35 Dance

Lumielle had situations in which Allard took her hand to dance. Their eyes never met as he always focused on something else. Conversations became clipped and limited as she attempted to finesse her way into his heart; she did most of the talking and it was belligerent and bothersome. It almost made her laugh; what had urged her to act so desperate for a man that didn't even show the capacity to care for her? Allard was the perfect dancer, his steps being easy to follow as he guided her. His hands ghosting against her spine—Lumielle could have melted if he simply stared at her.

Then again, he never looked at her. Now, Lumielle was the one avoiding Asterias's gaze. "Are you not going to look at me, Lumielle?" he teased as she jerked her head back. Her name slipping from his lips surprising her as he grinned.

"Got you," Asterias purred, "Princess."

Seriously, this boy.

"Y-You," Lumielle stuttered out.

"How was I supposed to get you to look at me?" He tilted his head, his hand firmly against the small of her back. He was still cold. His touch was blistering compared to the heat of her skin. Asterias was always frigid, it matched well with his frosted tresses and glacial eyes. He looked like the coming of winter in all of its pulchritude.

Attempting to fish out some type of conversation, she spoke briskly, "Did you enjoy yourself up North?" He chuckled. Was she attempting to change the conversation? Asterias would humor her for a bit.

The white-haired boy gave a nod, "Although it was beautiful, I couldn't help but miss you, Lumielle."

Again, he spoke her name. It rolled from his tongue like honeyed silk. He was making her blush. Her cheeks feeling pink against the night and he took notice. Her eyes had been averting his own and the closeness in which they were made him wonder if she was truly embarrassed. Seeing the usually composed Princess act in this manner was all the more amusing.

"And you missed me as well didn't you?" Asterias toyed, his words were nefarious. He enjoyed teasing her; indeed, Asterias had enjoyed the winter. The cold of the North serving to calm his mind and his heart. He spent time with his father; hands guiding his own and teaching him how to swing a sword and wield magic. They talked about his deceased mother, the one that both of them cherished. A grave was erected in her honor as the two prayed to the Goddess for her passing. Letters were sent to him by his friends and the Princess, she had sprayed it with oils and the scent lingered. Lilacs and lavenders budded in the air despite the torrential and everlasting snow.

Lumielle did her best to ignore the heat that pressed against her cheeks, "I take it back. You should have stayed in the North longer." What a blatant lie that made Asterias laugh. His eyes sparkled warmly as he stepped closer, ruining the pace of the dance so that their bodies were flushed against one another.

"I'll be hurt if you say such words," he mumbled.

For a second, she forgot how to use her tongue. Words becoming null and the focus on his body against her own taking full stage. She felt like a useless extra watching as the main actors played on the stage.

"I thought you were supposed to be one of the strongest men in the empire." Finally, Lumielle had been able to verbalize something as they continued to waltz. He was being slow with his movements, his hand remaining stagnant on her back.

Asterias looked down at her blushing face, "That doesn't mean I don't feel pain. Someone told me that men can cry."

She let out a slight scoff, a smile pulling at her lips. He seriously remembered that? After seeing the young boy crying, she could not believe that it was him. He had been a young fawn with tears running down his face. She would have never expected him to hide his claws. She felt awfully deceived that it was him and not just an illusion.

"The same woman that you met at the Imperial Palace that day?" Lumielle knew that Asterias must have pieced the two obvious pieces together. There was no other woman who held the same lavender tresses and manner of speech as the Imperial Princess. Yet, they continued to pretend as if they didn't know one another. Perhaps, it was for the better.

"How did you know?" Asterias teased, "I'm quite smitten with her. I only wish I could find her."

"I wish you good luck," Lumielle stated back. Asterias laughed, indeed. How long was she going to pretend that it wasn't her? Then, he would also play along with her. It would be cruel to break the game. Their steps were easy—Lumielle had to commend him for dancing well. How many women had he practiced with? She would not be surprised if she had escorted others with him to different dances. He had to be impossibly attractive. She was staring at him. His face—it was a shame. Lumielle had forgotten.

Asterias had stopped appearing in high society due to the blemish on his face. The death of his father and the burn obscured his features and forced him to dawn a mask. That was right, he would be cursed with misfortune. It would stunt his social career that had been burgeoning. In the past, she had been unaware of Asterias and yet, now she was growing closer and closer to him. Her brows furrowed, her lips turning into a frown.

"What's the matter?" Asterias mumbled. He gave her a smile, a soft one. He squeezed her hand. There were so many things that weighed and bogged down her soul. It was such a simple question and yet, she didn't even know where to begin. What was wrong? Everything. Everything was the issue. Cosette coming in and captivating everyone while holding the Emperor's hand and dancing with him? The fact that her death would be planned in the future? The fact that he was going to lose his father.

Lumielle shook her head, "It's nothing." It was easier to just say that.

The song came to an end. She hadn't even realized how quickly it was over as Asterias kissed the back of her hand. Lumielle hadn't even been focused on anything else; she had been captivated by him. How problematic. She should have probably been trying to think of Cosette. Asterias had a talent for stopping any tangential thoughts from entering her mind.

"You look so good together!" Yennafer said, grinning as the two walked off of the floor to get some rest.

"Everyone is talking about you," Vera hummed warmly. Indeed, it had been a good idea to befriend Vera, Elise, and Yennafer. The three of them were known to be socialities. They had relations with most of high society and a good word from the three of them would lead to an infallible defense. While she had been dancing, Elise had pulled the two other girls aside to start rectifying the situation. Rumors of Cosette could only be smothered if there was greater talk. As such, she had decided to focus on Asterias and Lumielle. Pinpointing the attention on the two of them, the topic of conversation swayed.

"The Imperial Princess and the Grand Duke's son, they would make such a good pair, don't you think?"

"Didn't you hear that the son of Grand Duke Salvatore is also smitten with the Princess?"

"The Princess looks like a lily of the valley, she's so pretty."

That was the power of these three ladies. It was exemplary. Yet, she knew that tonight had simply been a game that she had won due to practice. Lumielle had not perfected herself. She was still flawed. It was a bitter reminder that no matter how many times she told herself, she could not overcome her own emotions.

Lumielle had stripped herself of humanity. She forced herself to plunge into a baptismal tide of crimson in hopes that she could saturate the colors of her empathy into nothing more than sanguine. She had become hardened due to the schemes of her plans. Deaths no longer phased her. Emotions didn't touch her. Yet, she had been shaken by Cosette. Perhaps, she was still weaker than she had expected. Tonight had only been her victory due to her dedication. She would be a fool to say that she was going to simply believe the future to move swiftly in the direction she wanted.

"Did you hear about Lady Cosette thinking the Princess hated her? Why would the Lady say that?"

"It must be so difficult for the Princess."

"But the Princess could dislike Lady Cosette, wasn't she escorted by the Emperor? I wonder if she's jealous."

"I can't believe the Emperor is basically adopting Lady Cosette."

That was right. It was impossible to stop those rumors. A hand gently pressed against her ear, Asterias's fingers grazed over the earrings, "They look good on you."

Was he trying to distract her from the words swirling around? Lumielle did have a habit of overthinking. She never let herself rest. Her mind running a million miles per hour. Yennafer's smile brightened, "It's a pleasure to meet the Heir of the Grand Duchy Everion," She hummed warmly.

"It's an honor to meet the Countess Fleur's daughter," Asterias said bowing with a smile on his face.

"Um, Asterias?" A voice asked as the two turned around. Vera's eyes darkened to see Cosette. She was fumbling with her hands as she curtsied. It was clumsy but adorable. Indeed, she had somehow charmed everyone around her with her natural way of greetings. People liked the way that she bumbled around. They opposed Lumielle's stiff greetings for Cosette's flowery touch and language.

Asterias turned around, a smile on his face. "Yes?" He inquired.

"Is Allard here?" She mumbled; perhaps, she didn't have anyone else to cling to? That would make sense. She didn't have much association with high society. Lumielle had broken the iron bars that chained her to her castle. Yet, Cosette had been hidden. She had no connections to anyone around her other than the Duchies.

Although, that was what made her appearance even more striking. Cosette had been displayed in such glory that everyone was stunned. She was effortlessly beautiful and having hidden that from everyone made her a larger attraction.

Asterias shook his head, "He isn't." Allard was rejected by Lumielle and didn't escort anyone else. As such, he was not invited to this event. He was a year older than the young ladies here and most of them even if they tried were politely declined by the heir of Salvatore.

A deflated look crossed her face, "I see."

Lumielle could see it on her face. She wanted Asterias to dance with her. How confounding. From her memory, she had not danced with anyone other than her father. Lumielle could have sworn that to be the case. Peering at the white-haired male, she wondered if he was the aberration. He was the only influential person that had changed in this timeline. Peering up at him, she wondered if he could get the hint.

"You're finally looking at me, Princess," Asterias hummed warmly giving her a smile, "I've been waiting all night." He was smooth as ambrosia. The words leaving his lips enough to cajole any woman. He was effortlessly handsome as he gave her a chuckle, the sound like heavenly bells.

Her eyes widened as she felt somewhat chagrined at his shameless words, "Is Lady Cosette looking for someone to dance with?" Lumielle asked.

Her eyes widened as she gave a laugh, "I-I think dancing with the Emperor gave far too grand of an impression, no one has asked me so far." Was she looking for pity? Was she trying to insinuate that Lumielle was belittling her?

"Sir Leo," she beckoned calling for her knight as he stopped his conversation with the pink-haired noble. "Would you dance with Lady Cosette?"

She gave the girl a smile; "Sir Leo is one of my trusted knights. As my father, the Sun of Endora said, the royal family will show you the utmost kindness Lady Cosette."

Cosette gritted her teeth; "I am honored." What was this? Lumielle was composed. She didn't hesitate and never seemed to be flustered. Those eyes that stared down at her in mockery made Cosette's blood boil. Tonight was supposed to be Cosette's time. She had come hand in hand with the Emperor and yet, she had somehow lost?

What would her mother say?

Asterias smiled warmly at Cosette, "Sir Leo is a great knight. I'm sure all the women tonight will be jealous."

"Asterias," Cosette said taking a step forward, "Afterwards, will you dance with me?"