Rudeus Greyrat
After a long, grueling week of training with Daiki, Eris was finally certain she wanted to dance. Yet, against all odds, when the moment actually came, she looked hesitant. She was showing a kind of timidity I never would have expected from her.
The party was in full swing. My brother had settled at the head table, surrounded by a seemingly endless feast. He was completely ignoring the bustling crowd and all the young noblewomen eyeing him like a prince... or maybe a sophisticated villain. Truth be told, I had a little entourage of my own: young ladies inviting me to dance. To my surprise, I accepted their offers with an enthusiasm I didn't even know I had.
I also noticed how some of the older nobles looked at my brother like they were appraising cattle... or at least staring at something they couldn't comprehend. I knew why. Maybe they thought he was a demon because of his hair color, but those older noblewomen? They probably just wanted him as a son-in-law. A prodigy swordsman's reputation travels fast.
Either way, my brother was effortlessly winning hearts without even trying. Would Paul be proud? Probably.
---
Eris Boreas Greyrat
My palms were sweating. I hate it when that happens. I don't even know why I'm so nervous. It's just a dance... a room full of insufferable people staring at me like I'm some kind of trophy. I'm wearing the red dress my grandfather picked out. Sure, it's pretty, but it feels weird, like it's squeezing me tighter than it needs to. I'm not used to this sort of thing.
A blond boy walked up, sporting his usual fake smile.
"Young Mistress, would you care to..."
"No." I cut him off before he could even finish.
He recoiled like I had slapped him. I didn't even raise my hand. Edna shot me one of those looks that screamed 'behave yourself, young lady,' but... whatever. I'm already trying my best here.
My eyes were searching for just one person, and I found him. Daiki was sitting at the head table, dressed in black. I don't know who picked that suit for him, but it looked good. Too good...
Of course, he was surrounded by girls. Clucking around him like hens. One of them even had the nerve to touch his arm.
My stomach dropped. I didn't like it. Not at all. I don't even know why I should care... but I did. Get your hands off him, you idiot! I screamed internally. Or maybe I actually said it out loud; I'm not sure. All I know is my cheeks were burning.
Who did they think they were? Why were they getting so close? Why was he letting them... But Daiki didn't even look at her. He just put down his fork, calm as ever, and wiped his mouth with that irritating composure he always has when I can't figure out what he's thinking.
And then he looked up and saw me. Direct. Without hesitation. Like he'd been looking for me this whole time.
He stood up without saying a word and started walking toward me. The crowd just parted for him. Not because he did anything... but because Daiki is Daiki. He has this presence that fills the room, making everyone else move out of the way without even realizing it.
When he stopped in front of me, my knees felt weak. I forced myself to stand a little straighter. I wasn't going to look like a little girl. Not in front of him. Suddenly, all the noise from the party seemed to fade away. It felt like it was just the two of us.
He held out his hand.
"Young Eris. It's time."
He didn't ask if I wanted to dance. He just stated it. Like it was a given. And for some reason, that didn't bother me.
I put my hand on his. His hand is big and warm, giving me this sense of security that I hate to admit I like.
"Don't step on my feet," I told him, tilting my chin up.
He smiled slightly. That smile of his that practically says "try me."
"Follow my lead."
He led me to the floor.
The music started. Daiki didn't wait. He took the first step. My body reacted on instinct: a step back.
"Good," he muttered.
We weren't dancing. We were sparring. He advanced, I retreated. He spun, and I followed to keep my balance. The hand on my waist wasn't gentle; it was firm, guiding me with the exact same precision he used to wield his sword.
One, two... spin. He twirled me. The world blurred. The only clear things were his red eyes, locked onto mine.
"Keep your center of gravity," he whispered. "Don't lean."
"I know!" I snapped back, gripping his shoulder.
My feet moved on their own. Left, right, turn. It was like dodging his attacks in the courtyard, but without the fear of getting hit.
The tempo picked up, and of course, that just made Daiki move faster. Any other partner would have lost me. They would have tripped over my feet or dropped me. But not Daiki. He anticipated my every move. If I went too fast, he'd slow me down with a touch so subtle you'd barely notice. If I hesitated, he guided me forward without missing a beat.
It was perfect. I didn't want to admit it, but dancing with him didn't feel like dancing. It felt like training with someone who knows your every move before you even make it. Like we fit together effortlessly. And for some reason, that made my heart race faster than the music.
One, two... leap. He lifted me into the air. Literally. His hands held my waist as we spun. I felt like I was flying.
When my feet touched the floor again, we were in the center of the room. Everyone was watching, but I didn't care. I was breathing hard. He was perfectly calm.
"Last move," he warned.
He dipped me backward. Deep. I trusted him without thinking. I knew he wouldn't drop me. I hung there, looking up at the ceiling, supported entirely by his arm.
The music ended on a final chord that echoed in my chest, and then he pulled me up. Not abruptly, not clumsily... just like it was the most natural thing in the world to him. One precise pull, and I was back on my feet.
I was breathing fast. He was right there, so close I could see every detail in those eyes of his. Even that strange gleam he gets when he's focused... or when he cares about something more than he lets on. I didn't let go. He didn't let go either, and for a second, nothing else mattered.
My face was inches from his.
"Mission accomplished," he said, giving me that half-smile that always disarms me, but that I also secretly love.
The room erupted into applause. I jumped a little; I didn't think people would get so excited.
And then I heard my grandfather.
"THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE!!!" he roared from the back, sounding more like he was cheering at a fight than a dance.
Before I could react, he was right there. He grabbed both of us like we weighed nothing and hoisted us into the air. I didn't even have time to open my mouth to protest. One second I was on the floor, the next I was looking down at the whole room while he ran back and forth, laughing like a maniac.
I wanted to tell him to put us down... but seeing Daiki up there, looking so serious and uncomfortable while everyone clapped like it was some kind of show... well, I admit it was pretty funny. Really funny, actually.
But my heart wouldn't calm down. It was still pounding against my ribs like it wanted to escape.
I looked at him. I just looked at him, not really thinking about why.
And I smiled at him.
To my surprise, he smiled back. A warm, unexpected smile... softer than anything he had ever shown me before.