Chapter IV

“One, two, three, four. Now turn. Two, three, four.”

Syrena grimaced as she made another misstep, making the female instructor sigh and stop the music. It was quarter past ten in the morning and her first day of courtesan training. Ballroom dancing was the topic of the day and she was trying her best to follow the simple steps of the waltz – something entirely different from the energetic and jumpy dances her fellow courtesans do.

“Just how many more times do we have to do this, Miss Trancy?!” the instructor, a young redhead who goes by the name of Dahlia Ramses, sighed while shaking her head in disapproval.

“My apologies, Miss Ramses. It won’t happen again.” Syrena bowed in apology.

“You said that five minutes ago! I can’t believe that someone like Prince Nathaniel would allow someone as untalented as you to stay by his side.” Dahlia commented before turning her back and walking towards the musicians. Syrena stood straight and frowned at the woman.

“Let’s take it from the top, gentlemen!” Dahlia clapped her hands twice before the music started again. Syrena fixed her stance as she waited for the intro to end when the door suddenly opened and a man clad in a crisp white dress shirt under a midnight blue vest with golden embroidery and black breeches partnered with black boots entered the room.

 “Good morning, ladies.”

Nathaniel walked towards them, a small smile gracing his flawless features. His blonde locks were messily combed back, allowing a few strands to frame his face and electrifying dark blue eyes. Look away, Syrena. Syrena quickly averted her gaze to the floor as she listened to Nathaniel’s nearing steps.

“Hello, Dahlia, Syrena.” he acknowledged.

“Hello, Prince Nathaniel.” Syrena greeted back with a small bow.

“Your Highness.” Ms.Dahlia curtsied and sweetly smiled.

“I’m assuming that everything is going smoothly here?” Nathaniel asked as he walked towards one of the couches in the practice room.

“Hmm… More or less.” Dahlia answered with a frown. Nathaniel hummed in response before picking up a novel that was lying around. He leaned back on the couch and crossed his legs while covering his face with the book as if he was there just to read. Syrena frowned. Why does he have to read here?

“Okay, Syrena. Let’s try another type of dance. Have you ever tried to dance Tango?” Ms. Dahlia suggested and Syrena shook her head, unfamiliar with the new word.

“Well, tango is not as flowing as Foxtrot or Waltz. It’s like a cat stalking its prey. It has an intense staccato quality that makes it unique. It is a dance of stops yet it is also a smooth, fluid dance.” Dahlia explained while Syrena was forced to nod to every word.

“Now, I’ll show you a little demonstration then you can follow, understand?” Dahlia snapped her fingers and a man dressed in black slacks, a white dress shirt, and leather shoes approached her and took her by the waist. She then placed her hand on top of the man’s shoulder and grabbed his stretched out hand. They were facing each other, bodies close, almost sticking. Syrena stood there and watched.

It started with a sharp, fast tune from the violin. The dancers took one step at a time, pausing then retracing their steps back in a swift movement. Their stiff necks look from one direction to another. Their eyes are glued to each other’s. A twirl before the woman turned her back from the man, arms outstretched as the man holds onto them. She then sways her hips down until she’s in a crouching position before abruptly standing up to meet the man’s eyes. Then the cycle repeats.

“Did you get that, Syrena?” Dahlia asked whilst panting. Syrena did not miss the fleeting look her instructor spared at the direction of Nathaniel who was still busy with his book. She was showing off. Syrena smirked inwardly at the new discovery before answering the instructor.

“Yes, I think I can follow.” Syrena confidently answered with a smile.

Syrena took her place next to the male dancer and repeated Dahlia’s steps fluently while sneaking glances at the latter’s growing irritated look and Nathaniel’s peeking glances from between the pages of his book. Syrena was panting as the tune came to an end and the sound of clapping made her smile in accomplishment as she turned to see Nathaniel’s smirking face.

“Marvelous, Syrena. Simply marvelous!” Nathaniel clapped as he approached the panting girl.

“Thank you, Your Highness. That means a lot to me.” she answered and Nathaniel sighed.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop with the title? Calling me by my name isn’t that of a trouble, is it?”

“As you wish… Prince Nathaniel.”

Nathaniel sighed again before chuckling.

“That will suffice… for now.” he smiled and Syrena couldn’t help but giggle and smile before noticing the obvious glare Dahlia was sending towards her. She smirked. Jealous?

Nathaniel noticed the exchange between the two girls and he couldn’t help but smirk in enjoyment. Oh? Nathaniel leaned into Syrena and whispered something in her ear whilst peeking from the corner of his eye to see the fuming irritation in the other girl’s face

“It’s mean to make someone jealous for fun, Syrena.” he whispered, almost too seductively, making Syrena’s eyes grow wide from surprise.

He caught me.

Nathaniel knew, the moment that he saw Syrena’s first dance step, that she was a seasoned dancer who has had a lot of time practicing various types of dances. The way her body fluidly moves with the music and how she seems to know what step comes next are enough proof for him. Nathaniel took a moment to admire the surprised look on Syrena’s face before taking a step away from her and approaching Dahlia.

“Dahlia, can I have the honor of this dance?” he bowed while kissing the back of her hand.

“O-of course, Your Highness.” she stuttered as she took her position next to him.

When the music started, Syrena watched them dance. Nathaniel was a great dancer, too great, to be exact. The way his body moves and the way he handles his partner is simply breathtaking. There was no room for any arguments since Syrena was able to experience it herself in the party of many nights ago.

Syrena watched as Dahlia’s face grew redder by the minute. She was obviously enjoying herself in the arms of the Prince. This is irritating to watch. Syrena scowled at herself. Whatever made her even remotely think about the idea was beyond her thinking capabilities. She was just certain that watching those two fleet from one corner of the room to another, bodies entwined in each other, was enough to make the small volcano inside her bubble.

And when she heard Nathaniel chuckle and meet her gaze, smirking mischievously as if proving a point, a sudden realization hit her. The nerve of this man! He’s trying to make me jealous!  Syrena frowned as the music died down and the woman in his arms did not seem to want to let go.

“That was amazing, Prince! I am honored to have danced with you.” Dahlia curtsied before turning to Syrena.

“That’s it for today. We’ll continue on tomorrow.” she said placidly, irritation as visible as the one she was giving.

“What about this afternoon?” she asked, respectfully.

“You will be with me.” Nathaniel answered, making Syrena turn to him.

“Excuse me?”

“You will be with me for horseback-riding lessons.” he smirked. Syrena just stared at him. Oh joy.