บท 32: Take This Dance
With the matter of General Ironwood set aside for now, Asher shifted the conversation to other topics. Since he wasn't ready to share details about his deal with Ironwood until it was finalized, Asher's parents turned their questions to other matters—like when he planned to establish his company and which industry he had his sights on.
"The idea is that my deal with Ironwood will provide the initial funding to launch the company," Asher explained.
"Coupled with the contract I'll be securing from Frostvale Enterprises, I'll already have a solid foundation to branch into whichever field I decide. Although, honestly, I'm leaning toward keeping it a private company." Vance listened thoughtfully, letting out a measured sigh.
"At least you're planning ahead. You realize most companies don't start off with that kind of financial flexibility, right?" Nillia nodded in agreement.
"You wouldn't believe what your father and I had to go through just to secure our initial shareholders' investment." Asher chuckled, the sound falling somewhere between amusement and exasperation as he turned to his mother.
"Oh, I think I would. You two have told me that story at least a dozen times. It's part of the reason I'm not looking for investors. I'd rather fund the entire company myself—it saves me the headache." For Asher, this company wasn't just a business—it was his gateway to establishing a foothold in Atlas and the first step toward making an impact on the world stage.
Bringing in shareholders meant compromising his vision to keep them satisfied, and that wasn't an option. To make this work, he needed to be in control, surrounded by people who shared his mindset or at least understood it. That was precisely why he'd chosen Liv over the other candidates vying to be his attorney.
"Hmm, I don't know," Vance mused, leaning back thoughtfully.
"Business can be chaotic, Asher. You never know what the future holds. If your deal with Ironwood falls through, you might need a backup plan. Or worse, even if everything goes smoothly at the start, there's no guarantee it'll stay that way. Having potential investors lined up might not be such a bad idea." Asher listened quietly, his expression thoughtful before his gaze shifted to his parents, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"And you're not suggesting that because you two, my own parents, want to buy into my company's startup, right?" Vance and Nillia exchanged a knowing look before Nillia broke into a soft chuckle.
"We're just saying, if you made us shareholders, we could be a safety net for you if anything went wrong," she replied smoothly.
"And we'd be able to offer advice along the way." Vance nodded, picking up where his wife left off.
"Plus, we'd finally get to sit in on a board meeting with you. No more waiting another decade or so for that to happen." Asher shook his head, half in disbelief, half in amusement. He could tell they were teasing—mostly. But he also knew there was some truth buried in their words, particularly about acting as a safety net.
"You two are absolutely ridiculous," he said with a laugh.
"I'm pretty sure investing in your son's company just to become shareholders is the peak of nepotism. I can already see the headlines now."
"We're just suggesting you think about it, that's all," Nillia quipped, feigning a hint of hurt.
"But fine, if you don't want to run a company with your dear mother and father, we'll back off. Just… don't forget the options on the table."
"Hello, Mrs. Frostvale, Mr. Frostvale." The greeting came from behind Asher and his parents. Turning to look, they saw Weiss and Whitley, though their father and mother were noticeably absent.
"Oh, Weiss, Whitley, it's wonderful to see you both again," Nillia responded warmly.
"I noticed you when we first arrived, but your father seemed… preoccupied."
"Speaking of your father, where is he?" Vance asked, his eyes scanning the venue. While the room was bustling, it wasn't so crowded that a Schnee—distinguished by their signature snow-white hair—could blend in easily.
"Father stepped out with Mother to speak privately with a business partner," Whitley explained.
"He said he'd be back before the auction. But if you'd like, I could-" Vance raised a hand lightly, shaking his head.
"No need, we've spoken on the phone plenty. I was just curious." Changing the subject, Nillia turned to the siblings with a cheerful question.
"So, did you two manage to ask your parents about the sleepover? I've been looking forward to planning it." Weiss and Whitley exchanged a quick glance, their expressions brightening slightly. Somewhere along the way, they'd started unconsciously anticipating the idea just like Nillia.
"We did," Weiss replied.
"Father said it was fine as long as it's not on a weekday. We've got lessons on those days."
"Oh, that's perfect! I was planning for the weekend anyway," Nillia said, clapping her hands together with delight.
"Our son's first sleepover. I never thought I'd see the day," Vance added with a teasing grin.
"I'm glad to know my parents had so little faith in my social skills," Asher muttered dryly. Neither Vance nor Nillia responded though, instead they exchanged subtle glances between Asher and Weiss, small smiles tugging at their lips.
"Well, I'll give you a call when the date is set," Nillia assured, linking her arm with Vance's.
"Unfortunately, we can't stay and chat much longer," Vance said.
"We just wanted to check on Asher, but there are still a few people we need to speak with."
"That's fine; it was nice meeting you again, sir," Whitley replied politely, offering a respectful nod. Vance and Nillia returned the gesture before heading off.
Asher had of course caught the knowing glances his parents cast between him and Weiss just before they left.
Great, now Father's playing matchmaker too.
"So... I saw you speaking with General Ironwood earlier," Whitley began, his curiosity evident.
"Does that mean you got to pitch a proposal to him?"
"I suppose you could call it that," Asher replied, tilting his head slightly. "But it's less of a proposal and more of an agreement."
"Well, that's impressive either way," Weiss chimed in, her tone genuinely carrying a hint of admiration.
"I can't imagine the general of the Atlas Military spends much time entertaining conversations with children. Yet you not only got him to talk to you but managed to strike a deal with him. That must be a first."
"Maybe," Asher said with a casual shrug.
"But I'll hold off on celebrating until things are finalized."
"So, what's next?" Whitley asked, prompting Asher to pause in thought for a moment.
"Not much for now. Meeting with Ironwood was my primary goal, and now I just have to wait. I can't make significant progress on any of my larger-scale projects yet—not without proper funding. On top of that, my factory's still under construction, which limits me to what I can do in my workshop for the time being." Weiss and Whitley both gave him an incredulous look at the mention of a factory.
"Excuse me, but did you just say factory?" Whitley asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Hmm? Oh, right," Asher said as if realizing he'd glossed over something.
"Yeah, I'm having an automated factory built. It's costing a fortune, and it's going to take a while to finish. By the time it's operational, I'll probably already have the agreement with Ironwood wrapped up." Both Schnee siblings opened their mouths to respond, only to close them again, clearly at a loss for words.
At that moment, the music in the venue began to fade, the melody dissolving into silence as the soft light from the wall-mounted lamps dimmed. One by one, the lamps lining the columns along the walls flickered out, casting the edges of the room—and the buffet tables—into shadow. The only remaining illumination came from the grand chandelier overhead, its warm glow subdued, creating an intimate and almost ethereal atmosphere in the ballroom.
"Oh," Asher murmured, taking in the scene.
"I thought this was a ballroom, but I didn't think there'd actually be dancing."
"Originally, Father hadn't planned on including a dance," Whitley explained, his voice low in the sudden hush.
"But the other families co-hosting the event insisted, so he gave in." Asher nodded thoughtfully.
"In that case, I suppose I'll see you two on the floor," he said with a hint of mischief before turning to walk away.
"Huh? What are you talking about? Where are you going?" Weiss called after him, confusion clear in her voice. Asher paused mid-stride, glancing back over his shoulder with a small smirk.
"Everyone knows the first dance has to be with a member of your family." Without another word, he continued on, leaving the two Schnee siblings standing alone. For a moment, Weiss and Whitley exchanged uncertain glances. Then, slowly, reluctant smiles began to spread across their faces.
Taking the lead, Whitley extended his hand, palm up.
"Shall we get this over with?"
"Not like we have much of a choice," Weiss replied, slipping her hand into his as they stepped onto the ballroom floor together.
Asher made his way across the venue, heading toward his parents, who were standing on the far side of the room. They spotted him as he approached, and Nillia tilted her head slightly, her expression puzzled.
"Asher? What are you doing over here? I thought you'd be dancing with Weiss," she remarked, her curiosity evident. Asher shook his head, glancing briefly toward the dance floor where Weiss and Whitley had just stepped into the chandelier's soft light.
"They're preoccupied at the moment," he replied with a faint smile.
"And besides, what kind of son would I be if I didn't invite my own mother for a dance?" Asher offered a polite bow, extending his hand toward Nillia. For a moment, she seemed taken aback, her gaze shifting from her son to Vance. Then, a grin slowly spread across her face.
"We did a good job with him," she whispered to her husband, a playful gleam in her eyes.
"Because he certainly didn't get those charms from you or me." Vance feigned a frown.
"I'll let that slide since it was a compliment to our son," he replied, uncoupling his arm from hers and stepping back. As he handed Nillia off, his expression softened. Though her back was turned, Asher caught the approving smile his father directed at him, accompanied by a small nod.
Nillia took Asher's hand, and together they stepped into the light of the ballroom floor. Around them, the other dancers moved into position. Facing one another, mother and son mirrored the deep bows customary to the occasion as the music began to play.
A woman's soft, melodic voice flowed from unseen speakers, singing in an unfamiliar language. The song was accompanied by a symphony of gentle strings and airy woodwinds. Unlike typical ballroom music, this piece was subtle, designed to highlight the dancers' movements rather than dictate them.
Asher stepped forward, joining his mother's hand with his right, while his left rested lightly at her waist. Nillia's left hand came to rest atop his arm, completing their stance.
The noticeable height difference between them required slight adjustments, but they adapted seamlessly, moving in perfect harmony. Their steps synchronized with the rhythm of the other dancers, pivoting gracefully across the floor. Each motion was fluid and deliberate, a gentle rise and fall accompanying their movements like the ebb and flow of a tide.
The chandelier's glow bathed the dancers in soft light, casting long shadows that seemed to sway with them.
As their forms glided across the polished floor, Nillia's voice carried softly between them.
"I can't remember the last time you and I danced together. Can you? I think we stopped after you finished your lessons." Asher chuckled lightly.
"That's right. If I remember correctly, I got frustrated because I couldn't dance with you properly—you were so much taller than me back then, and still are." A flicker of reminiscence passed through Nillia's eyes as the memory surfaced. At the same time, they performed a smooth reverse pivot turn, their movements tracing an invisible pattern in the air.
"That's right," she said, her tone wistful.
"You were so much smaller back then. It was strange watching you grow up while you were in that bed. When you finally woke up and stood for the first time, I couldn't believe how much taller you'd become." Asher's gaze shifted slightly, reflecting her sentiment.
As they extended their right hands, he spun her around gracefully, their forms blending into the flow of the dance. Their hands disconnected for a fleeting second before coming together again, and they resumed their rhythm, their motions perfectly synchronized.
"I don't think I've said this yet, but I want to thank you, Mother. You and Father," Asher began, his voice steady yet carrying a faint tremble of emotion.
"I know I've changed a lot since waking up from the coma—probably more than you two expected. But you both treated me the same as always as if no time had passed. That… that meant a lot to me. It helped me find my footing when I felt very confused." Hearing the emotion in her son's voice, Nillia's gaze softened, and she looked at him with a warmth only a mother could convey.
"Asher, what are you thanking us for, you silly boy?" She said gently.
"We're your parents. We'd love you no matter what you were like when you woke up. Though I'll admit, it was an adjustment seeing you like this. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't proud of the person you're becoming." Asher fell silent for a moment, her words sinking in before a light laugh escaped him.
"And you say you don't know where I got my charms from." Nillia joined in his laughter hearing that.
The dance swelled toward its climax, their steps fluid and deliberate. Asher released his left hand from her side, holding only her right hand in his left. With a sweeping spiral, he spun her outward, their arms stretching gracefully before he pulled her back into the frame with a seamless motion.
As the music faded into silence, the dancers came to a collective halt, frozen in perfect stillness. Asher and his mother faced each other, smiles etched on their faces. They stepped back, breaking apart, and offered each other one final bow.
On the other side of the ballroom, Weiss and Whitley found themselves in a similar position. While their smiles weren't as broad as Asher and Nillia's, faint smirks tugged at their lips—expressions they both noticed but couldn't quite suppress.
"Well, I suppose that wasn't as bad as I imagined," Whitley said, casting a sidelong glance at his sister.
"Yeah," Weiss admitted after a moment.
"I think I actually had a bit of fun." They stood in silence briefly, the unspoken admission hanging between them, before Whitley's gaze shifted past Weiss. Without another word, he turned to step off the floor.
"Well, I think I've danced enough for one day," he remarked casually.
"Me too," Weiss agreed, only for Whitley to pause and glance back at her, tilting his head slightly.
"Oh? Are you sure about that? It seems like someone else is waiting their turn." Weiss frowned in confusion until a voice from behind her answered the question.
"Excuse me, Miss Schnee," Asher said smoothly, "but am I correct in assuming you don't have a partner?"
Weiss turned, her eyes widening slightly as she saw him standing there.
"Ashe- I mean, um, no, Mister Frostvale." Catching on quickly to the formal tone Asher had adopted, she watched as he gave a courteous bow and extended his hand toward her.
"In that case," he said, his voice light but formal, "may I ask if you would grace me with your hand for one final dance tonight?"
Weiss couldn't suppress a small laugh at his delivery, but she placed her hand in his without hesitation.
"I would be honored." Straightening, Asher led her back onto the ballroom floor just as the second and final song of the evening began to play.
Off to the side, Whitley observed the scene with quiet amusement, sipping from a glass of fruit punch he'd picked up.
Asher Frostvale, hmm? Well, I suppose it's better this way—him, rather than someone Father would've arranged.
Across the room, hidden in the shadows near a column, Vance and Nillia stood together, arms wrapped around each other as they watched Asher and Weiss dance.
Nillia's smile was wide, her expression warm as she played spectator. Vance glanced down at her, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her temple.
She leaned into him as he murmured, "What is it? Seeing our son dancing with a girl really makes you this happy? Or are you still thinking about your own dance with him?"
Nillia barely needed to consider the question. She looked up at her husband, her smile soft but unwavering.
"Both."
Vance chuckled, shrugging lightly as if to say, Fair enough.
Then, with a playful glint in her eye, Nillia added, "Well, that—and the fact that Asher told me all his charms come from me."
Vance's smile froze, his expression shifting to one of disbelief as he looked down at her.
"Wait, what?"
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