Chapter 147: Only a Dance
Being asked to dance with the Princess caused Irene’s blood to run cold and her eyes widened as she stared at Leif who seemed suddenly unbelievably amused at the unfolding of events. She couldn’t even imagine what Felix’s expression was like at that moment. It would probably make her head hot if she saw the likely accusatory look on his face.
Since she knew it was rude not to acknowledge the Princess for so long, Irene turned around and bowed at her waist for the girl. She felt awkward, not knowing what else to do.
At that moment, an entirely choiceless situation was presented to her.
Growing up, her father’s favorite alehouse was their cousins’ in the township they lived in. Irene had spent quite a few nights with her cousins dancing in the alehouse while the parents drank probably more than they ought to. The music was awful as drunk men tried to keep a tune, but the children never paid it any mind.
There were a few dances that every person in the kingdom knew, and they were adapted quickly or slowly depending on the situation.
Since Irene only knew the fast versions of the songs, she was relieved that they were playing those versions. Luckily it was more of a line partner dance rather than a slow romantic song so neither one of them would have to figure out leading or following.
She would have no choice but to dance as if she were a boy, so she felt relieved to not have to subject herself to that.
Having no excuse prepared, Irene merely offered the princess her hand and they went to the center of the room where the rowdiness around them seemed to only grow at the spectacle of an apprentice showing the princess how to dance one of the fast-paced versions of songs she was somewhat familiar with from banquets in the palace.
"Show me how to do it!" the Princess demanded.
Irene couldn’t help the light smile at that. The girl truly didn’t know how haughty and demanding she sounded but it didn’t particularly bother her. They were from entirely different worlds, after all.
Irene clapped to the music and she began to move in the steps that the dance required a few times. They weren’t terribly fast and pretty uncomplicated.