âHello again! Fancy meeting you here, good sir. ââItâs been a while, Your Royal Highness. Though, I must say⊠I never imagined Iâd meet you laying on the floor.â At her greeting, the corners of Wystanâs lips threatened to upturn as he began to lead the princess to their section of the dance floor. Despite his words having been said in all seriousness, his expression had long since eased up ever since bidding âKazooâ farewell.
âI do hope he was truthful in his explanation, and ending up like that was all of your own volition?âAnastasia emitted a giggle before she replied.
âYes and I shall honestly report to you the situation.âShe saluted him with her free hand, pushing her tone into a serious one,
âI had been subjugated to an exciting revolution. The gentleman Kazumin requested the favor be returned. I, of course, knowing my manners, returned the favorâŠâShe couldnât hold the straight face too long, a smile tugging at her lips,
âOh but then the plot thickened, my Wystan⊠For I.. I wanted to twirl again. We soon found efficiency in just spinning together. But then I became weak. Incapacitated. âAnastasia took a moment to lay the back of her free hand across her forehead as if she were a damsel in distress.
âI could not go on any longer. The world spun and I saw the stars across the ceiling of the ballroomâŠâShe leaned her head on his arm to further paint her next point,
âThen I collapsed.ââAnd then you collapsed.â Wystan echoed, shooting her an incredulous look as he allowed the hints of a smile to slip through. The placement of her head was a comforting one, providing him with a familiar warmth even though the gesture was hardly serious. He took a moment to be still, perhaps to savor it. A frown creased his brow before steadily exhaling.
âVery well, then. Perhaps I have misjudged the man. I will give him my apologies come to the end of the ball.âFor now, howeverâŠâ The guard turned to face her, gently unlinking their arms to give the princess a bow, and then offered her an inviting hand.
âYes I believe you may have.âAnastasia told him with a smirk, giving him a curtsy. She glanced down at his hand and placed hers into his palm, moving her other hand to his shoulder. Her arm would rest over his once he too got into position. Though she was used to Wystanâs presence, being this close to him was a new experience.
After a brief pause, she then decided to give him more information in case he had any more questions over the ordeal. After a sigh, she admitted,
âI saw him looking so sad after Lady Crystal ran away from him.â Anastasia glanced up at him.
âHe had this expression that said: I screwed up, just like I always do⊠I wanted to cheer him up somehow.â"..." These were sympathies the watchdog could not easily afford to share with those outside of the Danrose household. However, he could hardly deny that the princessâ understanding of others had an important role to play on its own.
"I am wholly confident you have done that and more," Now compelled to give in to the unfortunate circumstances of it all, Wystan made amends with his conscience and took note to meet the man. In accordance, he spoke his next words in earnest.
"--knowing you, I'm sure you must have made his evening.""If Your Royal Highness would allow, I would like to attempt the same for you..." His main goal was to adjust his disposition to match the princess'. Yet these couple of sentences aroused an unexpected feeling in him instead. Even with eyes as hard as tempered iron, and colder than the rime along the battlementsâ whatever that sensation was still managed to prick and warm his cheeks.
Anastasia smiled, though her gaze averted from his.
âNo need to attempt.â The music this time was slower; It was easy to drift in focus. Her grip on his hand ever so slightly tightened. She exhaled before she spoke once more, her eyes gradually meeting his again. She knew then and there that was her mistake.
âConsider that objective already achieved.â â...â Wystan's face remained stoic, in spite of his almost being caught off guard by the princess' sincerity. He issued a polite nod in his gratitude, the warmth in his cheeks never having gone away.
"Very well, Your Highness. For that, I am glad."The lights dimmed ever so slowly as the song fell into a soft tempo, officially cueing the beginning of the second dance. With their eyes now on each other, Wystan began to lead her steps into his. Much like reviewing footwork after a spar, he retraced Prince Wulfric's movements and appropriately slowed them down to match the rhythm of the music. Though he had always been a fast learner, it was the princess' natural receptivity that allowed him to feel much more at ease in his lead as he guided her around the dancefloor.
"I noticed you've gotten better at ballet." Wystan teased her with a smile.
"Did you enjoy your solo performance after I had left?"Wystanâs stoic expression was a reminder that allowed her brain gears to start turning. She blinked as if waking up from a reverie but then smiled nonetheless up at him. Dancing was luckily on her list of activities she could fall into muscle memory with as she drifted in her thoughts a moment until he spoke up again. The question made her expression light up.
âOh! My cello and I adore that song!âShe told him with excitement,
â I used to play the very tune, which would of course get looped in my head and I would have to then dance to it. â Anastasia told him softly,
âYou should try it sometime. It felt as if I were flying as I glid across the ballroom.â Her tone was light and playful as she had mused to him.
âMy apologies. Iâm afraid my body isnât conditioned to be as graceful as you in that regard.â Wystanâs smile grew, seemingly pleased with her enthusiasm. A second passed before he carefully pulled the princess closer by the small of her back. With a smooth transition, their rhythm was maintained as he slowly guided them away from other couples who gathered too close. Meanwhile, their own close proximity gave him a chance to pass an earnest suggestion.
âPerhaps Your Royal Highness would be interested in gracing me with lessons. Diverse footwork training is essential in combat, after all.â Anastasiaâs eyelashes fluttered when he pulled her closer. Another giggle escaped her lips and there was a hint of nervousness underlying this one.
His smile made her feel as if she might melt into a puddle.
âOh I think your bodyâs perfectâŠâShe drew off, her eyes widening as she quickly added on,
âFor dancing, I mean that is. I am sure you will be as adept a dancer as you are in combat in no time. Iâd love to help.â She smiled up at him, her eyes shut.
Yikes. "I'm truly honored to hear that you have this much faith in me. Such is true. With your skills, I believe I can succeed in no time." Wystan let out a small laugh as she shut her eyes, regrettably missing the underlying message and mistaking it for eagerness. In order to support her, the watchdog leaned her closer to him once more, guiding their steps in smooth tandem with the music to make for easier conversation.
âCombat could be considered⊠dangerous dancing, wouldnât you say? Perhaps while I teach you, you can teach me your ways in return. I think Auguste would have some relief knowing I could kick some butt if need be.â"Yes, perhaps we could arrange this. Dancing and combat are two entirely different forms of art, but both forms of art nonetheless." The battlemaster wryly raised his eyebrows as he spoke. Upon hearing about self-defense and Prince Auguste, his eyes lit up in agreement.
"If it's for your protection, I would not mind extending combat sparring lessons to you as well. Prince Auguste would surely be pleased.""...I do have to warn you in advance-- I tend not to go easy on my sparring partners. Would you still be up for the challenge?" Now he was speaking her language; competition always excited her. Anastasia pulled him in closer to look him in the eyes with a devious grin.
âNor I on my dancing partners.âShe smoothly retorted,
âOf course I am up for it.â She returned his space as she had made her point.
"Very well. Let us mark each otherâs words.â A grin as they parted. Their brief lack of proximity inwardly surprised the watchdog. Being pulled would have granted anyone other than the Danroses a dislocated wrist or two⊠but because it was the princess, he opted for something else instead.
"So let us consider this evening the beginning of our dance training.â The next sequence was used to gather himself before Wystan raised his arm high above her head to allow her momentum for a couple of spins.
I've never tried this before, but perhaps she would like it. âItâs a promise!âAnastasia agreed cheerfully. As Wystan raised her hand up, she did not hesitate using her momentum to twirl under his grip. She had decided to show off, spinning one foot on its tippy toes whilst her other foot raised to touch the ankle of the supporting leg. The pink fabric of her dress raised with the motion and spun around her. As she finished her spin, she jutted her raised leg out in the direction away from Wystan. Anastasia smiled up at him as if she had just won a game. She returned her feet to their starting position and placed her free hand delicately on his shoulder once again.
"Beauââ Wystan caught his trance-like state in time to correct himself.
"...Bravo, princess. Your skills are unmatched. I'd be truly honored to have you as my teacher.â He remarked, making sure he held her properly as he rotated his steps to twirl them both into a series of light spins. Anastasiaâs brows raised briefly, then she beamed at his words.
Though the watchdog quietly enjoyed seeing her smile, he sensed his walls begin to crumble ever so slightly. Such a feeling was risky for someone in his post and those around himâ which ultimately raised concern for a hunch he'd kept since earlier.
â...Your Highness, I would like to ask you something.â Wystan's voice was low as dipped his head low to speak.
Anastasia did not seem to suspect any change in tone as she immediately craned her neck to whisper in his ear back. Her voice was hushed and certainly not serious,
âAsk away, my Wyst. I will try my best to understand the jist.ââ...â Wystan blinked back a smile before his eyes lowered, seemingly apologetic.
â...During my dance with your brother, I saw a masked man hand you a letter.â The bodyguard frowned as he spoke, his mind having recalled that it was more of a rough shove than a simple hand-off.
She bit her lip as she gazed up over his shoulder. He had caught her off guard and she ever so slightly stiffened.
If she was going to get to that party, she was going to have to lie. Somehow doing so felt
wrong. It was something she had done numerous times before but now...
Anastasia considered, for a brief moment, not going to the party at all.
I already told Kazumin Iâd go with him. Not to mention Callum is definitely getting invited and I promised myself Iâd always be there for him. Her thoughts raced in the brief pause of conversation.
Then my Thea girl is going to be there. I have missed her so⊠I have to make sure Wystan doesnât sniff this out. âIt was a love letter. âAnastasia blurted out. She knew that wasnât good enough so she mentally scrambled together words as fast as she could.
âIt was Lady Theaâs handwriting. She further explained. Thea had been last to cross her thoughts and she had jumped on the first idea in her head. Hesitating much longer would only arouse further suspicion.
â I think she was pranking me by pretending to be a secret admirer.â Anastasia met his eyes and smiled.
âIt was very funny actually.ââ...I see.â Wystan slightly narrowed his eyes, whether out of suspicion, concern, both, or something else. In the end, he begrudgingly opted to give the princess the benefit of the doubt for once, as at least two things were obvious. Firstly, no harm did come of the letter. Secondly, he would be following her after the ball either way. Feeling somewhat at ease, he slowly exhaled as he held eye contact with Anastasia.
âI understand. Though, I will not hesitate to reprimand the man involved in the delivery of that letter should I run into him. To shove Your Royal Highnessâ torso is no way to send a messageâ let alone pass on a love letter.â He bought it. Iâm slick like butter! Anastasia grinned to herself for a moment before returning her attention.
âOh yeaaaah.âShe had forgotten about that. It had struck her as bizarre only for a brief second.
âItâs alright! Stuff like that happens all the time. âShe shrugged her shoulders. The company she usually found herself with usually were of the most affectionate sort: the inebriated. She then reminded him gently and squeezed the hand she held,
âTonightâs your break remember? Try not to stress.ââAs you wish, Princess.â The calmness of his voice would not betray the heightened caution in his mind upon hearing that these events
happen all the time. This cannot be the caseâ not under his watch. A brief scan around the ballroom made sure to confirm that all the Danrose siblings were safe and within sight, before obediently resigning himself to a single minuteâs worth of pause. Such precious time would be used to service the princess for another couple of spins in an effort to ease the current tension.
Anastasia was pleased to be taken for a few more graceful twirls. However, these did not go as well as the prior revolutions. The fabric of her long dress caught under her heel. The floor seemed to disappear beneath her feet as she suddenly fell forward into Wystan with a gasp, her hand gripping his tighter.
What may have looked like a pink blur to onlookers moved as if in slow-motion for the watchdog. Half a second and a soft grunt was all it took. Constant vigilance being his second nature did well in its part to catch the princess in a swift embrace, encapsulating her in the safety of the guardâs arms. All at once, the strange flush returned to his cheeks, which he forcefully bit back as he held her.
âYour Highness, are you alright? ⊠Did you hurt your ankle?â The guard inadvertently held onto her with a little bit of his strength, slightly lifting her so that no pressure would land on her feet.
Anastasia giggled as her hands fell on his chest,
âAhh sorry⊠Weak anklesâŠ. I cannot believe I actually tripped.â The split second of adrenaline from free-falling had come with a dose of serotonin. Her blonde hair draped around her head as she hung it a moment. She finally glanced up at him as she became more self-aware of their positioning.
âIâm okayâŠâ She breathed.
âPerhaps we should take a seat, then.â Wystan was just about ready to hoist her up to be carried.
She shook her head, insisting,
âIâm okay, really.â âAlright.â He looked down at her to make sure of this before giving a small nodâ and if one was careful, theyâd be able to notice that this was one of rare hesitation. His arms lingered around her for just a moment longer before finally letting go, the warmth of having her there still ever-present in his chest. In protest, a careful hand made its way up to tuck the princessâ hair behind her ear before withdrawing.
Anastasiaâs hands subconsciously drifted down his arms briefly as they let go of her. She was at a loss for words for once as the gold-eyed watchdog brushed her hair back, his fingertips briefly brushing against her skin.
âLet us continue our training session until the end, then.â A low bow made her way again, before resuming their dance. Beneath all his layers of cloth and armor, the watchdogâs heart proceeded to race ever so quietly.
With a curtsy in return, she took her position again, her movements more delicate than before. She took the time to correct his steps and show him how to dance in tune to the slower music. However, though she was speaking softly to him, it would be abundantly clear she was more present in her head and her tone was less energetic. Still, her gaze did not often leave his. Finally, she asked as the song was coming to its conclusion.
â...Do you like cake?ââI do.â An out-of-the-blue question, but one that he answered readily. Though, there were things he naturally preferred moreâ one of them to which he directed the question back.
âWhy do you ask? Are you perhaps hungry, Your Highness?âAnastasia smiled up at him as she answered cheerfully,
âYes!âDaring to look down at the princess right then felt like a dangerous move, but there was also a certain resilience that came with living oneâs life solely to fight. For a moment heâd thought it enough to pad his confidence in this endeavor, fully relying on the strength of his immovable walls to take the blow for him. The red in his cheeks, the unease in his chest. All such feelings heâd never learned to experience well. However, all forms of preparation he could muster at the last minute were proven useless when he dropped his steely gaze to settle on Anastasiaâs smile. Just like that, the rime in his eyes melted and the corners of his lips moved upwards on their own. The purity in her expression and the loneliness stowed away behind the curve of her eyes returned the feelings he tried desperately to fight back, reducing his great walls to rubble in an instant. The guard was now defenseless. A dangerous move, indeed, and for the first time in his life, it had nothing to do with fighting. A stray thought entered his mind then.
She's beautiful.And so he dared to keep his gaze on her even as the song slowed to its final stop, willfully accepting that her presence brought with it his own vulnerability. If it meant that he could savor this unfamiliar warmth a second longer, perhaps, and maybe just perhaps⊠he could wait to rebuild his walls another moment.
â...Then, shall we go find you some cake?â 
Member
Infinite Cosmos,
SilverPaw,
FatPrincess,
PapaOso,
CitrusArms,
Zoey Boey,
JJ Doe,
Sunny Suzuki,
dryden,
FunnyGuy
