304: Eyes On Me

Eyes On Me

"Lady Ria, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance with me?" Arlan asked before any other man could take a step in her direction.0

Oriana was taken aback. Seren had told her it would be rude to turn them down, that's why she planned to agree only once, then making some excuse about her shoe or ankle for the next invitation. Only, she did not expect out of all the people, it would be Arlan who would ask her for her first dance. 

Dread and panic began to seize her courage, her hands growing cold with uneasiness. 

Dancing with Arlan meant having skin contact with him, and being that close, she feared he would recognize her. The cogwheels in her head began to turn, attempting to find a decent excuse.

"Your Highness, my sincerest apologies. I cannot leave the Queen's side as Her Majesty is feeling tired. As her lady-in-waiting, I dare not leave her unattended." 

Oriana curtsied awkwardly before glancing at Seren, unworried that she would side with her. 

But the Queen betrayed her hopes. 

"Go ahead, Ria. I only need to rest my feet in the parlor. Besides, Dray is with me."

The unexpected response of the Queen made her stiffen in place. She casted an uncertain glance at Arlan, who promptly albeit wordlessly offered her his hand. 

An unspoken invitation she could not excuse herself from. 

Not having any other choice, she placed her hand in his. 

Arlan guided her way towards the dance floor where other couples were already present, awaiting the next music from the orchestra. 

On the side, Drayce and Seren admired the sight of the couple holding each other. 

"My Queen, you appear to be acting matchmaker for them," Drayce spoke with a smile.

"Am I wrong to give them a small push?" Seren asked.

He looked at the mischief in her purple eyes. "You can never be wrong." He offered his wife a hand. "Shall we, my Queen?"

Smiling behind her veil, the Queen accepted the King's hand as they too stepped onto the dance floor. 

Meanwhile, as Arlan brought the veiled Oriana to the dance floor, a silent understanding passed between them as they exchanged a bow and a curtsy. 

With a subtle shift of posture, Arlan faced her and drew her near, grasping one of her hands in his while his other hand moved to rest at the small of her back. With a gentle pull, he closed the distance between their bodies. 

Oriana put her free hand on his shoulder and…what was next? She gulped, her mind turning blank the moment the music began.

Xena taught her the standard steps of a waltz, from the proper posture to the basic movements of the feet, but at this moment, it was as if everything she learned the day before disappeared along with the wind. 

In an unfamiliar place, wearing unfamiliar clothes and given an unfamiliar role, Oriana could not help but be timid.

"I-I…am not used to dancing, Your Highness."

Arlan's demeanor remained composed as he asked, "Isn't the Queen's lady-in-waiting supposedly selected to be the most outstanding of all noble ladies applying for that position?"

Caught off guard, Oriana found herself unable to respond and say she was not a real one.

"I mean, I have not danced for a long time and can only barely remember the basics." 

"That's enough then," Arlan spoke, his gaze fixed on her veil-covered face.

"I might step on your shoe more than once," she admitted in a hesitant voice. 

Why was it of all men, it was this man who first offered her to dance? She could easily spin lies towards other people, but she was growing reluctant to deceive him once again.

Responding to her growing anxiety, Arlan tightened his grip on her waist. 

"For waltz, the most important factor is the man leading the dance. You only need to look at me while you follow the rhythm. Can you trust me, my fair lady?"

'What, is he going to just grab me and whirl me around like a doll?'

Arlan was well-aware Oriana had no skills connected to the upper class. She was clueless about the basic skills a woman with good upbringing should have. Be it arts and literature, she was ignorant of them, much less of music and dance favored only by high society.

At this point, she was probably too nervous worrying about making mistakes under the scrutiny of a crowd. 

However, even if she were to accidentally step on him or forget the entire step sequence, it was a small issue with him leading their dance. After all, her skirt was long enough to cover her shoes.

'I cannot waste this opportunity. Who knows when I can hold her next, dressed as the beautiful woman she should be?' 

With each step, Arlan led her around while guiding her with patient instructions whenever necessary.

"Take one step back, and then glide. Don't let go of my hand. Yes, perfect. You are doing wonderful, my lady."

Oriana completely surrendered to his lead, her movements causing ignorant viewers to praise her for her 'effortless' elegance. The pair of mates moved in harmony with the slow, graceful music, and their performance became one of the spectacles drawing appreciation from the crowd. 

Arlan matched the music, and Oriana blindly trusted him, even somewhat enjoying herself as they swayed along with the music. 

However, she would try to avoid his gaze whenever their eyes met. She could not help it—because her heart would race whenever that happened. 

"Eyes on me, Lady Ria," he gently reminded her. "I am your partner so your eyes should only be on me."

She nodded despite her hesitation, but the moment she shyly glanced up, her entire face grew hot.

'Maybe it is fortunate I am wearing a veil,' she could not help but inwardly sigh. This man was too handsome for his own good. 'But seeing him this close, staring into his eyes, I am reminded of my dream and the k-k-k-kiss—ah! Can I really not look away?'

Arlan felt like he could stare into those beautiful hazel eyes for as long as he could. Her delicate hand felt satisfying, enclasped within his own. 

Deep in his heart, he wished for time to freeze, for the night to never end, for he didn't wish to let her go.

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