Demon's Rehearsal

Golden orange light filtered in through the wide windows of the quiet classroom. Lilac stood facing the wooden podium at the front of the room where the teacher would give instruction. Footprints echoed behind Lilac. She spun around to see Alan entering from the door on the far side of the room, his eyes downcast with unease.

“Glad you decided to come,” she smiled.

“I had to mull it over for a long time before I made the decision,” he replied, lifting his gaze to meet Lilac’s. His face basked in the orange glow, enhancing his chiseled physique that made Lilac’s heart flutter. “So, um… What do we do?”

“I’m going to teach you my favorite dance. Have you heard of Luther’s Waltz before?”

Alan shook his head. “I know vaguely what a waltz is from my family, but I’ve never heard of that one in particular.”

“I learned it from a romance novel I read in the past,” she said.

“Wait, a book taught you how to dance?!” The look of discomfort evolved into alarm.

“Yep! It took me a long time to perfect it. Don’t worry, Alan. With me as your teacher, we’re going to kill it on the dance floor!”

“What have I gotten myself into…” He sighed. “Alright. How do we do this dance?”

“Well first…” Lilac closed the gap between them with a couple steps, positioning herself directly in front of him. Her heart pounded in her chest as she gazed up at him from below.

His eyes returned her gaze. From this angle, there was no denying it–Alan was the cool, mysterious, yet handsome noble type that Lilac drooled over in her books.

“Now reach to the side with your right arm like this…” She extended her arm and waited for Alan to copy her motion. Then she intertwined her fingers with his.

Alan flinched at her touch, almost tearing his hand away from hers.

“This is part of the form,” she informed him.

“S-sorry. I just wasn’t expecting it…”

“That’s okay. You haven’t done this before.” His hand was warm against hers, and perspiration already spread over his palm. “Now put your other hand here…” She tapped her hip with her free hand.

Alan gulped and slowly stretched his hand forward until it rested on the spot she had touched, light as a leaf that had just fallen. “L-like this?”

Lilac gave a firm nod. “Just like that.” To complete the form, she rested her hand on his shoulder. Her body was hyperaware of his touch, and a heat matching that of their clasped hands filled her cheeks.

Neither of them were used to being this close to someone. For a moment, they stared into each other’s eyes, unsure what to do next.

Click. The door burst open and a girl barged in, frantically scanning the room. “Where is it…?” Her eyes rested on Lilac and Alan, who had sprung apart at the first sound of intrusion and were now staring at the ceiling with their backs to each other.

“Oh, I’m not interrupting something, am I? I’m sorry, I’m just looking for…” She spotted a salmon colored purse sitting on the ground, leaning against a desk. “Ah, I found it!” The girl rushed to pick up her bag and sprinted back out of the room. “Please continue as if I was never here!”

Lilac breathed out a long, shaky breath. “A-are you ready to continue…?”

“Yeah, s-sure…” He took a deep breath and turned to face Lilac. A moment later, they were back in the position they broke from, their bodies inches apart.

“The first set of steps is quite simple. Take one step to the left, then another step back…” Lilac guided him through the dance one step at a time. “Ow!” She winced in response to Alan stepping on her foot. “Your step was a little long.”
“Sorry,” he apologized.

“It’s okay. Everyone makes mistakes,” she grinned. “Let’s just practice this part for a little bit. Sound good?”

Alan gave his approval in the form of a nod.

“By the way, Alan… I don’t actually know that much about you. Could you share some of your story with me?”

He glanced away for a second. In that short time frame, he accidentally stepped on Lilac’s toes again.

“Ow,” she breathed.

“S-sorry. This is a little new for me.”

“Please don’t feel like you need to apologize every time,” she said. “You’re doing good for a first timer.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. You’re doing good,” she gave him a reassuring smile.

“Thank you,” he said. After a deep breath, he continued. “To answer your question, I come from a loving family. My father took pride in teaching me various things from swordfighting to managing the domain, and mother was always looking after me.”

“Do you have any siblings?” Lilac asked as they turned to dance in another direction.

“No, it’s just me.”

“Same here!” Lilac beamed with glee. “My parents wanted more kids but they were stuck with just me,” she giggled. “What was it like when you found out you were the hero?”

“To be honest, I wasn’t surprised when I was declared the hero. I’ve always felt like I was special, and I could wield more powerful magic than anyone else my age. But my family was elated,” he recounted.

“I bet! I think you’ve got the hang of this part down, shall we move to the next portion?”

“Let’s do it,” he agreed. They stopped the movements of their feet for instruction.

“Okay, so now raise the hand that’s holding mine above your head,” she directed.

“Like this?” Alan pulled her hand higher into the air until it was as high as she could reach.

“Yes, that’s good. Then I do this…” She let go of his shoulder and spun herself in a circle using his hand as an anchor. “Pull me into your arms using the same hand.”

Alan obeyed, using his hand to pull her closer. She continued spinning while she was being guided toward Alan’s chest and then turned the tables on him, leading him to twirl away to keep their distance.

Gradually, the golden light from outside shifted to a violet and then a deep blue as they danced the evening away. Over the few hours they spent practicing, and many steps on Lilac’s toes later, Alan eventually got the hang of the waltz.

“I think that’s enough for tonight,” Lilac said. It was becoming increasingly difficult to see her partner and their surroundings. Only the dim light of moonlight now poured into the room. “You’re a quick learner!”

“You’re a good teacher,” he countered.

Pink colored her cheeks. “I don’t know about that…”

“I’m impressed you learned that from a book,” Alan praised.

“T-that’s enough compliments,” Lilac looked away from Alan and twirled a strand of hair around her finger. The pink on her face turned red as a cherry.

Alan shrugged. “Thanks for helping me out with this dance. Would you like me to escort you back to the dorms?”

“That would be great, thank you. Sorry for taking up your entire evening,” she dipped her head in apology.

“Don’t worry about it. I enjoyed it.” Alan turned to leave and waited for Lilac before heading out of the classroom.

Lilac’s heart fluttered within her. “I did, too. I’m looking forward to the ball.”

“The ball…” Alan stared blankly ahead as they walked, lost in thought for a second. “Normally, I’m not one for big events. But for some reason… I’m feeling good about this one.”

“Oh? Why’s that?” Lilac leaned forward, intrigued to hear his response. Her heart leaned with her, hoping his answer included her.

“I’m not sure exactly. But after tonight, something tells me I’ll have a good time.”

“I feel the same way,” she smiled. “By the way, is there anything unique about the Plumrose Ball other than being dedicated to the Goddess of Love?”

“If I recall, it’s pretty much a normal ball, except it’s supposed to be presided over by a female member of the royal family.”

“Is that to represent the goddess’s avatar?”

“Probably,” he said. “Also, all attendees are given a plumrose bud to wear. One couple will be blessed by the goddess, and their plumroses will blossom.”

“Blessed how?”

“Blessed with a successful relationship full of love and happiness. At least, that’s what I’ve heard. I’ve never been to one in person, so I could be wrong on a couple points.” He stopped in front of the academy’s doors and opened the way for Lilac to cross before him.

“That sounds like something I’d read about in a romance novel,” she giggled. “I wonder who will be blessed this year?” She stopped on the path in front of the academy and shivered. The air had an unusual bitterness to it tonight.

“Who knows?”

Beneath the moonlight, the two started down the path that led to the girls’ dormitory. Lilac subconsciously took a step closer to Alan, brushing her arm against his. “What if… the goddess chooses us?”

“That won’t happen,” his reply came in an instant. “She’ll likely pick someone who’s already in a relationship.”

Lilac lowered her gaze. She felt it before and she knew it now: she wanted to be with Alan. Her heart dances when she’s with him. “Theoretically, if it did happen… What would you do?”

Alan glanced at her through the corner of his eyes. Seeing her solemn expression sent a shockwave of surprise through him. “Well if that were to happen… I would take that as a sign.”

‘Please choose us, goddess! Please choose us, goddess! PLEASE choose us, goddess!’ The thought ran through her mind. “Alan, um… Do you mind if we spend some more time together before the ball?”

“Sure, I don’t mind hanging out with you,” he said.

“N-no, not that.” Lilac stopped next to a blooming bush of reds and yellows among the green. Her heart pounded within her as she struggled to summon the courage to ask the question in a more direct manner. “Would you like to go on a date with me?”