There was no doubt in her mind that he would always support her, even when it came down to the stress that came with choosing a dance partner. He always gave her the confidence boost that she needed and with a striking clarity she hadn’t had since the start of the ball, Elena realized the first dance wasn’t the end all be all. 

Taking a needed calming breath, Elena gravitated toward Mateo with a demure smile.

“Mateo de Alva, Master Wizard of Avalor, would you do me the honor of taking my hand for a dance?”

He bowed automatically after years of learning how to perform for formal affairs and looked back up at her with slightly wide eyes and a flushed face. 

“What are you doing?” he mumbled through a smile, trying not to look like she was crazy for choosing to pick him over the many suitors in the room.

Elena returned the gesture with a small curtsy of her own and held out her hand to him.

“I couldn’t decide,” she said, gritting through her teeth. She looked up at him, pleading for him to understand. “Please?” She said softly.

Mateo swallowed but took her outstretched hand. “It would be a pleasure, My Queen.”

A warmth spread from their touching fingers all the way up her arm, even through her glove. She was never going to get used to her best friend calling her Queen and the formality of it all made her a little giddy. She was incredibly grateful for his friendship. He always let her lead, even if he didn’t agree, and she knew he would always be by her side to look out for her. 

Once they made it to the center of the floor, Mateo put his hand on her hip and gripped her hand in his. Elena smiled as they began to waltz. It was quite formal and a little unnerving having everyone watch them perform but once a few bars of music had played, the other members of the ball began to join them. 

Elena took a sigh of relief.

“You know,” he said softly, trying not to give away that he was talking at all. “People are going to think you’ve gone crazy.” 

Elena chuckled.

“I don’t think I’m the smartest choice to start off this ball.” He said with a small frown.

“I wouldn’t say dancing with the Master Wizard of Avalor is anything to scoff at.” Elena said with a smirk. “And not when he can dance so well.”

Mateo flushed but shook his head. 

“Elena,” he warned. “You were supposed to choose a suitor.”

“I know, I know!” She said with a huff. “I just couldn’t decide, okay! There’s too many people and it’s stressful and such a big decision.” 

Moving her hands to link around his neck she buried her face in his shoulder slightly, hiding from her embarrassment. The hard knots of tension gradually built up into her shoulders again. She knew the gravity of the night and it didn’t make it any better when her friend told her the same thing. But she also knew that despite the formalities, she could always express herself freely to her friend without fear of ridicule. 

“I’m just overwhelmed.” She said, her breath a little shallow at the idea. “This night is so important for not only my own future but the future of my kingdom.”

“Hey,” Mateo said and his tone had completely changed from scolding to a familiar soothing rhythm. He nudged her with his shoulder and she looked up at him with a slight frown. “It’s alright. All the stress you feel will eventually go away. You’re dancing now, that’s all that matters, and everything’s going to work out in the end.”  

With a shaking breath, Elena released the tension and began to breathe normally. Slowly she started to smile again.

“There’s our Elena that lights up a room.”

Elena laughed and it felt like the whole world of problems she had been dreading had fallen to the side. With only a few words, Mateo had lifted her spirits. She was sure no one else would have easily been able to comfort her.

“Thanks, Mateo.” She said softly. 

Amo a estos dos uwu