Chapter Thirteen: Dance Lessons

"One two three, one two three." The metronome that was the older maid's voice repeated in perfect rhythm to the sound of the music. The music box looked similar to a gramophone but had runes and crystals fixed to it in a way that was only natural in this world. The disc was no different, holding runes of its own etched in an intricate design. Akatsuki found it fascinating, all and anything to do with magic, but despite his prodding and poking, it seemed no one was eager to teach it to him. Even his tutor had said that only the academies taught magic.

Quick, elegant movement brought Akatsuki back into the real world as his partner, the princess, pulled him from here to there. A cut, then a dip before transitioning into a spin. Soon the dance came to an end, and Akatsuki curtsied as was the custom for the follow. The strange drop was almost second nature at this point, after practicing dancing for nearly four days now.

"Brilliant footwork Ashley. You seem very talented, although your follow still needs quite a bit of work.!" The woman applauded lightly. They had been at it all day, and it was already past super time. He hadn't even got his daily training in today, but he had all but been ordered by his mother to practice dancing, and somehow he just knew it was a battle he couldn't defeat.

His feet were aching in a way training could never simulate. His mother had forced him to wear heels during practice. They were low heels, but any heel small are large for someone who had never worn them was a challenge. Luckily he had just barely got the dance down. In all honesty, this wasn't his first time dancing. It was a required skill for both business and espionage; however, it was his first time learning this particular dance, and not only that, he had to learn three different positions for it. Unlike the world he came from, dancing took on three roles dependent on social status, which were the lead, the following, or neutral. For example, since he was dancing with the princess, he'd be the follow, because well, even if she was her brother, either way, They were above him in social standing.

"Yes, it's almost as if she's danced before." Akatsuki's partner, the would-be princess, spoke up. The two had somewhat made up since the fiasco, but tensions were tight. Akatsuki had found out that Katarina indeed had a brother named Kato, and Akatsuki had taken immense joy calling him that when they were alone tutoring. He was confident that no one else had caught on to Kato's disguise, and Akatsuki wasn't one to openly share secrets, but it was pretty fun to see the boy's flustered reaction.

"She still has a ways to go with following, but she has leading down pat. Perhaps my lady is a natural-born leader." The older maid nodded as if it all made sense now before continuing. "You are only a few days off from the Ceremony, so we will be practicing with the dress you and your mother picked out from now on, my lady." Akatsuki stifled a groan. His feet hurt, and he was tired of dancing. Before he came to this world, he wanted a simple life, one away from politics and the games of the business world. It seemed his mother had quite the opposite in mind.

"I still don't see why I must have a coming of age ceremony. I'd prefer to live comfortably away from the eyes of others." Akatsuki spoke his thoughts aloud; usually, he wouldn't cry over spilled milk, but his patience was running thin, and he supposed his hormones were doing the opposite.

"Wouldnt that be nice," Kato spoke up this time. "Unfortunately, being born into a family of nobility comes with responsibility and things we don't want to do, not just luxury. It's not simply a title but a responsibility to the people you will one day be the lady of." Kato took on an air of seriousness Akatsuki hadn't heard before. It was a tone and reasoning he could respect. That being said, Akatsuki was never a fan of blood linage it had a way of corrupting governments.

"And if I refuse? Give up my title?" Akatsuki mused.

"That is within your power, but-" Kato spoke but was cut off.

"But my daughter will not be giving up her title over a simple dress she does not want to wear." A shiver ran down Akatsuki's spine even before the woman walked into the room. He could feel her gaze on his back. She was the one person this life or the last that could keep him on edge, and it showed. Kato must have found the whole ordeal entertaining and hurried to stifle a laugh with a cough. In the end, Kato decided to help for one reason or another.

"We were jesting Lady Blanc. I, to some days, wish to be free of the burdens caused by my blood. I feel for your daughter seeing as one day her responsibility might very well outstrip my own. " Akatsuki didn't know how that was possible, seeing as Kato was the prince of an entire kingdom, but He let it go since it seemed to quench his mother's growing airer. From what little he knew of politics, Kato was well on his way to becoming king. Katarina, the actual Katarina, was more liked in social situations, but Kato held the heart of the armies and had the king's blessing.

"If you are thinking of hiring me to run your kingdom for you, I'm going to have to give a hard pass." Akatsuki was blunt, if not disrespectful, towards the prince, but he couldn't be bothered to give someone who had tricked their way into his home respect.

"Ashley von Blanc!" His mother's voice caused him to jump, but Kato held up a hand a twinkle in his eye Akatsuki didn't like.

"Miss Blanc, think nothing of it. I have asked Ashley to speak to me as if we were dear friends." He had done nothing of the sort. "I find Ashley to be a breath of fresh air. She has pointed out many flaws others were too scared of or didn't dare to. She has helped me grow as a person." Kato's words seemed sincere, yet Akatsuki found them hard to swallow.

"This is all well and good, my lady, but please get back to practice!" The maid, who had been steadily growing impatient, finally spoke up. "If you do not learn to follow in dance by your coming of age ceremony, you will not only embarrass your house, but you could make an enemy of higher status families!" And once again, Akatsuki found himself twirling around the room. With Kato practicing a dance, he still wasn't sure he needed to learn for a ceremony he wanted nothing to do with.