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The soft melody of piano and violins wafted through the air of the noble lady's bedroom. The last sliver of sunlight peaked through the curtains as Hanako helped Alice get ready for bed. The maid gently brushed the others hair, who sat quietly at her vanity, eyes closed.
"My lady, did you fall asleep already?" Hanako joked lightly
Alice chuckled at that. "No, not at all. I was simply enjoying the music."
Hanako looked over to the source of said music - a record player, currently playing a classical melody - before returning to her brushing.
"You seem to be a fan of this type of music"
"I suppose I am. Songs like these remind me of the ballroom dancing lessons I used to take" The noble lady smiled.
"Ballroom dancing lessons?" Hanako asked, urging her to tell more.
"Mhm. My parents had me and all my sisters take them. Though we didn't have a say in the matter, they ended up being quite fun."
Hanako's eyes seemed to light up at the other lady's words. "That does seem like fun! Ah- I wish I knew how to properly dance" the maid bemoaned.
Alice turned to face the other at that. "You've never learned how to dance?"
She looked a bit embarrassed now, rubbing her neck with her free hand. "Nope. I mean, I can barely walk without tripping on my dress." she laughed lightly
Alice looked away in thought for a moment, before suddenly rising from her chair, startling the maid a bit. "Then…" The noble lady looked into her maid's eyes before grabbing her hands "May I teach you?"
Hanako's face turned red at the sudden move and proposal, stuttering over her words. "I- Wh- T-teach me?" is what she finally settled on.
Alice just laughed at the others behavior, nodding. "Yes, I would love to teach you. Trust me, it will be fun!" She said as she softly dragged the other to around the middle of her bedroom.
"I- I suppose so - no promises I'll be any good though" she responded, both nervousness and excitement swirling inside of her as Alice guided one of her hands to her shoulder, still holding the other.
"No promises for myself either, I've never leaded a dance before" The other smiled, the soft pink on her cheeks showing her similar emotions to the other as she placed her free hand on the others waist timidly.
The two women stayed like that for a long second, pink tinted faces and shallow breaths more obvious at such a close distance. However, it was just a moment as Alice took a deep, steadying breath before moving them both in time with the music. She quietly whispered instructions to the other, as if speaking too loud would break this moment between them. Hanako followed the others moves and words as well as she could, looking down at her own feet to confirm she was taking the right steps.
That was, until the hand on her waist disappeared for just a moment, before it was lifting up her chin. She was met by sapphire eyes. "Don't look down. trust yourself, okay?" Alice said, moving her hand back to its original position.
Nanako just nodded, keeping her eyes locked with the other's. They continued their dance, though now Nanako could barely hear the music over her own heartbeat. With her eyes on the other it was impossible to ignore the energy between them. Not when the other lady's eyes were filled with emotions she couldn't - no - was afraid to name. Her feelings for Alice wasn't something she could easily express, not with all the pressure of the outside world. Though, when they were like this, it was like a small world of their own. So maybe, just maybe…it would be okay, just right here. a place just for them.
Hanako didn't even hear the last notes of the music fade away until Alice slowly stopped their movements. However, neither made a attempt to pull away. The only movement between the two was Alice's eyes flickering down to the others lips, before looking back into her eyes just as quickly.
It was mere glance. A blink-or-you'll-miss-it moment. Yet, Hanako felt like a dam of emotions suddenly broke inside her. Finally It was clear that this feeling- this energy surrounding them wasn't imaginary.
"Is it- um" Hanako spoke before she could think, overcome with the desire to show her love for the other. "Can I kiss-umph!" Before she could even finish her sentence, soft but determined lips were on hers. And oh…this felt even better than she could ever imagine. this wasn't her first kiss, but all other kisses paled in comparison to this. This wasn't just a kiss, but a exclamation of love. A light at the end of a dark tunnel of doubt and fear.
It felt like the kiss was broken just as soon as it started, eyes meeting again as they both caught their breath. However, this time their eye contact was broken with a laugh from the noble lady, to the confusion of the other.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you or anything! it's just-" Her giggles died down "I feel so foolish for locking away my feelings when a dance is all it took for us to confess."
"Well, I didn't technically confess yet…" Hanako gently took the other's hands into her own. "My L- Alice…I know that you must keep your true feelings a secret to others, and in the eyes of them we together would be seen as shameful. However, between us, away from the pressures of the outside world…would you do me the honor or being your lover?" Hanako gripped the other woman's hands tightly as she spoke. Logically, she knows her desires of being with her may be foolish, but her heart yearns all the same.
Hanako watches as Alice wipes away a few tears threatening to spill over her eyes. She knows better than anyone of the risk of giving into her feelings, her desire, even just a bit. however, despite this she still nods sharply. "Please trust me Hanako, that I will do all in my power to live and feel freely with you. And while rumors may spread…I don't think any of them will hurt nearly as much as you being by my side delights me."
With those words, they meet in a kiss again, hoping to convey emotions that even words can't express. In their world their love may be a bittersweet one, but as the moon shines through the curtains they are no longer a mistress and her maid, but lovers.
FIN