Soon, all the poetry recitation and performances were over.
Several candlesticks were lit by the members of the book club. There was an almost immediate shift in mood from coziness to vibrant in the hall. With the glowing flames accompanied by lively music, the party was in full swing.
The students’ once serious and calm expression as they watched the performances were replaced by joyful exuberance as they led their partners to the dance floor.
Rosé Millard was no exception.
“Are you really not going to dance?” Rosé turned to Felix, who sat in the corner of the table, sipping an apple cider. “Why did you come here with me if you’re not going to dance?”
“Just to enjoy literature,” Felix responded gently, contrasting Rosé’s anger.
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“You asked to escort me in the first place.”
“And you promised, when you accepted my invitation, that you won’t force me to dance.”
Rosé grumbled in silence at Felix’s rebuttal. She didn’t really expect him to refuse to dance with her.
“Are you really going to be like this?” Rosé stared at him fiercely. It was understandable that she was so angry. She was planning to use Felix tonight to be featured on the gossip paper at least once more.
For her, gaining fame and attention from people is more important than anything else. The Prince of Berg, who was the most significant tool in the plan, did not move as she wanted, so she was furious.
Several male students snooping around cast glances at them as Rosé’s voice rose. Felix realized they wanted to ask Rosé to dance.
“Even if it’s not me, there seem to be a lot of men who want to dance with you,” Felix said, peeking at the boys who were talking behind Rosé. Rosé had a quick look and turned to him again. Felix’s attitude seemed firm, determined to never dance.
Rosé bit her lip. “You,” she exhaled coldly. “Instead, be sure to escort me when we leave the hall until I go back to the dorm.”
Felix nodded. “Of course.”
Rosé turned and approached the male students eyeing her. As though they had planned it, the boys hurried toward Rosé and asked her to dance.
Rosé seemed to have changed her strategy, from being the only female student who danced with the Prince of Berg to becoming the girl who received the most requests to dance. Surrounded by the male students, Rosé quickly drifted away to the center of the hall.
Finally, alone, Felix looked around the hall, pulling the tie loosely around his neck. He felt more tired than he had been after hours of non-stop swinging his sword or training his physical strength. He desperately wanted to go back to his room and rest. It was then that his eyes came across Lucy.
She was escorted by Colin Connor to the dance floor. She shook her head in embarrassment, but Colin paid it no mind. Finally, he dragged her out to the center of the dance floor. Lucy eventually relented and began to dance, following Colin’s lead.
Awkward posture. A stiff smile. Two feet stumbling around, aimlessly. Lucy Keenan’s dancing skills were a mess. While Colin Connor danced as if he was one with the music, Lucy was close to being dragged around by him. It was like a puppet, tethered on a string.
Felix couldn’t help but burst out laughing at her terrible dance. There has never been a more fascinating spectacle than that. It was a more unforgettable scene than any other poetry recitation or performance.
For a while, he was delighted, but as time passed, a corner of Felix’s heart grew bitter. A large wall seemed to appear between the people dancing happily in the center of the hall and himself sipping apple cider at a table in the corner.
Should I have just danced with Rosé?
However, when he saw Rosé dancing aggressively in the middle of the dance floor while looking at a male student as if she was about to devour him, the thought vanished.
Felix left the hall, leaving the glass he was holding on the table. He wanted to cool off on the terrace, away from the loud music. He wandered around the terrace for some time and enjoyed the night breeze. Even as autumn arrived, the night air was not cool enough to be considered chilly.
“Felix.” Someone called him. It was Adrian. He was holding a box full of empty bottles. “What are you doing here alone? What about Rosé?”
Felix shrugged and replied, “She’s dominating the dance hall.”
Adrian smiled as if he expected it.
“Why are you so busy that it’s hard to see you?” asked Felix.
Adrian slightly tilted the box he was holding. “I am in charge of this event. I can’t just enjoy it like everyone else. There are so many things to take care of.”
Felix approached his brother and took the box away. “Where should I put it?”
Adrian smiled softly at Felix and his offer to help. “There is a small warehouse next to the back door of the library. You can leave it there. Oh, and can you get a new box of apple cider and fill the table?”
“Don’t worry. Just go.”
Adrian hurriedly entered the hall after saying thank you. With the box in hand, Felix set off on his way to the warehouse. The door was already open when he arrived. A sliver of light leaked through the opening. Someone was inside as he walked in. A familiar back, the person turned, sensing Felix’s presence.
“Lucy Keenan.” Slightly perplexed by the unexpected encounter with the woman he thought was in the hall, Felix unknowingly said her name.
“Uh…” Lucy also had a bewildered look on her face. “…I’m here to get some apple cider. I think it’s not enough, so I’m going to fill it up.” she said without even him asking, her eyes looking glancing around the warehouse.
Lucy looked disorganized and dreamy. Perhaps it was the aftermath of being dragged around by her partner, but her once carefully tied hair was now messy. The light beige dress also had a wrinkled hem, and the ribbon tied around the waist was a little loose.
Both her cheeks were redder than ever.
Lucy, standing in a daze, took her eyes off him and tried to lift a box of apple cider nearby. But there was no way she could lift such a heavy box at once. When the box didn’t move, embarrassed, Lucy took out a few bottles and put them next to her. Then she tried lifting the box again. However, the box only swayed in place. Lucy, who had a troubled face, pulled out a few more bottles.
Felix, who was watching Lucy’s strange behavior, said. “Then, are you just going to take the box?” He walked over to Lucy. She started putting the bottle back in the box.
“I’ll carry the box; you just bring new glasses.” Kneeling down, Felix saw Lucy’s slender ankle while picking up the bottles. “Wait a minute.” Felix stopped her. “You’re bleeding.” he pointed at her heel.
Immediately, Lucy sat down. She struggled to cover her heels with a dress that only came around her ankles. “The shoes… It’s not mine.” Lucy soon realized that it was impossible to cover her ankle and hurriedly tried to leave the warehouse with a basket of glasses.
Felix grabbed Lucy by the wrist. She looked back in surprise.
“Why don’t you sit down for a while?”
Lucy looked at him blankly and gave no answer. Slowly, Felix drags Lucy and sat her on a wooden chest.
“Give that to me.” He took the basket Lucy was carrying and placed it roughly on the box he carried. Then he sat down next to Lucy. He could feel Lucy’s trembling in astonishment.
What? Did you want me to leave? Well, you’re always running away every time you see me. Are you uncomfortable just by me sitting next to you like this?
Felix didn’t want to get out of the way even more after having such thoughts.
Being restless for a moment, Lucy lowered her head helplessly and looked down at the floor. Neither of them opened their mouths, awkward silence soon filled the air.
“…won’t you take off your shoes?” said Felix, breaking the silence.
Lucy blinked her eyes sluggishly, as if sleepy, and then raised her head. For some reason, both cheeks seemed to be even redder than before. Slowly, she took off her shoes and put them neatly next to her. After that, there was another silence.
“Hmm?” Felix suddenly raised his head and sniffed. There was a smell of alcohol coming from somewhere.
At that moment, Lucy’s head fell on his shoulder. Felix turned to look at her, startled by the weight of her little head on his shoulder.
“Lucy?” He shook her shoulder slightly. “Lucy Keenan?”
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However, Lucy closed her eyes as if she had fallen into a deep sleep and breathed in and out in rapid succession.
“Lucy!” He once again called her name and shook her.
The smell of alcohol lingering on the tip of his nose grew stronger. Felix narrowed his brow and placed his nose around Lucy’s face.
“Are you… drunk?”
I hope she wasn’t spiked 😔