Chapter 25: The Imperial Ball (6)

'You never asked when we danced in the past,' Arisanna brought up.

'That was then. It wasn't necessary to ask.'

'How is then different from now.'

'The context is different.'

'Does it really matter?'

He didn't respond and they continued to dance in tune with the rhythm.

'Reynold wouldn't have been able to accompany you for your first dance,' Theodore mentioned.

Perhaps it was agreed way before the ball even started. Reynold was happily whisked away by Bridgette as the two danced under the bright lights of the chandelier.

'I hope they would stay together for a long while,' she sighed.

'Have a little more hope for them,' he teased.

'I am just trying to be realistic.'

'So am I.'

'Don't believe in the uncertainty.'

'Uncertainty? They seem more certain than most.'

'That's only in the moment.'

Theodore chuckled at her comment. When it was time to turn, he used his free hand to cover his laughing expression.

'Is it funny?' she rolled her eyes.

'No, not at all.'

'Liar,' she stepped on his feet, applying pressure.

'Stop, you're wearing heels,' he chuckled.

'I don't get what's funny. Have you finally lost it? Did you hit your head on the way? Got a concussion?'

'If I did get a concussion, I wouldn't be talking to you right now.'

'No. You can still talk. You just sprout more nonsense.'

He made a small hum as if teasing her further. She pursed her lips in response.

'You have any idea how cliche you are?' he jokingly asked.

'We live in a cliche. It would have been weird if we weren't.'

'We?'

She hummed back, smiling cheerfully while doing so.

The music noticeably quickened, nearing its end.

'I forgot the dance had a dramatic end,' Arisanna twitched her lips.

She refers to the dramatic pose when the lead lowers their partner. If executed correctly, it would look incredibly elegant and refined.

'I forgot you were a grandma,' Theodore joked.

Arisanna had a horrible back. The constant leaning cowering was a bad habit she cultivated. Although she tries to correct her posture when it mattered, she wasn't as flexible or agile as most ladies.

'I just hope it doesn't crack,' she chuckled at her own misery.

'I'll support you, no worries. Just relax onto my hand and I'll hold you up.'

'You have the strength to do so?'

'Don't underestimate me,' he laughed.

The dance was nearing its end, only a few more steps.

'Don't you want to question why I would want to dance with you first?'

The second step.

'Why would I?' she raised her eyebrows.

She started to lean back, his hand supporting her back.

'It doesn't take a genius to understand. I'm not dense, just really good at acting.'

They stared at each other as the piece ends. Arisanna smiled, she gave him an all-knowing look. She held his gaze, not backing down from any of his attempts.

He started to laugh out loud. Loud enough for the two of them to hear.

"It would be my honor then," she gave a low chuckled and kissed her hand.

"As much as I appreciate it, you have another lovely woman looking for a dance," she smiled.

Arisanna turned her back and went to get a drink, ready to watch the ball as it unfold itself.

'I should think of how to introduce her…'

—

It has been going well, her plan. Cecilia was now dancing with the Grand Duke, making it clear who was on her side.

She had successfully embarrassed the Levin household. This amounted to nothing she had planned for the future, but, for now, she felt incredibly satisfied.

'If you made me play the villainess role, I'll follow through with it.'

Unlike everyone else, she spotted a certain blonde-haired girl who was wrapped up in a corner, desperately trying not to be seen. She turned a blind eye to her existence and decides to deal with her at a later date.

'It might a bit pitiful. She was someone who was spoiled rich. The real world might be too much to bear,' she mocked.

She regained her attention on the Grand Duke.

Cecilia felt glad he played along by dancing with her, Since she didn't discuss this before with him, she was a bit hesitant to ask. Everything she mentioned was only words with nothing o back it up. The best way to prove something is through action. Therefore, a wave of relief came when he walked up to her instead.

'It made a much bigger impact since he willingly did so,' she nodded as she gave him a look.

He nodded back and briefly returned her gaze.

Her thoughts started to flow.

'He was never properly described in the novel, only mentioned occasionally. I guess the looks run in the family. Although, the first prince is more of a beauty handsome. The Grand Duke seemed more masculine,' she pondered.

'I don't expect anything though. Having expectations is bad. But once you see something that catches your eye, you need to acknowledge it,' she nodded.

'Besides, he grew up with a beauty,' Cecilia sighed as she spot Arisanna in the distance socializing.

'Although I haven't seen the female lead, I'm sure she definitely rivals her "unparalleled" beauty.'

She gave her another look before thinking about something else. Her body's muscle memory continues to move along with the music.