Dance with him?

Evelyn dressed herself in a maroon gown which she had brought from the shop for the occasion held at Mr Gilbert's Manor. It was a tight-fitting, full sleeve, long dress. She gazed at herself in the mirror in regret. She didn't like the dress she had worn. Despite looking stunning in the tight maroon dress, she scolded herself for overlooking the fact that it was tight and restricted her movements. 

With a click on the doorknob, Elric entered the room. She saw him through the mirror. He was dressed up in a white shirt and black trousers. His usually dishevelled hairs were set properly, though few strands fell on his forehead, enhancing his features. 

"You liked this dress?" He remarked, looking at her. 

She rolled her eyes in annoyance. She already didn't like how tightly it fitted her and now that he commented, she began regretting it more. Turning around she said, "Yes, I love it. Do you have any problem with it?" 

"No. But you are the one who has a real problem," he said. Looking at her confused face he added, "How are you going to walk in that?" 

She rolled her eyes again and walked towards him, elegantly. "Like this," she replied. 

She saw him nod at her and a triumphant smile plastered on her face but deep inside she knew how she struggled to get near him. The dress was too tight at the bottom and forced her to take small steps. 

"Alright then, let's go," he said and strolled out of the room, followed by her. 

In order to show him that the dress was perfect, she intentionally tried walking swiftly but was unaware that her walk appeared like a crab walk. 

Elric chuckled at her childish behaviour. He realised the moment she had walked to him that she didn't like the dress and was uncomfortable but also perfectly knew that she wouldn't accept it. But one thing was true. She looked stunning in the maroon dress. 

"There's still time for the occasion. So walk slowly," he said, hoping she would stop struggling with her walk. 

"I thought we could reach early and-" 

Elric interrupted her saying, "And what? Arrange the chairs for the guests?" 

Listening to his remarks, she slowed down her steps and sighed in relief that she doesn't have to struggle with it anymore. 

Seeing Elric shake his head with a smile, she asked, "Why are you smiling?" 

He shook his head again. She frowned at him but decided to brush it off, like always. 

The public carriage took them to Mr Gilbert's Manor. In contrast to what Mr Gilbert referred to as his Manor, the Manor was gigantic. Beautiful, colourful lights hung around everywhere, illuminating the path. In comparison to the size of the Manor, the lighting looked like still fireflies. Overall it looked mesmerizing from the outside. 

Hopping down from the carriage, as they approached near it, soft soothing music welcomed them. Evelyn saw a few couples dance at the centre of the hall, enjoying the occasion. She glanced at Elric and heard him say, "Not happening. I am not going to dance." 

"Mr Picky doesn't know how to dance," she remarked in her mind and grinned widely. 

"Welcome, welcome. I was waiting for you two to arrive," Mr Gilbert welcomed them with a wide smile. Evelyn had informed him not to address her princess so she wasn't worried about her identity being exposed. 

"Thanks for inviting us Mr Gilbert," Elric said, shaking his hands with him. 

"Please make yourself comfortable. Till then, I will address a few people here," Mr Gilbert said and walked away towards a crowd of few men. 

They both walked towards an empty table and sat on the chairs, arranged around it. Evelyn swayed slightly in the soft background music. It appeared that the dance was yet to begin. Nevertheless, she dropped the plan of dancing for Elric. 

"I will come in a while." 

She heard him inform her. Before she could ask anything to him, he vanished out of her sight into the crowd that just entered the hall. She glanced around the hall and enjoyed the occasion. 

Soon after, a screeching sound of the chair near her caught her attention. 

"Where did you-" she paused before she completed her question looking at the man who wasn't Elric. 

The man had blue eyes like her and his hair light brown. He held a friendly smile as he looked at her. Evelyn returned him the same smile. 

"Greetings to the beautiful. I am Robert Ford, Duke of this province," he said and held his hand out for a handshake. 

She extended her hand and introduced herself, "Evelyn." She decided not to reveal her last name for safety. 

Robert leaned forward and kissed her hand instead of shaking which she didn't mind as it was a normal way of greeting a lady. 

"Are you alone?" He asked but before she could answer he continued, "I am alone as well and looking for a dance and would be glad if you could join me." 

"She is with me." 

Evelyn heard Elric's voice from behind her and sighed in relief.  

The man glanced at Elric and then shifted his gaze towards her for confirmation. Evelyn nodded without taking any further second. 

"Greetings sir," he said but didn't leave his seat. 

Elric nodded and didn't bother to reply which irked the man slightly. He brushed it off and asked, "If you don't mind, can I dance with her?" 

"Apologies but you will have to find someone else as she will be dancing with me," Elric replied with a stern face. His voice held an authoritative tone as he said those words. 

"Alright then, see you around," the man glanced one last time at Evelyn and marched away. 

"Will you really dance with me?" She asked, looking curiously at him. 

"What do you think?"