(XIV) A Royal Dance

The grand banquet hall was a sight to behold, bustling with excited chatter and the sound of lively music. The vast expanse of the room was open for the dance floor, with countless tables and chairs arranged around it, all draped in rich, sumptuous fabrics.

Patrons in their finest attire twirled and swayed with their partners in the center of the room, while others stood to the sides, talking animatedly and admiring the opulent décor. The walls were painted in deep, regal colors and adorned with gold leaf molding, intricate frescoes, and tapestries depicting scenes of grandeur and nobility.

The floors were made of gleaming polished marble, and the ceiling soared high above, with sparkling chandeliers casting a warm, golden glow over the scene. The air was fragrant with the scent of fresh flowers and scented candles, adding to the ambiance of luxury and refinement.

Leon's thoughts echoed in the grandeur of the room, 'Everyone is quite punctual for a social gathering.'

He scanned the room, taking in the opulence. As a nobleman, he was no stranger to lavish parties, but the grandeur of this event still managed to impress him.

He turned to one of his servants, a young woman raised in Kroscester, "Is it customary for nobles to decorate the ballroom this lavishly?"

"Oh yes, Milord!" She said as she led them to their table, bowing as she grabbed a jug of wine and poured him a glass, "You will undoubtedly be surprised when you meet Earl Dromund in person."

"Does he actually like all this expensive stuff..?" He muttered to himself, returning to his habit of people-watching. He stroked Bella in his lap, and she purred loudly.

A group of young women seemed to have been waiting for an opportunity to approach Mikaru, and as soon as they saw him sitting at the table, they rushed over, gushing over him with excitement.

They were all dressed in their finest gowns, their hair styled in intricate braids and curls, and faces adorned with delicate makeup. They giggled, batted their eyelashes, trying to catch Mikaru's attention, and complimented him on his clothes and hairstyle.

Though flattered by the attention, Mikaru appeared slightly uncomfortable and unsure how to respond. He fidgeted with his cufflinks and avoided direct eye contact, struggling to keep up with the girls' rapid-fire conversation.

They bombarded him with questions about his life and interests, and though he tried to answer them as politely as possible, his responses were often short and awkward.

Despite his obvious discomfort, the girls continued to chatter and flirt, clearly enjoying themselves and oblivious to Mikaru's unease. They leaned in close to him, twirling their hair and laughing at his jokes, their eyes sparkling with admiration.

Daveed and James, seated at the same table, couldn't hide their envy. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with jealousy, and quickly downed their glasses of wine, calling for another round.

Meanwhile, Leon watched the scene unfold, sipping his wine and observing the interactions between Mikaru and the girls. He could tell that Mikaru was struggling to keep up with their attention, and though he felt a pang of sympathy for him, he also knew that this was the kind of social interaction that came with being a nobleman.

As Maria leaned over and gently nudged Leon in the elbow, he nearly choked on his wine before looking over at her sly expression. "You're not jealous, are you, Milord?" She asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

Leon's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he let out a hearty laugh. "Jealous? Of Mikaru?" He responded, shaking his head. "My duty is to serve my people. I don't have time for romantic affairs."

"Fantastic!" the woman exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she clasped her hands together. "Shall we dance then?"

The man was taken aback and looked confused as she suddenly sprang up and grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the dance floor, "Wait, what?" He stuttered, struggling to keep up with her energetic pace while Bella leaped from his lap and sat on the table, watching curiously.

As music filled the ballroom, Leon and Maria stood together, watching the other couples dance.

"Come on, Milord!" She encouraged him, smiling, "Don't tell me you're too nervous to dance with me."

Leon felt a surge of anxiety in his chest. He was not a confident dancer, and the thought of embarrassing himself in front of everyone was terrifying. However, he could see the determination in her eyes, and he knew he couldn't let her down.

"Alright, alright..." He agreed reluctantly, "I'll dance with you."

Maria's face lit up with enthusiasm as she took his hands, guiding them to the correct positions on her body. They began to move to the music. Leon felt his nerves fading away as they danced, surprised at how effortless it was to dance with Maria.

He even found himself enjoying it more than he had anticipated, and, with newfound confidence, he took the lead.

They moved as one, their bodies perfectly in sync as they glided across the dance floor. Suddenly, Maria posed a question, "If you were to give up your nobility, would you?"

"I'm not sure." He responded hesitantly, "Perhaps? Maybe not? I believe nobility is a crucial value that we should aim to uphold."

"I understand where you're coming from, but nobility has fallen short in many ways." Maria replied.

"How so?" Leon inquired.

"Throughout history, nobility has been associated with privilege and wealth. The nobility had power and influence over the common people and often used it to their advantage." She explained.

"I agree that there were instances of abuse of power, but I still think there's something to be said for the concept of nobility. It's about holding oneself to a certain standard of conduct and treating others with respect and dignity. Thinking about the big picture and what's good for the group, not just the individual." He countered.

"I understand your perspective, and I think those are admirable qualities. However, I don't think they're exclusive to nobility. Anyone can aspire to be a good person and treat others well, regardless of their social status." Maria offered.

Before Leon could respond, the song came to an end, and they both stopped dancing, gasping for breath as they gazed into each other's eyes. Suddenly, a thunderous round of applause erupted around them, and they realized that everyone was standing still, admiring their dance.

Suddenly, a loud fanfare erupted, drawing the attention of everyone in attendance as the double doors at the top of the stairs were flung open.

"I now present to you, Earl Dromund!"