Chapter 99 - The Waltz

Chapter 99: Chapter 99 - The Waltz

Inside the grand hall, an almost unbearable silence hung heavily over the crowd.

Quinton’s unexpected announcement regarding Lucianne’s and Duke Elsa’s arrest for treason had shattered the evening’s festive atmosphere.

Students stood in anxious groups, exchanging hushed, uncomfortable whispers as the enchanted voice echoed from the speakers, inviting everyone to clear the main floor for the evening waltz.

However, no one took the floor.

"... A waltz? Right now? How can anyone dance after hearing one of the Imperial City’s four pillars was arrested for treason?"

"... Right? It feels so inappropriate. House Elsa was one of the founding families... And Lucianne... What’s going to happen to her? She went after a Princess..."

"... I certainly wouldn’t want to be seen celebrating right now. It feels like walking on thin ice."

On the elevated conductor’s stage, the maestro stood in a cold sweat as his baton trembled in his gloved hand.

He looked back at his orchestra, where the musicians exchanged hesitant glances, silently debating whether they should begin playing or pack up their instruments and leave the venue.

Up on the second floor overlooking the hall, the dark-haired man leaned casually against the polished railing, sipping a glass of fine wine as a lofty, smug smirk played on his lips.

"How tragic..." he murmured to himself, swirling the drink in his glass. "If only Lily hadn’t rushed off with that crude lover of hers... This would have been the perfect moment for us to steal the floor and show these children what true elegance looks like."

CREAK—

Suddenly, the main doors at the front of the hall swung wide open once more, drawing every single pair of eyes – students, faculty, scouts, and officials alike – straight toward the entrance.

Princess Maelle stepped over the threshold. Beside her, Vincent stood proudly, both of their illusions gone.

The dark-haired man’s wine glass paused mid-swirl.

His eyes widened in shock as he took in the familiar black-and-crimson dress... and the unmistakable silver hair and violet eyes of the girl he had tried to charm in the garden.

’Lily... is Maelle?!’

A wave of surprise whispers rippled across the hall once again, but this time, focusing on the two who had just arrived.

"... That’s... Princess Maelle?!"

"... She’s actually here?!"

"... And that guy beside her... That’s her Familiar!"

Ignoring the hushed murmurs, the hateful glares, and the sea of students parting before them, Maelle and Vincent walked with unshakeable confidence straight to the exact center of the empty main floor.

Maelle raised her black-gloved hand toward the frozen orchestra conductor, and gave a single command.

"Play."

The conductor snapped out of his stupor as if struck by lightning. He quickly raised his baton, he brought it down in a sharp, sweeping motion.

!– ??.??? –!

Rich, harmonious strains of violins, cellos, and brass echoed through the high arches of the hall, shattering the whisper in an instant.

Maelle and Vincent turned to face each other in the center of the floor, bathed in the crystal light of the floating chandeliers.

Vincent closed the distance between them first, placing his right hand firmly, gently onto her waist. Maelle raised her left hand, resting her black-gloved palm over his shoulder, while their free hands met in mid-air, their fingers intertwining.

Following the tempo of the music, they stepped into the rhythm.

One, two, one–two... Two, two, three–four...

They glided across the marble floor in flawless synchronisation – far surpassing the awkward, timid practice they had shared in the just a few hours ago.

Vincent led with fluid, breathtaking grace, his posture straight as he guided Maelle through wide turns and elegant glides across the polished tiles.

The tips of Maelle’s skirt flared like a blooming rose against the pristine white marble as Vincent spun her effortlessly under his arm, bringing her right back against his chest without missing a single beat of the orchestra.

As the tempo picked up and the thrill of the music rushed through their veins, Vincent’s eyes locked onto her violet gaze.

"So..." Vincent asked as he guided her into a turn. "Where do we stand after everything we’ve been through, Princess? We called each other their ’lover’ back in the garden, remember?"

Maelle, feeling the magic of the moment, let out a quiet hum. She gave him an evasive, teasing answer as they glided past the gaping crowd. "A Familiar naturally belongs at his Master’s side, does he not? Or are you simply seeking a formal title, Vincent?"

Vincent pushed back with a soft chuckle, stepping closer to dip her slightly before drawing her back up.

"You know that’s not what I mean, Maelle. Besides... you kissed me back at the mansion. I haven’t forgotten about it."

Maelle’s cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink beneath the chandelier light, but her violet eyes sparkled with clever mischief.

"Neither have I... But perhaps this Princess is entitled to keep her Familiar guessing."

Vincent let out a low laugh, his hand pressing a fraction tighter against her waist as he guided her through a sharp, double-spin.

"Guessing? Come on, Maelle. After all the hoops and valleys I crossed just to get to you, I think I’ve earned a direct answer."

Instead of answering, Maelle smoothly executed an intricate step-over, her hips swaying perfectly in time with the string section as she glided in a tight circle around him. She tilted her head, her silver hair catching the light beautifully.

She dripped with playful elegance and asked. "Must a gentleman always demand a written contract for a lady’s heart, Vincent?"

"When that lady is as stubborn as you? Absolutely."

Determined to break through her cool defense, Vincent shifted his footing, seamlessly transitioning the waltz into an advanced reverse turn.

He then swept her backward across the white tiles in a long arc, her heels clicking rhythmically against the floor. He drew her so close their chests practically pressed flush, his eyes locking deeply with hers.

"You’re deflecting, Princess," he whispered as he pivoted them on a dime. "Back in the garden, you looked that guy right in the eyes and took my arm. You said I was your lover."

Maelle let out a melodic laugh that sent a shiver straight down his spine. She thoroughly enjoyed watching her usually cool, all-powerful Familiar get so flustered and eager for her affirmation.

"I said what was required to handle an annoying middleman," she teased as her hand slid up from his shoulder to lightly brush the nape of his neck. "Are you telling me you took a covert operative’s line so seriously?"

"Maelle..." Vincent spun her out once more before pulling her back by her waist. "You’re enjoying this way too much."

"Mm. I find it immensely entertaining. Watching the demigod who can shatter mountains and destroy armies get tied in knots by a few evasive words... It is quite empowering."

Vincent shook his head as a fond, defeated smile broke across his face. "You really are an impossible woman."

"And you are an impatient partner," Maelle shot back, her tone softening as the music surged into a dramatic, rolling tempo.

They moved together like a gale of crimson and white – Vincent lifting her effortlessly into a floating aerial turn, her gown swirling like a flame before she touched down with weightless grace.

Around them, the surrounding crowd stood spellbound. No one could tear their eyes away from the sheer grace, beauty, and power the two emanated on the floor. They looked like creatures from a higher realm, moving as one entity across the floor.

Up on the second floor, the dark-haired knight gripped the railing so tightly it nearly cracked. His jaw clenched in bitter, silent frustration as he watched the girl he had tried to woo move so intimately with another man.

As the orchestral crescendo reached its peak, the playful banter between the two dancers died out.

Vincent stopped playing defense and looked at her with earnest, and burning with unshakeable conviction.

"Maelle... I love you. I want to be by your side... not just because of some contract, or because I’m your Familiar... but as the man who holds your heart forever."

In that moment, Maelle’s teasing demeanor melted away.

Her violet eyes widened slightly before softening into an expression of affection and rare, breathtaking vulnerability. A single, happy tear glittered at the corner of her lashes.

"Vincent..."

The orchestra reached its final, booming, magnificent chord.

!– ??.??? –!

Vincent executed a sweeping, powerful final rotation, catching Maelle securely around her waist and dipping her low toward the polished marble floor in a dramatic, breathtaking finale.

Her silver hair nearly grazed the tiles and the crimson edges of her skirt spread around them like a sea of flame as they held the pose, breathing heavily with their eyes locked together in an eternal second.

Instead of pulling her right back up... Vincent leaned down and pressed his lips directly onto hers, kissing her deeply right in the very center of the hall, in front of everyone to see.

Maelle surrendered completely to the moment. She wrapped her arms firmly around his neck, pulling him closer as she returned the kiss with all the unspoken feelings she too had for him.

For several seconds after the final note of the waltz faded and Vincent slowly pulled back from the kiss, helping Maelle back to her feet, the entire hall remained completely frozen in stunned shock.

Until...

CLAP.

A single, crisp clap echoed from near the front doors.

Principal Brenda stood at the entrance with a proud and satisfied smirk on her face as she clapped her hands.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Beside her, the demonic Ebonspirian teacher joined in, followed by President Daphne Dove. Within seconds, the spell broke. More and more students began to clap.

Soon, nearly the entire hall erupted into a deafening ovation. Cheers, whistles, and applause shook the very foundations of the venue as the students celebrated the majestic spectacle they had just witnessed.

Only a few bitter, salty exceptions refused to join the applause – Lucianne’s clique glared with seething, helpless hatred, and up on the VIP balcony, the dark-haired man stared down with a twisted expression of bitterness.

Amidst the cheering crowd, Maelle looked up and smiled beautifully at Vincent.

"The main event is finished..." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "...Take us away."

"With pleasure, My Princess."

FWOOSH!

Vincent’s ethereal blue hair flared dramatically as a wave of divine blue-and-gold energy wrapped around his shoulders. With a magnificent, thunderous snap of sound, a pair of majestic divine wings unfurled from his back.

He scooped Maelle up smoothly into a bridal carry, and launched straight toward the front. On his way, he leaned over to grab Eugene – who was currently at the side snacks table stuffing his face with gourmet sausages.

"WHOA–!"

He blasted into the starry night sky in a shower of harmless, glittering starlight.

Down below, as the dust settled and the cheering faded into excited laughter, the orchestra resumed playing a lively tune.

Slowly, inspired by the display they just witnessed, more and more students stepped onto the floor, beginning to dance and celebrate for fun with each other and their Familiar’s as the party truly began.

Watching everyone with a disgusted look, the dark-haired man backed away from the railing.

Realising he had been played and that his identity as the middleman was compromised, his face hardened into a grim scowl.

Walking swiftly into the shadows of a secluded private corridor, he reached inside his coat and pulled out a communication crystal. He channeled his mana into the stone, establishing a long-distance link.

The crystal flickered to life, glowing brightly in the dark hallway.

"What is it, Clyde?!" a young, arrogant and aristocratic voice snapped impatiently from the other end. "I’m busy playing with Clive! Make it quick!"

The dark-haired man, now known as Clyde, took a heavy breath as his expression turned grave.

"Your Highness, we have a major problem, Maelle isn’t dead... and she most likely– no. She knows you’re responsible for sending that hit out on her."