CHAPTER 252: 252: THE DANCE

The engagement ceremony was still in motion.

The atmosphere was calm with the soft music playing and some people chatting. Lysander and Eden were standing at the corner while staring in the direction most people were staring in: the couple.

Elvis and Cordelia now stood before the priest, who had already begun the process of getting the two engaged.

He went through some prayers and some words for the two. While he went through the expected procedures of conventionally sealing their engagement, Eden wasn’t even paying attention.

He had a drink in his hand which he sipped from from time to time. He looked around while being alert. He was aware of why he was here and what was expected to happen.

Someone was going to kill him. Or maybe try doing so.

The person wasn’t mentioned. He had only concluded that it was the priest since he was the most suspicious person around. But he also had to keep his guards on. You never knew what tricks the novel could pull on him.

"Are you okay? You look distracted?" Lysander asked.

Eden smiled. "Don’t worry. I’m okay, just looking around."

"Okay then," Lysander smiled.

Eden continued looking around while trying to make sure he picked up any suspicious activities. But there was none. So he ended up standing around, already getting bored from everything that was happening.

Soon, they were halfway done with the engagement programme. And then they decided to go into the ball dance.

It had a simple instruction. Everyone would be handed a mask by the maids. The stage would be open for the main couple first with the lights on. Elvis and Cordelia would start off dancing together, while the rest admired them.

And then later on, others would join. Couples. The lights would go into a blueish disco-like light, dim and dull, making it a bit hard to see the faces of some people. And then others would join the stage, dancing with their partners.

They would switch partners as the dance went on, switching from time to time.

Eden knew the rule without being told at least. He had read enough historical aristocratic novels to know how it goes.

The masks were shared and he took his, which he found pretty. And then placed it over his eyes.

"How do I look?" He asked Lysander.

"Pretty," Lysander smiled as he put his on. "Me? How do I look?"

"Cute," Eden said as the two smiled.

Elvis and Cordelia took the stage and started dancing. Elvis’s hand on her waist, Cordelia’s hand on his shoulder, the two of them moved smoothly.

They were royalties. They had been learning this and doing this since they were like five. So the two of them were effortlessly nailing the slow dance.

They moved in synchronicity. Their movements complemented each other. As if they had the same mind, they knew when to step slower and faster. They knew each move like their last names. And their dance was rather beautiful. Undeniably.

Everyone admired them with smiles. They couldn’t help but shower compliments on them. They were just perfect. A perfect match indeed. Eden knew that and he hated that he knew. Hated that they were perfect.

He stood there, staring at them. He was lost in the land of jealousy and he knew it. He certainly hated this feeling.

But Lysander took his hands into his own, locked their fingers together. Eden stared up at him, meeting his smile beneath his mask. Eden smiled too.

Elvis and Cordelia were done dancing solo. And now everyone began joining the stage with their partners. Those who didn’t come with any partner were asked by another single person to dance. And they made a pair.

A lady had asked Adrian and Leo for a dance. And to save them some faces, they reluctantly agreed.

Adrian wanted to ask Eden, but Lysander was already on it.

"May I have this dance?" Lysander stretched out his hands to Eden.

Eden stiffened. "Huh? Are we supposed to?"

"Sure, why not? We came together," Lysander insisted.

Eden bit his lower lip. He was probably terrible at this. He hadn’t learnt to dance at all. So he wasn’t even sure how to place his legs.

And he never planned on joining them. But here he was, about to be pulled out.

The lights were off. The blueish light on.

"Now no one can see you. Let’s dance," Lysander said.

"But... The problem is... I’m a terrible dancer. I can’t at all," Eden explained as Lysander smiled.

"Don’t worry. I’ll teach you," He assured him. "Just take my hands and let’s have fun."

Eden hesitated. Others had already started entering the stage with their partners. They had already begun dancing to the music.

He stared at Lysander’s hands and let out a soft smile. "Well, I guess there’s always a first time," and so he slowly took his hands.

Lysander gently held onto Eden’s hand and led him to the stage. They moved gently till they got to a spot, and now stood before each other, staring.

"Now what?" Eden smiled, looking around.

Lysander held onto Eden’s hand as he said, "Look into my eyes."

Eden stared into his eyes, lost in Lysander’s deep eyes beneath the mask, his alluring smile in the dim light.

"Hold my hands tightly," Lysander said in a soft tone while holding onto Eden’s hand. "Now place the other over my shoulder..."

Eden knew the basics, so he knew where to place his hands. He placed his hand over Lysander’s shoulder, the other holding Lysander’s hand. Lysander brought his hands to hold onto Eden’s waist, gently, and then pulled him in.

"Now, move with my instructions, okay?" Lysander said, staring into Eden’s eyes.

Eden blinked and then nodded slowly. "Okay then..."

"Left.... right... Left... right... right." Lysander instructed as he led the way, moving his feet to the rhythm of the music while guiding Eden as well.

Together, the two of them moved slowly and rhythmically to the melody that played in the background. Their eyes locked, smiles beaming.