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It was finally the king’s birthday. The festivities were more vibrant and cheerful than ever. The streets, and the king himself, were filled with joy and merriment.
Elaine, however, was not in a very good mood.
“…”
She felt restless and was walking alone through the palace gardens. Earlier, Elaine had been in the waiting room with her group, waiting for Ash, who was attending the banquet.
The distance between the waiting room and the banquet hall was close enough that the sounds of the banquet hall could be heard from where they were.
‘What’s so fun?’
Cheers and applause rang out as those in attendance celebrated the King’s birthday. The sound of laughter could continuously be heard.
Do they not realize that the man they are rejoicing and blessing could be the one responsible for the Seveka incident?
Such a person reigned supreme and was blessed by everyone, but Ash, who lost his parents and many other things as a result, had been cursed just for being born.
Elaine could no longer bear the noise coming from the banquet hall and left.
She was in a garden near the waiting room. Fireworks were going off in the distant sky where the square was located. She walked through a small maze she found as she was following the garden paths. The flowers blooming throughout the maze gave off a fresh scent along with the smell of grass.
‘I feel a little better now that I’m out here.’
When she was in the waiting room, she felt distraught and frustrated. She felt much better after breathing in the fresh outside air.
‘When will Ash be done?’
She knew there was still a lot of time left before the banquet ended, but she wanted to see him. She thought her complicated feelings would disappear when she saw him.
When she looked up, she spotted the bright lights of the banquet hall above the high walls of the maze.
Elaine stopped walking and stared at it for a moment. There was no way she would see him there. She stared for a moment, then turned away. She felt like she should probably head back soon and was just about to leave.
The maze was immersed in darkness with only gentle light from the moon casting a dim glow. In the distance she spotted a figure approaching.
Why did they look so familiar?
Jet-black hair swayed in the night breeze. Ash was standing on the other side of the path.
“…Elaine?”
It was Ash who spoke first. His eyes widened as he made eye contact with Elaine.
“Your Grace?”
Elaine also blinked several times, surprised. Ash asked as he approached her.
“Why are you here… Were you taking a walk?”
“Yes. Aren’t you supposed to be at the banquet hall?”
The banquet should be far from over, and she was curious why he was outside.
“I needed some air, too.”
The banquet was grand, but it was just another boring event for him. He was used to the whispers, the staring gazes, and the cold attitudes directed his way from the members of the nobility, but he couldn’t help feel tired sometimes.
At such times, he would take a walk in the garden, and this time he’d suddenly thought of Elaine and missed her. She’d probably be in one of the waiting rooms somewhere. His steps unconsciously went in that direction, and he didn’t try to stop himself.
But what a coincidence? As soon as he thought he wanted to see her, she appeared right before his eyes, just like a dream. It was a pleasure to run into her when he least expected it.
“…Would you like to take a walk together?”
“Is it okay for you to be absent for so long?”
“It’s okay since I just got here.”
That was a lie. Actually, it’d been a while since he came outside. If he was gone too long, he might get caught and be in some trouble, but that didn’t matter to him.
More importantly, it would be a shame to have to part from her when they’d met like this. Elaine believed his words without any doubt. They soon began walking side by side.
Fireworks were still going off in the sky over the square as they walked through the maze and talked about various things.
“Now that I think about it, since I’ve been walking here with you, I haven’t come across any dead ends. I guess you know the way around this maze.”
“It’s only natural since I’ve lived here since I was young.”
Meanwhile, bright lights and the sound of music came from the banquet hall. The song changed a few times, and suddenly a familiar melody reached her ears. Elaine touched her lips.
“Ah, this song…”
“It’s Schudel’s song. It’s pretty famous. Have you ever heard it?”
It was a song she heard 20 years ago, written by a famous composer at the time, and it seemed that its popularity remained strong, even today.
According to Ash, it was often performed as a dance piece. She wondered if Ash had danced at the banquet, since he was there without a partner.
She thought he would really shine dancing under the chandelier while dressed up so nicely. Elaine, imagining that scene, became curious.
“Are you good at dancing?”
“Well, what do you think?”
He was naturally skilled in swordsmanship, leadership, and business, so he seemed to be good at everything, but she wondered if there was anything he couldn’t do. After some thought, Elaine answered.
“Hmm… I don’t know.”
“Then would you like to find out for yourself?”
“What?”
As soon as the question was asked, a hand reached out in front of her. Elaine’s eyes widened. After she was unable to answer for a moment, unable to understand what he meant, he spoke.
“Would you like to dance?”
“…You mean with me?”
“Who else? Weren’t you curious whether or not I could dance well?”
“But… This isn’t a banquet hall, so if anyone sees…”
“There’s no one around. And if someone comes, we’ll be able to sense them right away.”
He didn’t really care whether anyone saw them or not, but he didn’t bother to say that. After all, they were both masters and were sensitive to the presence of others, but that wasn’t the only issue Elaine was referring to.
A knight and their lord. It was an unlikely combination. Why did he want to dance with her?
Ash knew what Elaine was referring to, but pretended not to. In fact, this was an impulsive act. Even when he turned down the request for that woman to be his partner, and when he watched others dance in the ballroom, she was the only one he wanted to be with.
So, this was just a selfish thought that he was acting on. Even as he spoke the words, he did not withdraw his outstretched hand. The music coming from the banquet hall moved on to the next song, and the prelude was slowly beginning. Elaine said hesitantly.
“I’m not good at dancing. I might step on your toes…”
“It’s okay. You just have to follow my lead.”
She never attended banquets or anything like that and had no interest in dancing. She didn’t know what her dancing skills were really like, but she knew she couldn’t dance well.
But still, his hand remained outstretched and his purple eyes kept gazing at her. She wanted to dance with him too. Eventually, after some hesitation, Elaine took his hand.
When she rose her hand, his gently supported it. He wrapped his other hand around her waist and pulled her towards him.
Elaine gasped slightly as the distance became noticeably closer. She became somewhat self-conscious and her body tensed. Then Ash spoke softly.
“Relax. It’s okay if you step on my feet.”
Then he began to gently dance to the music. Elaine followed his lead as Ash slowly took his steps.
Thanks to his guidance and skillful maneuvering, she was soon able to roughly follow his movements, but she kept getting distracted by the hand that was holding hers and the arm that was wrapped around her waist. As she danced, her heart fluttered every time she brushed against him.
She wasn’t used to dancing, and perhaps it was just because she was dancing with him, but it was more fun than she thought. Her heart was pounding in her chest and a pleasant breeze blew past them. It wasn’t a fancy banquet hall, but the fireworks and twinkling stars that decorated the sky became their chandelier.
And Ash’s skill was truly impressive.
“You dance very well.”
“Do I?”
“Yes, very.”
Elaine nodded sincerely. He chuckled at her sparkling gaze.
“You dance pretty well, too.”
“Well, objectively speaking, I guess I’m not doing too bad, but all I can do is follow along.”
“You haven’t stepped on my toes, right?”
At those words, Elaine looked a little embarrassed. He let out a low laugh.
Ash also felt that this moment was enjoyable. It was odd, he couldn’t ever remember a time he’d been happy at this place.
“I’m so fortunate.”
“For what?”
Elain tilted her head, confusion at his statement.
Her delicate leaf-colored eyes reflect him flawlessly as her white face looking up at him. A thought suddenly occurred to him. If she hadn’t become his escort that snowy winter, would his life have been as bright as it was now?
“Everything.”
He couldn’t help but be glad that he knew the answer to that question now. Everything. Dancing with her like this, with the stars shining brightly in the sky, falling in love with her, and above all…
“Having you by my side.”
Did he feel like being honest with her because the night was dark? Was it because the dance they’d shared was as sweet as a dream?
His sincerity poured out in a whisper, eyes dark, it seemed like she’d drown in them. The few emotions that escaped him were as dark and dense as those eyes.
As Ash spoke, she smiled as if she were possessed. She didn’t mean to, but couldn’t help it. Soft eyes and curved lips. The eyes that reflected her were so sweet, they seemed about to melt.
That look, those words, what could they possibly mean? She felt like she’d mistake his meaning. She felt strange. For a moment, confusion and anticipation mingled, and it was impossible not to feel her heart skip a beat at his words.
She didn’t know what her face looked like when she looked at him. But Ash saw.
Wavering gaze and reddened cheeks. Even if she tried to smother her feelings, she couldn’t completely hide them. Every time he saw that expression he couldn’t help but wonder, hope…
Did she also have feelings for him, was it okay to embrace his feelings?
She might get hurt if she stayed next to him, who was a decedent of the witch. Malice, criticism, and negative opinions followed him. She could be infected by the darkness surrounding him.
Still, he didn’t want their relationship to stay as it was. He wanted to hold her by his side forever.
Even if it was extremely selfish of him, he refused to deny his feelings anymore. He realized that he couldn’t be anything other than himself. He couldn’t even imagine giving her up because he knew the truth best…
He didn’t want to miss this chance. He wanted to get closer to her.
His heart was so full, he couldn’t contain it anymore.
The song slowly came to an end. Ash took a step forward to the music and wrapped his other arm tightly around her waist. He then picked her up and spun her around in a circle.
Elaine unconsciously placed her hands on his shoulders and held on. Even as the night breeze caressed her cheek, his bewitching gaze didn’t leave her.
After what felt like an eternity, her feet touched the ground again.
Ash took a step back, bowed slightly and slowly kissed the back of her hand.
His purple eyes were vivid, even in the dark, as if absorbing the slight amount of light.
Elaine’s breath caught when she saw the heat burning in those eyes.
“I like you.”
The words finally spilled from his lips.
