A Time to Dance--Part 5 -

Leda paused as her mother entered the room, surprised by the visit. The girl quickly finished putting on her jeweled choker and stood up. “Good evening, Mom.”

“Good evening,” Lita echoed, shutting the door quietly behind her. “Are you almost ready?”

The girl nodded. “Hopefully, there will be no more excitement today.”

“Indeed,” Lita said as she shared her daughter’s rueful smile, “but I think you should know that Mayor Vesca and his family have returned home.”

“Won’t that invite some comment?”

Lita laughed. “Probably less comment than the huge purple bruise on Aiden’s jaw.”

“Paul over-reacted,” Leda grumbled, feeling her cheeks burn. “Aiden had startled me that I didn’t react.”

“Don’t lie for that boy. You may not have reacted at first, but Paul realized you were trying to push him away. Leda, dear, you are not at fault. Aiden crossed the line.”

“And I should have been the one to have handled him.”

Her mother gave a knowing smile. “Paul was just trying to help you, Leda.”

The girl sighed, recalling her friend’s hovering the whole afternoon. “He’s too protective of me.”

“He is your friend, and you can never have too many friends.”

The chiming of the clock startled her. As she noted the time, the princess frowned. She wanted to stay and talk with her daughter, but too many things were demanding her attention. With a sigh, she tucked in a stray strand and glanced at her daughter.

“Leda, dear, I must go,” she stated reluctantly. She gave the girl a quick, affectionate kiss on the cheek. “I will see you in a bit.”

As the door closed, Leda leaned against the dresser. ‘He is your friend,’ her mother had said. But for her, that was part of the problem.

* * * * *

“And of course by then, no one could touch me,” her current dancing partner boasted, beaming at her. “My effort was the defining factor in the game.”

Realizing that some response was expected on her part, Leda managed to nod in suppose agreement. “I’m sure it was,” she murmured. With a silent sigh, she briefly allowed herself to study the other dancers around them.

‘What is it with these guys?’ Leda fumed silently as she forced a polite smile back up at her dancing partner. ‘Do I have a sign that says ‘Future Princess for Sale’? When will they get the hint and stop making fools of themselves to impress me?!’

“Excuse me, but may I cut in?” a familiar voice said, drawing Leda’s attention.

She smiled a true, genuine smile as she recognized Paul as her rescuer. Her current partner wasn’t please but he summoned enough good grace to relinquish his hold and moved off the dance floor. As Paul began to lead her to the music, Leda let herself relax.

“I take it by your smile you’re not unhappy with a change in partners,” he commented with a faint chuckle.

“No, not too unhappy,” she teased. “I’m almost grateful.”

“Almost?”

He moved as if he was about to leave, but she tightened her grip on his shoulder. His broad grin reassured her and she relaxed once more. For several minutes, they both danced contentedly to the music.

“Leda, I wanted to talk to you about earlier this afternoon,” Paul stated.

“Which part? The part where you attacked someone for kissing me or the part where you did your best impression of my shadow I’ve ever seen?” She looked pointedly at him, angry that he was ruining one of the few more pleasant moments of the entire evening.

“Aiden attacked you,” he spat, trying to keep his voice low but not bothering to hide the venom. “You were trying to push him off, but it wasn’t working. What did you want me to do, Leda?”

“You didn’t have to hit him, Paul,” she retorted. “If things had been different, you could have gotten in a lot of trouble.”

“If things had been different, I wouldn’t have had to hit him. But I don’t regret it, Leda. I wouldn’t have minded the trouble.”

“You stubborn, pig-headed oaf,” she growled, pointedly ignoring the glances they were receiving. “No one made you my protector.”

He opened her mouth to speak but the music ended. The dancers around them stopped and applauded. Reluctantly, Paul released her and clapped half-heartedly.

“Ladies and gentleman, our distinguished guests,” the princess called, rising from her seat and drawing everyone’s attention, “the prince and I have an announcement to make. Leda, will you join us please?”

For a moment, she froze. ‘Not now, surely not tonight.’ With a faint smile to Paul, she turned and approached her mother, who gave her a brief hug in welcome. Rand, her stepfather, gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“We have received word from Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion. They have requested Leda’s presence in the royal palace in Crystal Tokyo to begin her training as heir apparent to the throne of Jupiter. Following her duty, Leda has accepted the invitation and will leave shortly to begin the two-year period of training.”

The girl forced herself to smile as the crowd applauded. However, her heart sank as she saw Paul turned and storm out of the room. ‘Mom, why couldn’t you have waited?’

* * * * *

‘She’s leaving.’ The thought repeated itself over and over in his mind. For two whole years, she would live in the palace of Crystal Tokyo and she would forget about him.

Growling in frustration, he slammed a fist against the stone railing of the balcony. He realized just how deeply he had fallen for the future princess. All his noble thinking of how it was better this way did nothing to calm him, to soothe the desperate aching.

Paul heard the doors open behind him but didn’t bother to look back. “When were you going to tell me, Leda?”

“I didn’t know they were announcing it tonight,” she replied, her tone cautious. “I honestly didn’t know.”

“When do you have to leave?”

He still did not look at her. His manner was too casual, as if they were only discussing the weather, and that hurt her. ‘Paul, don’t act this way now,’ she pleaded silently.

“When does your training begin, Leda?”

She took a steadying breath. “I leave in five days. Rand will go with me, while Mother meets with the Mayoral Council.”

“And just when were you going to tell me? As you were boarding the shuttle for Crystal Tokyo? Maybe a letter once you get there?”

“That’s not fair!” she snapped.

“Fair?” Paul finally turned to her, anger flashing in his eyes. “You are leaving in five days to begin two years of training. Your family will barely be able to see you during that time, much less me. And I learn all this at some stupid ball. Don’t talk to me about being fair, Leda!.”

“This is way I didn’t want to tell you. I knew you would take it badly. Do you think I want to do this?”

“It was your decision.”

She glared at him. “It was my duty. We both know that I have to do this. My refusal would cause an uproar from the people as well as the Council.”

With a sigh, she leaned against the railing. She was inches away from him but she merely gazed up at the stars. “Paul, I simply have to go.”

“I know,” he stated quietly, taking her hand. “I’m sorry.”

She smiled slightly. “I am sorry, too. I’ll try my best to stay in contact with you. I promise.”

He nodded. “I’ll try to keep you informed about things here.”

“Deal,” she said, her smile larger.

A slow melody drifted from the ballroom as the two fell into silence. Paul stepped away from the railing, pulling Leda along with the hand he still held. “One last dance?”

“This isn’t our last dance, Paul,” she said, taking her place in his arms.

For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. He decided he didn’t need to say a thing. Urging her gently closer, he began to lead them to the music.


Part V Leda paused as her mother entered the room, surprised by the visit. The girl quickly finished putting on her jeweled choker and stood up. “Good evening, Mom.” “Good evening,” Lita echoed, shutting the door quietly behind her. “Are you almost ready?” The girl nodded. “Hopefully, there will be no more excitement today.” “Indeed,” Lita said as she shared her daughter’s rueful smile, “but I think you should know that Mayor Vesca and his family have returned home.” “Won’t that invite some comment?” Lita laughed. “Probably less comment than the huge purple bruise on Aiden’s jaw.” “Paul over-reacted,” Leda grumbled, feeling her cheeks burn. “Aiden had startled me that I didn’t react.” “Don’t lie for that boy. You may not have reacted at first, but Paul realized you were trying to push him away. Leda, dear, you are not at fault. Aiden crossed the line.” “And I should have been the one to have handled him.” Her mother gave a knowing smile. “Paul was just trying to help you, Leda.” The girl sighed, recalling her friend’s hovering the whole afternoon. “He’s too protective of me.” “He is your friend, and you can never have too many friends.” The chiming of the clock startled her. As she noted the time, the princess frowned. She wanted to stay and talk with her daughter, but too many things were demanding her attention. With a sigh, she tucked in a stray strand and glanced at her daughter. “Leda, dear, I must go,” she stated reluctantly. She gave the girl a quick, affectionate kiss on the cheek. “I will see you in a bit.” As the door closed, Leda leaned against the dresser. ‘He is your friend,’ her mother had said. But for her, that was part of the problem. * * * * * “And of course by then, no one could touch me,” her current dancing partner boasted, beaming at her. “My effort was the defining factor in the game.” Realizing that some response was expected on her part, Leda managed to nod in suppose agreement. “I’m sure it was,” she murmured. With a silent sigh, she briefly allowed herself to study the other dancers around them. ‘What is it with these guys?’ Leda fumed silently as she forced a polite smile back up at her dancing partner. ‘Do I have a sign that says ‘Future Princess for Sale’? When will they get the hint and stop making fools of themselves to impress me?!’ “Excuse me, but may I cut in?” a familiar voice said, drawing Leda’s attention. She smiled a true, genuine smile as she recognized Paul as her rescuer. Her current partner wasn’t please but he summoned enough good grace to relinquish his hold and moved off the dance floor. As Paul began to lead her to the music, Leda let herself relax. “I take it by your smile you’re not unhappy with a change in partners,” he commented with a faint chuckle. “No, not too unhappy,” she teased. “I’m almost grateful.” “Almost?” He moved as if he was about to leave, but she tightened her grip on his shoulder. His broad grin reassured her and she relaxed once more. For several minutes, they both danced contentedly to the music. “Leda, I wanted to talk to you about earlier this afternoon,” Paul stated. “Which part? The part where you attacked someone for kissing me or the part where you did your best impression of my shadow I’ve ever seen?” She looked pointedly at him, angry that he was ruining one of the few more pleasant moments of the entire evening. “Aiden attacked you,” he spat, trying to keep his voice low but not bothering to hide the venom. “You were trying to push him off, but it wasn’t working. What did you want me to do, Leda?” “You didn’t have to hit him, Paul,” she retorted. “If things had been different, you could have gotten in a lot of trouble.” “If things had been different, I wouldn’t have had to hit him. But I don’t regret it, Leda. I wouldn’t have minded the trouble.” “You stubborn, pig-headed oaf,” she growled, pointedly ignoring the glances they were receiving. “No one made you my protector.” He opened her mouth to speak but the music ended. The dancers around them stopped and applauded. Reluctantly, Paul released her and clapped half-heartedly. “Ladies and gentleman, our distinguished guests,” the princess called, rising from her seat and drawing everyone’s attention, “the prince and I have an announcement to make. Leda, will you join us please?” For a moment, she froze. ‘Not now, surely not tonight.’ With a faint smile to Paul, she turned and approached her mother, who gave her a brief hug in welcome. Rand, her stepfather, gave her a kiss on the cheek. “We have received word from Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion. They have requested Leda’s presence in the royal palace in Crystal Tokyo to begin her training as heir apparent to the throne of Jupiter. Following her duty, Leda has accepted the invitation and will leave shortly to begin the two-year period of training.” The girl forced herself to smile as the crowd applauded. However, her heart sank as she saw Paul turned and storm out of the room. ‘Mom, why couldn’t you have waited?’ * * * * * ‘She’s leaving.’ The thought repeated itself over and over in his mind. For two whole years, she would live in the palace of Crystal Tokyo and she would forget about him. Growling in frustration, he slammed a fist against the stone railing of the balcony. He realized just how deeply he had fallen for the future princess. All his noble thinking of how it was better this way did nothing to calm him, to soothe the desperate aching. Paul heard the doors open behind him but didn’t bother to look back. “When were you going to tell me, Leda?” “I didn’t know they were announcing it tonight,” she replied, her tone cautious. “I honestly didn’t know.” “When do you have to leave?” He still did not look at her. His manner was too casual, as if they were only discussing the weather, and that hurt her. ‘Paul, don’t act this way now,’ she pleaded silently. “When does your training begin, Leda?” She took a steadying breath. “I leave in five days. Rand will go with me, while Mother meets with the Mayoral Council.” “And just when were you going to tell me? As you were boarding the shuttle for Crystal Tokyo? Maybe a letter once you get there?” “That’s not fair!” she snapped. “Fair?” Paul finally turned to her, anger flashing in his eyes. “You are leaving in five days to begin two years of training. Your family will barely be able to see you during that time, much less me. And I learn all this at some stupid ball. Don’t talk to me about being fair, Leda!.” “This is way I didn’t want to tell you. I knew you would take it badly. Do you think I want to do this?” “It was your decision.” She glared at him. “It was my duty. We both know that I have to do this. My refusal would cause an uproar from the people as well as the Council.” With a sigh, she leaned against the railing. She was inches away from him but she merely gazed up at the stars. “Paul, I simply have to go.” “I know,” he stated quietly, taking her hand. “I’m sorry.” She smiled slightly. “I am sorry, too. I’ll try my best to stay in contact with you. I promise.” He nodded. “I’ll try to keep you informed about things here.” “Deal,” she said, her smile larger. A slow melody drifted from the ballroom as the two fell into silence. Paul stepped away from the railing, pulling Leda along with the hand he still held. “One last dance?” “This isn’t our last dance, Paul,” she said, taking her place in his arms. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. He decided he didn’t need to say a thing. Urging her gently closer, he began to lead them to the music.


Chronicles