87 Epilogue

"That's why he appears charismatic," Ren said.

"Right?" Grin agreed, "I always knew there's something different from his aura."

They are staring at Jaxael from head to toe and continue to speak about him as if he isn't facing them.

"But he looks cool," Idris added.

Suddenly, the song slows down again, and the guest requests a second dance.

"Na--" Grin shoved Ren away before he could continue his statement, leaving the Squad 15 on their own.

"How could they dance with those heels?" Idris asked, "Doesn't it feel like dancing in tiptoe? What does it feel, Nash?"

"I don't know, I'm not wearing heels." Nash raised the hem of her dress and showed them her new flat shoes.

"Shouldn't we dance?" Aeries asked,

"No thanks," Yjhan said,

"Nope," Idris added and the others agreed to it.

"What if I asked you to be my partner?" Nash asked,

"It's fine if it's you," Aeries remarked. Idris agreed with a nod

"All right, then, let's go!" Nash drew them closer to the middle.

"All of us?"

"Hehe dance with each other," Nash said and didn't let go of Jaxael's wrist. Kane gazed at Nash's hand from a distance.

"No way!" Idris said, "I'll just wait till you're finished."

"Me too," Aeries said and stepped away.

Nash noticed her sister staring at Yjhan from a distance. "Sister!"

Celeste walked towards her sister and asked, "Why?"

"You haven't had your dance yet, right? Why don't you dance with leader?" Celeste's eyes widened.

"W...what are you saying?"

""That's alright, I'll wait as well," Yjhan said before Celeste stopped him.

"Wait! I never said no..." Celeste said blushing,

Yjhan stares at her for a while and walks towards Celeste, offering his hands, "Then may I have this dance, your highness?"

Celeste nodded, she couldn't talk as she felt like her heart was exploding at the moment.

'Gosh... My heart is pounding really fast.'

Nash then looked at her partner and smiled, "Let's dance before the song ends."

The two pairs dance side by side. Some guests have been eyeing them, especially Nash, watching if she could dance well like others as it was her first dance.

"I thought you'd be surprised," Jaxael whispered,

"From what?"

"Me being the Duke's grandson without others knowing it," Nash smiled,

"I, too, am hiding my status, right? Though leader actually knows about my status. I was actually surprised when I saw your name in the noble's page. I asked our butler who Duke Glyne was and there I found out that he was from a foreign country with his grandson Jaxael."

Jaxael grinned, making Nash's heart pound.

"Smile again," Nash ordered,

"Why?"

"You look exceptionally handsome," she said, grinning to her ears.

"You look beautiful,"

"hihi praise me more!"

Jaxael chuckled, 'Right, this lady likes being praised.'

"Time's up! The song will end soon so next!" Idris interrupted.

"Then," Jaxael left, and Idris took his place.

"I was so mad at you," Idris said as they began to dance.

"Why?"

"Just because,"

"Is it because I hid my identity?" Idris shook his head.

"That's not it, it's just that, you always know we're always working together but during the war, why do you have to go on your own? We're right there with you; why don't you ask for assistance as if you're the only one fighting?" Idris said, solemnly.

Nash faints a smile. She looked down and breathed in deep. "I'm sorry, I couldn't think of any way other than risking my life."

Idris sighed, "It's all in the past. Even though we won't be seeing each other as much, I hope we can continue to be food buddies."

"Of course, we'll always meet anytime there's a festival in town," Nash chuckled, "so make sure to invite me."

"Next!" Aeries gently drew Nash away from Idris and replaced him.

"Tsk. we're still talking!" Idris said,

"You can talk later,"

Aeries began to sway with Nash, and they continued to dance without saying anything. Nash creased her forehead and wondered why he wasn't asking her anything unlike the other, "Aren't you going to ask me a question?"

Aeries faintly smiled as she looked at Nash. If you look in his eyes, you could see a reflection of sadness deep within that was stored inside Aeries, "I have so many in mind that I don't know what to ask first,"

"Then ask the most important one,"

"Why do you have to do that?"

Nash faints a smile, 'It's the same question as Idris.'

"You asked the same question as Idris. I'm glad that you're worried about me despite living with you only for a couple of months."

"What's wrong with those couple of months? We're a family already. If you're having a hard time, ask for guidance," he said, "Though it's partly our fault for not noticing what you feel,"

"I kept it inside for a reason, please don't blame yourself."

Aeries smiled at Nash, "I'm glad you're still alive,"

Aeries then took Yjhan who was about to leave and made him replace him for Nash's partner.

"Why am I here?" Yjhan asked, as soon as Aeries left.

Nash laughed, "Leader, are you mad at me too?"

"What's the point?" he said, "It's your decision to ask, and it's your decision to do it on your own."

"Really?"

"The only wrong thing you did was expecting us to be fine with what you did. You could've been gone. We could have been standing outside instead of dancing with you."

Nash started to feel the burns in her eyes. She looked up to avoid the tears falling and smiled, "I won't do it again. I already learned my lesson."

"That's good, then," Yjhan removed her hands and stepped away. Nash was standing still waiting for the next one, who was just leaning at the wall silently.

"Don't just stand there," Idris said as he tugged him towards Nash.

"Tsk,"

"You should smile so that all the ladies who are staring at you are flattered." Nash made fun of him.

"I'm not planning on doing that. Let's end this thing." He extended his hand, and Nash grasped it and began dancing with Kane.

They danced till the end of the song without talking to each other. They came back to where their squad was.

"Everyone, there will be fireworks, so if you want to watch them, you can go outside and watch them."

It was Duke Barcley who announced the fireworks.

Nash thought to herself, 'I didn't know there would be a fireworks display?'

"Let's watch it,"

Most of the guests went outside and waited for the fireworks. Nash and her squad were in the middle of the walk way waiting for the fireworks.

"Nash!" it was Katherine walking towards them, behind her was Aizzle. Aizzle's face flushed as she approached Nash and saw her up close. Aizzle examined her jewelry with familiarity,

"That's..."

"Oh! I'm wearing the jewelry you gave me! I'm glad it matches my dress."

"But those are just cheap..."

"And so? I don't see any other jewelry that I like except yours, and I don't like too many Jewelries attached to me. Thank you again for giving me this,"

"It's... It's nothing." Aizzle's face became redder as she felt both embarrassed and flattered.

"Her head was smoking..." Idris said, looking at Aizzle.

"You're here!" They looked back and saw Squad 13 and 14 together.

"Come, it's starting soon," Nash said and Squad 13 and 14 went close to them.

"Sister!" The brats ran towards Nash.

"We want to see the fireworks too!" Puru exclaimed,

"Alright, stay close to me" Nash looked at the sky,

[boom!]

The fireworks could be viewed throughout the capital. As they watched the fireworks, the guests were all smiling. Nash smiled brighter than ever as she stared up at the sky, knowing that close people were all around her.

Katherine held her hand and gripped it tight, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too," Nash whispered, "Want to sleep over and talk about things?"

Katherine stared at Nash and nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. Nash chuckled and looked above.

As she looked up, a tear streamed down her cheek.

'Thank you, everyone.'