she wanted me to bite her. Would she? I doubt it. Celeste’s whole body tensed in fear and I could feel her neck and face warm up. Heh, again. Her face almost matched my red eyes.

I teased Celeste again, wanting to make her squirm and think about whether or not I would actually bite her. What she doesn’t know is, I would never do so. I would not drink the blood a mere human, especially one so pure. Plus, it is my duty to act as a guard for Queen Celeste. Which I took very seriously.

Before I left, she thanked me with a bow and I felt surprised. Why? She shouldn’t bow at anyone. So, why? To hide the strange feelings I had, I teased her one last time knowing that she would be frozen in embarrassment and turned away with a triumphant smirk. But I too was embarrassed just the slightest at her strange behavior. I wonder how it would sound if she called me Master…