A young boy in a black tailcoat walked his way to the Eden Academy Grand Theater, his butler in tow.
"Is father coming?"
"Master Donovan did not confirm nor deny his attendance, young master."
He still won't come, huh, he bitterly thought. The butler took a step toward him.
"Master Damian, I will have to inform them this time that Ms. Anya Forger is your dance partner."
"That would be fine," he fixed his coat as he spoke.
"Very well. I wish you all the best in your presentation, young master."
The butler bowed low and excused himself. Damian proceeded inside the theater to the area designated for the students of Cecile Hall.
Looking sharp and dashing in his handsomely tailored suit, Damian turned the heads of students and visitors as he walked past. "Mr. Damian is so handsome! I wish I were his partner!" A group of students chatted. He sighed at them as he swiftly treaded the hallway. Damian used to like the attention before, but now he couldn't care less.
Because his dancing partner is the best he could ever ask for.
Now, where could she be?
~~~~~
"This gown is very pretty, mama!" The cheerful young girl twirled in her gown. "Anya likes the many flowers near the hem... and the faint sparkles that look like tiny twinkling stars!"
She swayed and made small jumps. "And it's bouncy! Anya can feel some fluffy things underneath!" Anya exclaimed.
Yor beamed at her adorable daughter. "You must really like your gown!" She took out a silver-wired hairband with crystals and rhinestones and carefully placed it on Anya's hair. She then fixed the fringes on the little twist bun near her nape.
"Now, let's check your shoe straps," Yor said. Anya sat on the chair and lifted the hem of her gown, exposing her shoes.
Loid watched them get ready for the presentation. Yor is very good at this. He admired the handiwork of his wife and the beauty of their daughter.
"Papa thinks you look very pretty in your gown, Anya!"
A wide grin appeared on the young girl's face.
"Thank you, Papa! Thank you too, Mama!"
"Mmm-hmmm!" Yor, also happy with how her daughter looked, hummed with a wide smile.
After making sure that Anya is all set, the Forgers finally came to the Eden Academy Grand Theater. Seeing her teacher initiate the roll call, Anya hurried to the seats for Cecile Hall performers, while Loid and Yor proceeded to the designated seats for parents at the center of the theater.
"Loid, this place is so luxurious," Yor whispered as she looked around.
"Ah. Eden lives up to its prestigious reputation," Loid responded.
They took their seat. Loid looked at the programme and pondered on his observations so far.
Classes will be performing newly-arranged choral pieces accompanied by the orchestra, professionally-choreographed dances performed alongside the most popular Ostanian soprano opera singer, an excerpt from a popular Ostanian operetta, and a newly-composed musical on Ostanian history. What a spectacular lineup! Now...
Loid's eyes sharpened.
Since we've arrived, the security has been too tight. Every single person in the audience is being watched. This just means one thing— some very important people are attending the event.
He paused, gritting his teeth at his sudden realization. Could Donovan Desmond be here? He leaned on his seat and folded his arms. And if he is here now, should I make a move?
Loid inspected his surroundings from the corner of his eyes while he pretended to admire the stage.
No, it will be too risky. I should stay put.
~~~~~
Damian looked around in search of a dressed-up girl with pink messy hair and horn-like accessories. She will surely look simple, hopefully not too simple. Should he have offered to dress her up?
"She'd better not be late," he said in a low voice as he sat again on his seat.
"Still looking for Anya, Bossman?" Ewen asked.
"Becky just arrived. I'm sure Anya's going to be here soon," Emile assured him.
Mr. Henderson stood in front of the Cecile Hall students.
"I shall be starting the roll call," he announced.
"Becky Blackbell..."
"Here," Becky replied.
"Damian Desmond..."
"Here."
Ewen Egeberg... Here... Emile Elman... Here...
Dammit, where are you, Anya? Damian tapped his chair anxiously.
"Anya Forger..."
"Uh, here!" A girl answered as she carefully descended to the lower rows in her gown.
"Bossman..." Emile said.
Damian saw Anya in a light champagne fluffy gown charmed with flower embroidery and flecks of faint sparkles. Her hair was tied in a frilly cute bun adorned with a silver hairband-like tiara that curved around her signature horn-like accessories.
Unbelievable... Damian marveled at Anya's appearance. Nothing short of perfect in Damian's eyes, his heart thumped as he gazed at the young girl. He watched her seat beside Becky.
However, Damian's stare gave him away. As soon as she sat, Anya met his eyes from an aisle away. She sweetly waved at him, as usual. Embarrassed, Damian looked away knowing she saw him in an awestruck state. Blood instantly rushed to his face when thankfully, the theater lights dimmed.
"How's your princess, bossman?" teased Ewen and Emile.
"Shut up," said Damian, who kept his head low to hide his reddened face.
~~~~~
It is finally time for the Cecile Hall students to perform onstage. They quietly left their seats and went backstage.
After wishing Becky and Ewen good luck, Anya walked amidst her classmates, eager to find her partner.
"Sy-on boy!" Anya cheerfully called out.
"O-oi, Shrimp," Damian replied. He held his breath as Anya approached. She's even cuter up close... Damian shyly and secretly admired the girl before him.
Anya heard his thoughts and made a smug face. She then complimented her dance partner. "You look very handsome, Sy-on boy!" she said cheerfully.
Damian's cheeks turned pink. "T-Thank you," he stammered. "I guess you do not look Shrimpy in your gown." W-why can't I just say outright that she's very pretty today? Gah...
"Thank you, too!" Anya replied, knowing what he really thought about her appearance.
"Master Damian." The two heard a familiar voice. The Desmond butler bowed and approached them.
"Yes?" Damian said.
"Master Donovan and Master Demetrius are here to personally watch your performance. However, I cannot inform you of their whereabouts for security purposes," he informed him.
Anya gasped. The evil boss is here...
"I-I see..." Damian started to feel very anxious.
"Now then, Master Damian, milady, I wish you well in your presentation."
"Thank you very much, kind sir!" Anya replied. The butler bowed to them and hurriedly left. An anxious expression hung on Damian's face after speaking to the man.
"Sy-on boy, are you okay?" Anya took notice.
"Y-yes," Damian replied curtly. He turned his back on her while composing himself.
I hope Sy-on boy is really okay, Anya thought. She kept herself from reading his mind in his current state in fear of fainting.
"Everyone, any time now," the backstage manager told the students after making a series of claps.
"I'm getting nervous..." one of their classmates said.
~~~~~
The host started announcing the next set of performers.
"Our next performer is Class 3, Cecile Hall, under the guidance of their housemaster, Mr. Henry Henderson.
They will be performing the Ostanian Waltz accompanied by the pride of Ostania, our prima donna soprano, the diva, Calliope Abrin!"
The theater was filled with applause.
Calliope Abrin... known for her enchanting voice, Mr. Henderson thought.
Her interpretation of the song, along with the fine choice of choreography that I have approved, will elegantly stir the emotions of every person in this theater... if the children do well, continued his inner monologue.
I do hope they will. He lightly coughed.
N-no. They surely will, he assured himself.
~~~~~
Backstage, the students fell in line for their entrance walk. Entering last, Anya and Damian stood at the far end of the line.
Anya leaned toward her partner. "This must be very important for you, Sy-on boy," she said.
Damian nodded. He felt at ease talking to her and he opened up a little.
"Ordinarily, it's just another day of being under surveillance. However, they are actually here— and I will be under my father's direct scrutiny for the first time since I went to Eden. So I'm happy that my family is watching. Yet, I am anxious to meet their expectations. Damian Desmond has to prove himself today."
"Yes, for he will be here." She watched Damian discreetly glance down. Anya noticed that his hands were shaking.
Sy-on boy... she worried.
"Excuse me." Anya grabbed his shaking hands to Damian's surprise. "Your hands... are cold," she said. She then gently warmed them between her palms.
Damian's heart thudded as he watched Anya pat his cold, shaking hands. He found her grasp and the warmth of her touch very assuring and extremely comforting. Anya then spoke in an encouraging tone.
"Sy-on boy," Anya said. "Let's remember to do this for ourselves, first and foremost. Sy-on boy will surely do well out there— you always have! Our family is just another set of people watching. Just think they're another Mr. Henderson in the crowd that you can surely impress over and over when you are being yourself. And Anya will do her best, too. I promise," she assured him.
Anya... Damian was genuinely touched by her words. Indeed, he has been quietly trying to withstand a sickening pressure to perform perfectly before his father and brother. But once again, Anya provided him with the insight that enabled him to allay his fears and boost his confidence.
That's right, I worked so hard for this very moment and I have constantly done well.
Damian took a deep breath.
"It seems you are more headstrong than you look, Shrimp. Thank you for the encouragement," Damian told her.
Anya beamed. "Anya just wants to be a good friend to Sy-on boy!"
"Hah! But it seems you forgot our agreement about touching me cas—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Anya dropped his hand and apologized profusely.
"I-I'm so sorry, Sy-on boy!"
"—ually..." But Damian's hands were freed, to his dismay.
Ugh, I was just about to tell her it's okay to keep holding me this time, he thought.
"Hey," Damian said. He then took Anya's left hand, feeling the soft little fingers in his. His heart thumped and his cheeks warmed.
"Sy-on boy?" Anya looked confused.
"B-Boys must hold the girls when walking to the stage... that's what Mr. Henderson said. I'm holding you now since... we're... about to walk," he excused in a slight stutter.
Anya pondered before responding. "I guess Mr. Henderson did say that... Okay, Sy-on boy."
Damian blushed, even more, when he felt Anya's hands relax on his palm.
~~~~~
The student's attention was caught by the loud cheering as a well-figured woman in a fancy off-shoulder dress emerged on stage. "It's Calliope Abrin!" one of their classmates exclaimed.
Meanwhile, thoughts about the events leading to Culture Day rushed into Anya's mind.
Mama gave me the special training. Papa bought me a beautiful gown and a nice pair of shoes. Mama and Papa made sure Anya looks good for the presentation. Becky helped me learn the waltz. Mr. Henderson and the dance instructors patiently taught Anya. And Sy-on boy believed that I should be his partner even though I'm new to dancing and his father might be watching.
She remembered her failed dodgeball pitch and then immediately shook her head.
Anya will do well this time, no matter what!
"Anya," he called out, sensing Anya's self-doubt from her rather peculiar headshake.
"Er?" Anya uttered as she was suddenly pulled back to the now.
"Nothing... I... just realized that I haven't told you that you are... very pretty today. I'm sure the crowd will love you." He paused.
"Also, you will do well out there too just as you told me. So don't worry." Anya felt him lightly squeeze her hand.
Is Sy-on boy... encouraging Anya? She turned her head toward him, and the pair of emerald and hazel eyes met. Anya felt a strange feeling in her chest. She lowered her gaze.
A-Anya can do it... Sy-on boy believes in me.
"T-Thank you, Sy-on boy, for encouraging Anya," she faced him with a sweet smile.
Damian nodded. I got your back too, Anya. He smiled back.
Anya caught his thoughts and felt her cheeks warm, strangely.
~~~~~
The backstage manager waved at the students in line.
"Okay boys and girls, time to hold your partners, you're going out there! Do your best!" he shouted.
The students fixed their clothes and straightened their posture. Anya and Damian barely moved as they have been ready to enter a while ago.
"Are you all good?" Damian asked Anya.
"I am. Let's have fun out there. Okay?"
Damian gently raised Anya's hand, preparing to lead her on stage.
"Okay, let's have fun out there," Damian seconded.
"Aaahhh, I'm excited!" Anya exclaimed.
"And now, please welcome onstage our next performer, the students of Cecile Hall!"
The student performers moved to their respective places in their fancy gowns, dancing heels, tailcoats, and leather shoes, charming the audience as they walked. They bowed to them before making their opening stance. A defeaning silence engulfed the hall as the people anticipated their performance.
~~~~~