Chapter 44: Chapter 44 - Princess’s Feeling ( Part 4 )
The Grand Ballroom was completely silent.
Hundreds of nobles.
Royal knights.
Academy professors.
Foreign dignitaries.
Every eye was on two girls standing in the middle of the hall.
One...
Was Princess Lilia KingHeart, the second princess of the Kingdom of Seraiya.
The other...
Was Jennie Queens.
An unmarked noble.
Officially, her position was to serve as the personal attendant of the princess.
This was something nobody could expect.
Not even Jennie.
Jennie looked at Lilia’s extended hand.
Then at the audience.
Then back at Lilia.
"...Princess."
"Yes?"
"I believe that you’ve started some sort of diplomatic scandal."
Lilia raised her head innocently.
"Do I?"
"...Half of the ballroom is out of breath."
Lilia looked around.
Indeed...
Some of the young noblemen appeared soullessly staring.
"...They must be surprised."
Jennie sighed.
"’Emotionally devastated’ is a better description."
On the royal balcony...
King Aldric rubbed his temples.
"...Celestine."
Queen Celestine smiled into her teacup.
"Yes, my love?"
"Our daughter became rather bold."
"I noticed."
Arthur Queens coughed into his fist, trying not to laugh.
Lucas was not even trying anymore.
"...Father."
"Yes?"
"I think Duke’s son cries."
Arthur looked toward the audience.
"...He does."
Back in the ballroom...
Lilia was still extending her hand.
Patience and confidence were on her side.
Jennie understood one thing.
In case she declined...
Everyone in the kingdom will discuss why princess was rejected.
This would take a lot of effort.
So, she gave up.
With a smile, she took Lilia’s hand.
"...All right."
"I accept."
Lilia’s face lit brighter than the crystal chandeliers above her.
For a while...
Proud princess looked like any ordinary girl...
Who got what she wanted.
The orchestra was hesitant.
Musicians exchanged glances.
Conductor looked at the royal balcony.
King Aldric closed his eyes for a moment.
Then...
He nodded.
"Go on."
The conductor raised his baton.
Soft waltz was playing in the hall.
Jennie bowed.
Perfect bow.
Good posture.
Elegant.
Natural.
Lilia looked at her.
"...You’re really good."
Jennie smiled.
"Martha taught me."
Lilia suddenly realized.
Of course she did.
If Martha Morius taught Jennie...
Perfection was inevitable.
Jennie put one hand behind Lilia’s shoulder.
Other hand gently touched hers.
Not too tightly.
Not too loosely.
Just as royal etiquette demands.
"Ready?"
Lilia nodded.
"...Ready."
The dance started.
Their first step was elegant.
Second...
Perfect.
Third...
Then...
They started moving across the polished marble floor.
Jennie moved gracefully.
Each turn was perfect.
Every step was matching the music.
She guided the princess with great gentleness, not rushing, not forcing.
Instead...
Adapting to the rhythm of the princess naturally.
Lilia could not help but smile.
"So..."
"You hid this."
Jennie chuckled softly.
"I hoped to never use it."
Around them...
Ballroom was still eerily quiet.
Nobody started dancing.
They simply watched.
Professor Gareth scratched his beard.
"...She dances like veteran court dancer."
Headmaster Orion smiled wisely.
"Or maybe..."
"...Like a lady who attended many royal parties."
Sophia Everwinter clapped her hands.
"They are beautiful."
Beside her...
Princess Elena Valefor smiled.
"I think our beloved Princess Lilia forgot that everyone is watching her."
Indeed...
Lilia was not looking at anyone.
Her world shrank down to one person.
Jennie.
While the music was carrying them around the ballroom...
Lilia was looking into the red eyes of Jennie.
"...Thanks."
Jennie blinked.
"For the dance?"
"For saying yes every time."
Jennie laughed softly.
"I do not always say yes."
"You usually do."
"...Because your requests become louder every time I deny them."
Lilia puff out her cheeks.
"I do not."
Jennie raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"...Maybe just a little bit."
Surrounding nobles looked with different faces ranging from confused to astonished.
One young lord whispered,
"...How can Lady Jennie lead so perfectly?"
The second one replied,
"I do not know."
"But Princess Lilia has never smiled like this before."
The third one quietly lowered her invitation card.
"...I had no chance."
"No."
His friend sighed.
"We never had."
Meanwhile...
Lucas stood next to Arthur with folded arms.
"...Father."
"Hm?"
"I came to a conclusion."
Arthur looked at his son.
"What is it?"
"...Jennie attracts trouble."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully.
"This is correct."
Lucas pointed at the ballroom.
"She also attracts princesses."
Arthur looked at them.
Then sighed.
"...Also appears to be correct."
Halfway through the dance...
Lilia accidently stepped on Jennie’s foot.
"Oh!"
She immediately pulled back.
"I am sorry!"
Jennie smiled kindly.
"It did not hurt."
"It did!"
"It really did not."
Lilia looked doubtful.
"...You are just trying to be nice."
Jennie approached a little and whispered with a smile,
"If you really want to say sorry..."
"...You can step on someone else’s foot."
Lilia stared at her.
Then burst in laughter.
Bright laughter echoed across the ballroom.
For a moment...
Even the orchestra became lighter.
Queen Celestine watched from above with warm eyes.
"...She is happy."
King Aldric silently nodded.
"I have not seen her laugh like that for years."
The final notes of the waltz slowly died down.
Jennie led Lilia into one last elegant turn.
Then they both bowed perfectly.
For a moment...
Silence.
Then—
Thunderous applause started echoing in the Grand Ballroom.
Students cheered.
Professors clapped.
Even some foreign nobles joined.
The performance was magnificent.
Jennie blinked in surprise.
"...I only danced."
Lilia smiled proudly.
"I have."
Jennie smiled back.
"...Yes."
Far above, hidden between the stars...
Goddess Miasa leant on her hands and softly laughed.
"My little Sword King..."
"You do not understand yet."
"The princess stopped the whole kingdom tonight..."
"...Only for one dance with you."
And standing next to Jennie, Princess Lilia looked at her with a smile reserved for her alone.
The smile which has nothing to do with politics.
Nothing to do with royal duties.
Just a simple smile of a girl who chose someone with her heart.
