Always believe in your soul

The sun sets, and the moon ushers in the feast. The ballroom is filled with illustrious guests. I have always read of galas and aristocratic gatherings in books, seen them in television dramas, but I never imagined I would truly find myself in such a place. It feels like living inside a dream. What’s more, the hall’s architecture is remarkable—its coffered ceiling, gilded with painted trim, creates perfect acoustic isolation.

Laila and Nadia look as though they have stepped straight out of a painting, flawless in their Victorian gowns. “I’m pleased with the result; until now I’ve never had the chance to practice on anyone. But still…” I glance down at my own clothes. “I haven’t had the time to put myself in order. The servants could have stopped calling for us; their insistence was maddening.”

Laila covers her mouth with her hand and looks at me with superiority. «Oh ho ho, I didn’t think this gala admitted commoners.»

«Shut up! You could have at least tried to dress yourself instead of leaving everything to me… Wait—you could have used magic to put it on!» I exclaim, giving her a headbutt.

«And where would the fun be in that?» she replies with a mischievous smile.

«Maybe in not looking like the grown-up version of Oliver Twist!»

«You’re hopeless. Instead of complaining, why don’t you move and ask someone to dance? Or are you waiting to be invited?»

«That outfit is hardly fit for a reception.» The rebuke of a man catches our attention.

«And who the hell are you, you son of a—» I turn, and my mood shifts at once. «Kenji!»

«Good evening, Nero-san, ladies.» he greets, bowing.

«That kuromontsuki is amazing.»

«Thank you.» he nods, a contained smile on his lips.

«Good evening—it’s been quite some time.» says a woman in an irouchikake as she joins the conversation.

«Hasami!» Nadia exclaims, throwing her arms around her.

«How come you’re here?» I ask, confused.

«She is my wife.» Kenji replies. «But how did you meet each other?»

She turns to him. «Dear, this is the little girl with the unruly hair I told you about.»

Kenji looks at Nadia, stroking his chin. «I see. Remembering how she once was, I must say you’ve done a remarkable job.» He meets the child’s gaze, allowing a fuller smile. «Well done. You look quite lovely with that cut.»

Nadia beams so widely it borders on a grimace. «Thanks, Søren chose it.»

«Excuse me,» Laila adds, stepping closer, «we haven’t been introduced. I’m Laila.»

«A pleasure, I am Hasami.» she replies with a graceful bow. The girls drift slightly aside, chatting amiably. Kenji turns back to me, his expression more serious. «Nero-san,» he begins, lowering his voice so others cannot overhear, «I have never seen powers like yours. With which god have you made a pact, and what powers has he granted you?»

His question takes me off guard. «My powers are not the gift of any god. Let’s say… they come from my will to protect something—or someone.»

Kenji studies me, a smile escaping him. «Fascinating,» he murmurs. «Yours is a noble strength. Then you are one with innate power, just as I am.»

“Better to remain cautious about Laila’s true nature.” «What exactly do you mean?»

«I am an ōryū. You have already seen my abilities firsthand.»

«In what other forms can you transform?» I ask, intrigued.

«Only in the one before you now, and the one in which I saved you.» “Shame I can barely recall it—just a blur.”

A smile forms on my lips. «I understand. I look forward to beginning training.»

He smiles as well. «As do I. But do not rush. For true technique, one needs time and patience.»

«Now, if you will excuse me, I’d like to spend some time with my wife.»

«Of course, go ahead,» I reply. With a nod, he returns to her, leaving me with only the murmur of the ball in the background.

«Hello.» I hear a voice and turn toward it. Amid all the colorful gowns and elaborate hairstyles, the girl before me stands out in her black dress of velvet and lace, her dark hair in disarray. «I’m Liliane. Would you like to dance?» she asks, offering her lace-gloved hand.

I don’t even have the chance to answer before Laila jabs me twice in the ribs. «See? In the end, the chance presented itself—now take it and live out your princess fantasy.» “Why would a girl like her, who looks like a work of art, want to dance with someone like me?” Laila, impatient, pats me on the back, shoving me toward the girl. «Move it, and stop hesitating!»

Liliane looks at me with a sweet smile that widens, crinkling her nose, where four piercings are linked by a delicate chain. «Come on, let’s go!» she exclaims, pulling me with her into the crowd.

«Laila!» I cry, eyes wide.

«Yes, yes, I get it!» she answers with a smile, walking off with Nadia. “Wretch!”

«Is she your girlfriend?» the gothic girl asks.

«N-no, she’s a friend.» I stammer, heat flooding my face.

«I see,» she replies, a playful glimmer in her dark eyes. «She must be a good friend, if she pushes you toward new experiences.»

I realize the crowd has melted away around us. Looking about, I notice all eyes are on us. Some hide their mouths, whispering behind their hands. We stop in the center of the hall, and I glance at her nervously. «I’m not much of a dancer.» I murmur.

«Don’t worry—I’ll guide you.» she whispers. She places my right arm firmly at her waist, over the corset reinforced with leather straps, while her left hand rests delicately in mine.

The music begins, and Liliane leads me across the floor. After a few minutes, something catches her attention, making her laugh. «The new conductor is good.»

As we turn with the steps, I see him—or rather, I see her. «Laila,» I sigh.

«She’s good. I’ve never heard a melody so serene, romantic, and frantic all at once.»

«That’s the Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22.»

«You know it?»

«Yes—it comes from the place I call home.»

She smiles at me. «You’re an interesting one.» she says, glancing around. With one hand she gathers up the long skirt that nearly brushes the floor. «Come!» She takes off running, dragging me with her, and snatches a canapé from a tray as we slip out of the hall. Our footsteps echo in the castle’s empty corridors. We don’t stop running until we burst into the marvelous English garden at the back.

Breathless, we collapse against the trunk of a tree that resembles a willow. «Why did we come out here?» I ask, catching my breath.

«It seemed you were uncomfortable among all those wigs.»

«Ah… thank you.» As I lift my gaze, I see her tying the front of her skirt up above her knees, revealing torn fishnet stockings and tall black leather boots. My face grows hot. «What are you doing?» I ask, trying to sound calm.

«Do you find it too indecent?» she teases, tucking a strand of hair—pierced with an industrial bar—behind her ear.

«No, no, not at all.»

«Good. Otherwise, I’d have to ask my father to have your head cut off.»

«What?» I ask, bewildered.

«Relax, I’m joking. I’m not that kind of princess.» she says, leaning forward slightly with her hands clasped behind her back.

«Wait—you’re the princess?!»

Liliane bursts into restrained laughter. «Yes. Does it really surprise you?» she asks, her pale face lit by a smile.

«I… I don’t know what to say,» I stammer, still stunned. «It’s just… strange. You’re not the typical princess whose only gifts are smiling and being beautiful.» “Truth be told, I didn’t even know the king had a daughter.”

«I hope that’s a good thing,» she replies with a laugh, her eyes locking onto mine.

«Y-yes, of course…» I mutter, fumbling for the words.

She giggles softly, her gaze drifting to the crystal-clear lake before us. She sits gracefully on the grass, and I lower myself beside her. «Today I saw you leave dressed to the nines. You looked just like one of those stiff-necked aristocrats.»

«Ah, really?» I answer, slightly embarrassed.

«Yes. When the butler saw me watching you from the window, he told me who you were. At first, you didn’t seem all that interesting.»

«I hope that’s not still the case.»

She laughs lightly behind her black-painted lips. «Not at all.»

«What made you change your mind?»

«Seeing you dash out of the carriage in such a rush with the child in your arms, dressed the way you are now. I couldn’t help laughing, wondering what might have happened.»

The moon reflects across the water’s surface, laying down a trembling silver carpet. The distant noise of the feast fades away, replaced by the murmur of the wind and the rustle of the leaves. We sit in silence for a while, savoring the peace of the moment. She rests her head on my shoulder, her curious eyes fixed on me.

We talk for hours, and time seems to vanish.