May I have this dance(1st part by miserikidori)
People
filled the ballroom, a general sense of merriment in the atmosphere.
Various cakes and pastries were scattered about the numerous tables
lining the room. Off to the left an orchestra serenaded the many
guests. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves quite thoroughly.
Lord Eliwood had done a wonderful job arranging this celebration. It
was the anniversary of Nergal's defeat, something most definitely
worthy of a such a gathering. So many familiar faces had come to this
party, though others weren't so fortunate.
There was no use
worrying about those that couldn't make it, that would spoil the
evening for those who were here - especially Lord Eliwood. He worked
so hard to throw this all together, almost entirely on his own.
Apparently his servants did little to actually plan it, they only
helped to arrange the feast and decorate the ballroom. Either way, I
was impressed. I couldn't remember ever attending a celebration so
well organized.
The music suddenly changed its tone. It picked
up from its soothing back melody to a fast pace frolicking bliss. I
watched from the sidelines as everyone began to skip along, finding
partners and stepping to the beat. It wasn't long, however, before
someone caught me unawares and dragged me into it as well. Serra,
though distraught that Erk hadn't attended, seemed to be enjoying
herself... especially as I nearly lost my balance when she pulled me
in. Her warm smile found itself directed at me, so I smiled back. She
had calmed from that bossy menace she had been back when our travels
kept us together. Not entirely, mind you... she still had her
moments, but they were less commanding and fewer in number.
In
motioning to meet her gaze, I could see milord Raymond over her
shoulder. One of our resident archers - I think a sniper by now - had
caught him unawares. I found myself grinning at the sight. He didn't
appear to want her anywhere near him, but she was persistent enough.
Soon he was caught in the music and actually complied. He still
didn't look too content, but it was good for him to be getting
involved with the others. He might actually enjoy himself if she can
play it right. I quickly returned my gaze to Serra, hoping not to
offend her in looking away. It wasn't long before she released me and
I could resume my place against the wall - and next to those
delicious pastries... The evening was wonderful.
I continued
to watch milord Raymond, curious of his reaction to that green-haired
girl. Actually, she looked quite beautiful tonight. A long dress,
snug to her upper body, but billowing out to her feet... it looked
nice on her. The lavender worked well. As she spun a full 720
degrees, it fanned out around her, nearly showing her knees. Milord
Raymond flushed crimson. The ghost of a smile was forming on his lips
as they continued to dance.
I think this is where my own smile
began to fade. I watched more fixatedly as they continued to move
across the floor, driven by some insatiable passion to dance with one
another. It was good to see that he was enjoying himself, but... I
couldn't quite describe what I was feeling at the moment. I had never
felt this way before. Milord Raymond was completely lost in the
music, that had to be it... His eyes were locked on hers, unlike when
they first began to dance. Then, he had been avoiding it, though I
haven't a clue as to why. I also had no idea why he would be so
reluctant to look away now. I could no longer decide if I was happy
for him, or feeling something else.
The music gradually faded.
A few of the candles perched upon chandeliers above were snuffed,
giving the room a more faint golden glow. As the melody returned, its
pace had slowed considerably. She hooked her arms around his
shoulders. An indescribably sickening sensation welled within me as
his own snaked about her waist. He held her so close, their foreheads
were pressed together - his lowered to hers accordingly. As the
pink-haired cleric invited me to dance a second time, I had to
refuse. Something had come onto me. Maybe it was this feeling... that
perhaps... Something about watching milord Raymond and that sniper
dance was making me more than just a little uncomfortable.
In
gradation, the music hitched back to its original fast merry pace.
The candles were relit and the two continued their movements,
gracefully making the change in their own pace. The music must have
captivated them, milord Raymond wasn't looking for a woman... People
formed a ring around the two, clapping to the beat of the music as
they made quite the display. His blush had faded and the smile
ghosting earlier was now genuinely widespread.
Someone ordered
that the music stop. It passed from its climax into a brief
denouement in seconds, and left milord Raymond supporting Rebecca's
arched body only inches from the ground. As the others clapped and
whistled merrily, my stomach hit the ground. My face had been wiped
blank, and was now coming back with a trembling lower lip and tears
welling in my eyes. Okay, they had their show. I wanted him back now.
I wanted to head back to the orphans with him and live life the way
we always did...
I edged closer to the ring, not having gotten
into it earlier. I had to admit, it was wonderful to see milord with
such profound contentment in his eyes, but... I just couldn't accept
it. He would come back to me in a moment, right? He would give me a
hug and complain about something in a minute, right? Yeah... any
second now he would set her properly on her feet and come back to my
side. He had to... I managed to choke back the tears and wear some
falsehood of a smile. At least no one would know I was distraught.
I
waited patiently for the ring to clear, though something seemed to be
missing from the scene. Just one little action and it would be
complete, but which action was this? I didn't want to think about it.
It would be something to bring them even closer, wouldn't it? Just to
rub it in my face! It was not going to happen. I had had enough of
being the one others confided in, he was the one I could rely on! She
couldn't take him from me!
Before lifting her from where the
tips of her unbraided hair touched the ground, he leaned closer to
her. I gasped. Their lips met. I couldn't bear to watch this any
longer. I spun on my heels and faced away, those tears coming back to
haunt me. As they trailed down my cheeks, I tried to accept this.
Milord Raymond did mention how he felt about her in our travels. He
had said that if any woman was the one for him, it was Rebecca... but
somehow, in this moment of unveiling, I just could not bring myself
to accept that. An unpleasant tingling sensation shot through my
spine, causing my feet to give out from under me. My knees hit the
marble of the floor, making me cry aloud.
I couldn't tell you
what happened next... I fell unconscious. By the time the news came
to me, I was already detached and able to bear it. Soon... Soon
milord Raymond and Rebecca would be wed. I sighed, my gaze unfocused.
At least... it was nice to see him smile.