Chapter 14: Quick Dance Lesson

                                    

                                          
It took Feliciano and Ludwig a while to finish their breakfast since they were both invested in their conversation but once they were done, Ludwig had realized that he was talking for a very long time and it made him worry that his friend was annoyed. But he looked back at Feliciano to see an adorable smile and his worry was gone. 
                          
Before they could stand up, Ludwig's father entered, "Good morning," 
                          
The two brothers responded, "Good morning," back and Feliciano nodded in response.
                          
"Ludwig, are you prepared for the event?"
                          
"Um, you never really told me what I will be doing..." The Prince said with a shy tone. He knew the guests were other royal families coming with their daughters to once again try to find a suitor for Ludwig. 
                          
"It's just a casual thing. We will have lunch with the guests. Also, Roderich will be playing music so you better be prepared to invite the girls to dance,"
                          
"Dance?" Ludwig's eyes widen. He could barely talk to new people, how would he invite someone to dance?
                          
"You did take those lessons, right Ludwig?" his father reminded him.
                          
"Yes..." Ludwig did took those lessons. Well, only the first three. He didn't like dancing and the idea of it made him really uncomfortable. 
                          
His father almost didn't believe him but sighed and continued on his way, "I'll see you this afternoon then,"
                          
Once he left, Gilbert gave a sly smirk at Ludwig, "Do you have your tap shoes ready, Luddy?"
                          
Ludwig groaned and put his head on the table, "What am I going to do?... Mein Gott..."
                          
"Come on, Luddy! Dancing isn't even that hard! It's just one, two, three, twirl! You went to those lessons!"
                          
"I didn't..."
                          
Gilbert scoffed at the foolishness of his brother, "Well you have a few hours to learn how to do! Can't have you tripping on your own feet in front of the girls!"
                          
"How will I learn to dance in such a sort notice?"
                          
"You don't know how to dance? What kind of prince are you?" Gilbert then turned to see a man with a violin in his hand enter the room.
                          
"Ah! Roderich! Just the man we needed!" Gilbert stood to greet the Austrian.
                          
"I'm only here to provide the music for the evening lunch and dance, not for whatever shenanigans you're thinking of doing," the man pushed up his glasses while pushing away the older Prince. 
                          
"But Ludwig needs help! He needs to learn how to dance. And the only way to do that is if you can give us some of your awesome talent and play that guitar of yours,"
                          
Roderich glared and gasped, "'Guitar'? You offended me, Gilbert! This is a fine violin! If you can't even name an instrument, you don't deserve any help!" Roderich was about to leave but saw a young stranger that was seated in front of Ludwig. He had been watching them in silence.
                          
"Who's this?" He asked Ludwig, pointing at Feliciano. 
                          
"Oh, that's my guest..." 
                          
Feliciano smiled and waved at him. Roderich smiled back, slightly embarrassed from his outburst towards Gilbert, "I'm Roderich Edelstein. I'm a musician and composer for royal events. Pleasure to meet you. What's your name?"
                          
Feliciano signaled to his mouth and throat and shook his head. 
                          
"He's mute," Ludwig explained and then added, "And we don't know his name..."
                          
"You don't even know your guest's name?" Roderich raised an eyebrow in disbelief, "My, what a ruler you will be, Ludwig," 
                          
Roderich sighed again and looked back at Gilbert, "So what? Are you going to teach Ludwig how to dance in just a few hours?"