Chapter 95 - The Dancer In Red...

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The Author's POV.

"Sigurd, Mustapha" prince Stefan called and waved at his friends when he saw them entering the room. He didn't expect them to come late for the Party. 

"Why are you guys late for the party?" He asked when they came closer.

"We were trying to find the right trouser for Sigurd's shirt. It took us two hours to arrive at a conclusion" Mustapha explained, pointing at the shirt Sigurd was wearing.

"If I was to get married today, you would have missed my wedding. Learn to make decisions early and be punctual when it comes to activities like this ."

"Thank the gods this is not your wedding Stefan. I want to sit next to your bride in case she changes her mind about you, I will cover the shame for her" Sigurd said with a wink.

"You!" Stefan wanted to punch him but he dare not. Not his mother's party , she will kill him after here. "Come and sit next to me."

The boys sat with him and the king's spoke man declared the dance opened. Every where became silent as their eyes await patiently for the dance to start. Stefan understood why the men were eager to watch. The girls! They wanted to chose their wives now.

It started with beating of drums , echoing around the  quiet room. A straight line was formed by seven masked girls. Six were dressed in blue tops and black skirts , while one wore red blouse which means she was the leader of the dance.

The song started slowly going in line with the sound of the drums and the chain on their legs, while the people shook their heads to the sound.

"Those legs" Stefan said, looking at the dancer in red. They were familiar and he couldn't put the pieces together.  "I know those legs  Sigurd."

"Come on prince. When did you became involved with dancers?" Mustapha asked, his eyes were focused on the dance. "I don't think  you know her. If you like the girl's legs then you can tell us now. We will start the preparation for a wedding after."

"Keep quiet Mustapha. When have you started talking like Sigurd ?" Stefan asked. Sigurd was the only who loved pulling his legs or making joke of him, with the little opportunity he got.

"Shhhh! Concentrate please, I don't want to miss any thing" Sigurd said to them. They wondered why he was concerned about the dance all of a sudden. 

The dance became serious when the girls started swinging their waists and hands to the rhythm of the music. Stefan could not take his eyes from the lady in red. She was the best dancer there and her moves were different. The men were picking interest in the girl too. Some tried to touch her when she got closed to them while the women rolled their eyes.

When the dance came to an end, the dancers went and knelt in front the king. He was the one to approve the dance. There was no doubt that he was going to give them the piece of cloth. He had already seen himself in bed with the dancer in red. He loved the way she moved her waist. Even with the mask on her face, Lincoln knew that she was beauty.

There were three clothes, the king was supposed to drop one at least. The gold cloth meant excellence and the dancers go home with a lot of money. Red : meant well performed and the small amount of money and the last cloth which was green in color : good with no money.

Stefan was wondering what color  the king will give the dancers. His brother was full of surprised. The girls' performance was good and no one expect them to put so much energy like they did.

"Now, everything is left in the hand of your brother" Sigurd  hissed. He didn't like the king at all. Though Stefan was younger , he would have made a better king than Lincoln.

"Which cloth did you think he will give them Stefan?" Mustapha asked.

"I don't know. Let's watch" he said, looking at his brother who sat down like a god. A maid brought the bag that contained the cloth and offered it to the king. Who smiled and dipped his hands inside. Everyone was waiting for him to bring out his hand but it seemed like the king was enjoying the look on their faces.

"That jerk!" Stefan gritted his teeth.

"Calm down Stefan, whether he likes it or not his hand will be out soon" Mustapha said, as he pat the prince's back.

It took the king five minutes to throw a gold cloth at the dancers. The people started clapping and rejoicing.  The dancer in red took the cloth and they all stood up. They bowed to him and left.

"The girls deserve it" Sigurd said. Stefan's eyes traced the dancer until she went through the exit door. He wanted to see her face. Why was her body familiar?

"I am going outside to meet the dancers. Are you two interested ?" he asked. They were surprised that he took interest in the red blouse dancer all of sudden.

"Is this love at first sight?" Sigurd asked. Stefan looked at him with a start. He stood up from his seat and made way to the exit door. He could hear their footsteps when he got outside. There were two carriages packed in front of the entrance door.

A woman in her early thirties gave instructions while the dancers obeyed "get in to your carriage quickly" she said pacing fro and to.

There , she was! The red blouse dancer. She was about to enter the carriage when Stefan dashed towards her with speed. In order to stop her from entering, he grabbed a long red rope behind her back and the sound of a torn blouse could be heard. (WTF, did you just do Stefan ????)

The girl did not move. Stefan was shocked to hear that sound. What did he just do? He tried to let go but it seemed luck was not on his side and the blouse kept on tearing.  The girls stopped entering the carriages. On eyes, where on them.

"I am sorry my lady. I didn't mean it" he apologized.

She turned around and gave him a dirty slap. She did it with her whole mind. Her mask fell off and the torn blouse revealed her back and half of her right breast.

Stefan knew he messed things up but a slap? He didn't deserve that. Every thing that happened was a mistake. He would never desire to see a woman naked with out her permission. Why was he been humiliated like a rapist?

Queen Mother Daria saw how that dancer landed a slap on her son's face. She was furious. How dare she? A commoner humiliating a prince in front of everyone? She had to teach this girl a lesson.

She took some steps further met her son's friends who were just standing without doing anything about it " you two just stood here and watch a girl slapped your friend?" she bawled at them.

"It happened fast Queen mother Da… "

Whatever she rolled her eyes and passed them. There,  the dance tutor who was also shocked with the way her student reacted. She didn't know who this young man was and what he did that made her student to treat him that way.

"G-greeting Queen mother" Daria the tutor curtsied.

"Tutor did you saw what happened?" She asked. The tutor nodded. "Good , that is my son, my prince, your student raised her filthy hand and slapped him."

The tutor covered her mouth in shock. Little did she know that the man was a prince. People talked and boasted of prince Stefan. What was she going to do so that the Queen mother will forgive them.

"I didn't know he was your son. I will never allow a student to hit a man like that. Forgive me Queen mother" She turned to the girl and started scolding "what did you just do silly girl?"

"Don't worry ma. Is not her fault" Stefan said, removing his jacket. "I caused it okay? Tell my mother so" he said to the tutor giving the girl , his jacket. She didn't want to accept the it. Her hands were only covering her shoulders.

"You should take this. Don't be stubborn, you might end up disgracing your self."

The girl took the jacket from him. She had no choice! Queen mother Daria watched while she put it on. Without thanking the prince, the girl entered the carriage. The tutor went to apologized to the Queen.

"Mother, let them go. It's was my fault" Stefan said. Shock was written all over her face. "I am the one who got slapped not you, why is your face like that?"

'You may leave. I don't want to see her here ever again"  Queen mother Daria told the tutor.

"Yes my queen." Quickly, she entered the carriage and in no time, they were out of sight.

"What was that Stefan?" She asked.

"Its was ah slap mother. I deserve it. Don't worry about me okay " He went inside. Stefan was excited despite the slap she gave him.. This was the same girl he met at the well. Was this destiny? (You met her only twice young man ????????)