The Last Dance (5)

Chapter 5 - Lessons

John's POV

I heard her slam the back door shut. Crap. She was right. She was a way better fighter than me. Hell, I never realized I was that bad before I fought her. But then again, I am the Prince, people probably let me win all the time. Except for her, she had never treated me any different. I ran my hands through my hair in frustration.

I turned around at the sound of the door opening. Maybe she came back?

No, it was only Luke and David. I felt a stab of disappointment, but what would it have mattered if she had come back? I'd probably only make it worse somehow. I sighed and waited for them to come up to me.

"Hey John, there you are, everyone was wondering where you disappeared off to," David laughed.

"Yeah, didn't feel like celebrating your big victory?" Luke said with a grin.

I looked down at the ground, feeling miserable.

"Come on guys, you know she let me win," I looked up to see them both exchanging a look.

Luke shifted from foot to foot "Look John--"

"You don't have to say anything, I know it's true, and anyway, we all saw her this morning, I didn't stand a chance. You guys have probably let me win too," I added quietly. It wasn't a question.

"Look John, we're sorry, it's just the Arm's Master..."

Were they really ordered to let me win?

I slumped down on a stool and dropped my head in my hands. This just keeps getting worse and worse.

I heard the guys kneel down beside me and felt someones hand on my shoulder.

"We felt bad about it, but I guess... the Arm's Master was just... afraid of what you'd do if you weren't the best."

I looked up, "So what you're saying... is that I'm a big screw up and everyone else has to fix it." I shook my head, "Cece was right."

"What? No, of course not"

"John, stop feeling sorry for yourself, it comes with the territory of being Prince" David said ruefully.

"Well maybe I don't want to be Prince, and have to deal with everything that comes with it" I whined.

"You're not that bad a swordsman John, its not like we go out of our way to let you win, and you have beaten us fairly before. It's just Cee's really good, a complete natural."

"Yeah, Cee could beat us all blindfolded, why do you think none of us fight her?" Luke said laughing.

"Exactly" David piped in "She's the best, no one ever wants to fight her, not unless they're ready to swallow their pride."

This made them both laugh, I only frowned, confused.

"Then... why would she let me win?"

"She just... didn't want to embarrass you."

"Yeah, but WHY? She's never cared about that before."

"Well, that's because it's usually just the two of you, but in front of everyone? Cee would never undermine your position in public, you have to know that."

"I never noticed"

David shook his head "You wouldn't, you're too busy giving her a hard time" He cuffed me over the head with a grin.

"Well she starts it"

"You sure about that?" Luke said with a raised brow "Think harder."

I frowned, was everyone against me? I mean... I did start things the night of her party... and I do always laugh at her when she's remotely girly... and that whole rematch idea was mine... plus I did confront her about letting me win just now... Shit.

They must have seen the realization on my face because they both turned to each other with a grin.

"What did we tell you? Maybe if you actually gave her half a chance..."

I cringed, they were right, she already despised me, now after today... I mean, we've always fought, thanks to me apparently, but it was never this serious.

"So, how should I fix it?"

"You know Cee, she'll cool off eventually."

"But... should I apologise or something?"

"You do whatever you think you have to." David said. And with a slap to my shoulder they got up and left. I sighed, I didn't really know what to do, could I really apologise? What if she laughed? Then I remembered her face, how angry she looked, and I winced. I had to do something.

I'd had a restless night and almost no sleep, but at least I'd finally thought of what to say to Cece. I got up and headed down to the mess hall, hoping to find her there alone. I stood in the doorway and surveyed the room, frowning. I didn't see her anywhere. A few people walked past me and bowed or congratulated me on my win yesterday. Great, as if I needed the reminder. Still not finding her I went up to my dad.

"Father, have you seen Cece this morning?"

"Why yes I ran into her a little while ago"

"And she hasn't come here? Do you know where I might find her?"

"Now let me see, I think she said something about going for an early morning ride"

A ride? Where would she go so early in the morning? She could be anywhere! Or wait, not just anywhere... and suddenly I knew exactly where to find her. With a smile of thanks I rushed out to saddle up Shadow hoping I remembered the way.

Here, this was the place. I gently pushed aside the branch that hid the opening, not wanting her to notice me right away. Yes! There she was, curled up under the willow tree with a book. She moved her hand to turn the page and something caught the light. I smiled, she was wearing my gift. Not that she knew it was from me. I still don't know why I even got it for her, I just remember looking through the market stalls and finding it in a cart that was otherwise filled with junk. A diamond in the rough it was, and I knew I had to buy it. Then I chickened out and couldn't even give it to her, leaving it in the room instead.

I shook my head, getting nervous. Suddenly I wasn't so sure if I could do this, she looked so peaceful, and I would probably just upset her again. I wasn't used to second guessing myself around Cece, but talking to David and Luke last night made me question everything.

I eased myself in anyway, not tripping over the branches this time, but she still looked up startled. Until she saw me that is, then she just huffed angirly and went back to her book.

Come on John, be a man, just walk over there.

Right, okay.

I went and stood in front of her shifting from foot to foot. She didn't even look up, oh man, I just forgot everything I was going to say... Is it too late to leave? She wouldn't mind I'm sure...no, no, I have to. I took a deep breath.

"Uh, hey... hi Cece" Her mouth tightened into a line. Oh right she didn't like when I called her that!

"Uh.. I mean.. Celia.. I just... uh.. I wanted to say..." Oh great, now she looks up. I blew out a breath and looked down, this was ridiculous.

"I'm sorry" I blurted out.

There, done.

I braced myself for the laughter. After a few moments of silence I looked up to see her giving me a puzzled look.

"You're apologizing?" She said slowly.

Great, now I had to explain.

"For yesterday I mean, and you're party, I shouldn't have said what I did, I guess I went a little overboard or maybe a lot. In fact I'm sure plenty of guys want to marry you, everyone likes you, my friends especially, and I mean I know you and David are pretty close..." Now, why did I say that? I'm such an idiot. I looked away embarrassed feeling my face flush.

I sneaked a glance back at her. She looked like she was trying to hide a smile. Wait... did that mean I had actually done something right?

"Why?" I gave her a puzzled look. "Why are you apologizing?' She clarified. Oh, that.

"Because, you were right" I said running my hands through my hair. I turned away, I couldn't say this facing her. "About everything. I'm an idiot, and a screw up and everyone else has to clean up after me, and I'm going to be a terrible King" I finished quietly. Okay, I've said way too much, time to go, before I lose any more of my dignity, if I even had any to begin with.

I turned to leave and heard a heavy sigh behind me, and then she grabbed my wrist. I looked down and smiled seeing the bracelet.

"John, I didn't say that" She mumbled before letting go.

I looked around at her ruefully "But you know its true."

"Its not true." She said firmly, "And you better believe me because you'll probably never get me to admit it again." She gave me a half smile and turned around to get back to her book, but now for some reason I didn't really want to leave.

"I never thanked you for last night" She turned back to me and her look softened. Wow, I've never seen that before.

"I guess it's my turn to say sorry, I didn't mean to blow up on you like that"

"It's okay, I guess I deserved it" I noted with satisfaction she was trying not to smile again, I must be on a roll.

"Just a little." She admitted and turned around again.

"So I was wondering..." Crap, why did I keep calling her back? She was giving me a questioning look.

"I was wondering... if maybe... you could teach me?"

Now she looked downright startled.

"You want my help?"

"Yes?" I said it more as a question.

She looked at me suspiciously. Well nothing to lose now, I went up and took her hands in mine which caused another startled look. This was actually kind of fun. I looked down at her innocently.

"Pleeaseee" She was hesitating, I almost had her.

"Saying sorry and please all in one day, are you sure you're feeling alright John?" She asked dubiously.

I leaned down "Is that a yes?" I asked quietly, knowing she was going to say yes.

"Well... um.. I guess" She said hesitantly. Ha, I was right.

"Meet me at the stable at noon" She pulled out of my grasp and went back to her book. I pulled myself out of the clearing and turned back for one more glance before letting the branch fall into place. I smiled, she was playing with my bracelet.

Celia's POV

I was absently fiddling with my bracelet, thinking how... unexpected that had been. Why did he go all... nice on me? Was this some sort of trick?

Probably, and I'd gone and fallen for it. I sighed.

Why was knowing John so complicated? Something must be up, he's never apologized to me before, about anything. And asking for my help too, weird... And what was that last scene about anyway? Was he messing with me like I'd tried to do the last time we were here? I shook my head. It was hopeless, I couldn't make sense of anything, I'd just have to wait until noon to find out.

I walked to the stables warily, this would be interesting. John was already there and handed me a sword when I got there. Might as well get this over with, I thought.

"Right, so the first thing we need to work on is your footwork"

I scratched two lines into the ground and made him stand on them.

"Good, now move your right foot behind you, back on the line, then in front of you and repeat.

"Celia, I want help with my fighting, if I wanted to dance..."

I swung my sword down at his knees and he jumped back.

"You wanted my help, so you'll do as I say, and if I say you need to work on your footwork then that's what you'll do, got it?" I said tensely, I was on edge here, waiting for the catch, so it really surprised me when his face broke into a slight smile.

"Whatever you say Cee."

Did he just call me Cee? Strange, he always calls me Cece, I guess he finally caught on that I didn't like it. But now that he wasn't using it, I almost missed it.

Wait missed it? What was wrong with me? I shook my head and got back to the lesson.

"Make sure you practice that whenever you can, if one foot is moving the other should be planted on the ground or you'll lose your balance"

He nodded and kept practicing. Back, center, front, center.

"You also tend to lose your cool a lot when you're fighting and make silly mistakes. If you ever want to be any good you have to learn to control your emotions and stay calm. Inexperienced fighters always call out insults during a duel to get their opponents worked up. Ignore it."

After that we moved on to practicing blocks and thrusts, and I taught him a simple pattern dance to help the moves become more natural. By the time we stopped it was getting dark out.

"Alright, that's enough" I said with a sigh and flopped down on the ground. John walked over to the side of the stable and put his head under a wall pump. After shaking the water from his hair he came and sat down next to me with a smile.

I smiled hesitantly back, we'd actually managed to get along for a few hours, no arguments or anything.

"So, Cee," He said, nudging me playfully with his elbow, "How are your dancing skills?"

I frowned at him, "What are you talking about?"

"You know, for the High Ball, your 'big day'" He said with a wink.

Oh right that, I'd actually forgotten for a while. I looked away embarrassed, I would never hear the end of this one...

"Oh don't tell me." He said with a laugh "You can't dance?" I mumbled a shut up at him and punched him lightly on the shoulder.

"But you were dancing at your party weren't you?"

"Only with David" I mumbled "And he did all the work."

Before I knew what was happening he'd sprung up and grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet.

"John, what are you..." He grabbed my free hand and placed it on his shoulder, then moved his free hand to my waist.

"What are you doing?" I said, trying to move away. He tightened his hold on my waist and pulled me closer. I was grateful that the dark was hiding my blush.

"I'm teaching you to dance obviously, what were you planning to do at the Ball?" He started moving and pulled me along reluctantly with him.

"John, this is embarrassing." I tried to squirm out of his hold, which only made him pull me even closer. There was less than an inch of space between us, I could actually feel the heat coming from his body. Or it might have been from my burning face.

"And you think getting beaten by a girl isn't?" He murmured. "Be grateful none of your friends are here to see." I could hear the smile in his voice. He was enjoying this far too much, he must have known how mortified I was. I was afraid to look up, he was way too close.

"See? Not so hard is it? Only four easy steps."

"Where did you learn to dance anyway?" I said, trying to keep the quiver out of my voice. I didn't think I could take much more of this, it was too... intense... the exact opposite of what I was used to concerning John.

"Another of the perks of being Prince" he said sarcastically. "I had to learn, but then again, I didn't know I'd actually enjoy it..." He trailed off quietly.

That was it, I definitely could not take this anymore, I felt way too flustered and hot, I couldn't think straight, and all from John? I gently pulled away from him and he let me go with a sigh.

"Alright, who put you up to it?" I said warily.

"What are you talking about Cee?" He looked at me like I'd lost my mind, and truthfully, it felt like I had.

"I mean, this must have been a bet right?" I said furiously.

"A bet... what? Celia..."

"Someone put you up to this." I was shaking now, what was wrong with me? I was so confused.

"You couldn't... this was... you don't... you can't..." I shook my head feeling angry tears stinging my eyes and was grateful again for the darkness. It was too much, this was John we were talking about, and if he saw me now I'd never live down the humiliation. We weren't supposed to get along, it didn't make any sense.

"Celia..." he said softly reaching for my hand.

I jerked it away and his hand fell to his side. He looked hurt.

"I... I have to go" I said. I turned and started walking quickly away. After a few steps I stopped to look back, he was in the same spot I'd left him looking at the ground.

"Cece" I called out to him. He looked up at me confused. "Call me Cece," I said before turning back around running off.

What had happened tonight? I couldn't make sense of a thing, but it had to have been a joke right?

Deep down I knew it wasn't, not with how confused he'd looked, but I couldn't face whatever it was I had been feeling a few minutes ago. How had the mood changed so fast?

I shook the tears from my eyes feeling ridiculous and slammed the door shut to my room. I slid down the wall breathing hard. Never before had I felt so overwhelmed.