Arturia Pendragon, nineteen.

Young prodigy and heir to Camelot Holding, which had under its wings at least half of the most successful companies around Europe.

Everything seemed to be going steadily for her and with her birthday approaching, her usually calm and neutral demeanor was slowly giving in to the excitement of the party that her father was throwing her.

It wasn't like she didn't know that it was yet another chance for meeting potential business partners but she was happy nonetheless.

It was going to be her first party, after all.

That was why she couldn't understand what her father was telling her, the news making her feel sick in the stomach.

"Did I do something to displease you, Father?"- she asked with betrayed eyes

"Dear god, don't be dramatic Arturia, it's just dancing"- replied Uther waving his hand dismissively

"It's supposed to be my birthday party! You can't turn it into one of those princess balls! I can't even dance!"- answered the woman, anger evident in her tone

"That's exactly why I'm sending you to dance classes, every respectable lady needs to know ballroom dances and with your birthday coming up I can't have you look anything but that in front of the others"

"But Father…!"

"That's enough, Arturia. You may be my heiress but I'm still in charge of Camelot and I'm still your father so whether you like it or not, you're going. I told your secretary to clean up your schedule so don't you dare tell me you're busy. For the next month all you're going to do is practice"

Those were Uther's last words before leaving the dining room.

The blonde woman left her fork besides her plate, having lost her appetite. She was always obedient when it came to her father's orders but this was one she wouldn't follow.

What was her father thinking? She had more important things to do than wasting her precious time tumbling over her own feet to some pretentious music. If he wanted to give them 'ladylike' then he could've asked Morgana.

Her green eyes closed as a frown creased her forehead. She'd have to think quickly if she wanted to get rid of the stupid dance classes.

She barely noticed the presence of one of the maids until she gently asked her if she wasn't going to eat anything else. Arturia shook her head and dismissed the maid, trying to concentrate again in any excuse she could come up with to avoid going to those classes.

She let her chin rest on top of her linked hands, her gaze fixated in a point in the wall.

"Maybe if I injure myself while fencing…"-she muttered

"Are you that desperate?"- asked an amused voice

She raised her eyes to meet the grinning face of her sister.

"So I take you've already heard"- replied Arturia annoyed

"Well, it was a matter of time, you know? If you hadn't been so adamant about wanting to focus in your studies it would've happened a lot earlier in your life. It's custom that ladies know how to dance"- replied Morgana flipping her luscious dark locks

"I'm no lady"- sulked Arturia

"All the more reason to make you take dance lessons"- continued grinning her sister

"It's such a waste of time"- complained the blonde

"It's not that bad. I took mine when we were little and I can tell you it's pretty easy. And don't say that, it won't be a waste when you get married and have to dance a waltz with your husband"

Arturia snorted then outright laughed at her sister's comment. She? Married? She wasn't even twenty! Besides, she had no time to think about men, she had a lot to do in order to become the next president of Camelot Holding.

Morgana continued telling her about the 'wonders' of dancing but the blonde was having none of it. She didn't care about the supposed benefits of it, the only thing she wanted to know was how to avoid it at all costs.

Sadly for her, her sister was even more interested in seeing Arturia taking the classes than on helping her so she was quickly dismissed by the blonde.

The green-eyed woman looked at the clock and with a sigh she got up from the chair, realizing it was time for her to go back to her duties.

She was currently helping in one of the companies under Camelot's wing to create a strategy to increase their sales and that took most of her time. She always gave her all when it came to work so she erased the thoughts about dancing from her mind, concentrating in the task at hand.

The day went by with her going to more than a few business meetings, discussing possible plans and filling paperwork.

Once she got back to her own room all she could do was loosen her tie before falling sound asleep on the bed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She cracked one eye open and looked at the sunrays shining through her window before closing it again.

She couldn't remember what had woken her up but sure as hell she wasn't going to let it ruin her sleep.

That was what she thought before a very loud knocking reached her ears.

"Come on, Arturia! You have to get up eventually!"

The blonde hid her head with the pillow and groaned.

That was Morgana's voice and that could only mean bad news.

"Open now or I will kick the door down, Arturia!"- continued yelling her sister

"FINE! I'M UP!"- she yelled back seeing that she didn't have any other options

"Finally!"- huffed Morgana looking at her before she facepalmed

"What"- asked the blonde flatly

"What? Seriously? Arturia, please don't tell me you forgot"- pleaded her sister

"Forget what?"-blinked the green-eyed woman, a bad feeling creeping in her body

"Your dance lessons"- replied Morgana sternly- "You have to be in the dance academy in less than an hour!"

"I'm not going!"- argued Arturia childishly turning away from the brunette

"Yes you are and that's final!"- answered a gruff voice instead of her sister

Both women turned around to see Uther with a pissed off expression.

"But Father…"

"I said no buts, Arturia! Now get on the damn car before I have to drag you there like when you were little!"

Before she could say anything else, Morgana was pulling her downstairs and towards the front door were a chauffeur was diligently waiting to drive her to where she needed to go. Her sister pushed her inside the car before sitting beside her, crossing her arms.

"I can't believe you're showing up to dance lessons in a business suit"- she said scrunching up her nose

"What's wrong with it?"- asked the blonde massaging her temples

"I mean…it's wrinkled and…don't tell me you slept in it"- she facepalmed again

"So what if I did"

Morgana loved her sister but that didn't mean she would stand her lack of fashion sense just for the sake of a tranquil car ride. So she gave her a harsh lecture on dress codes and how it was unthinkable that the heiress of Camelot Holding and one of the wealthiest bachelorettes in England would show up anywhere looking the way she did.

Arturia moved her hand mocking her sister's talking mouth completely uninterested in what she was saying. It wasn't like she was going to meet someone important.

And that was it for the brunette.

She launched herself against her sister and started wrestling with her in the seat like they were five year-olds.

The rest of the ride was spent with their fighting and arguing.

"We're finally here, Madam"- said the chauffeur stopping in front of a classy looking building

Arturia bit her lip when the man opened the door for her to come out

"Aren't you coming with me?"- she asked her sister that gave her a very content smirk

"No, I just came to make sure you entered the place. Don't you dare escape, I'll come pick you up later so you better be here with some new moves"- she twiddled her fingers before sending a mocking kiss flying face towards the blonde who scowled in disgust

"Ta-tah, sis!"

And with that the car was gone.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Arturia looked around the place.

It had sober decorations but still gave off a sense of luxury.

She approached the reception desk where a woman kindly explained her how to get to the classroom.

She inhaled deeply and made her way up a set of wooden stairs quickly reaching the second floor.

"Class 2-b, class 2-b"- she muttered looking at the tags outside the doors until she found it

She opened the door, suddenly feeling shy.

Inside the room was a woman with white hair, probably in her late twenties practicing some steps in front of the large mirror that covered one of the walls. Hearing the door creaked she turned around and gave the newcomer a smile. She had crimson red eyes and a gentle expression.

"Welcome"- she said, extending a hand towards her- "You must be Arturia"

"Uh…yes…"- replied the blonde self-consciously shaking her hand- "Miss…?"

"Oh just call me Irisviel!"- giggled the woman- "There's no need for such formality"

Irisviel explained her about the different ballroom dances that she was going to learn, her suave voice easing the tension that had settled in her muscles. The white-haired woman looked at the clock and sighed

"What is it?"- asked Arturia

"Oh, I'm sorry, we should've started minutes ago but the other student that was supposed to start today is running late. How about we wait five more minutes and then we start?"

As soon as she said those words the door opened rather harshly, revealing a panting man in green.

He had doubled over trying to regain his breath so all that she could see was his messy black hair but then…he raised his head and air got trapped inside her throat.

She had met a fair share of handsome men in her life but they weren't even near the one in front of her.

His face seemed painted by one of the masters of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, so exquisite were his features. His jaw was defined and masculine, his skin was terse only marked by a mole under his right eye. His nose was straight and high-bridged while his mouth was hard-cut giving him a stoic air that was somehow compensated by his full lips. And his eyes…they had the color and glimmer of molten ambers, with a subtle and charming droop that gave off a dreamy expression under the dark arch of his eyebrows. A rebel lock of hair fell from his roughly combed mane and he tried to push it back in a nervous manner.

"Excuse me for my tardiness"- he said, his voice deep and smooth- "I was caught in traffic on my way here"

Arturia could only stare at him while he talked with Irisviel, shaking her hand and excusing himself again.

She was taken by surprise when he stood in front of her offering his hand in greeting and she blushed, feeling more self-conscious than she was before. Now she felt sorry she was wearing a wrinkled suit.

"Hello, I'm Diarmuid Ua Duibhne"- he said, a small smile curving his lips

"Arturia Pendragon"- she replied in a low voice before taking his hand

The moment their skin made contact she felt an unexpected warmth form inside her and she returned his smile.

Maybe dance lessons wouldn't be so bad after all.