Dancer In The Jewelry Box

When Father finally stops twirling us, we are both laughing and panting. He sets me down on the checkerboard tile next to the statues and I swallow down a short cry of relief, instantly grateful to feel solid ground again under both feet. 

"Well then,"

Father raises his hand to sweep back the red and green mask. His cheeks and forehead are bright red- and thin lines are imprinted on his skin. His skin shines with little beads of sweat. 

"How did you like your first dance?" 

"That wasn't dancing." I pant, holding onto his forearms, still wobbly from spinning. 

"You had me in a tornado." 

A deep and robust laugh rips through his brown lips. 

"Yes, I guess you're right." He chuckles, raking back his damp bangs. 

"But you did have fun?" 

"I…" I swallow before darting my gaze to the floor. Partly because I want to be mad at him, but also because, I agree. 

I did- but I'm not about to reward his trickery. He needs to be held accountable for something. Father or not. 

"Perhaps,"

"You little-" Father scuffs. "Don't tell me you're picking up Nicoli's impishness, too?" 

"What, no!" I protest before even thinking. "I would never-"

Father rubs my head.

"I was joking," Father chuckles, his eyes crinkling down at me with warmth. 

"It's fine to tease you occasionally, isn't it?" 

"Tease?" I blink up. But Father only smiles again as we both hear the song die. The last notes hanging in the air mix with the smell of the roses.

"Seems it's over,"

I nod watching the girl's puffed dresses settle back to rest. Everyone falls quiet for a split moment as the musicians change their sheets. 

Then I feel it. It's a strange little pressure- right over my heart. Telling me something. But I'm not sure what. 

I don't want this to be over. I recognize. The dance, Father, all of it. But what I want doesn't matter. It never does.

 I swallow and tighten my shoulders. 

"Well, then," I pull the sides of the white lace dress to curtsy- already half turning on the tile to leave. 

 "Have a pleasant evening-" 

"Daughter," Father reaches out suddenly. His blue eyes met mine as if pleading with a silent question.

But that doesn't make sense. The dance is over. I need to go, right?

"The song is over." I protest softly, not sure what he wants.

 But he shakes his head- smiling again. That same smile that Nicoli makes-filling his whole face like it never knew how to frown.

"How about another dance-" Father offers before the familiar voice cuts in from behind.

"May I cut in? "

"Cousin," I lift seeing Mykhol here. And he's holding something. It's a plate. 

My food! My mouth nearly drops. 

He has a plate full of brown gravy and meats. The smell of hardy flesh makes my stomach growl in earnest. All this twirling and spinning has made me more hungry. 

"Cousin, thank you-" I move to take the blue plate, but Father's back is suddenly in front of me, blocking me from the plate and Mykhol.

"Can you?" Father proposes a pitch deeper. 

Mykhol stiffens. 

"I would like to." Mykhol finally smiles politely with a motion to the plate. Again reminding me that I should eat. Which I'm more than ready to do. 

"Yes, thank you-" I go again to reach. But the plate almost topples over as someone collides with Mykhol's back. 

"Ah- You!" Mykhol swivels to hiss, but they are moving. A flash of brunette curls bopping around him, dead set to squeak his red shoes to a stop in front of me.

"I'm up next!" Nicoli booms breathlessly before shooting out to take my hand.

"We're dancing next!" 

"You?" 

Mykhol finally gets his bearings in time to reel back at him.

"Don't you have others to dance with?" His clawed hand gestures around the room. 

Others? I quickly see what he means. 

The other girls are frozen in place, watching us. Eyes wide and hopeful, but a frown of discouragement already settling into their features. Seeing their faces makes me match their frown. 

"No, I've been waiting-" 

"Nicoli, he is right." I pull my hand back to my chest.

"You should dance with the others. They are your guests." 

"No!" Nicoli cries in disbelief. "I want to dance with you." 

And he goes again to take back my hand. But before he can, someone else beats him to it. 

"Who?" 

My eyes travel up the great arm to land on a bright yellow sleeve. As promised, sunflowers burst out from her braid in a cheerful display. Her costume- I realize.

"Hidi?" 

 Hidi beams a grin setting her peridot eyes alight. 

"Hey!" Nicoli cries. His little hand digs to pry her's off me. 

"Nicoli-" What are you doing!? I stare back at him in horror. But Nicoli is too busy staring daggers at her. 

"Didn't you just say-" 

Hidi lifts a finger. 

"Just one." 

Nicoli puffs his cheeks back at her.

"A girl can't dance with a girl." Nicoli declares in a huff, jutting up his chin. But Hidi scuffs, with a dramatic roll of her green eyes. 

"Nonsense. My Mama always does with her wives."

"Your mother has wives…?" Nicoli's brows lift in surprise. The news is so awestruck that he forgets all about trying to pull on her hand- giving me a chance to intervene finally. 

"Nicoli, it's fine." I offer reassuringly. 

"It's just a dance."

"But-" Nicoli's lips fip before scowling a look back at Hidi. 

"Oh, you will not need to worry." Hidi shrugs. 

"I plan to only have one partner." 

Nicoli and I both blink at her not sure what that means.

Hidi glances at me. "Anastasia?"

"Anastasia?" Mykhol pipes up, juggling the plate awkwardly in his hand. He makes a strained smile. But I'm afraid I have to shake my head.

"Mykhol, I will eat later." 

"You…?" For a moment Mykhol's features fall, and his crimson eyes blink after me. But just as quickly, the cordial smile is back on.

"Of course." Mykhol agrees, lifting his gaze to quietly regard the others. 

But he says nothing before turning to return from where he came. His tall frame recedes into the sea of people before I can turn back to them.

"Papa?" It feels strange saying it still. But Father looks like he could burst with joy. His eyes glitter as his cheeks bunch up in a smile. 

And Father seems to understand what I'm asking. His hand falls on Nicoli's shoulder to force him to turn. 

"Hey!" Nicoli protests, but Father doesn't flinch. 

"You two can dance later. Come, let's find ourselves new partners." 

"But-" Nicoli huffs and throws me a look, but I can see the defeat darken his blue eyes. He's lost the fight already. Nicoli droops his head with a low grumble.

"You two have fun." Father wishes, nodding to us both before turning to guide Nicoli to stop short of another. 

I observe the exchange. Nicoli bows and takes her hand. I don't know why but the sight makes a tight ball in my chest. 

Strange. I rub at the spot before a hand moves to scoop it up. 

"Your Empress," Hidi beams again pulling me to the floor as the next song starts. It's a waltz now—a much easier dance than the last one. 

Hidi slouches to make up our height difference. Her face rests just a head above mine- I can see myself in her green eyes. I look so small in there. 

"I think I did a good job making you look pretty." 

'Pretty'. There is that word again. 

"Hidi, I like your costume, too." I return eyeing the yellow. The whole thing does go together nicely. It suits her. 

Hidi is very much like the sun, isn't she- completely in her element wherever. It doesn't even phase her how girls stop to stare at us. She continues to shine regardless. 

How envious. I wish I could do the same. I'm sure it would make a lot of things easier. 

"I like you." 

The abrupt confession has me start up blinking after her. 

"As a friend. " Hidi counters but just as easily smile again.

 "Which I wish for us to be." 

"Yes, you said so. I haven't forgotten." 

"That's-" Hidi opens her mouth to speak. But grows silent as we carry on dancing for a moment before speaking quietly. 

"Ana, I heard something earlier today..."

"Heard what?" I ask but not before noticing that off-distant gaze on her face again.

It makes something flinch in my stomach.

"Hidi?" 

"No, never mind." Hidi shakes her head dismissively. "We will not speak of it again."

And her eyes are bright again as she twists me around. Her swing suddenly faster, making my braid lift.

"Okay?" 

I don't understand. But it looks like she's fine again. Like she decided and seems much happier about it. 

"Now, my little Empress," Hidi leans into my ear.

Her eyes twinkled mischievously. A sight, I will later learn is the calm before the storm. When I see it again, I will know she is up to no good. 

"Let me show you how a real woman dances." 

"What do you-" I barely have the chance to register before finding my feet are off the ground- mid-twirl once more.

*Queen Belinda* 

"Nicoli, dear- the dance isn't over" Belinda reminded her son already trying to sneak away from his partner before the song had ended below the platform.

"But-" Nicoli fumbled and darted a look back to the two on the floor. 

His pout only deepened as Hidi lifted the petite girl to now twirl in the air so fast, that her white dress ballooned out. And he wasn't the only one frowning.

"I feel robbed for some reason," Alexander grumbled haughtily to her right on the throne. His red and green mask was back on, but it didn't hide his continence. He huffed despondently before hunching over to rest his head in his hands. 

Belinda could only roll her eyes at the both of them. 

"She's just playing." 

"You call that playing?" Alexander made to point with his large hand. Belinda only sighed and pulled it down. 

"It's just how the Almonies play around." 

Even Bratha would kiss her on the lips on occasion. Belinda smirked fondly thinking of her friend. 

But this did not seem to ease her husband. 

"Well, I don't like it. " He repeated, puffing out his lower lip.

"Something should be done." 

Belinda couldn't help but smile there.

"Husband. It's been taken care of." She moved to caress his hand. When he looked at her confused, she only smiled further. 

"Did you notice the broach she wears?" 

"Broach?" Alexander asked before turning. When he did see the opal, he raised a brow back to her before smirking. 

"What did you do?" 

"Nothing."

Belinda observed her gold rings. Alexander snorted softly, not buying her oblivious response. 

"Belinda, that broach has been in your family for generations." 

"Has it?" Belinda replied lightly, but her painted lips were already curling up at the sides. It was hard to keep in such good news.

Alexander sighed and shook his head with mild disbelief. He leaned back in the blue velvet cushion with an amused smile. 

"So when will the big date be?" 

"Once Nicoli is 18," 

Alexander exhaled deeply. 

"My poor boy. It's gonna hit him hard." He lamented softly. 

"It won't be that bad." Belinda retorted but secretly enjoyed his concern. It was quite the thing to see him acting like a father. She loved it when it was toward Nicoli. 

Belinda leaned back to hold the armrest as the song was beginning to end. The last strings of the waltz pull to a slow fade. The next dance would begin soon.

Belinda's eyes knowingly fell to find Nicoli again. Her son looked anxious, bouncing from one foot to the next. No doubt ready to break free and go back.

She didn't like that Nicoli was still concerned by the girl. 

He should be focused on Hidi. Belinda lightly scratched at the armrest. The only thing to relax her mind was that Hidi wore her broach. A physical reminder.

Soon. Belinda felt the promise cool her. Soon this would all be over. 

The child will be gone from all of their lives. Like a bad memory. Which to Belinda, she would always be. Just like her traitorous mother. 

And we all wake up from nightmares, don't we? Belinda mused before seeing something shift from the side. It was her husband. Alexander was making to get up. 

Without thinking, she snatched his wrist to pull him back. 

"Stay and sit with me some more." Belinda requested sweetly, but underneath, even she could hear that desperation tinge the edges of her voice.

She swallowed it back quickly. Throwing on her best smile with a flutter of her long lashes. 

"I'm lonely." 

Belinda pulled a little harder, willing, pleading for him to do so. Begging without words until he conceded back down to sit. 

"I'm not staying here all night," Alexander remarked cooly- eyes already shifted to the floor. No doubt looking at her just as Nicoli did. 

Belinda flinched underneath her dress but swallowed. She neatly pulled her hand from his wrist. Placing it gracefully to rest in front of her lap.

"I know." Belinda returned careful to hide the disappointment wrenching through her. She only swallowed silently as the new song started. This time it was something more lively again. 

Below, Belinda could see Nicoli rushing across the floor. But he was too late. Her cousin was guiding her outside to the balcony. 

Belinda smiled at the sight, happy to see the girl gone- for now, at least.

How wonderful it would be if I never had to see them for the rest of the evening. Belinda mused, relaxing back into the cushion. 

If only she could be so lucky.