- I want to dance the pavane with the prince, - the king of the Eastern lands said, taking the scarf from his pillow and gently putting it on Charles, leaving a long trail behind him.
The eastern king's eyes were clear: he didn't need any help, so with the prince in the center of the hall, they stayed together, almost shoulder to shoulder, and Charles pulled out his hand, with the back of his hand up, allowing the man to cover it with his own, and to slow, solemn music, they started dancing.
Slowly, step by step, putting their feet on each toe, the couple moved around the room, followed by two loops, emphasizing the sluggishness and royalty of the dance. There was no place for fun or jumps, only measured, as if uncertain steps - next to each other, from each other to each other, with light bows and subtle touch of the hands. Charles expected something exotic and oriental, but no, King Noor chose one of the most traditional dances of the rest of the kingdoms - and performed it with dignity, which could be envied.
The king stopped, watching Xavier walk around him, barely shaking his hips as the dance demanded. Charles tried not to look at him because Noor's gaze was hypnotic and terrifying. The king of the East, on the other hand, watched him closely, keeping his face still and imperceptible.
They danced to the music - and there was no other sound in the hall except for it, it seems that it was possible even to distinguish the rustling with which the plumes crawl on the floor. Finally, Noor stopped with the music and stood in front of the prince.
- More beautiful than the sunrise in the ocean, more desirable than the rain in the desert, more majestic than the mountains themselves, - the eastern king touched his forehead, chest and bowed in the usual gesture. - Thank you for the dance, Your Highness.
Despite the sluggishness of the dance, Charles was breathing heavily, feeling the color of his eyes, the king of the Eastern lands was so gazing, his words were so unusual, the young prince had never heard anything like it, and Noor noticed it, smiling a little bit with his lips and leaving. Xavier hurriedly removed the cape, giving it to one of the servants, and went to the table, pouring water for himself.
- Do you feel well, my prince?
Sebastian's voice fluttered somewhere close by, and Charles again felt a slight dizziness from the sweet scent of frankincense, and the knocking of the beads seemed to be following him. Xavier nodded, greedily swallowing water, and he felt a slight shiver from the way the eastern king behaved, and it was just the second dance ... The counselor put a pale palm on the prince's shoulder, slightly squeezing.
- If you feel unwell, you can interrupt the evening and continue later or tomorrow, I could help you recover...
- It's okay, Sebastian, thank you, - Charles smiled a little straightening his smile. - Thank you for your concern, but don't interrupt the evening.
The Royal Councillor nodded and walked away with his lips pressed. He watched closely the prince and each participant of the tournament, seeing the potential threat in each. Any of them could have lost his head to the beauty of young Xavier - and outrun Shaw, which the advisor did not want to. He needed to be alone with the prince, and there the stupefying herbs and a little bit of wine for the sacrament would do his job ... But Charles slipped out of his hands like silk, and the more intense the counselor became, the more angry he looked at the guests of the palace.
The next dance the prince was almost waiting for. The mountaineer seemed to be looking at him all the time, but he did not dare to approach him, and it seemed that he was not sure of his choice now, at least at the beginning of the evening he looked much more focused. Finally, Prince Jamie appeared next to Charles, bowing down before him and stretching out his hand.
- I'm afraid I'll disappoint you, - he said quietly, leading young Xavier into the middle of the room, from which the guests had already parted. - Is my gift somewhere near you?
- Yes, one of the servants' swords, - the Prince of the Central Lands threw his eyebrows up in surprise.
- Let them bring it.
Looking still incomprehensible, Charles clicked on the servant, and they immediately brought him a bandage with a sword, at the base of which the sapphire sparkled. The mountaineer pulled it out, like his own, and put both on the floor, crossing at right angles. Xavier opened his eyes, suddenly realizing what the prince was trying to achieve.
- I invite Prince Charles, - Frasier stood next to the heir who had spread his shoulders; Charles smiled with his lips like the highlander, both looking forward, - to the sword dance!
To Be Continued...