Chapter 573 - Five Hundred And Seventy-Three: The Dance
The third point of view:
The mood was lively and joyous as the guests schmoozed with one another. Contrary to what the queen thought, the dinner went better than expected.
Humans are social animals and therefore naturally seek the companionship of others as part of their well-being. Moreover, everyone in the room was of great social standing and wanted to establish one business connection or the other.
Hence the great hall became a hub of activities and chatters as everyone interacted with their partners.
"Congratulations to the pregnant ladies, we should drink a toast to them," Judy chuckled, picking a glass of wine from one of the passing waiters.
"That would be us the men drinking - no wine for our lovely pregnant ladies," Niklaus said, picking his own wine.
Every one of them had gathered tonight to honor the queen's invitation. Moreover, there was no harm in socializing - unless one of them bears bad intentions. They understood the queen's reason for this event, to develop interpersonal relationships between the people of Lincolnshire and outsiders.
"That is so unfair," Camille made a mean moue, realizing for the first time how restrictive pregnancy was.
"Sorry, honey," Eden drew her closer to his side, rubbing her shoulder affectionately. There was adoration in his eyes as he stared down at his wife, "A few months more and you'll be free to drink all you want,"
"This is why I hate pregnancy," Reina commented. Everyone knew how much she enjoyed wine.
"There's no need to hate it, it's a gift," Emily said, making Reina realize how wrong she'd been with her words.
"I don't mean I hate my -" she tried to explain.
"You don't need to explain," Emily smiled in understanding, then made a gesture to one of the waiters who arrived with a tray of sparkling wine.
She then directed him to serve the ladies who stared at her with puzzling expressions. Didn't she just hear they were banned from wine?
"What are you doing?" Judy whispered into her ears knowing she wasn't the type to intentionally cause trouble.
"I knew this would happen so I had it prepared beforehand," Emily turned to them, "Sparkling wine does not have to be alcoholic. With alcohol-free champagne, even teetotalers can enjoy the refreshing, fizzy taste of this sublime beverage,",
At once, Reina's lips tugged to the side, "Have I ever told you that I love you?" she teased Emily.
"No, you didn't. But don't worry, he..." she turned to Judy, "Tells me every day,"
The both of them chuckled and they enjoyed their wine in peace. No sooner than that, other people engaged them in conversation and they had to break up.
"The queen has arrived!" the majordomo announced and instantly all conversations ended as everyone revered her presence.
There were two long tables in the hall arranged vertically and joined together such that they continued where one ended. The floors were wood and polished so much it reflected light above from the massive brass chandeliers. The walls held paintings and the queen went over to the head chair with Judy and Emily appearing by her side, seconds later.
"I want to thank you all for honoring my invitation and sacrificing your time to fulfill the aim of this dinner. But then, we can't wait any longer. So let the feast begin," she announced and reverberating applause filled the room.
Soon everyone settled down and numerous servants began to fill the table with hot and tantalizing dishes. Everyone maintained a low and polite conversation as they ate their meal until the light on the area set aside for dancing suddenly dimmed.
"Huh?"
Everyone's attention was suddenly drawn to the stage as the single spotlight revealed a little boy and a girl geared in white throughout and still as a statue.
Then, they moved a limb robotically.
The audience gasped in astonishment.
Niklaus was stunned.
"Oh God," Reina groaned as soon as she recognized Allen and Ailee. What in the world were they up to?
The light dimmed once again and the spotlight came back on only to reveal the kids had doubled - and the prince was among them.
"What is Akim doing?" Emily asked no one in particular.
"I have no idea," Judy muttered, and hoping to God that whatever the kids were up to better be good.
"What is this?" The queen asked when Jacqueline came over to her.
"The kid wanted to surprise you with a dance," she informed her.
"Hmm," was all the queen said, which Jacqueline took as a good sign. Now, it was up to the kids to make her proud. Hopefully, they don't flop this.
Hands braced on her hips, Neon and Ailee began their dance as practiced and planned. He steps forward on his right foot whilst Ailee steps back on her left. They step to the side on the other foot and conclude the figure by closing the first foot beside the second. Each step takes up a full beat of the music. The crowd erupted in wows and applause.
Cecil who was seated beside Reina leaned in, saying. "They're not bad,"
"Yeah, they're not bad," Reina muttered, yet the seed of doubt in her heart grew the more. She knew her kids and her sixth sense was telling her they were up to no good. Reina prayed her feelings were wrong else she would skin them alive - if they survived the queen's wrath.
In no time, they began to dance fairly quicker as the song became an upbeat tune, playing faster. One of the guests was unable to withhold her excitement anymore and joined them on the dance floor. That bold move motivated the others and soon, there were many dancers on the dance floor.
Seeing this, Allen gestured to Ailee and she understood the signal. It was time. This was what they prepared for. So while Allen, Akim, and Neon kept the others entertained, Ailee danced over to Lord Albert and took him by the hand saying, "Dance with me,"
Left for him alone, Lord Albert would have rejected her without batting an eyelid, but seeing the queen's nod of approval and the joyous ambiance in the hall, he had no choice but to give in. What could happen anyway?
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