|| Day 1 Opening Parade ||

Did I Ever Learn How to Dance?

Robin never mentioned it, and I promptly forgot about it as preparations for the Aureas Tournaments reached a peak. Day One of the tournaments were beginning and the Opening Parade would start in a few hours.

"Ohh!" Meraella gasped in delight at the dresses that appeared; one for every girl.

All of the girls in the Academy were gathered in a large room, to prepare for the Opening Parade. I looked around at all the different faces that I had only caught a glimpse of during mealtimes. The range of dresses materializing on each of the girls varied in design, but the primary colours of gold and white were matching. The dresses and hair were all magically done up by the Academy, saving the time and stress of doing it manually. As the appearance of the dresses made its way to the first years, Meraella's was the first to appear.

I saw Amie's eyes widened in awe as Meraella's dress slowly, from her toes to her head, materialized on her. Her dress flowed all the way to the floor, waves of silky white layering upon each other and a simple, but elegant gold bow around the waist; highlighting Meraella's slim figure. The shoulderless lace sleeves reached the middle of Meraella's forearm and her long hair was interlaced with pearls and golden leaves.

"Wow..." I heard a third year girl near me exhale in disbelief. Wow indeed. Meraella looked like a fairy tale princess that had just stepped out of a book.

On her wedding day.

Meraella smiled bashfully, "I guess Remi has good taste..."

Amie's face looked in between awe and disgust. It was a rather strange combination of expressions. Then Amie's dress appeared on her and she promptly forgot about how stunning Meraella looked as she peered across at the mirrors. Amie's dress was short and spunky, a bit like her personality. It was strapless, the bodice white with intricate gold patterns and the skirt flaring out like a tutu—ending mid thigh. Her hair was done up in a complex and pretty bun held together by a stylish gold hairpin.

Amie screwed up her face slightly, "This was better than expected, especially since Primo chose it."

I frowned in confusion, Remi chose Meraella's dress and Primo chose Amie's? Didn't that mean that Robin chose mine? Oh no, I didn't care much for what I wore usually but for the Opening Parade of an event that only happened every five years... I was dreading what would appear on me, but it was too late—I could only cross my fingers and hope it would at least be decent.

I felt a tingly sensation start from my toes and made its way up to my waist. I squeezed my eyes shut as the strange feeling rose over my chest. As my dress had been the last one to materialize, everyone had finished admiring their own dresses and I could feel all eyes on me. The feeling reached a peak around my head and I could feel it slowly fade away.

The collective gasp that ran throughout the crowd made me hesitantly inch my eyes open. I felt dread rise up; had Robin's choice really been that bad? My jaw nearly hit the ground as I gazed at my reflection in the mirrored wall; and it wasn't because the dress was horrible, in fact, it was quite the opposite.

The dress was breathtaking.

The bodice was full of small gold birds that gradually scattered out to the bottom of the dress that brushed the ground. The halter neck that circled my collarbone was entirely gold and dipped down in a slim gap to the the middle of my chest. My hair was done up elegantly, a delicate gold pin holding it up and a few artful strands left loose. The black dress was skin-tight before flaring out from the top of my thighs in meshy lace layers.

Wait. Black?

I blinked a few times. My dress was gold and black. I glanced around me, seeing a sea of gold and white.

I looked at the mirror again.

Robin just had to stand out didn't he?

**

I waited nervously as one by one, the pairs boarded the carriages that were being pulled by Riders. Their angelic wings were stretched, ready to go and I took comfort in the animals' beauty.

"Don't be nervous, you look stunning." Amie smiled comfortingly at me, as she saw the fear in my face. Primo was standing next to her his clothing—white suit and gold tie—in place for once. Beside Meraella was Remi; to put it simply they both looked perfect together. His suit was a creamy white, the same as Meraella's dress with the only gold present being the trimming of his jacket.

Where even was Robin?

I paled as I glanced down at my dress for what felt like the fiftieth time, its deep black standing out amongst the host of bright white and gold. Glancing up, I watched as Meraella and Remi stepped into the golden carriage together. The Riders took off, flying high into the sky and above the audience in the wide circular arena. If the audience wasn't already cheering loudly before; they were now. Remi and Meraella waved as the carriage circled around and the crowd reached a fever pitch.

Rightfully so, as together, they looked awe-inspiring; her dark features complimenting his fair ones. Remi's parents were well known members of the Royal Council and I had heard that Meraella and Robin were the favourite couple of the Tournament. The sound of the light step of Riders made me tear my eyes away from Remi and Meraella.

At first my eyes only registered Robin and my thoughts were stopped in its tracks.

He was dressed in an entirely black suit— save for the shirt underneath. The lapels of his jacket had patterned swirls of vibrant gold and stood out against its inky background. Instead of a tie, as many of the other suits had, Robin had gold bow-tie that was also adorned with swirly patterns. I had seen many stunning people today and even if it pained me to acknowledge it; I had to admit that Robin was by far the most breath-taking.

My brain started to work again and I noticed that he was in a primarily black—looked like he really wanted to keep to the theme—open-top carriage pulled by ebony Riders. Where did he get those? The only Riders that I had ever seen were either white or a creamy grey. But ebony? I didn't even know they existed!

There were golden birds and patterned swirls on the carriage; matching both my dress and his suit. Just how much effort did Robin put into this? It seemed like he really wanted to impress someone... but who?

"Are you done gawking, Willow?" Robin's eyes looked at me from head to toe and I suddenly felt like turning and running. "Hmm... well I certainly made the right choice with that dress."

Sighing, I walked towards the carriage, hearing the distant sounds of the commentator announcing our arrival.

"...and last but not least we have the son of the RULING ROYALS; ROBIN ROCHARDS- AND HIS PARTNER; NIGHTINGALE WILLOW!"

I could hear the cheers of the audience, that had died down after Meraella and Remi's departure, rise up again. The "and his partner" at the end made me feel like an afterthought, obviously while Robin was established in the Royal society I was—well—a nobody. That only made me wince internally as it only added to Robin's arrogance and his assumed superiority over me.

I felt the carriage pull forward into the sky and I would've fallen back onto the seat if it hadn't been for Robin's hand at the small of my back. For the first time ever, I pushed a rising blush down and kept a straight face as he left it there. The carriage gained height and I could see the awestruck faces of the audience as we flew in close. My nervousness grew as we approached a special sectioned off area for the VIP's.

"Relax, Willow." Easy for him to say; he was smiling- charm turned to full blast and using his free hand to wave at the adoring crowd, "Pretend that you're the Queen... the world is at your feet and their appreciation is all for you." That made me roll my eyes. No wonder he was always so arrogant—he was always imagining he was the King of the world and that everyone had to bow before him.

As we passed the sectioned off area, Robin's arm tightened around my waist and pulled me in closer. The suddenness of his action nearly made me push him away, but I controlled my reflexive action and instead, I started to smile.

If I wanted to survive in Royal Society, I had to take Robin's advice.

I lifted my hand in a casual wave and it could have been my imagination, but I thought the cheers grew louder.

"Good work, Willow." Robin whispered in my ear and I subtly inched away from him.

"Whoa what a change from the usual theme! Black and gold: what a sight for sore eyes, don't you all think so?" The audience went crazy in response to the commentator's observation of our very striking ebony theme.

I noticed that at the front of the sectioned area there was a couple in vibrant gold and black as well. When Robin turned to them and leaned forward—a little too far for my comfort—to wave, they waved excitedly back. The couple looked important; they had both been at the front of the area for VIP's. I was curious as to how Robin knew them and why would he go so far as to match their outfits.

The carriage made another full circle and descended to the exit, landing smoothly inside. When it came to a stop, I cautiously climbed down; careful not to get my dress caught on anything. I tried to suppress a yawn and failed. It was mid-afternoon and I was already so sleepy.

"Tired already? That was rather fast."

Robin came around from the other side of the carriage and looked at me disapprovingly, "There's still the Aureas Ball—it's even more important than the Opening Parade—so don't embarrass me." Embarrass him? More like he would embarrass me... then again, it was quite likely I might trip up and do something wrong. Before I could ponder more on how not to embarrass myself let alone him, the first part of his sentence caught up to my brain.

Wait—I had thought the Opening Parade was the only event on Day One. I was already exhausted with the day and it wasn't even over, I had been informed—rather rudely—that there was still the Royal Ball left to go.

But that wasn't even the worst bit...

I didn't know how to dance.   

**

A/N: I post on Saturdays now and if im feeling productive sometimes Thursdays as well. Please feel free to vote and comment if you like it!! Thankss~