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Andhera did not always know why people were doing what they were doing, and still they found themself uniquely confused at Hob's actions. First, an impromptu grilling on whether or not he was going to marry Grabalba (and though Andhera would do anything for a friend, and did not wish to offend Grabalba, it was a no. That was not the plan). Then, without warning, he felt two large, warm hands against his back and a shove. As Andhera tripped forward towards the mostly empty dance floor, he hoped it was a friendly shove. Not that they were sure what could make a shove friendly, but he was definitely looking for a silver lining. The next moment, when their gaze fell upon the wide, frantic green eyes of Binx Choppley, he knew it was the friendliest shove he could have gotten.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm supposed to dance?" she whispered back, her voice a desperate question.
"And you are going to do a great job of it." They tried to smile reassuringly, though they quickly realised more assistance than a simple smile was needed. Binx just stood there unmoving, a plea in her eyes as she stared at him. Andhera scanned the room quickly, feeling for the first time that night the weight of being observed by all the courts and the weight of every movement at the Bloom being made into something more. The rumours in the morning would be vicious, but whatever his mother or Suntar might have to say to them could not weigh on their heart nearly as heavily as the look Binx was giving him at that moment. Andhera squared their shoulders, bowed slgihtly (a hand raising to his crown so it would not fall), and offered Binx his hand.
"Lady Binx," he said not quite loud enough to be heard by the onlookers. The movements were for them, the words were only for her. "If it would please you, I would like- I mean, it would be - I request the honour of accompanying you during this dance." And, in an even softer voice, "We'll do an easy dance. Just follow me."
Binx sighed with anxious gratitude and accepted his surprisingly warm hand. She had half thought it would be hard and cold, like the walls of a cave. But it was soft, warm, and yielding. They wondered if he happened to have more humanity in his palm than the rest of his court combined.
"This is a stupid rule," they muttered as he led them two steps to the right. "The fact that I happened to be holding the Crystal Heart when the darkness faded has no bearing on whether or not I can dance." Two steps to the left now. "I really only like dances with instructions."
Andhera let out a surprised laugh at the last sentence. "I believe it is less that they think you can dance well, and more that they want to honour such exceptional talent and sportsmanship that is required in order to find the Crystal Heart."
Binx grew silent for a moment, debating on whether or not to tell him they knew what really happened in the hedge maze. There must be a reason that he gave them the heart secretly, but at the same time, she wanted to thank him. To truly be able to tell them how greatful she was. She realised suddenly he was looking at her strangely.
"Binx? Are you okay?" The pair walked in a fancy circle, an incredibly visible promenade.
"Yes, sorry. I was thinking, that's all. Sir Andhera, I wanted-"
"Sir?" His eyebrows furrowed in confusion at the unfamiliar title.
Binx's face grew warm. "Oh god, I'm sorry. I was just - I mean, I... I was trying to reference the whole 'knighting' thing we did earlier. Never mind. Sorry, Prince Andhera. That was very inappropriate of me."
It was Andhera's turn to grow silent for a moment and a grin spread across his face. "I thought we agreed you did not have to apologise to me, remember? Prince is.... Prince is a title that carries so much weight. So many duties, expectations, and behaviours. Yet the only thing I did to have it bestowed upon me was be born. Sure, I had to 'work' towards it, but that was just a formality. I didn't ask for any of it, but it is always on me. It weighs me down, makes my steps heavier, my life slower. You should know that it fills me with joy beyond measure to be referred to as a title I have chosen. I have earned. The weight is gone, Binx. For the first time, I feel like I am not playing a losing game against gravity. I have pledged my oath to your cause, and I meant it. For you, I am Sir Andhera, and I am eager to take on all that goes with that."
"Sir Andhera," she started again, all of the words just spoken slowly washing over her. He gave a small nod of pleased acknowledgement. "I just wanted to thank you for this. For all of this. For being my friend, for-" She paused, trying to find the best way to word this without coming out and telling him she knew everything. "For your help in the hedge maze, for being an unwavering ally, and for helping me dance. Though I do think we look very strange."
"Oh, we definitely look strange." The pair's hands clasped together in some kind of ridiculous handshake.
"In a place like this, in a time like the Bloom, it is hard to find someone so true to themself and others, the whole accent thing nonwithstanding. Thank you."
Andhera grabbed Binx's hand and placed it over his heart. "As long as this is beating, and potentially after because who really knows, we are fighting for a common cause. There is nothing in the world I would rather do than serve a life of worthy duty with a friend by my side."
On opposite sides of the ballroom, Captain Knicholas P. Hob and Mixtress of Ceremonies Delloso de la Rue watched the two fey twirl and gallop in a strange form around the floor (it quickly became apparent to Rue that Andhera was not a very good dancer, a realisation that would never make its way to Captain Hob's mind) silently satisfied with the results of their meddling ways.