Louisa's POV
I didn't eat anything during breakfast.
Alpha Zackery kept asking me about my family and past life, but I really prefer to walk away.
My eyes were on Darren all the time. I couldn't bear the thought that someone I loved so much was treated like a dog by an asshole.
Lucas snarled at me and said, "Miss Louisa, you look very distracted this morning while having a conversation with Alpha Zackery."
I stared at him without saying anything.
Yeah, you keep eating those sausages. I thought to myself. One day, I'll shove an entire plate of sausages in your mouth and stick two apples into your empty eye sockets, just like the roast pig we made on the Full Moon Festival Eve.
"You mentioned your mother just now. The princess?" Alpha Zackery looked at me with great curiosity. He didn't seem to notice Lucas' existence.
"If you want to make fun of me, the joke's on you, because my mother really was a princess when she was alive." I lowered my head and said. "But it's OK. You're not the first person to laugh at me about my heritage and you won't be the last."
Alpha Zackery smiled at me and nodded, "I'm afraid I'm going to let you down on this one because I believe you. But at the same time, I can tell why people are being so sarcastic about your claim. They might have never heard of a pack called Blade... Reed?"
"Blade Ridge." I corrected.
"Yes, Blade Ridge it is." Alpha Zackery smirked. "You see, I've always been interested in classics and sets ever since I got enrolled in the Royal Academy when I was four. I particularly take interest in the history and bloodline of tribes. It's where I get my inspiration for sculptures from. But that name, Blade Ridge, strikes me as odd. If I have never heard of a pack with that name before, no wonder people around you don't believe you. Could you elaborate? I mean, not as a cross-reference check. It's just I would like to learn more about it."
"My old nanny used to tell me about it. But she didn't say much. Because whenever she mentioned this to me, I would be punished severely by my stepmother. She said she had a very down-to-earth mindset and she didn't like this kind of imaginary thing."
"Ah, this world is full of artist haters and killers. When you present them with something abstract or ambiguous, they just freak out. Anyway, what was your old nanny's name, if I may ask?" Alpha Zackery said.
"I don't know. Everyone calls her nanny. She passed away when I was seven. So even if she had told me some more things about my parents, I wouldn't have remembered very clearly at that time. But one thing I remember till now is that she told me very clearly that my mother was the princess of Blade Ridge Pack. She said girls in our tribe were all great dancers. Dancing wasn’t just a ceremonial ritual to us, but a way to show our love and happiness."
"Is that so...?" Alpha Zackery's eyebrows flashed. "Are you a good dancer as well, Miss Louisa?"
"Not really. I only dance when I'm happy." I said. I remembered the time I was dancing on the grassland in front of Finn.
I glanced at Lucas and wondered when he could stop kidnapping Finn and let me hug his furry neck again.
Lucas munched and said with a glint in his eyes, "She's a good dancer. Come on, Louisa, make that pair of your long legs useful and dance for His Excellency."
I couldn't believe this was actually happening to me, but I kind of saw it coming.
Alpha Zackery smiled gracefully and said, "If you don't want to dance, it's totally fine by me."
I stared at Lucas and said, "Now, I want to dance. But this dance is unique. I might need some props."
"Wow, that's enticing. What kind of props do you need for this dance, Miss Louisa?" Alpha Zackery asked.
"A sword," I replied.
Lucas heard my answer and almost choked on something.
"Your Excellency," he coughed and said. "I don't think it's wise to offer this girl a sword for the reason that she's clearly very unstable."
Alpha Zackery didn't pay attention to his advice. He took a long sword from a soldier's belt and handed it to me.
"Go ahead, little girl." He nodded at me and said. "Do a sword dance for me. I have only read it in a book, but I have never really seen one in real life."
I rolled up the long hem of my skirt on my waist and exposed my legs. Then, I took the sword and walked to the center of the room while dragging a chair behind me.
Do you want to see some legs? I'll let you see some legs. I thought to myself.
After sitting down on the chair, I placed the sword horizontally on top of my head.
My old nanny used to show me how to look for the perfect balance point of a sword.
I still managed to remember it.
Then, I closed my eyes and started to tap my bare feet on the floor.
The musicians in the tent noticed the beats on my feet and started to use drums to play a steady beat.
I lifted my arms and started to wave them to the beat.
When I opened my eyes, I stretched my legs to the side of the chair and glided down all the way onto the floor in a split.
The sword still remained on my head in perfect balance.
After that, I crossed my legs and slowly rose up. My waist was moving from side to side like a python, but my upper torso and head were perfect still.
As I eventually stood up straight, the drums suddenly started to get fast, and I started to whirl according to the beats.
As the beat of the drums started to get more upbeat, I swirled faster.
The sword still remained perfectly steady on top of my head.
Eventually, when the music seized, I stopped turning. The sword flew from my head directly in Lucas' direction and dropped right on top of his table.
He stared at me with an incredible look on his face.
Then, I heard the sound of clapping behind me.
I turned back and saw Alpha Zackery applauding and cheering for me.
"Amazing. Isn't she amazing, Lucas?" He raised his eyebrows and asked.
"Yes, Your Excellency. Truly amazing." Lucas said, clapping his hands together. Then everyone started to cheer and clap.
I turned my head and saw the cold light of the blade flashing in his ruthless dark eyes.