“Well, that’s a shame. I was hoping to enjoy seeing you dance as well.” Tetra admitted. “But if you happen to catch my brother when he's not dancing, perhaps you can talk to him again. Try to get him to perform the dance this festival.” she whispered with a smirk. “I’m sure he thinks you’ve corrupted me in some way. It may be a good opportunity.” she suggested as the crowd moved to the other room as the musicians started playing.
Cleopatra smiled and obliged the princess's admission with a quiet laugh. "I'm sorry to disappoint. Another time, perhaps." Though her eyes lit up eagerly at the suggestion. "I'll work my magic, Tetra, don't worry," she whispered back. Then she hummed thoughtfully. "He probably does. And… would you agree with him?"
Her eyes scanned the new room they were heading towards. The sound of the music starting enveloped her immediately. As much as she didn't like dancing, Cleopatra did love music.
Tetra matched the thrice-crowned queen’s smile as a gentleman approached to invite her to dance. “I’d like to say that we have a better understanding of each other than my brother would think.” she answered before accepting the offer and letting herself be drawn onto the dance floor.
Corym couldn't help but let out a brief sigh of relief as he watched his sister. After everything that had happened, he wasn't against Cleopatra talking with Tetra since they both knew she was safe. Tetra had always been the darling of the family, so social, beautiful, and kind. Only he and some of the servants knew about the princess’s more mischievous side.
Cleopatra watched as Tetra was led away to dance. To herself, she murmured, "I would agree with that."
Soon after the queen had found a place along the outskirts of the room to stand and watch, a suave courtier approached her and asked for a dance. She gave him a lingering up-and-down look, but she declined his offer.
"Come on Your Majesty," he persisted. "I could show you a good time."
"Oh, I bet you could," Cleopatra purred. "Unfortunately, I'm quite comfortable here. I'm sure there are plenty of other women who would be willing to throw themselves at your feet." The words had a barely discernable bite to them.
The man chuckled and took another step closer to her. "I'd throw myself at your feet for a dance."
"You'd throw yourself at my feet at my command," she retorted easily, flexing her fingers to observe her rings. "That doesn't impress me."
The man reached for her hand, but Cleopatra was quicker. She drew back her fingers and snared his wrist in a painfully tight grip. The surprise on the courtier's face was not missed, especially as she twisted his arm flawlessly behind him. Her lips ghosted the shell of his ear as she whispered, "Once you can claim to be capable of something truly impressive, come and see me again. Until then…" Her words sharpened. "Stay the hell away."
With that, she shoved him away and released her hold on him in the same motion. Then Cleopatra went back to admiring her jewelry.
Corym walked around the outskirts of the dancing, just watching the others enjoy themselves. He may not be much of a people person but he liked the festival and seeing everyone have a good time.
Eventually, he made his way over to where Cleopatra was standing and couldn't help but witness the idiotic courier’s rejection and humiliation. He shook his head and focused on keeping his expression neutral. “I don't know if I should apologize to you for that or show my sympathies to him.” he started dryly as he moved to stand beside the visiting queen.
Cleopatra's attention didn't waver as Corym approached her. She was intently focused on her signet ring instead. However, his words intrigued her, as did his tone, and she found herself lifting her eyes to his, a smug grin of victory on her face.
"A male's pride is a delicate thing, my dear Corym," Cleopatra cooed, flaring her fingers out one more time before curling them into a fist and lowering her hand to her side. "I wouldn't judge you if you helped that poor creature lick his wounds."
Corym’s ear twitched at the subtle jab but made no other reaction. “I’m not saying that he didn't deserve what you did. He was an arrogant fool with clearly no respect. I didn't realize how many of those were in attendance.” he admitted, looking over the dancers with a new perception. “Honestly, you are probably one of the few guests that I don't need to worry about.”
Cleopatra noted the ear twitch and couldn’t help it as her smirk grew. Gods, she loved to bait him. “Clearly,” she agreed with his description of the male, though she wondered how he didn’t realize that many of the attendees were flaunting themselves and preying upon unsuspecting wallflowers before dragging them to the dance floor.
She gave him a side eye glance before muttering, “You know I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“Take it as you will. I meant no offense by it.” he assured, still watching the dancers. “I hope you had a nice conversation with my younger sister and that you are feeling better.” Corym commented as his eyes flicked towards Cleopatra’s neck for not even a second.
Cleopatra glanced at him with a smirk before letting her gaze find Tetra twirling on the dance floor with her partner. “I did,” she confirmed. “And I am.”
Now was as good a time as any to bring it up, so smoothly, Cleopatra began to lead into her point. “You know, your sister is much more charming than you are. She was telling me more about the festival and certain… traditions that the royal family is expected to uphold.”
“Good.” he nodded, following her gaze to watch his sister dance. “If you would like, I can have Monroe bring a salve to your room to help with the marks.” he offered.
Corym's ear twitched as Cleopatra started to talk about the festival, already having a suspicion of where this topic was going. “Yes, I am aware. Tetra is very well-liked by many people.” he nodded as he attempted to avoid the bait.
Cleopatra’s demeanor softened ever so slightly at the offer before she was back to her natural confident self. “Alright. If it’s not too much trouble.”
The way his ear twitched and he avoided half of her statement… she knew she had him. “Indeed she is. And very proficient in your kingdom’s history.” The thrice-crowned queen looked directly at Corym as she said, “We both agree it would be quite a shame to break tradition at the festival this year.”
“It's no trouble.” Corym assured. The main reason why he didn't offer it earlier was because it would have been noticeable at the dinner, even with her hair down. It was better to leave it on for long periods of time as it was.
He almost smiled at the mention of Tetra’s interest in history but the expression vanished at Cleopatra’s next statement. “No.” he said firmly as he turned to meet her gaze. “I have too much to do for my people to worry about whether or not that tradition will bring me a wife. Besides, why do you think that? It won’t work on anyone beyond me and Tetra’s bloodline.” he pointed out.
Cleopatra nodded her head. "Then I would be grateful," she murmured. Yet another thing to be indebted to Corym for. Just lovely.
She rolled her eyes slightly and shook her head. "I understand the need to service, but isn't this festival supposed to be about relaxing and celebrating? Besides, in my opinion, the chances of that dance actually being able to find the woman you're supposed to wed are next to nothing. Think of how many people there are on this continent, or even in your kingdom alone." Cleopatra lifted a flask of wine to her lips and drained it in one go. "Shouldn't you be unwinding as much as the next person? And…" Her eyes flashed mischievously. "I'll dance if you will."
Corym nodded in reply, assuring that the salve would be delivered. Though he sighed at the idea of relaxing. “The guests are welcome to relax but, after what happened, as the host it is my responsibility to keep an eye on everyone.” he reminded gently. He wasn't trying to be hurtful in bringing it up but it served his point. “I admit I agree with the odds but that is not encouraging. I don't know which is the worse outcome, looking a fool because no one responded or…” his throat closed at the idea of actually completing that dance with someone. He paid no attention to the flask since there were still plenty of servants walking around with fine drink for everyone, but he raised a brow at her suggestion. “What do you mean?”
Cleopatra only pursed her lips and gave him a knowing glance. "Corym, dear," she murmured. "That is the responsibility of your guardsmen. I understand always being watchful, believe me. Even now. But you deserve time to relax too. Letting your guard down and being at leisure are two separate things."
Effortlessly, Cleopatra selected two more flasks from a passing servant. She kept one for herself and offered the other to the king beside her. "I doubt your people will see you as a fool," she replied, a rare bit of kindness in her eyes. "And even if some young and beautiful maiden dances with you, it doesn't make you any less of an important and mindful king. Some might even suggest you'd be better with a queen at your side," she added the last bit with a teasing wink.
She brought her flask to her lips and scoffed before taking a small sip. "If you must know… I don't dance. Not in public, not in private." Cleopatra shook her head, mild disgust edging her tone and expression. "I quite hate it. But, if you agree to dance at the festival… I'll humiliate myself for a single dance tonight."
“But I am their leader.” Corym felt compelled to add even though he knew Cleopatra was a military Queen. She didn't need him to point that out. “Anyway, I am relaxed.” he lied, accepting the drink.
He raised a brow at the surprisingly kind words but rolled his eyes when she returned to teasing. “Now you sound like my sister and Monroe.” he sighed as he took a sip of his drink.
“How do you hate dancing?” he asked in confusion. Perhaps it was because of this very festival but his whole family loved to dance. Though that may have been too strong a word for him personally but he still enjoyed it. “Honestly, I've noticed a few similarities between dancing and good swordplay. And, let’s face it, with your skill in combat, I would have thought you quite a dancer.”
Cleopatra inclined her head back, closed her eyes, and sighed. "You think I don't understand how you feel," she murmured, momentarily oblivious to the happenings of the room. "When I'm sure I understand better than most."
Her eyes flickered open, and she arched her eyebrows in disbelief. "Please. You're as stiff as a board," she remarked shortly before again draining her flask. "You need to lighten up and live a little. Not everything is politics and strategies. If I lived like that, I'd go mad!"
A smirk appeared on her face as her eyes spotted Tetra yet again in the crowd. "Like me, your sister and Monroe are right," she purred.
She chuckled at his confusion. "I never said I wasn't good at it," Cleopatra clarified. "I like to think that I am. But…" She pursed her lips a moment, watching the flow and grace of the dancers in front of them as she searched for the right words. "I can never find the right motions, especially with my arms. Footwork is easy enough. With a blade, it balances you out, but without one, I don't know how well I could manage. And don't even get me started on dancing with a partner."
“On the contrary, I am sure you understand.” he corrected softly, avoiding looking at her.
Corym sighed as she called his bluff but refused to relent. “You should know me better than that by now. I rarely relax around other people besides my family and the few friends that I have.” he pointed out. Though he chose to take another drink instead of responding to her gloating.
“In my experience, having a partner balances you out just as well as a blade.” he hummed. “And depending on the dance, you usually don't need to do much of anything with your arms.” He hated to admit it but the idea of showing her what he meant was becoming very tempting…
Cleopatra glanced at Corym, wearing her shock visibly on her expression. However, he wasn't looking at her, so she looked away.
"Oh, I know," she replied, focusing on the bottom of her now-empty flask. "I was making an attempt to change that. You could at least look like you're relaxing." Her eyes flickered up, then around the room before returning to her flask. "At least four other women are watching us right now. Let your shoulders drop and drink more… casually."
Her eyebrows arched at his claim. "Really?" she asked. "I've always worried about dancing with a partner. In case you can't tell, I'm more of a soloist in life. But I suppose I'd be willing to try." With the right partner was left unsaid.
Cleopatra watched as skirts and shoes came to a standstill on the floor as the song ended in front of them. A mischievous smirk flashed through her eyes, and she set her flask down before offering her hand to him. It felt like the entire room was watching them with bated breath as she said, "May I have this dance, darling Corym?"
Corym raised a brow at her comment but tried to follow her advice, lowering his shoulders slightly. “What's wrong with how I drink? I thought that I was drinking casually.” he said in confusion again, unsure if that was actually a thing.
He couldn't help but smirk briefly at the obvious statement. “Actually, I wasn't sure. On one hand, I can see that about you, being the Thrice crowned Queen and all. But at the same time, your reputation tends to say the opposite.” he reminded her, though he wasn't saying that last part to be mean.
Corym nearly choked on his drink at the proposition. “What?” he asked reflexively with no sign of his usual demeanor for a few moments as he processed… everything. “Uhh, yes? Yes, you may.” he nodded, still obviously shocked but a bit more composed than when she asked.
Cleopatra snickered, the gave him a brief up-and-down look. “You’re way too tense to be drinking casually. Shift your weight around until you find a comfortable way to hold yourself. Bend your knees a bit, and- good goddess, you’re stiff.” The words came out unexpectedly and a bit louder than her intended mutter.
“And hold onto your drink like this.” She demonstrated with her own flask, letting it sit lazily between her fingers and holding it tighter only when she chose to drink from it.
Her eyes sharpened slightly at his words, but instead of retorting with something vulgar enough to cause an immediate war declaration, Cleopatra merely rolled her eyes. “I know my own reputation,” she quipped. “And I’ll tell you right now that my partners in bed have nothing to do with my choosing to not set foot on a dance floor. I bet if given the choice, most of them would love to dance with me.”
As petrified for this dance as she was, Cleopatra let nothing show. In fact, she’d asked so abruptly to create the guise of confidence and catch Corym off guard. But it was all she could do not to breathe a sigh of relief when he accepted. If he had rejected her in front of the entire room, she would have skinned him in his sleep - peace agreement be damned.
A cool smile slid across her face as her fingers flexed. “It’s customary to take my hand, Corym darling. Let’s go shall we. I wouldn’t want to miss the next song." No matter that the musicians seemed to also have been listening to her ask and were waiting for the respective queen and king to begin their next song.
“I am holding myself comfortably.” he replied, indignantly, his ear twitching at the sudden attention her tone brought them. Though he raised a brow at the way she was holding the drink unsure if he could do it and look natural.
Corym shook his head. “I didn't mean it like that. I’m sure there are several who would love to dance with you. The words must have come out wrong and for that, I apologize.”
The king sighed and set his drink down before accepting her hand and walking out onto the dance floor. He tried to ignore the fact that the other dancers parted, letting them make it all the way to the center of the floor.
Cleopatra noticed the twitch of his ear and said nothing. A doubtful smirk appeared on her face as she looked away from him and back at her drink. Playing the games of politics and siege was her life. She knew how to appear relaxed when in reality, she was seconds away from an emotional explosion. The casual effortlessness of the way she held her drink was a testament to that. Let the other women see how relaxed and easy she was around him. Let them envy her. Cleopatra loved a good fit of jealousy on display.
She turned her attention back to Corym as he apologized. Her eyebrows arched in disbelief. When was the last time he'd apologized to her for a dig at her unsavory reputation, intentional or not? Never. She simply hummed in response and offered a brief nod.
The second Corym's fingers settled in hers, Cleopatra felt a jolt, just like she had at dinner when they'd made eye contact for the briefest moment. She forced herself not to show it as she walked confidently to the middle of the dance floor with her chin held high. Unlike her partner, she made sure to mark with her eyes that she hadn't missed the other dancers moving out of the way. Out of her way.
Once they stopped in the middle of the room and all eyes were on them, Cleopatra leaned a bit closer to him and whispered, "This had better be worth it."
Corym also knew how to hide his emotions and appear collected, though he wouldn't deny that he had a natural rigidness to his… technique, if it could be called that.
He raised a brow at the feeling in his fingers but didn't draw attention to it. “You let me know after the dance.” he smirked faintly. “Just put your hand on my shoulder and follow my lead… If you can handle that.” he quipped as the music started.
Cleopatra scoffed just as quietly. "I certainly will," she muttered. Her hand lifted up and rest almost begrudgingly on his shoulder. But his little quip made her eyes narrow slightly. Her fingertips dug into his shoulder more than she probably should've, but he'd pissed her off.
"You're lucky we're in public," she hissed before listening to the opening notes of whatever song was about to be played next. Not many people dared to speak to her that way. Corym was in limited company.
Corym allowed a faint smirk to pull at his lips as she whispered her warning. He wasn't scared of Cleopatra though he knew he had been pushing it with his challenge. “Consider it payback.” he informed since she had challenged him first, before moving elegantly with the music. It may have been a bit arrogant of him but he was proud of his footwork. Both in dance and in combat.
Cleopatra's eyes flashed dangerously, but before she could respond, they were moving and dancing to the music. And it wasn't a slow song either.
The thrice-crowned queen swore obscenely under her breath as she balanced herself with Corym's body and let him guide her through the steps. Her own footwork was just as smooth as his, and finally, she fell into a state of being propelled by the music. She'd die before she said it out loud, but Corym was a good leading dance partner. It was easy to move with him, and all the eyes of the room fell away as she twirled and spun in his arms.
Corym bit his tongue to keep from laughing at seeing Cleopatra caught off guard by the dance. But he had to admit, once she adjusted to the rhythm, she was doing quite well. He easily ignored everyone else who was either watching or dancing around them. They didn't matter. It was just the music, the motions… and Cleopatra. That last part surprised him a bit, even though she had been the one to initiate this. Now he wasn't sure if the dance was meant to be a challenge to him or for her.
Cleopatra leaned into the music, even daring to close her eyes for a second. She quickly opened them again, and the room was spiraling around her. Only Corym's face was in focus, and it was the only thing she could look at. Her eyes focused intently on him as her feet moved of their own accord. He'd been right – the correlation between swordplay footwork and dancing footwork was remarkably similar.
A coy smile played across her lips as she pressed herself closer to his chest and cooed, "Dip me?"