Chương 30: Fireworks
"Ren!?" I gasped and was startled to find Ren standing before me, his hand outstretched in an invitation to dance.
Dressed in a finely tailored black suit, he looked completely different from his usual disheveled self. His shoulder-length black hair, which was usually wild and loose, was now neatly tied back, exposing the sharp angles of his face. The ruby in his eyes seemed to glow brighter under the chandelier's light, giving him an air of nobility.
I hesitated, but curiosity won out, and I placed my hand in his. His fingers were warm, and his grip firm but gentle as he led me to the center of the ballroom. The orchestra started playing a waltz, and the room appeared to glitter with excitement as we began to move. And for a fleeting moment, my heart betrayed me by skipping a beat.
Huh? Skipping a beat? No! Absolutely not!
What was I thinking? There's no way this boy, who isn't even my type, could make me feel that way!
"How did you end up here?" I asked, squinting at him.
"Do you really think I wanted to be?" Ren let out a scoff while giving me a little spin. "His Majesty and my father suddenly asked me to be your dance partner. I wasn't exactly given a choice."
"You could've just refused…" I replied dryly.
"And risk getting dragged here by the ear? No thanks." He twirled me again with unnecessary force then leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "What's wrong? Are you disappointed? Were you hoping my li'l brother would be your debut dance partner instead?"
I stumbled slightly at his words and shot him a sharp look. "W-What!? Don't be ridiculous!"
My eyes wandered for a moment, catching sight of a boy who resembled Ren but was slightly younger and had shorter black hair. He stood beside Marquess Lazarro, glaring in our direction with a sour expression, his displeasure almost palpable.
"That boy… Is he Christopher?" I murmured, tilting my head slightly.
"Who else?" Ren replied, smirking as he caught my gaze.
"He looks upset."
"Just ignore him. That's his default 'I'm-going-to-kill-you' face. Don't worry; it's normal." He chuckled before abruptly stepping on my foot.
"Hey!" I hissed, biting back a yelp. "Do you even know how to dance?"
"Three days of practice isn't enough?" he said sheepishly, and then—step!—he crushed my toes again.
"You're hopeless!" I grumbled, my irritation boiling over.
I waited until I saw an opening and, in a flash of petty revenge, stomped on his foot, nearly tripping him.
"Ow! What was that for?" Ren exclaimed, steadying himself while gritting his teeth.
"For your terrible dancing!" I retorted.
Our bickering turned into an unintentional performance as we kept stumbling and exchanged glares. Slowly, the reserved smiles from the crowd around us, who had been watching, broke into laughter. Their amusement echoed in the grand hall. Even the King and Owen were chuckling, while Chrisola clasped her hands over her mouth as she giggled uncontrollably.
"Congratulations, Ren! Now we're the laughingstock of my debut!" I said sarcastically.
Ren rolled his eyes dramatically. "You're welcome, Your Highness."
Despite his words, I had to admit, it felt oddly comforting to have Ren as my first dance partner rather than someone unfamiliar.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he spun me one last time, guiding us into a surprisingly graceful finish as the music ended. Applauses scattered as I pulled my hands free and took a small step back from him.
"It's not that bad, right Princess?" Ren winked at me.
"Well… I could say you pass."
We both laughed together as the orchestra prepared for the next song. But before I could catch my breath, Christopher suddenly approached us.
Uh-oh! Is he going to ask me to dance?
"Princess Luna, may I introduce myself? I am Christopher Lazarro, the legitimate son of Marquess Lazarro." He bowed with exaggerated formality.
I frowned at his words.
Legitimate son? Did he really have to emphasize that?
Christopher extended his hand, a smirk plastered across his face. "Would you grant me the honor of the next dance?"
I shot a sidelong glance at Ren, whose lips twitched upward in an amused sneer.
"Apologies, Young Sir," I said, brushing past his hand with feigned politeness. "I must excuse myself."
Without waiting for his response, I stepped out of the ballroom. Christopher was stunned in disbelief. His disappointed expression was a small, satisfying victory, for Ren who barely contained laughter behind me.
As I slipped through the doors and into the palace corridors, I mused to myself. My heart thundered in my chest, not from nerves but sheer frustration.
There's no way I'm dealing with someone destined to become one of Twilight's Chronicle's villains in the future! Let people think what they want, I don't care!
I tried to make some breathing in the quiet air... Allowing myself a moment of tranquility as I wandered away from the noise and prying eyes. But that peace was fleeting.
"Mother?"
The word left my lips before I fully processed what I was seeing.
It was Shilien, sitting in a wheelchair. Her posture was regal despite her frail appearance. Elise stood behind her, gently adjusting the blanket draped across her lap.
"Luna?" Shilien turned to me, her voice soft with surprise. "Why are you away from your debut ball?"
Her question hung in the air, but I ignored it. My heart ached at the sight of her, awake and speaking after weeks of silence.
"When did you wake up? Are you feeling better? Why didn't you tell me?" I asked as I walked toward her. The questions just spilled out awkwardly, faster than I could stop them. After all, it was partially my fault she had been harmed in the first place.
Shilien blinked, momentarily taken aback. Then, with a tenderness I had never seen before, she reached out and touched my cheek. "I'm fine now... Thanks to you…"
The unexpected warmth in her gaze unraveled something inside me. Tears welled up in my eyes, and before I could stop them, they spilled over.
"I… I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice trembling.
"Sorry for what?"
"For everything… For hurting you, for blaming you…"
Her hands moved to wipe away my tears. "Oh, don't cry, my dear. You'll ruin your makeup," she said softly, a smile curling her lips. "Where is my strong, fearless daughter who always confronted me so boldly?"
I let out a shaky laugh, unable to stop myself from leaning into her touch, a maternal affection I had longed for but never experienced.
"It's me who should apologize, my dear. I've treated you so terribly. Everything you did… I deserved it."
"Are you… not angry or resentful toward me at all?"
"Not at all," Shilien shook her head. "Elise told me how you brought flowers and checked on my condition daily… That was when I realized I had been wrong. You were right… I was blinded by ambition to the point I was willing to use my own daughter as a pawn for power. But now, I see how foolish I've been. Luna, I don't want you to suffer the same pain I did…"
"But you hate me… I thought…"
"Hate you?" Shilien's voice broke slightly. "Oh, Luna… I hated what I had become. I hated the choices I made, and the pain I caused you. But you? You were always stronger than I ever was." She caressed my left palm as she whispered, "I'm sorry I caused your DARK EMBLEM to awaken in such a cruel way…"
"I-It's okay…"
"No. DARK is the element that is associated with negative emotions within humans…" She lifted her right arm and showed me his EMBLEM tattoo. "I obtained mine after enduring harsh training from your grandfather and doing various things to prove my worth and elevate my dignity as a lady from the Argenti family… Then after failing to win the heart of His Majesty, I felt like a failure and fell into despair, leading me to hate everything. But now I realize that hatred will only give birth to hatred. And I don't want you to experience what I went through, Luna..."
"Mother…" I wrapped my arms around her, and she pulled me close, her embrace warmer than I ever imagined.
"Despite all I have done to you, you've proven me wrong time and time again," she murmured. "You're not just strong. You're good. I'm proud of you…"
The tears came freely now, even from Elise, who sniffled quietly behind us.
"Well… This is your night. Don't waste this moment, my daughter," Shilien whispered. "Show them the beauty and charm of the Argenti bloodline."
Her words settled deep in my heart, filling me with a resolve I hadn't known I needed.
"I'll try. But I think I need a rest for a moment." I chuckled then stepped away, trying to compose myself.
"Alright. I'll see you later then. Come, Elise."
As Shilien left, I felt lighter somehow, as if a part of me that had been burdened for years had been set free.
Finally…
The stars sparkled above as I stood alone on the palace balcony, letting the cool night air calm my racing thoughts.
"Everything will be alright from now on, won't it?" I murmured, my voice barely louder than the wind.
But my peace was shattered when Ren stumbled onto the balcony, his face pale and panicked.
"There you are!" he exclaimed, his breath coming in gasps.
"Ren?" I turned to him, alarmed by his expression. "What's wrong?"
"This is bad! We need to leave now!" His voice was tight with urgency.
Before I could ask why, the sky erupted with streaks of light.
Fireworks…?
No. The explosions came way too fast and the lights were too harsh… As if it were flares.
BOOM!
The palace shook as the lights descended, and the air filled with the unmistakable sound of chaos. Then another flash of lights came toward us.
What is the meaning of this!?
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