Chapter 3

"You're not wearing that," Rui said as soon as Keira left her room.

"Why not?" Keira adjusted her cleaned armour.

"Because you're going as a guest and esteemed hero, not as a guard."

"Tch."

"And don't do that either! Are you trying to get us in trouble?" Rui complained and rounded her, gripping her shoulders from behind. "Come on, you need dancing clothes."

"But I can't dance, anyway."

"Right... I forgot about that. Considering you're so light on your feet, you'd think you could manage one dance without stepping on someone..." He pushed her into her room. "But that doesn't matter; you'll have to. Just make sure they can handle it without making a scene."

"So... you?"

"No, thank you. I don't want to wear heavy shoes to protect my feet from you after coming back from an expedition, and I have my eye on a lady I know will show up. Sorry, but you'll have to manage without me this time."

Keira cursed him under her breath. If they want me to be an Ice Queen, then why do they want me to dance? Just leave me alone for once. Isn't battling demons to save the kingdom enough? "How about I say I'm not feeling well and stay in my room all night? Everyone wins that way."

"Considering the king sees you as his most esteemed guest and wishes to honour you, I don't think you'll get away with that without facing consequences."

"Maybe it'd be worth it..."

"Please go to it, and in appropriate attire. If you don't show, it'll probably be my neck on the line, and you wouldn't do that to me, would you?"

Ugh...

"Here, I'll even choose something for you to wear. I don't want to waste more time as you come out in more battle gear," he mumbled the last part to himself. He pushed past her to her walk-in closet full of clothes she rarely used and flung it open. "Now, what would be a good colour for you?"

---

"Let me guess, you were trying to match my eyes?" Keira asked as Rui escorted her to the palace ballroom, decorated to the hilt with gold and red silks, with a crowd of people dressed in their best noble attire.

What a waste of time and money. Why do I protect this palace again?

Two kids ran by in front of them, laughing as they rushed to eat cake.

Oh, right. Her gaze softened. For the innocent ones.

"Everyone!" King Shun drew the crowd's attention. "The guest of honour and our heroes have arrived. Miss. Sakurai and Mr. Rione!" He motioned for them to come to the front before his throne and clapped, with the crowd following suit.

Always a big spectacle.

Keira and Rui approached the steps in front of the king and bowed.

"Thank you for the celebration, Your Majesty," Rui said.

"It is an honour to have you two here, protecting our kingdom. Now dance, eat, and be merry. And Keira, my beautiful hero in a stunning dress." Shun descended the stairs and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I've invited some... eligible bachelors, and I'm hoping one of them will catch your eye. You deserve a good husband, and it'd be a bonus if it connects us to one of our neighbouring kingdoms." He winked at her.

Is he trying to marry me off now? Who does he think he is? Scratch that, the king can do almost anything he wants. Ugh... Maybe if I step on their feet, they'll all retreat. Keira sighed, her eyes sweeping along the line of fancy men dressed in colourful coats.

They each held their hands over their hearts and bowed to her one after another.

The man in green at the end with shaggy brown hair, wearing a masquerade mask, caught her attention.

Is that who I think it is?

He stood up straight from his bow, and his green eyes locked with hers.

It is. Is he crazy? At least he wasn't captured, but to come back here... And what's with the mask? It's not a masquerade party. Did he think I wouldn't know it was him? Sure hope not, or he's severely underestimating me. Wait, if he's in this line-up, then is he a noble of some sort?

"Keira?" Shun motioned to them again. "Please choose a dance partner for the night. Or if you want, you can test them each out."

He doesn't know when to zip it.

Keira slowly walked down the line, staring at each one of them carefully. They offered awkward smiles as they tried not to shake.

Why come for this if you're afraid of me?

When she came across Aki, he stared straight into her eyes and smiled. She stepped towards him, purposely stepping on his toes, but he didn't flinch.

Interesting.

"Oh, so you've chosen Akihiro of the Hanazawa family?" Shun asked, watching her, and nodded. "Mild-mannered, but from an influential family. Good choice." He clapped and waved the others away. "Have some fun, Keira." He patted her back and turned to find someone to dance with himself.

Aki bowed again and took her hand, kissing the back of it. "Thank you for giving me a chance." He held her hand and pulled her close, his other hand shaking on her waist.

"Couldn't help but be curious about the man crazy enough to come back to the palace after breaking into it. Never mind lining up as one of them, right in front of me." Quite the audacity for someone who seems to fear me. But he does stare straight into my eyes... and I can't say the same for most people. "Sorry, but I'm a horrible dancer, and your feet may not survive."

"I planned for that, and I assure you I will be okay. Trust me to lead, and we'll do fine. I won't make it obvious," he whispered into her ear.

How is he shaking and acting all confident at the same time? It's kinda cute. Like a baby tiger cub. She fought to hide her mouth quirking up on one side.

It happened.

She stepped on his foot.

But he kept going as if he didn't feel it.

Guess he was ready for it.

Despite her efforts to focus on the dance, she stepped on his feet a few more times.

He probably thinks all of it is on purpose by now... Ugh. She could feel eyes on them, watching her every mistake.

"Just relax and let me lead," he whispered into her ear. "It'll flow easier if you trust me."

Rich. That's easier said than done. She took a deep breath, and he pulled her closer, flush against him. What's that? His heart's beating like mad, and yet his steps are flawless. She glanced at his face, and her eyes widened. That mask isn't enough to hide how red his face is. She held back a laugh.

Ridiculous... and weirdly endearing. Geez, I must be tired. She shook her head.

"Are you okay? The dance is almost over," he whispered.

"I'm fine."

He chuckled. "I wish I could believe that, but you're highly unreliable when it comes to your own health. Just hold on a bit longer, and we can excuse ourselves for some fresh air."

Sounds perfect to me.

The song ended. They both stepped back and bowed to each other.

Aki stood tall and offered his arm, glancing at Shun, who was still watching.

Oh, he'll probably try to get me to dance with more if I don't attach myself to Aki... What a pain.

She took his arm, and he escorted her through the crowd, now dancing to a new song, to the balcony beside the drinks table.

Once they were outside in the cool, crisp air, she rushed up to the railing and took a deep breath as she gazed at the stars in the night sky. "I love this time of night. I'd much rather be frolicking in the fountain down below than back in there, dancing."

Aki smiled as he watched her. "Doesn't surprise me. This doesn't seem like your type of thing."

She glared back at him. "I know I chose you back there, but I can't help but wonder if you're a stalker, since you seem to know so much about me."

Aki cringed and looked away. "I'm sorry if it feels that way. You have people that are fans and watch everything you do, and I hear them talking about you, and I've seen you both when you set out and when you return... plus random passings in the street. And..." He leaned on the railing beside her. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable or overstepped again."

"Ha... You need to stop apologizing so much. The first one was enough." She smirked. "And you saved me back there, from having to choose another random man to dance with. Although I'd have to say, I barely know you better than them. I wasn't expecting you to be a nobleman, honestly."

"Not a title that really matters to me, though it can come in handy, opening doors."

Suddenly, a burst of light erupted into the sky, and a shockwave of energy hit them, nearly knocking Aki over.

"W-was that...?"

"A seal breaking? Yes. I have to fix it." Keira pulled a dagger out from under her dress and cut off the bottom to make it easier to run. "Tell the king I'm on it." She hopped over the railing and took off running towards the stables.

"But..." He clenched his fists. "I should be helping..."