Shall We Dance?

As expected, even Damien couldn’t scare off the crown prince this time. He looked uncertain, glancing at his daughter, then shifted his amber eyes to search for me. I waved timidly, but cocked my head toward Oswald, indicating that I had no idea what to do.

“His highness the crown prince is actually asking Lady Lumiere for a dance?”

“How envious…just what is it that the black-haired witch has that I don’t?”

“Surely, he’s making some kind of mistake?”

“If it’s him, then I suppose the rest of us will have to back off.”

The guys and girls had different reactions, the former resigned and the latter outraged. Blatantly ignoring them, Lumiere replied with an equally formal curtsy, her head bowed humbly.

“My deepest apologies, your highness, but I already have a partner. As flattered as I am to receive your offer, I’ve already promised my first dance to someone else. I seek your understanding that I do not wish to break that promise. Perhaps, if the opportunity arises later, we can have the next dance?”

“Am I hearing that correctly?”

“She’s…refusing his highness the crown prince?”

Disbelief filled the room. There was a tic in Oswald’s jaw, and he cocked his head.

“Oho? This is the first time someone has refused me.” His eyes narrowed imperceptibly. “You say you’ve already promised your first dance to someone? Amusing. The reason I approached you is because I don’t see your partner around, and I thought it would be a massive waste to leave such a beautiful flower alone.”

“Brother.”

To everyone’s surprise, it was Leonard who came forward, with Silvia hiding behind him. He met his older brother’s gaze, his sapphire eyes steely and bearing the same unyielding authority.

“I hope you will forgive my lack of tact, but please be reminded that this is a debutante ball. The event is for us first year students of Arcana Academy to make our social debut. It is not appropriate for you to force your way into the event, especially since you already had your opportunity to shine two years ago.”

Oswald stared back silently, and for a moment, the tension between the two princes thickened so much that I felt as if I could slice through it with a knife. Fortunately, the crown prince backed down with a subtle nod.

“Very well. You certainly raise a good point, Leonard. It would be terribly unfair of me to steal the spotlight from the first years.” He made a show of looking around. “However, that only piques my interest further. Who is Lady Lumiere’s partner? To think that he would leave her alone in such a situation.”

“My deepest apologies, your highness. That would be me.”

Oswald’s eyes sharpened when they came to rest on me as I ventured forward. I swallowed, my heart pounding, but I managed a deferential bow. Forcing myself to calm down, I raised my head slightly and managed a weak smile.

“I apologize for my complete lack of decorum. I am but a humble backwater noble from the countryside, and I still have yet to fully learn the customs of the capital. I left for a bit to help myself to the magnificent feast that the academy had provided for us, and I admit that I got carried away. I offer no excuses, aside from the fact this is the first time I’ve witnessed the capital’s cuisine firsthand and I ended up being mesmerized by the sheer quantity and quality. Those of us who hail from the border provinces rarely have the opportunity to experience such luxuries, you understand.”

Lumiere took my side. “I was the one who told Sir Trevor to try the food. I wanted to share the delight in partaking in such delicacies with him. It certainly is not his fault, when I was the one who suggested he give the buffet a taste. It would be an insult to the chefs who prepared the food to not have anyone consume it.”

Oswald looked from her to me and back to her. Then he shrugged, raised his hands and retreated.

“Clearly, I’ve overstepped,” he conceded with a smile that somehow looked sinister to me. He looked at Lumiere, his expression unreadable. “If an opportunity arises later, was it? I apologize, my lady, but I’m afraid we might not have the opportunity later.”

What was that supposed to mean?

Oswald’s smile remained icy as he climbed back up the stairs. He waved dismissively. “I’ll let you juniors have your own fun, then. My apologies for disturbing.”

“Not at all, your highness. I’m the one who should apologize.”

We watched the crown prince return to the second story, and then I let out the breath I had been holding this entire time. Damn, that was nerve-wracking. However, it wasn’t over yet. There was still one more thing I had to do.

“Lady Lumiere.” I placed one hand on my chest and bowed formally. “May I have this dance?”

“Certainly.” She held her hand out, and I took it. I escorted her to the dance floor, my steps slightly shaky. I could feel butterflies in my stomach, the flutter of their wings intensifying as I felt many lines of vision converge on us. The gazes were joined by gossip.

“Of course, that bookwater noble would be the only one who can approach her.”

“Truly the black-haired demon couple.”

I was getting sick of that label. Taking a deep breath, I tried to focus on the destination. The dance floor was only a couple of steps away.

“Relax,” Lumiere whispered, tightening her grip ever so slightly. She nodded encouragingly. “Pay them no heed.”

The slow music was petering out now, the band taking a breather. Suddenly, the only sounds were hushed whispers and soft murmurs, with dance partners exchanging pleasantries or expressing their delight. Whatever their words, they all took up positions opposite each other and braced. For a second, the hall went still.

And then a faster-tempo tune played, and everyone moved. The first to dance were Leonard and Silvia, the couple taking center stage and commanding the pace with their well-practiced movements. Despite my envy at their skill, I realized I couldn’t gawk at them forever. My own partner was leading me to take up position in what was thankfully the periphery, where we wouldn’t draw as much attention as the second prince and the Saintess. Unfortunately, our black clothes still made us stand out.

“Uh, I’ll be honest,” I said, stiffly and awkwardly following Lumiere’s movements. “I actually never danced before.”

“Don’t worry. Just follow my lead.”

She nodded and pulled, subtly guiding my steps. I struggled to keep up, doing my best not to step on her toes. We swayed to the gentle beat, the first song thankfully being beginner-friendly, but I remained on my guard.

“You need to relax,” Lumiere whispered. “Don’t be so stiff.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine. Here, support me.”

She was a good teacher, and a few seconds later, I found myself being bolder as I followed in her steps, our hands linked and her whirling confidently before I caught her, albeit clumsily.

However, the transitioning tempo meant we had to alter our steps. I had no idea what to do next, but fortunately, Lumiere was a good teacher, gently tugging me toward the direction she wanted and subtly gesturing how I should move my hands. I tried to fall in rhythm with her while cautiously avoiding banging my feet against hers.

Unfortunately, my inexperience inevitably led to my downfall. As I struggled to focus on moving both hands and feet at the same time, my legs tangled with hers. Even her perfect guidance was disrupted, much in the same manner in which I dismantled a runic verse by slipping nonsensical lyrics into an otherwise immaculate esoteric structure. There was a sharp vertigo, and the next thing I knew, we were both lying in an entangled heap on the dance floor. It reminded me of that time when we clashed outside the fence surrounding the Ombre estate, but this time, instead of concern from the duke’s servants, I felt mocking gazes.

The band was so stunned that the music stopped playing for a second, but the lead was quick to improvise, and at his urging, they resumed. The other students were not as gracious, however, and scornful laughter erupted.

Surprisingly, only Leonard and Silvia didn’t laugh, the latter watching in concern. The second prince cleared his throat and tried to resume dancing, in an attempt to draw everyone’s attention back to the center, but his good intentions amounted to nothing.

It was unfortunate, but often people preferred watching downfall over triumph, perhaps because it made them feel more powerful.

“They might be a witch and a warlock, but they certainly don’t know how to dance!”

“What’s up with that performance? Is this their first time?”

“Actually, yes,” I mumbled. Hot shame flooded me, and my shoulders slumped. It was one thing to embarrass myself, but I had now dragged Lumiere into it. The mockery was directed not just at me, but also at her, and I felt guilt. Anger. If only I was more alert, if only I could dance better, if only…

But my admission only drew more contemptuous chuckles. However, they were cut short, abruptly, as if a ferocious gust had blown their guffaws away. Untangling myself from Lumiere, I glanced up and found out why.

Damien had silenced everyone with a glare. That same majestic lion had materialized, but it was much larger than before, almost filling up the entire hall. Only Oswald remained unintimidated, and now that I thought about it, he and his retinue hadn’t participated in the derision, instead remaining as inscrutable as ever as they watched. Everyone else avoided their gazes nervously, and resumed their dance or spectating.

“As expected of the Shadow Lionheart Duke,” someone among the audience muttered, just audible enough for me to overhear. “I heard he’s the power behind the throne.”

Shadow Lionheart Duke? That was the first time I had heard Damien Ombre having such a title. I couldn’t help but shudder when I sensed something, and my gaze shifted toward Oswald, whose expression had hardened ever so subtly at the comment. Obviously, the crown prince wouldn’t be pleased if anyone implied that someone had more influence than the royal family.

Still, his intimidating presence was undeniable. The air froze slightly, everyone moving stiffly and awkwardly, as if afraid he would blow up at the slightest provocation toward his daughter.

And then a single, crisp sound broke the discomfort.

“Ha ha ha…ha ha ha ha ha!”

Sitting up on the floor, Lumiere laughed. I watched her, stunned, because it was the first time I had seen her laugh so unrestrainedly and sincerely. It was a sound straight from the heart, delight at experiencing something beyond her expectations, something she had never gone through in her previous life. She was joined by a chuckle. Damien’s ferocity faded, and he grinned in amusement. Even Oswald broke into a thin smile, one that actually wasn’t as sinister as earlier. The next second, it was as if all the ice from winter had thawed, and everyone could breathe again.

I offered Lumiere my hand and pulled her to her feet, and she wiped the tears from her eyes, clutching her stomach and still laughing. She stifled a giggle and stretched her hand. “Shall we continue?”

“R…right. Sorry.”

“No need for apologies.” She smiled. “That was the most fun I had in a long, long while.”

The atmosphere had lightened considerably, and everyone was slipping back to the rhythm composed by the band. Leonard and Silvia took back the spotlight, their graceful movements commanding everyone’s attention once more, and I was more than happy to relinquish the limelight to them. Even Damien had relaxed, his scowl giving way to a smile as he watched his daughter enjoy herself. I glanced at him, wondering if he was furious at my slipup, but thankfully, he seemed satisfied at the moment.

The music reached its peak, the band playing as if an awkward pause had never occurred in between, and we entered the final stage of the first dance. My movements were still clumsy and awkward, but I was determined not to fall this time, and I did my best to keep up with Lumiere’s gentle but firm guidance. Fortunately, there were no further accidents, and we finished the first dance with what I hoped was at least a passing grade.

I breathed a sigh of relief when the music stopped and separated from my partner, vaguely aware of every other couple doing something similar around us. It took me a second to realize the next step – the guys bowing to the girls – and I hastily lowered my head. Lumiere, like the other ladies, responded with a curtsy. A second later, the watching adults in the second-story gallery applauded, along with the audience who had not participated. It was almost as if everyone had forgotten my little debacle earlier.

“Phew…”

My face still burning with embarrassment, I followed Lumiere and the other students off the dance floor. The band was taking another short break before they began playing a second, lively tune. This time, new couples formed, though a few who had taken part in the first dance were happy to give a go again. I noticed that many students swapped partners, but once again, any other guy bold enough to approach Lumiere were scared away by the looming Damien.

“That was fun,” Lumiere said as she returned to her spot beside her intimidating father. Damien beamed at her, and when she twirled to watch the second round of dancers, he leaned to whisper to me.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen Lumi laugh so happily and unrestrainedly, since Diane’s passing.” He patted my shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Uh…I screwed up, though. I should have learned how to dance beforehand.”

“You misunderstand.” Damien shook his head. “What’s important isn’t how perfectly you dance, but how much you enjoy yourself.”

“…eh?”

“In other words, Lumi’s happiness stems not from how well her performance is, but who is in her company.” He patted my shoulder. “I’ll be counting on you again in the future.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Anyway, don’t just stop at one dance.” He gave me a little push. “The night is still young. Make sure to enjoy your youth while you still can.” He winked. “There’s still the midnight segment after this!”

“The…midnight segment?” I blinked, puzzled. Damien nodded and grinned.

“Didn’t you know? Arcana Academy’s debutante balls have always been organized like this. The formal segment in the evening for young nobles to make their social debut…and then a segment after midnight for all the student mages to go wild.”