The Grand Banquet [LEON]

The Marquis announces that there will be a grand banquet for his youngest’s birthday. Many nobles would be invited. The Mansion would be lively. It was in the coming month.

Leon was also on the sidelines, listening to this. He had made himself like a part of the marquis household. Nobody questioned his presence.

After the announcement was over, Leon was heading towards his room.

But he is approached by Noel. “Leon…”

“Huh? Noel. What’s up this late?”

“The thing is that I want you to be my partner in the coming ceremony”

Leon is a bit taken aback and we can clearly see a blush on his face, “Huh? Me?”

Noel in a slightly serious tone, “Actually my brother’s birthday party could probably have another motive”

Leon raises an eyebrow, “Another motive, what are you talking about?”

Noel, “My father probably thinks that I’m already at age now. So, with the excuse of a birthday party, he wants to find me a partner. A fiancé.”

Leon's heart sank as he heard this. Their bond had grown to the point that Leon was unconsciously in love with her.

Noel, “Therefore, I want you to be my partner.”

Leon flustered and again had a blush on his face after hearing that “Me as a partner?” He is confused “But how can I? You’ve barely known me for months, and I’m not sure what your father would say-”

Noel realizes Leon’s misunderstanding and interrupts with a slight blush, “Huh? I was implying towards dance partner. I never said a life partner” then she adds on with a soft voice, “though I wouldn’t mind if it is you”

Leon doesn’t hear the last part. Noel is still blushing.

Leon barely composes himself, “Dance partner? Hahaha. I’m sorry I misunderstood but you were being too vague”

An awkward silence, both are blushing.

Leon breaks the silence, “But I’m not really familiar with Noble’s dance styles or stuff”

Then, a maid emerges from behind Noel,

“Master Leon, you don’t have to worry about that, our head maid will strictly imbue the essence of elegant nobles couple dance into you”

Leon is a bit taken aback, “Huh? Strictly? But even so-”

Maid interrupts, “Master Leon, please. This would probably determine the fate of young lady Noel.”

Leon, “Huh? Is it really that deep?”

Maid calls out Noel, “Young lady Noel”

Noel is still in her own fantasy after Leon misunderstood it for a life partner. She is still not out of it.

“Young Lady Noel” a bit louder this time.

Noel is back to reality, “Huh? Huh? What?” flustered with a blush on her face, she couldn’t look straight at Leon’s face.

So, she turns back and runs away holding her composure, “Goodnight Leon, I hope you help me” She runs away.

Leon, “Ah, Noe-” But she has already run away.

Maid, “Master Leon, your practice will start tomorrow” She bids her farewell and goes away.

Leon, “Dance huh? I guess I can at least do that much for Noel as she has been doing so many things for me”

He goes to his room and closes the door.

He takes out his sword and, “Then shall we get started, red-eyed shadow.”

Yes, as usual. The red eyed appears and Leon’s world is filled with darkness later waking up to his own world.

Even after months, he couldn’t find the answers to this mysterious phenomenon.

His day goes as usual and at night, he returns to the dream. Leon’s dance practice starts.

The head maid was an older woman with a gentle smile on her face. However, that pleasant demeanor was a trap.

With a cane in her hand, she corrected every mistake with ruthless precision.

"Step to the left, not to the right, Master Leon!" Whack!

"No slouching! Keep your back straight!" Whack!

"Elegance, Master Leon! Nobles do not stomp about like barbarians!"

Whack!

Leon’s perseverance was driven not just by duty, but by something far more personal.

He also continued his training with the estate knights. His strength and abilities were increasing day by day.

Fun interaction with Noel was gradually increasing their relationship in a romantic way.

At night, he clashed with the red-eyed shadow only to wake up in his world.

This way, a month passed and the day of the banquet arrived.

The Redlaw mansion was alive with splendor.

Golden chandeliers bathed the hall in a warm glow, their crystal reflections dancing upon the polished marble floors. The scent of aged wine, rich delicacies, and fragrant flowers filled the air, mingling with the murmur of aristocrats engaging in polite yet calculated conversations.

And then...she arrived.

Noel.

Descending from the grand staircase, she stole the breath of the entire hall.

She was dressed in an elegant blue gown, the rich fabric shimmering under the golden light, embroidered with silver threads that resembled the stars. Her hair, usually tied back for practicality, was styled in soft, cascading waves, and adorned with small pearls that glimmered like dewdrops.

She was stunning.

Youngest Redlaw’s celebration begins. He also is very happy because of the lively environment. The banquet is in progress as everybody is enjoying themselves.

As Noel was chatting with other young noble ladies.

Several noble young men approach her for a chance to dance with her. They wanted her to be their dance partner.

"Lady Noel, may I have the honor of this dance?"

"You are the jewel of the evening, my lady. Surely, a dance with me would be most fitting."

Noel sighed inwardly, preparing to reject them as politely as possible.

Then behind the noble men, appeared a young gentleman. Elegant and handsome. Jet black hair and a refined suit.

It’s Leon. He doesn’t fall behind any other nobles.

Noel is surprised by such an alluring look of Leon thinking that this was something new. She is mesmerized. A slight blush on her face. She is attracted to Leon.

Leon, “Young Lady, Noel”. He bows down like a proper noble gentleman. The head maid had properly taught him noble etiquette along with dance.

"Would you do me the honor of this dance?"

Heart bumped. Noel is blushing. Even other noble ladies are attracted to such a gentleman. Noel takes his hand. Other noble young men backed off.

Leon led her to the dance floor.

Their movements were flawless. Each step was a perfect match. Every turn, every motion was seamless.

It was not just a dance. It was a conversation without words.

A symphony of unspoken emotions.

Noel’s breath hitched as Leon’s grip around her waist tightened slightly. He guided her through the steps with perfect confidence, his touch was both firm and gentle.

Leon spun her, his eyes never leaving hers.

Noel’s heart raced.

She could feel the heat of his hand against her skin, the way his gaze held her captive.

The murmurs of admiration from the onlookers faded into nothing.

All she could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat.

The dance came to an end with a final, elegant twirl.

Leon pulled her close.

Their faces are inches apart.

For a brief second, neither of them moved.

Neither of them breathed.

Then, a thunderous applause erupted around them.

The nobles marveled.

But neither Leon nor Noel noticed.

Because at that moment...they were still lost in each other’s gaze.

The banquet continued and the environment was lively.

But after such an elegant and romantic dance, both Leon and Noel were nowhere to be found among the people.

Then, the scenario changes to the balcony of the mansion where both of the stood gazing at the moon and holding their hands.

They were lost in the moment. Both had a gentle smile and blush in their face as they looked towards each other.

"You know…" Noel mused, tilting her head slightly, "You look really different today."

Leon, “Different, do you not prefer me like this?” in a teasing way.

Noel, “Mm-Hmm, I like this one a lot”

A quiet laugh escaped him, warm and genuine. "Oh? Should I remain like this forever then?"

Noel chuckled, swaying slightly, "You don’t need to change anything. I…" she hesitated for the briefest moment before continuing, "I like you just as you are."

Leon stilled. His heart clenched. He knew it now.

This warmth that spread through his chest, this quiet ache whenever she smiled at someone else, the way his world seemed brighter with her in it...it had always been love.

Then, Noel took a step closer.

Leon didn’t move away.

Neither of them spoke.

Their fingers, still intertwined, tightened ever so slightly.

The moonlight bathed their faces, highlighting the soft flush of crimson on their cheeks.

Subconsciously, instinctively, inevitably. Their bodies leaned toward each other, drawn together by something neither could resist.

Noel’s fingers trembled in his grasp.

Leon’s heartbeat pounded so fiercely that he was sure she could hear it.

And then...

Their lips met….