Soft strains of violin floated the grand hall which blended in rhythm with the flute and the mellow hum of a cello. Eric guided her with practiced ease, one hand on her waist and the other clasping her trembling fingers. Her grip was faint, unsure. She had never danced or even practiced how to dance, it was all new to her.
Tyra was painfully aware of each misstep, she had already stepped on him thrice, no four times now and each time her face flushed a deeper shade of crimson. But he only responded in a chuckle, his laughter low and warm easing the tension in her chest.
"Relax" He murmured, spinning her gently. "You are not trying to wage war on my feet, are you?"
She let out a breathy laugh, his words eased her nerves. With a playful twinkle in his eyes, he tilted her back in a smooth dip. Her heart jumped partly from the movement, from how close they were. Their eyes met, for a heartbeat or more as the music swelled softly behind them.
Before this moment, she unintentionally viewed the crowd. Still focused on the dance, she could slightly see the mouth movements and gestures made my the people in view. She couldn't make out the words but it was surely about her dance with the Prince. She snapped out of what seemed like a world of only her and the Prince when she heard a statement made by one of the ladies.
"Why would the Prince pick her over me with the hideous scar on her face?"
She nearly pulled her hands away from the Prince's grasp but he held her back. The words she heard replayed in her head. She was embarrassed before the Prince, she was so sure that he heard them. Tyra couldn't look at him again, her eyes were fixed on the broche that pinned his coat till the dance was over. Shortly after, the crowning ceremony began.
Prince Eric knelt before the throne, before his father.
" I the King of this great kingdom , during this ceremony declare my son -Eric as the Crown Prince of Havans.". The King Patted his shoulders with a sword and placed a golden crown from a wooden crest on his head. The crowd cheered after the ceremony.
The celebration ended with a toast of fine grape wine to the Prince's birthday and donations were made to the needy.
Tyra waited in the hallway just before the Royal Chambers for her father. Before the celebration ended he left to attend to an urgent matter in the court room. She played with her fingers and only stopped when a familiar figure stopped before her smiling. She composed herself and smiled back.
"Well, it was a nice dance even with the whole drama with your feet." She laughed faintly lowering her head, she bit her lower lip. During that moment she was unsure of what to do and her nervousness got the best of her, those feelings resurfaced again when he came closer.
"Your name my Lady".
Their eyes met again but longer this time. " Well my... my name is T.. Tyra." She stuttered.
"So Lady Tyra, will I see you again?". She opened her mouth to respond but her father's voice cut through the moment. It wasn't calm like always, there was a mix of anger in his voice. Smith held Tyra's hand tightly that she winced and before they left the hallway, he looked at Eric briefly. His gaze was so cold that Eric had to take a step backwards, he was left to wonder what he did wrong.
"Father it hurts" she screamed.
The sight of the Prince before Tyra made Smith angry. He only brought Tyra to the ceremony because Rachel and Isadore pleaded with him. He had refused earlier to let her attend the ceremony. He jerked when he heard Tyra scream in pain. He released her hand " I'm sorry".
He took few strides away and stopped holding his jaw in thoughts, he walked towards Tyra who was flapping her hand in the air to relieve the pain she felt. "Listen, you are forbidden to see the Prince again .Whatever you had with him ends today."
Hearing these words she was sad. After the time she spent with the Prince, she wanted to see him, dance with him again.
"Why should I not see the Prince again? I believe he has done nothing wrong against...". She stopped when her father came closer with his gaze so cold that it could pierce her soul, she shivered.
"You have no right to question me young lady, my decision is final".
.......
In Isadore's quaters...
It was already a week after the ceremony. Still no word a letter from the Prince. Maybe she had expected too much from him. Tyra had waited to hear from the Prince, She had spent the past nights thinking about him and the moment they shared. She was disappointed. Maybe her father's expression made an impact on the prince or he did not approach her because of the scar or he had found another maiden. She had different thoughts and snapped out of it when she perceived a burning smell.
The Kitchen was partially filled with smoke from the burning cookies in the clay oven. It had burnt badly, hardly recognisable. Rachel tried putting out the fire while Isadore removed the burnt cookies to throw them away.
"What were you thinking about young lady?"
" Have you forgotten how to bake ?". "Where has your head been lately?". They both took turns asking her questions till they heard a knock on the door.
The trio turned towards the living room, each hesitating to open the door. The knock only increased aggressively within seconds.
The trio turned towards the living room, each hesitant to open the door. But the knock only increased aggressively within seconds
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