"Would you care for a dance with me?" I asked Eric.
"Wait, what?" Carlos nearly shouted, eyes wide with disbelief.
"But, Miss Reina…" Eric began hesitantly, but I smiled, cutting him off with a graceful turn.
"You went to the battlefield and brought glory to the nation, Your Highness. We could never match your courage or the determination it took to protect us all," I said clearly. "So, would you at least give me the honor of dancing with you—to celebrate your triumph, on a day that should rightfully be yours as much as ours?"
Eric's eyes widened slightly, and a faint blush colored his cheeks. He quickly cleared his throat, regaining composure.
"B-But I'm sure your brother wouldn't like it…"
"It's fine," I said with a gentle smile. "My brother told me I could dance with you, since you're such good friends."
The girls around us watched with wide eyes, lips parted in surprise. Carlos, on the other hand, looked as if he had swallowed something bitter.
