Diana and Akko have finished the first dance and are now ready to start the family greetings. Meanwhile, the rest of Luna Nova witches are doing their best to not get the attention of the other guests at the party.
I wonder how Akko is doing… Croix thinks while getting her ramen bowl out of the microwave.
"I mean, she sounded pretty nervous on the phone…" she mutters. "And it is Akko we're talking about… Who when nervous tends to become more clumsy."
Ok that was kinda mean.
"Damn it, if only Char had taken her phone with her." Croix pouts. "But no, she had to say that she wasn't going to because she knew I was going to call her too much asking for videos and pictures." she grumbles. "I mean, it's not like I can just go ahead and escap…" she stops talking as soon as she realizes something.
But I can escape! I am Croix Meridies, one of the greatest witches of the modern era!
Chuckling, the lilac-haired witch starts moving around her place, picking some of her drones and machines, hoping they could help her document every single moment of tonight's ball; it wasn't every day that your adopted daughters got the equivalent of engaged in the magic community.
Rummaging through her closet, she finds the clothes that Chariot and her had bought together a couple of weeks ago (who had done so because she felt bad that Croix was helping her get a new dress for the ball she wasn't going to). Wanting to thank her girlfriend for her kind and considerate nature, Croix gets rapidly dressed. After making sure that she looked good, the inventor grabs Diana's invitation from her desk and puts it in her pocket, confirming one last time that she had everything she needed.
"Ok!" she says excitedly. "Seems like I'm ready to go!" she presses some buttons on her phone and a hologram of herself appears. "That should be enough to fool the people at the Ministry." she huffs and is ready to open the door when she hears someone knocking.
"Croix, I'm here." she peeps through the peephole and sees that Luke, her parole officer, is standing outside.
"Damn it, I forgot he was coming today." Croix groans and steps away from the door, looking around her in hopes of finding another way out.
"Croix… I can hear you stepping away from the door." Luke says bored. "Now come on, open up."
"Give me a second." she answers him and starts moving boxes away.
"What are you doing?" the parole officer asks suspiciously.
"Nothing!" Croix answers and pushes the final box away from the window. "Ok, now I need to open this" she mutters and the moment she opens the window she hears it crack.
"Croix?!" she hears Luke calling from outside her apartment. "What was that?!"
"I'm sorry Luke!" she screams while stepping on the window. "But I really can't stay here while Akko, Diana and Char are at the ball."
"Croix don't!" Luke screams and takes his wand out. " Velga Veeda!" he blows the door up and watches Croix smiling cheekily at him. "Croix, get away from that window now!"
"Don't worry, I'll bring you some cake!" Croix promises and jumps on her drone, it immediately flying away from her apartment and a very angry looking Luke. "Make sure that they don't find out I'm gone! And fix my door!"
"I will kill that woman." Luke grumbles but goes ahead and starts doing everything Croix told him.
He was really whipped.
LWALWALWALWA
This… Diana thinks while feeling Akko's lips on top of hers… is truly magical.
The music, the people around, the electricity and magic flowing between them; it was impossible for the heiress to not kiss her girlfriend. It was a desire, which she knew was reciprocated by Akko, to further cement their bond by sealing their new vow with a kiss. Because in a way, that was what had happened tonight: When Akko accepted her invitation to be her date, she made a vow to Diana.
And Diana was going to make sure that Akko knew how thankful she was about it.
Stepping away from Akko when she feels the magic between them dissipating, the blonde heiress sees the way her girlfriend still has her eyes closed.
Chuckling, Diana caresses Akko's cheek with her hand to get her attention.
"That was magical." she whispers and feels Akko nodding in return. "Thank you."
Akko opens her eyes and smiles brightly at her.
"Thank you for inviting me." she says. "Not just to the ball, but to your home. For opening the doors to your life and your heart."
"I want to share everything with you, Akko." Diana confesses. "I don't want to be alone anymore."
"You will never be." the brunette promises her. "Not as long as I'm breathing, Dia."
"I know." Diana smiles and finally separates the two of them, nevertheless, still holding Akko's hand tight.
"Dia…" Akko whispers after a while. "Everyone is looking at us."
"They're looking at you because you're breathtaking."
Akko laughs.
"You're such a charmer Dia." she notices her friends in a table and waves at them. "Wow, they all look very nice."
"Indeed." Diana replies and also waves at them before their attention is brought back to the festivities.
"Well!" the host finally says and the whispering around them stops. "Let us welcome our esteemed host and her date for the Cavendish Ball, Miss Diana Cavendish of the Cavendish Family and Atsuko Kagari." she finishes and the two Luna Nova witches hear people clapping around them.
"That…" Diana whispers to Akko while faking a smile. "Is the aristocracy's way to 'polite clap'."
"It's scary." the brunette adds because she can see that even though the people around them were clapping, their eyes were analyzing everything about them.
In a very obvious, criticizing way.
"Now, for the next part of the ball, you're all welcomed to come to the stage and dance to your heart's delight." the host explains to the public and the two witches see people finally looking away from them.
"Thank Jennifer." Akko whispers and then opens her eyes in surprise. "Wait, does that mean that we get to dance again?" Akko asks happily and Diana feels sad for not being able to please her girlfriend.
"I'm afraid we can't. You see, while the rest of people are dancing, the leaders of the nine-olde families will be paying their respects to me. And, because you're my date, it is expected of you to be with me."
"Oh…" she murmurs and notices the way Diana is thinking hard about something.
"You don't have to come with me if you don't want to." the blonde says immediately. "In fact, since you already saw where the rest of our friends are, how about you join them?"
"Diana, I have two questions that I want you to answer honestly." Akko asks determined.
"Ok."
"Number one, will it look bad if I'm not with you?" the brunette asks simply.
Diana nods because it would look bad. But, she would be able to manage it. It wouldn't be the end of the world.
"Number two; do you want me to be with you?"
"More than anything." she replies honestly. She wanted Akko by her side always.
"Then let's go. If we're done with this quickly then we can dance more and eat!" Akko chuckles and pulls Diana to the reception hall, making the blonde heiress smile fondly at the sight of her supportive girlfriend.
Akko was too good for her.
"Dia." the Japanese witch says after getting close to the reception hall. "I just remembered that I forgot to ask you about what I should do."
This makes Diana laugh loudly and get everyone's attention.
"Dianaaaa." Akko pouts. "Don't be mean. I'm really nervous about saying something wrong."
"I'm sorry." she apologizes while kissing Akko's cheek. "It was just that what you said was typical you, Akko." she looks around them. "Just stay by my side. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to because the only thing they're supposed to do is pay their respects. After that, it's the next person in line."
"Ok, I can do that."
"I know you'll do great!" the heiress says confidently and stands with Akko in place for the greetings to start. "I believe in you."
"Thanks Dia." Akko whispers and watches the first woman confidently approach them.
It's showtime!
LWALWALWA
Akko looks beautiful… Ursula thinks while watching the brunette witch make her way towards Diana.
"Akko looks incredible." Amanda whispers and she nods in agreement.
"I knew she was beautiful." Lotte adds. "But that…"
"Diana is lucky." Sucy simply says and all the girls in the table agree.
"It's quite shocking to see that Akko can move so smoothly." Barbara follows the two Luna Nova witches with her eyes. "Specially because we have seen firsthand how clumsy Akko can be."
"But now she's dancing perfectly." Hannah finishes her friend's thought.
"They did dance together that Shiny Chariot dance." Amanda reminds them. "So it's not like Akko can't dance."
"Yeah, but then they thought they were alone. This time they're dancing in front of everyone. " Constanze writes on her notepad.
"Look, they're doing that dance again." Jasminka points to their two friends who have taken their performance positions.
"Now?" Hannah and Barbara ask at the same time.
"Why would that be a problem?" Sucy asks.
"It goes against tradition!" the redhead witch further explains.
"I think they've stopped worrying about that." Ursula whispers but knows all the girls heard her. "To them, this moment that we just witnessed, of Akko accepting Diana's invitation; meant so much more than publicly announcing their relationship. And right now, this dance they're doing, is their way of showing each other how much they love one another."
All the witches after that continue to stare at their two friends and stay silently mesmerized until the blinding light forces them to face away from the performance.
"It's incredible." Lotte says wishfully. "How much they care about each other."
"It really is." the professor smiles and starts clapping with the rest of people in the room. "That was truly something."
"It was beautiful." Sucy admits and gets shocked looks from all the people sitting at the table, Ursula included. "What? I can admit things like that as well." she huffs.
"Yeah, but you never say them." Amanda laughs and that gets them the attention of some of the other guests. "Well, now that those two are done with their dance, does that mean that the party is over?"
"Of course not!" Barbara exclaims. "The evening is just getting started."
"Now that Diana and Akko have opened the dancefloor, all the couples that wish to dance can do so."
"We could dance with them as well!" Lotte says happily but is rapidly corrected by Hannah.
"Unfortunately, while the guests are dancing, the host of the ball has to welcome the heads of the nine-olde families."
"And since Diana officially made Akko her companion, I'm assuming that she must be there as well?" Ursula asks.
"It wouldn't look good if she isn't." Barbara tells them seriously.
"But knowing Diana, if Akko were to ask her, she would let her come join us." Amanda can understand what Hannah and Barbara were trying to say.
"And since Akko will do anything to support Diana, most probably those two will greet the guests together." Sucy summarizes.
"Then what are we supposed to do?!" Amanda complains. "The main reasons we came to this party was to be with Akko and Diana."
"We could eat." Jazminka suggests.
"We could have a robot dance battle against each other." Constanze adds.
"I don't think that would help Diana's position very much since everyone knows that we are her friends." Lotte murmurs.
"Or we could try to sneak around and hear what Akko and Diana are saying inside that room?" they all hear a familiar voice say from behind them.
Turning around, all the Luna Nova witches, including a blushing Ursula, can't stop themselves from admiring the beautiful woman standing in front of them.
It was a good idea that I got her to buy those clothes… Ursula thinks and blushes even more when Croix catches her staring and winks suggestively at her.
I will kill her.
"Professor Croix?!"
"Croix!" Ursula and the girls scream at the same time to the chuckling inventor.
"Surprise!" Croix tells them cheekily.
"Surprise?!" Ursula huffs. "Is that really the first thing you'll say to me?" she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "I mean, what are you doing here?! How are you here?"
"Well…" the inventor starts to explain but is interrupted by Sucy.
"She ditched her parole officer." the witch says proudly. "Nice one Professor Croix."
"No, not nice." the former performer corrects them immediately. "Croix, you know better…"
"I know…" Croix pouts. "But I really didn't want to miss the ball! It's not everyday that I have my almost adopted daughters get the equivalent of engaged to each other!"
"I had no idea it was that serious!" Amanda says shocked. "Wow, are they even ready for something like that?"
"They seem to be." Lotte adds.
"We already went over all of that…" Croix interrupts them. "Right now what is important is finding a way to hear what they're saying inside the reception hall."
"You know we can't do that." Ursula says annoyed. "What we need to do is make sure you go back home before Luke gets here."
"Come on Char, don't be that way! I even dressed up for the ball!" she twirls and her cape goes along with her.
"She does look rather dashing." Lotte adds from behind her.
She really does… Ursula thinks and notices her girlfriend giving her a knowing smile.
She knows she can't take Croix back.
"Ok, fine you can stay." Ursula murmurs defeated.
"Yay!"
"That was really easy." Sucy adds. "Totally whipped."
"Manbavaran…" the red-haired woman threatens.
"Well, if she is staying…" Amanda smiles. "Then let's use her to find out what is happening behind those doors."
"Girls!" Ursula tries to say but notices all the witches follow Croix out of the ballroom. "Damn it…" she whispers and goes along with them.
Diana was going to kill them…
LWALWALWA
"Diana…" Akko whispers to her while grabbing her hand. "I know that this may not be the best time to ask you this, but I've always been curious about something."
This gets Diana's attention.
"Akko, you can ask me anything." the heiress tells her warmly. "I promise that I will always try to tell you the truth.."
"I've always been curious about the nine-olde families and from where they come from."
Diana smiles softly at her and gives the host a hand signal.
"What did you just do?" Akko asks curiously.
"I just gave us a couple of extra minutes so I can quickly explain to you the history of the olde families. As you know, the nine olde families come from the bloodline of the nine olde witches."
"I remember. Magic, even though it can be found everywhere in the world, was first explored and used in Europe. Which is why the nine olde witches come from that continent."
"Indeed. During that time, Europe was divided in kingdoms. Hence, the nine olde witches come from four kingdoms: England, France, Ireland and Spain."
"I see…" Akko mutters and Diana chuckles.
"This is history that is taught at Luna Nova to the senior students. It's ok if you don't know this, Akko. The folklore and myth behind the nine olde witches is a well kept secret in the magic community. I only know their names because I am the head of an olde family."
"You mean not many people know the identity of the nine olde witches?"
Diana nods.
"If you think about it, there are not many images of the nine olde witches together. You will only find them in their specific houses and families. Even in Principal Holbrook's office, the only thing she has of the nine-olde witches are their hats. And only because they founded Luna Nova together."
"That is interesting." Akko says fascinated. "Can you tell me their names?"
Diana chuckles.
"I did tell you that I would keep no secrets from you." the blonde promises and smirks when Akko blushes.
"Come on Dia, stop teasing me!" Akko pouts and Diana knows she can't resist that pout.
"Ok, ok, I will tell you." she promises. "Freya the Competitive, Beatrix the Compassionate and Ella the Adventurous are the founders of the Allerton, Cavendish and Adley family respectively. These three witches are originally from England. Then we have Saoirse the Gregarius and Woodward the Inventive. They established the McCallister and Brennan families that come from Ireland." she pauses and notices Akko flinch a little at the mention of the McCallister family.
Diana wanted to kill Sarah McCallister every time that happened.
"After that we have Jeanne the Inventive and Claudette the Passionate, who founded the Meridies and Dubois families in France." the blonde adds and is thankful that hearing about Professor Croix's family helps her get Akko's attention back.
"Croix-Sensei did mention to me that her family is part of the nine-olde families."
"She is not directly in line to become the head of the family because her mother is the youngest of three children. Hence, her probabilities of ever taking the lead are pretty null." Diana explains to her. "Still, I think she is quite happy about that."
"Croix-Sensei wouldn't do well in an environment like that one. She would suffocate. She did suffocate."
"Indeed." the british witch smiles kindly. "Finally, we have Teresa the Sincere and Isabel the Witty. They established the Garcia and Fernandez families in Spain."
"When you say established, does that mean then that the current heads of the olde families are from these countries as well?"
Diana nods.
"In the magic community, and to most magical families, blood is important. Royal blood, to them, is the blood of the nine olde families. Hence, the nine olde families have prioritized to stay in their countries of origin because their sphere of influence and power there is very powerful."
"I can see that." the Japanese witch whispers. "To be honest with you, before I got to really know you, I thought that you were cold and serious for no reason at all. But now, it all makes sense: It's a way to protect yourself from this environment."
Diana nods.
"It's not something many witches have to even think about." she tells Akko simply. "Not many people in the magic community are aware of the true power of the nine olde families. They don't know that they act from behind the scenes in every major political and economical event."
"That's scary."Akko says.
"There's still time for you to take what happened earlier back." Diana whispers kindly to her. "This, being with me, is no simple thing. I would understand if you wanted to return to Luna Nova and pretend this never happened."
"Never." the brunette witch vows. "I will never regret accepting your invitation, Diana Cavendish. I am afraid that you're stuck with me, forever."
Diana blushes.
"I wouldn't want anything else." she whispers and is going to add something more but watches one of the olde heads come to them.
"Now dear, surely you will not have us wait any longer, right?" a woman in her mid forties tells them formally.
"Of course not." Diana says politely. "I apologize if my actions disrespected you."
"They did not. Not when it was to spend some alone time with your partner." she says knowingly while staring at Akko. "Trust me dear, I can understand the need of wanting to spend every waking moment with the person you love."
Diana and Akko blush.
"You are not mistaken in that, Mrs. Allerton." Diana responds. "Nevertheless, let me apologize again for my rudeness and welcome you to the ball. I hope you've enjoyed the evening so far."
"It has been quite interesting." Mrs. Allerton chuckles. "Certainly, I was not expecting you to come already accompanied to your first ball. And so young."
"Akko is very dear to me." the blonde heiress explains simply. "Asking her to be my date for the ball was not a difficult decision to make."
Mrs. Allerton chuckles.
"I see. Diana, you remind me so much of your mother. You are just as passionate as she was." she smiles kindly. "A pleasant surprise."
"Thank you Mrs. Allerton." Diana now gives the older woman a honest smile. "I truly hope you continue to enjoy the ball."
"One always finds ways to entertain oneself in this sort of events." Mrs. Allerton chuckles and stares at Akko. "Young lady…" she tells her seriously. "I do hope you know what it is you're getting into by being in a relationship with a head of an olde family."
This makes Diana and Akko focus on the woman.
"Being in such a position, it certainly brings moments of difficulty and tension. Nevertheless, if surpassed, it can also be a rewarding and powerful place to be in." she smirks. "In order to survive, you will need to grow a backbone dear."
"I will do anything to protect Diana." Akko says confidently. "That is why I am here tonight."
Mrs. Allerton stares at Akko for a while and the brunette is thinking of what to say to apologize for her rudeness.
Yet before she can do that she hears Mrs. Allerton laughing and feels her squeezing her hands kindly.
"I like you dear. Diana, please do bring Akko with you next time you visit my estate." Mrs. Allerton says. "She is quite a delight."
"I will try to do so." Diana chuckles and the two younger girls watch the older woman leave.
"She was something." Akko says and the blonde heiress nods in agreement.
"Her name is Madeline Allerton. She wasn't originally part of an olde family but she married into the Allerton family. But because her husband died, she became the head of the Allerton family. I guess that's why she wanted to warn you about the responsibilities of being with a head of an olde-family."
"I thought she was going to be more resentful of our relationship." the Japanese girl murmurs.
"Well, she must know what it feels like to do what you just did, Akko. The conviction and bravery one must possess." Diana whispers proudly.
"You're going to make me blush."
"Oh, we certainly wouldn't want that, right?" she jokes and chuckles when Akko simply pouts. "I adore the way you pout."
"I know, that's why I do it." Akko says and smirks at Diana's shocked face. "Oh look, another head of family is coming." she adds with a knowing smile.
"This conversation is not over." Diana whispers to her and becomes all serious again. "Mrs. Brennan, how have you been?"
She was going to make Akko pay for her cheekiness.
LWALWALWA
"This is a bad idea." Constanze writes on her notepad and all the witches can't help but agree with her.
"You mean: This is a brilliant idea!" Croix smirks while placing the last couple of drones around the building.
"Well, nothing suspicious about some robots floating around the mansion." Amanda says sarcastically.
"They also look very menacing." Lotte adds. "Shouldn't they, you know, be smaller? Like for espionage?"
"Girls, girls, where are your critical thinking skills?" Croix huffs. "You seriously mean to tell me that you still haven't figured out my plan?"
"Is there really a plan?" Ursula asks condescendingly and this makes the Luna Nova girls chuckle.
"Char, char, you are not getting my point." the inventor explains exasperated. "If we pretend that nothing is wrong with the robots and just ignore them; then people will also believe that they are supposed to be a part of the festivities."
"Why would they ignore them? They look suspicious enough."
"They will ignore them because they will believe that they are meant to be there. Instead, if we try to put something small, then that will most probably be found because security will be expecting it."
"But then, using that same logic, wouldn't security also know that those droids haven't been scheduled to be there?" Sucy asks and this makes the inventor remain quiet.
She hadn't thought about that.
"Ok girls…" Ursula says amused. "I believe tonight's show is over…" she tries to get them all to leave the vicinity but then watches the way Croix's defeated stance changes to one of determination.
Oh no…
"I, Croix Meridies, will discover what is being said behind those doors!" she vows and presses some buttons in her phone. "Thanks to my latest invention."
"Your latest invention?" Hannah asks fascinated.
"Indeed…" she takes out a small dot from her phone. "This is a spy dot. The dot, when placed on someone, will give me readings of their vital signs, their emotional state as well as allow us to hear what that person is hearing live."
"How will it be able to hear when there is no microphone in the dot." Constanze asks honestly curious.
"Brain Waves." Croix smirks. "This dot can hear brain waves and soundwaves and hence reproduce what the person wearing it is hearing and saying." she finishes proudly.
"But how will we put the dot on a person that is inside the room when the doors are closed?" Amanda asks cheekily and this makes the inventor's smile disappear.
"Amanda is right." Ursula reproaches her girlfriend. "You, more than anyone, know that once those doors are closed it is nearly impossible to open them up."
"You're right." the lilac-haired woman murmurs.
"I am glad you can see that darling." the former performer starts saying relieved.
"But I know what types of circumstances would make them open those doors." Croix whispers conspiratorially and Ursula wants to just go home and crawl in her bed.
"That, to me, sounds like you want to create some chaos, Professor Croix." Sucy says amused.
"Not chaos." the inventor immediately corrects after getting a menacing look from her girlfriend. "Just a distraction that would force a waitress to inform Diana about it."
"Like a fire?" Barbara asks worriedly.
"No fires!" Ursula stops them from getting crazy ideas.
"No, no. This has to be something different. Something with a higher finesse." the pink-haired witch mutters to herself.
"Something that we wouldn't mind much but the people here would totally hate." Amanda adds and that's when Croix's eyes open up.
Everyone that saw her knew that she had just gotten another idea.
"I have the perfect idea." Croix says excitedly and Ursula knows that Diana will certainly kill them.
LWALWALWA
"Forgive me for being so direct…" Mr. Fernandez says while getting closer to them. "But I honestly wasn't expecting you to bring a date, Diana. And a woman at that."
"You have always suspected that I liked women, Oscar." Diana tells him simply.
"I mean, all those times we went out and you just didn't look interested at all…"
This makes Akko chuckle and earn the attention of the two family heads.
"Really, your gaydar is based on your looks and capacity to get women to look at you?" the Japanese witch explains and this makes Diana and Oscar just stare at each other before bursting into laughter.
"Ok, I will admit that did sound very vain." Oscar murmurs but then becomes serious. "But what I really wanted to say Diana was that what you did tonight was very brave. Even inspiring for others like you."
"Others like me?" Diana asks curiously and then realizes what Oscar is trying to say. "That man that accompanied you… The one that stayed behind for the greeting. He's not your bodyguard."
"He is not." Oscar confirms. "For us wizards, it is easier to make people believe that when we go accompanied to a party the person with us is our bodyguard." he whispers bitterly. "But seeing you both today…" he smiles warmly at the two witches. "Certainly gives me hope that things will start changing."
"Change starts with action." Akko tells him softly. "Trust me, I know how scary it can be to create change. But if we are not the ones that start it, then who will?" she smiles kindly. "Hopefully Diana and I gave you some courage tonight."
"You two did more than that." Oscar tells them happily. "And even though this is just a greeting, I wanted to officially invite you to Spain to visit the Fernandez family. It has been a long time since the Cavendish and Fernandez have had more than cordial relationships. Perhaps, now more than ever, it is time to change that, Diana."
Diana nods and grabs Oscar's hand.
"I thank you for your invitation and I am looking forward to visiting Spain yet again. This time though, with the company of my partner." Diana accepts the invitation and notices Akko blushing.
"Of course Miss Kagari is more than welcomed to join you." the wizard confirms. "Maybe we could even make it a double date event." he whispers conspiratorially and the three of them chuckle amicably.
"I am looking forward to it, Oscar." Akko smiles and waves to Oscar's bodyguard. "Maybe next time we'll get the chance for you to properly introduce us to your partner."
Oscar nods in agreement and smiles at them one more time before going back and leaving the two Luna Nova witches alone.
"I wasn't expecting him to accept so quickly that he is dating another man." the blonde heiress whispers to Akko while watching the two older men fall to the back of the room.
"Is it really that surprising?" Akko asks confused. "For there to be same-sex couples? I know it is in Japan." she further explains. "But I thought that Europe was more tolerant towards LGBTQ people."
"They are." Diana explains. "But remember Akko that this is not Europe we are talking about. We are talking about the magical community. And in here, the two main motivators for family unions are blood and progenity. To continue the family line."
"And technically same-sex couples can't have children."
"Now they can." the blonde witch simply says. "No Akko, do not get confused. The main reason behind some witches and wizards' objections to same-sex couples is bigotry. Old family members that are stuck in their old ways." she finishes bitterly.
"You feel very passionate about this." the Japanese witch chuckles. "Well, you are with me so I guess you must be. I don't think we ever talked much about it, but did you always know you liked women romantically?"
Diana nods.
"I was a very boyish girl while growing up. I loved horseback riding, hence I would always wear my riding clothes instead of dresses and skirts. My outfits when I am in the manor, as you have probably noticed, tend to be either pants or shorts with jackets and closed shoes. So you can imagine what many people said to my mother about me: 'Such a pretty face, all hidden and ruined because of those men's clothes'."
"You do look very dashing in them." Akko interrupts her girlfriend and smiles when Diana blushes. "It must have been very confusing for you to grow up in such an environment: Hearing people say that it wasn't ok to love people of the same sex and then experiencing these feelings…"
"This may sound false, but to be honest, I don't think I ever really cared about what people thought about me. My mother told me to never live for others but for myself. When she died, that was the moment I decided to really implement what she told me that day. In honor of her."
Akko kisses her softly on the cheek, making Diana blush even more.
"Well, I believe you are a very brave, strong and beautiful woman, Diana. And I am lucky to have you."
"I am the lucky one, Akko." Diana whispers lovingly and is going to add something more before watching Akko look away from her and freeze in complete shock.
Turning around to see what had made her girlfriend react in such a way, she feels herself getting angrier with each step that the three people in front of her were making towards them. Because, although she had specifically said in her invitation that only Mr. and Mrs. McCallister were invited to the ball, it seemed like they decided to ignore her wishes and chose to bring their daughter, Sarah, along to the party.
And the last thing Diana wanted was for Akko to have a panic attack.
Yet it seemed like this was going to happen very soon.
Focusing on her girlfriend, who had somehow composed herself from her scare, she got close to Akko in order to whisper.
"We can go." Diana tells her softly. "They are the last ones of the night. We can go."
"It would look bad if you leave, Diana." Akko tells her back.
"It will. And it may even lead to some repercussions later." the blonde admits. "But to me, you are more important than all of that, Akko. Just tell me the words and I will let everyone know that we are done with the greetings for the night." she finishes passionately and opens her eyes in shock when Akko kisses her directly on the lips.
"And I love you because of that." Akko tells her warmly after separating their lips. "But just like you have been brave all night long, it is now my turn to face her."
"You are not alone, Akko. I will be with you the whole time."
"I know." the brunette witch smiles at her. "In fact, that's why I am capable of saying and doing this. Because I know you'll be with me the whole time."
"Always." Diana reassures her one last time before focusing on the McCallisters, who had just gotten to the front of the line. "Mr. and Mrs. McCallister, thank you for coming to tonight's ball." she simply says and knows it's barely polite.
"We thank you for the invitation, Diana Cavendish." Mr. McCallister says tersely.
"Dear, it seems like our host has forgotten to greet Sarah." Mrs. McCallister says with a fake smile while pointing towards her daughter. "You both study together at Luna Nova."
So they're pretending that Sarah is still at Luna Nova… Diana thinks to herself while watching the red-headed girl try to gain Akko's attention, who was blatantly ignoring her.
Nice Akko.
"I have not forgotten." Diana says firmly. "I was merely greeting the people that I invited to the ball."
"Oh my... " Mrs. McCallister chuckles. "Now this is very awkward. We just assumed that the invitation had a typo."
"It did not." the blonde doesn't deter. "For very obvious reasons, that I am sure you must be aware of, I decided to not invite Miss McCallister to the ball. And yet, in a complete show of rudeness, you have chosen to go against my wishes. In my own party." she finishes loudly and knows the other heads of families are focused on their conversation.
"Now, now…" Mr. McCallister tries to appease her. "Please Diana, forgive my wife for her indiscretion in this matter. And since we are talking about it, also consider forgiving my Sarah for her rudeness. She knows better than to start altercations with fellow olde family members."
He is apologizing for what Sarah did to me and not what she did to Akko?! Diana thinks while staring at her girlfriend and noticing the way her fists are closed.
"Yeah, I mean, you were the one that were aggressive at first, Diana." Sarah adds cheekily. "I just couldn't stop myself from reacting."
Diana feels herself losing control. She just feels so angry. Concentrating on her anger and her bitterness at the situation they are currently in, she knows that if she wants to, she'll be able to use her magic.
Even though she doesn't have her wand close.
Nevertheless, before she can put that theory to test, she feels Akko holding her hand tightly, getting Diana to focus on her instead of thinking about her hate towards Sarah and her awful family.
Taking a deep breath, and knowing that what she was going to do next would have some very serious consequences, she lets it all out.
"Mr. McCallister, just like I am addressing you by your last name, I expect you to show me the same respect and do the same. Right now you are not talking to a Luna Nova student. You are talking to the head of the Cavendish family." Diana says loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear them. "Second of all, I will not let bygones be bygones." she continues firmly. "Because your daughter did not just exchange some magic spells with me."
"Now Miss Cavendish, surely this is not the place nor time to discuss this…" Mr. McCallister tries to stop her.
"I agree, this is not the place. But, you were the ones that brought the subject into discussion by bringing your daughter to the ball." the heiress continues saying angrily and notices the way Mrs. McCallister is eyeing her husband worriedly. "And because of that, I feel I can finally say what I've wanted to say ever since that incident."
"What incident?" Oscar asks from within the group of people and Diana is thankful her friend asked.
"Months ago, Miss McCallister, the future heir of the McCallister family, had an altercation with me." she starts explaining. "I am sure you have heard that. But, what you probably didn't hear was how the altercation started. For you see, Miss McCallister was famous at Luna Nova for being a bully. Mocking and shaming witches that were of lesser families than her." she spits out and can see some people reacting to that.
"That is normal teenage behavior dear." Mrs. McCallister interrupts her. "We have all done it growing up. It is just a rite of passage that is forgotten the moment one leaves school."
"Normal behavior?" Diana asks shocked. "You mean it's normal behavior to see an older witch go ahead and hit and attack an unarmed witch?!" she screams and now she gets the attention of everyone. "Your daughter…" she points at Sarah who is doing her best to stay behind her parents. "Viciously targeted and attacked my partner because of her status as a new witch. She mocked, then physically started injuring my Akko…" she closes her eyes. "Just because she was against a reform Luna Nova wanted to implement and was hoping to make out of Akko an example and warning. Actions that had her expelled from Luna Nova!"
The moment she finishes saying this, she knows that she just eliminated all sorts of relationships with the McCallister family. By outing their indiscretions so publicly, she basically made herself a new enemy. And, based on the way Mr. McCallister was angrily looking at her, she wouldn't have to wait very long to see how they would retaliate.
"She is no witch!" Sarah screams, having lost all patience and ignoring her mother's warning. "You dare bring such a mutt to our events?!"
"Sarah!" Mrs. McCallister scolds her daughter immediately. "Though my daughter's words are very uncount for such a gathering, I will agree that she is right regarding your wish to include this…" she stares at Akko despectively. "Plebeian witch to the Cavendish family. What would your mother even think?"
The moment she says that she feels Akko flinching a little. Knowing that that comment had affected Akko, Diana takes a deep calming breath before addressing Mrs. McCallister, who is clearly waiting for her to react just as angrily as Sarah had.
"She would be proud of me for following my heart and not the steps of bigot and racist people like you." she simply says and watches Mrs. McCallister's face become all red.
"You insolent…" Mrs. McCallister starts saying.
"That is enough!" Mr. McCallister bellows and all the people in the room freeze, including Diana. "We are leaving." he says to his wife and daughter who turn around and start heading out. "And Miss Cavendish, consider this my official notice that all sorts of relationships and deals between the Cavendish and McCallister are terminated." he finishes and leaves the room as well.
The moment the McCallister are gone, the rest of people in the room start whispering to each other, which gives Diana a short reprieve to check on her girlfriend.
"Akko?" she whispers. "Are you ok?" she closes her eyes. "I am sorry I said all of that. That I let everyone know about what happened to you."
"It's alright." Akko tells her softly. "And I am ok." she adds confused. "For some reason, seeing her so scared and ashamed of her position in front of all of these people… It reminded me of how I felt when she was bullying me. It didn't make me feel happy to see her that way." she explains to Diana. "But it did make me feel sorry for her. And feeling that way, it made me realize that she no longer holds any power over me." she finishes with a smile.
"Akko…" Diana whispers happily. "I am so glad to hear that. For a moment I was scared of what would happen but… I guess I just had a lot of things that needed to be said to her. To them." she points towards the heads of families.
"Then this was a cathartic event for both of us." Akko chuckles but then becomes serious. "Though I am worried about what he said at the end. What does that mean for the Cavendish family?"
"It means that Diana here just got herself a new enemy." Mrs. Allerton tells them candidly while drinking some champagne.
"Mrs. Allerton." Diana greets her. "I had no choice."
"I understand dear." the older woman tells her kindly. "It's disgraceful what that young woman did to your partner." she adds bitterly. "For a future head of family to behave in such a way… And they dared to bring her to the ball?"
"Maybe that was what they wanted." Akko murmurs and gets the attention of the two heads. "I mean, they must have known that Diana would never invite Sarah."
"And they still brought her." Diana adds.
"Like a test to see how far you would go." the brunette witch continues explaining. "Like playing chicken."
"But why would they even do that?" the heiress wonders.
"Well dear, you may not know this, but I've heard rumors that Thomas was planning to retire once Sarah graduated Luna Nova. But after hearing you say that she was expelled, it makes sense that he didn't continue with his plans."
"So he blames us for his daughter's expulsion?" Akko asks surprised.
"It is not as simple as that dear." Mrs. Allerton says to the Japanese witch. "As you probably saw today, most of the heads of families are from the new generation. In fact, out of the nine heads, only 4 of us are older than 40 years old. And this new generation is bolder. Thomas saw that tonight."
"You mean when I brought Akko as my date." Diana determines.
Mrs. Allerton nods.
"He has always been very conservative. And, at the moment, he sees you as a threat because he knows you can change things, Diana. And he doesn't want there to be change."
"So what, him saying that there will no longer be a relationship between the Cavendish and McCallister is his way of declaring war?" the brunette asks confused.
"Well, soon enough the heads of families will start receiving some calls from Thomas asking them where they stand; either with the McCallister or Cavendish." Mrs. Allerton smiles darkly. "Oh yes, this could turn pretty ugly dear. I think you should also start making some calls and checking who will support you."
"Support?" Akko cannot believe what she's saying "Why would the other families get involved in something that only has to do between the Cavendish and McCallister."
"Because that is the way disputes between magical families have always worked." Diana tells her seriously. "It is part of our tradition. Every time there is a dispute between families, the remaining ones must choose a side and the side who has a majority of support or more power wins the claim."
"In what sense more power?" Akko asks worriedly.
"Well, if Mr. McCallister were to have way more allies than I, then that makes him the victor in our discussion. But, if we had a similar amount of allies, then it's about the territories where we have control and influence."
"Most probably Thomas will have control of Ireland. He's very close with Cassandra Brennan and they are very backwards in their way of thinking."
"Spain may support me." Diana adds. "Oscar seemed very open to having a relationship with the Cavendish and Marisol Garcia seems like she wants to start changes in the magic community."
"So that means you will have Spain on your side. In regards to France, Celine Dubois also just took control of her family. Her mother would have sided with Thomas, but many know that Celine is trying to implement in her area some laws that allow people with no-magic to have business relationships with witches and wizards."
"What about the Meridies family?" Akko asks while thinking of Croix.
"Antoine Meridies will never support the Cavendish." Mrs. Allerton tells them bitterly. "He will never support any woman in a position of power. Hence, we will probably choose to side with Thomas. That male chauvinistic pig."
"Ella Adley will support Thomas as well." Diana adds softly. "I just know it by the way she looked at Akko and me while she was speaking to us."
"And you are right." Mrs. Allerton says while staring at said woman who was talking with Antoine Meridies. "And she will be the most dangerous one for you, Diana. Because she, just like Thomas, will want to get rid of you."
"And what about you, Mrs. Allerton?" Akko bravely asks. "Who will you support?"
This makes Mrs. Allerton laugh loudly and get the attention of everyone in the room.
"You are such a delight dear!" she exclaims proudly while hugging and kissing Akko on the cheek. "I, of course, will be giving my support to the Cavendish family." she promises and then focuses on the rest of people in the room. "Since we all know what Thomas' declaration meant earlier, we will all have some serious thinking to do." she looks at Diana. "Or that is something I would like to say but you all know me already." she laughs. "The Allerton family will be supporting the Cavendish family." she hugs both tight. "Be strong. And be smart. Let me know if you need any help." she whispers warmly. "And I expect you two to come visit me soon." she finishes loudly before leaving the room and everyone in it in complete silence.
"She really did it." Oscar huffs with a smirk on his face while also getting to where Diana and Akko are. "That woman has some nerves of steel." he chuckles.
"In regards to what you said earlier…" Diana starts telling him. "What just happened has nothing to do with our earlier conversation."
"I appreciate that, Diana." the wizard tells her kindly. "Though…" he points at Marisol who also joins them. "We got to talk a little bit while you were…"
"Exchanging some heated words with the McCallister." Marisol adds with a smirk.
"Yes!, and we just wanted you to know before we left for the evening that you have the full support of the Fernandez and Garcia families."
"I appreciate that." Diana tells them with a warm smile.
"If that woman can be so brave and bold." Marisol says with awe. "Then why shouldn't we also try to be." she then grabs Akko's hands tight. "I am happy I got to meet you, Akko, because with you being here, things will start to change for the better."
"Thank you?" Akko says confused and this makes the two spaniards laugh.
"Come to visit us soon, ok. We have much to discuss now more than ever." Oscar adds before escorting Marisol away from them.
After the Spaniards are gone, Diana can see that the rest of head of families in the room are also ready to leave. Nodding to the host, she hears the the woman informing the guests that the greetings were over and that they could return to the party.
But by the way Akko was determinedly looking at her, Diana knew that they would not be going back to the dancefloor.
Taking Akko's hand and leading her to a hidden door, she pushes the wall until there's a hole big enough for them to fit.
"I didn't know this was here." Akko says delighted. "Where does this lead?"
"Back to the main rooms." Diana smiles at her. "I assumed that after what happened earlier we would no longer wish to be part of the festivities downstairs."
"Well, you're right about that." the brunette tells her softly and waits until they are in Diana's room before addressing her concerns. "I wanted to apologize."
"For what Akko?" the blonde witch asks her baffled while using her wand to get rid of her dress and jewelry.
An action that would normally get a reaction from Akko, who was doing her best to not cry.
"What is wrong dear?" Diana whispers kindly. "Please tell me."
"I am sorry you got into so much trouble because of me." Akko cries bitterly.
"Akko, this wasn't your fault. You already said that the McCallister wanted this to happen right from the start."
"But you could have just let it go and nothing would have occured." the brunette chokes out.
"And I told you that I needed to say it. Even though it sounds very selfish of me to say this, I will still say it: You were not the only one hurt by Sarah's actions that day."
"Diana…"
"Having to watch Sarah hurt you like that. Having to watch you recover from what happened and how hard it has been for you to get to where you are today…" Diana whispers bitterly with tears in her eyes. "I felt angry, Akko. And I wanted to let her know that. I wanted them all to know so that everywhere she goes people will always look at her and remember what she did." she spits out. "I know this sounds awful. But I just can't stop myself from feeling this."
"It's alright Diana." Akko smiles softly at her. "In fact, I would probably feel the same way if you were the one that got hurt." she chuckles. "So I understand how you feel."
"Then if you understand, I want you to stop feeling guilty about what happened."
"What else can I do then?" the Japanese witch asks her girlfriend.
"Stay by my side?" Diana asks vulnerably and this makes Akko get closer to the blonde witch so their foreheads are touching.
"I promised you earlier that I would stay forever by your side." Akko reminds her. "And I intend to keep that promise." she then smirks. "I was thinking more in the lines of strategizing, pampering, planning, you know, those kinds of things." she pouts when Diana starts laughing loudly.
"Strategizing, pampering and planning?" the blonde asks amused and finishes cleaning her face before sitting on the bed. "My, my, Akko, already thinking about all of that while your girlfriend is sitting in front of you in only her pajamas."
"Diana!" Akko blushes and turns around from Diana who moves from the bed and hugs Akko tight. "Stop teasing me so much while I'm trying to be serious."
"Oh Akko!" the blonde continues laughing and lets go of Akko so she can return to the bed. "Please forgive me." she asks and knows Akko has already done so by the way the brunette is smiling at her. "For now, your presence is more than enough." she closes her eyes and with her wand makes Akko's kimono disappear and replaces it with a pajama. "The rest…" she whispers while falling asleep. "The rest will come to us later, like it always tends to..." she doesn't finish her line of thought.
And Akko, who had been carefully listening to Diana, is surprised by the sudden silence. Turning around to see what had happened, the brunette notices that the blonde witch had fallen asleep in the middle of a sentence.
Chuckling at the sight of her sleeping girlfriend, Akko finishes taking her makeup off and then lays down next to Diana in the bed, making sure of kissing her cheek before turning the lights off.
"Goodnight Diana. I promise you that we will figure this out." she smiles softly and closes her eyes.
Tomorrow they were going to have a very busy day.
Notes:
So I lied? Maybe there will be a part 4? This is getting way out of my hands haha. But hopefully you're liking it!
