287 THIS IS HOW WE DANCE

Zoe's eyes darted around the area as if searching if there were other people there. The solar was like a mini Great Hall in the Castle and a comfortable lounging area for the royal family when they wanted to gather.

But this time, it seems deserted as it was only Raigon who is breathing in that part of the Castle. However, Zoe couldn't hear his loud beating heart as the place was saturated with the beautiful romantic music that filled the entire Castle.

"This will only be your practice ground for later." Raigon extended his hand as he requested her to step forward and join him in dancing. 

Zoe's lips unconsciously curled. 'How could he have guessed that I wanted this dance without the eyes of people on me? Must you be so sweet?'

She thought to herself as her hands brushed over his shoulders and settled on the back of his neck.

To her surprise, Raigon seemed to froze from his tracks because of her actions as if he wasn't expecting it. 

She suddenly pulled away and furrowed her brows. "Aren't we going to dance?"

"Y-yes?" Raigon distanced himself as his extremities moved in a fluid motion to the rhythm of the music in their traditional way.

Zoe closed her eyes and clamped her lips in embarrassment at her actions. She wanted to bang her head to the nearest wall as she thought that they were supposed to do the common dance between couples during parties. 

"I'm sorry. I forgot you have a different culture here."

"It's all right. Let me show you how it is done. Then you can teach yours to me later."

Raigon then danced to the melody and she can't help but stare in awe at him as he lifted his hands and moved it to the music.

"You're a skillful dancer, your Highness!" She blurted out as her fingers flew to her parted lips.

As she naturally love dancing in her alone times, one of the things that she admires in the opposite sex is their bodies' ability to flow with music.

Raigon chuckled as he stopped. "It is also one of the things that they taught us then. Do you want to learn it?" 

Zoe nodded her head gleefully. Raigon danced again and this time, Zoe imitated him as she extended her hands and moved her waist like what Raigon was doing. 

At first, she was like a spanner in the works. But as she got to know the ropes, she soon became in sync with Raigon's motion. 

"That was fast." Raigon stopped and applauded her. 

"Thank you for being a good teacher, your Highness. And I love your traditional dance, by the way." Zoe grinned from ear to ear as her previous jitters were like toxins that were released from her body. 

She felt relaxed and calm now, and she seemed to be ready for what lies ahead. 

"Now you teach me yours." Raigon's velvet and husky voice changed the atmosphere.

Zoe swallowed hard as she looked at a hint of a sensuous flame within his eyes as he drew near to her. Without removing his smoldering gaze on her, he gently pulled her arms and wrapped them around his own neck.

"What's next?" A devilish smile trifled on his smooth cheeks, wanting to intimidate Zoe.

However, since Zoe was feeling more pleasant than before, she played along with him. She lifted her hands and put them around his. Then she placed them at the small curvature of her waist. 

"This."

As soon as his palms touched her waist, her heart started banging wildly against her chest. Her eyelashes fluttered up to Raigon's face to see if he could hear it. But to her surprise, he was burning red as his thin moist lips were partly opened. 

Zoe's lips curled into an awkward smile as she put back her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes and listened to the music to relieve her of her tingling sensations. Then she slightly swayed to the rhythm.

"This is how we dance." Zoe whispered to Raigon as her lips drew near his ears, her warm breath slightly grazed on his skin before she pulled back.

Raigon nodded, but his hands were trembling in her waist as if it was his first time to hold a woman like that. 

However, Raigon seemed to finally calmed down as he also swayed with her. His tensed shoulders suddenly felt relaxed and at ease. 

"This is nice." He uttered after some time. 

Zoe nodded in agreement as a satisfied smile played on her lips. She snuggled close to him as it was her first dance with a man and she felt really good.

The music already stopped signaling that it is the time for them to come back to the Great Hall. Zoe gently pulled away and bowed down to him. 

As she lifted her face, she was surprised to see a surprise gift of Raigon to her. 

"I want you to wear this." Raigon spoke as he lifted her mother's necklace in front of her. 

Zoe's eyes glistened in joy as she really thought that she would never have the chance to wear it again with all the issues involved with it. 

Deep inside, she really wanted to wear it during this event. But she was worried about what the Queen would say. Now that it was the Crowned Prince himself who asked her to wear it, her confidence skyrocketed to the peak.

"I appreciate it, your Highness." Zoe bowed down and clasped her hands in gratitude.

To even top it off, Raigon even put it around her neck and placed the lock before saying under his breath.

"Thank you for accepting this. I hope you would also accept my other gift later."

He then pulled back, making Zoe tilt her head as her forehead scrunched up.

"Another one?" 

But Raigon didn't answer as he led her back to the Great Hall. Zoe followed after him with invisible question marks floating in her head

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Dancing is a perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire.