Chapter 24: Chapter 23: oh dear

After my resolve to approach the man, I started to walk to him, remembering my mother's lessons on how to walk gracefully. People around me are surprised, they thought they were next in line, but no, I don't care at the moment. If I'm ever going to be the queen here, then I need to show who is the boss around here. 

 

I keep my eyes focused on him, while people are moving to let me pass. I just manage to be a bit polite 

"excuse me please, thank you." The sound of people chatting goes quiet. People are whispering among themselves, wondering what I am about to do. All around me is nothing but silence now, which is very noticeable as the musicians are still on their break. The only sounds are the sounds of my heels clicking on the floor. 

 

Then, about ten metres away from me, he turns into my direction. He must have realised something is going on, hearing my footsteps approaching. Of course, there is no stealthy approach for me today. 

 

Our eyes meet, his are icy blue, his back straightens, a warm smile forms on his face. His tail is swishing and his ears are upright, indicating attention and maybe interest?

 

Should I just pass him? That would be a joke. No, I wouldn't do that. Strange, our eyes stay locked. What is this? Magic? His fluffy ears are twitching, turning and focusing on my presence. Following my every move.

Then we are only a few metres apart. He is taller than me, so I have to look up a bit. The grand hall now goes completely quiet, making me the centre of attention again. Way too quiet for my taste. Did I do something wrong? No, be positive Greya.   

 

I decided to start the conversation, okay I won't wait. "Good evening, pardon the interruption. 

I am princess Greya, would you perhaps join me for a conversation?" 

 

His smile is as warm as a summer's day. His eyes are reflecting the light of the chandeliers. His lips are still red from the wine he drank, oh my goddess what am I thinking, and why is he so silent?

 

People around us give the both of us some room, and then they start chatting again. Soon, the noise level is back to normal, thank goddess.

 

He then bows deeply for a few seconds, then replies "my apologies my princess. I was stunned by your beauty. Ah, excuse me, that just came out unintended. That was inappropriate, I humbly apologise. I am not experienced in formal speech yet."

 

I giggled, then keeping my voice down,  "No need to apologise, would you believe me if I told you that I only arrived in the palace a short while ago? I too am inexperienced in formal speech. Well, I am getting lessons, but that is a topic for another time. Might I inquire about your name?"

 

"Ah, yes of course. My name is Nakamura, Kenji. You could have fooled me about your experience though. Ah, just call me Kenji if you would. All my friends do." He said, blushing. 

 

"So we are friends already? I like that. Would you please follow me there, you know, where I stood before? We have some more privacy there."

 

"Ah, eh, yes of course princess. Please lead the way."

 

He then followed me to my original spot, the place where I had entertained my guests so far.

 

"Well then Kenji, what must a princess do to get some background information out of her guest?" 

 

"Ah sorry again, my princess, I really am inexperienced in this."  He blushed again. Then our eyes locked onto each other again. He continued "I am the director and owner of a large fishing company. My father passed away last year, leaving his company to me. Our business was so successful last year that we were invited to this celebration. I think my father was actually invited, but I just wanted to show my respect."

 

"I am sorry about your loss. And I believe your father would be proud of you. And you are very welcome here, don't let anyone say otherwise."

 

"Thank you princess. I appreciate your kind words." 

 

"To be honest, Kenji, I am so happy that I found you tonight. People only speak in a formal way to me, never just a hello Greya. I am only human after all."  

 

"Human? What is that?"

 

"Ah, just ignore that. It is some kind of local expression in the mountains I came from. I have only been learning this royal stuff for a short while, you know."

 

"Ah I see. Hello Greya" he said.

 

"Eh. What?" I said, confused.

 

"You wanted people to say hello Greya. So I did. Now you at least know one person who can be informal with you."

 

"Ah." I started to blush considerably. "Th.. thank you, Kenji. I really appreciate that. I hope we can meet again, I definitely would want to see the ocean once in my life. Not always stuck in this palace, you know."

 

"Sure, Greya. Eh. Princess. I shouldn't sound disrespectful."

 

"You are not."

 

"Wha?" he said.

 

"Now now, relax. You are not disrespectful. I can see it in your clear blue eyes. Do you know the expression the eyes are the window to the soul?"

 

Now it was his turn to start blushing "ah, thank you. and no, that sounds like ancient knowledge."

 

"Well, it is not of this world, that much is true." I said.

 

"Ah, that reminds me, eh Greya. Just let me know when you have some time, and I would be happy to show you around our village. I think you will love the view of our beautiful ocean. Lovely beaches too."

 

"Yes, I would love that, very much so. I only need to find the time."

 

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"Eh, Greya, I already thought so when our eyes first met, but people said you are a goddess?"

 

"Ah ha." My turn to blush.  "No, I am a demi-goddess and a princess. Nothing more, nothing less" 

 

"It is amazing. I always thought that, well forgive me for being blunt, most royals were arrogant. 

 One becoming a demi-god or demi-goddess might go to their heads. But you are kind and, well, normal." 

 

I giggled, "thank you for being honest with me. Maybe a bit blunt, yes, but I like that. You have no idea what that means to me. Now, I only have one more request. I am allowed to choose one person and one person only tonight, so would you have my only dance of the evening with me?" 

 

His face became so red, to the point he almost blew off steam. Well so far as one can see beneath the fur of a kitsune. "Ah, m,, ye, ah, Yes, princess, I would like that." He said while scratching his head.

 

I giggled at his inability to show any formal reply.

 

Kenji and I then walked towards my parents. Mizuki also found a gentleman to dance with. 

But there seemed to be no chemistry between them, just an obligatory dance. 

 

I introduced Kenji to my family, and they showed the most sincere smile I have ever seen. My mother's eyes were especially sparkling. Why that face though? It's just a dance, right? No need to get your hopes up mom, just a dance. Nothing more. But I would rather dance with a normal person than any other high ranking nobleman here. Kenji looks like fun. To dance with, that is. 

 

Father then told me there was no time to join them at the table anymore. 

He then addressed our guests again, asking them to move to the dance hall next door.

Surprise, surprise, we have even more big halls here. Imagine my surprise. How big is this palace?  

Maybe I should have a closer look at it from the outside soon. The carriage ride was only to the front of the palace. Maybe I should have a grand walk around it some time. Whatever. 

 

When all guests have left this grand hall, servants come rushing in from all sides to clear the tables from dishes and glasses. We then follow our guests to the next room, where people are mingling, there are no tables, it is just a gigantic ballroom, filled with people. Oh right, there are chairs, but only placed against the walls. You can't expect everybody to keep standing all night long I guess.

 

Then, the musicians softly start playing their instruments. Yes, all live music, no internet connection here. 

For a second I thought I recognised a Christmas song, but no such luck. Something resembling the classical music of Earth, but with some unknown instruments can be heard. It sounds really relaxing, not boring at all. I first imagined old style mediaeval music. But this is much better than I had hoped.

 

The first dance is for me and Kenji. This feels like a wedding to me, but who am I? Just play along Greya, just play along. 

 

Kenji and I move towards the middle of the room. He bows and says "my princess, maybe now is a good time to confess that I cannot dance?"

 

I giggled and replied "well, that makes two of us." I then thought "Mother! Mother Ima. I could reaaaaally use some of your help right now. I promise I will call you mommy. When we are alone."  

 

My mother then said in my mind  "not only when we are alone sweetie. deal or no deal. decide now."  

 

"Deal mommy!" I thought.  I am sure I am going to regret this, but that is tomorrow-me's problem. She will thank current-me for not making a complete fool out of her. Her. Her. Yes. I am me. I AM a her. I am happy!

 

"Just follow my lead" I said, while giving a warm smile. He nods and smiles as well. People are looking at us, not sure who Kenji is.

 

I put my arm around his back, he does the same, this makes us come a bit closer to each other. 

He feels nice and warm. Oh boy, I am blushing. But so is he. Then both of our free hands join together.

As by magic, we slowly move around on the music, like two professionals. 

 

My ears were twitching, waiting for some feedback from the guests, while my tail was expressing my happy feelings. During some moves, we would turn around, so I could see his backside. His fluffy tail is also dark orange, with a white tip. It was happily swaying, just like mine. 

 

I could hear "awww" from where I believed where my mother stood. Must be my imagination. After a few minutes, I could see Mizuki and her dance partner, followed by my parents, all moving towards us. 

Apparently our style of dancing was a hit, or maybe it was the appropriate thing to do, because the others were doing the exact same moves. And now everyone is starting to dance. 

 

I accepted my father's request to dance tonight. But I forgot to ask how long these waltzes took, five minutes, right? 

 

No such luck, after about what felt like half an hour of dancing, I somehow put my head on his shoulder, he smelled nice. Then this musical piece was suddenly done. So were my calves. 

I bowed to Kenji, and said "thank you for this dance, and being yourself with me tonight. I hope we meet again. Soon."  Why oh why did I blurt that out? What must he think of me? 

 

He replied "good evening my princess, the honour was all mine. I indeed hope we will meet again soon. I'd love to show you my village."  

 

That is not a bad reply, but he said it in front of my parents. While Kenji left, in order to mingle with the other guests, my face exploded into the deepest colour red possible. My head was buried in my hands. I still don't know why I didn't faint, but my mother seemed to enjoy the show. 

 

"Well Greya, I am glad you had quite a fun evening. It is now time to relax. You too Mizuki. 

Now Greya, tell me all about him.." her sparkling eyes focused like a hawk on its prey. 

My upright fluffy ears flatten on their own, and my tail instinctively pulls between my legs...oh boy.

 

After having been interrogated by my mother, with Mizuki and father as witnesses, Mizuki and I became very sleepy. It has been a long and exhausting day after all. 

 

The guests were finally preparing to leave, but one couple at a time. My parents instantly switched back to royal-mode, as protocol demanded that they thank our guests for coming, and escort them outside while wishing them well. But before father and mother left us, mother smiled at our sleepy faces, and told us that we were dismissed. 

 

That was the last thing I remember, as my weary body shut its heavy eyes, then started leaning against Mizuki.

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