The Confession

Delphi stood and accepted Alton's offered hand.

He led her to an open space alongside their table-for-two, romantically lit by hooded wall lights embedded in the waist height wall that ran around the edge of the rooftop.

Alton lead the dance. Not unexpectedly for a prince, he was a very skilled dancer. Delphi was almost expert level herself. Singing and dancing were considered feminine arts, so for the Emperor's pleasure, they were taught to all of the women in the harem.

As Alton spun her and drew her back in to his chest, Delphi had to admit to herself that it was a joyful pleasure, wearing a pretty dress and dancing with a handsome young man under a starlit sky.

She felt almost wistful for the sliding doors moment of that other young woman she could have been. One with a carefree life, a boyfriend, romance, freedom, living a happy, simple, pre-War life.