章節 21: I don’t need to compete! Ch.21

The ballroom's of champions is a special event for the characters. Not only does, if you were to receive the title of Viscum's King or Queen, you would also automatically claimed a spot to the colosseum. Some would say it wouldn't be fair as the popular figures such as the prince, or Irene would be selected instantly for these type of stuff. Honestly, even without this sort of gathering, I'm confident that just by their abilities alone, they'd both would still make it anyway. All of this is not the problem, but now the fact that people pair them together as a the king and queen is what been eating at me inside out.

Not to mention, that dumb prick of a fiancé is going to make a joke out of me infront of everyone at the ball too, I can't let him do that! Therefore, I decided to negotiate with him.

That afternoon, I went to pay a visit to the student council room. I knocked and slightly opened the door to peek my face in.

"Your highness?" I said while awaiting to enter.

The room has a rectangular shaped to it and was crowded. On the left, there are three shelves full of books, and documents. The side wall of the shelves, facing opposite to the door I was creaking in, has two arched windows. On the right has a few sofas for seatings. In between the windows, there was a desk full of paperworks, an lamp antique displayed to the side. That was Cercis's desk, he was sitting there, reviewing some papers when I arrived.

"Kannavis?." Cercis said.

"Can I please have a moment? It won't be long." I said.

He looked a bit displeased by my request, but still motion his hand, directing me to sit at the corner. "Have a seat." Cercis said.

"So, what business bring you into my office? You see, I'm quite busy here, my lady. It would be great if you can make it quick." Cercis said as I sat alone at the sofas while he's still at his desk gazing at the papers.

The original Kannavis would often go up there to the front of his desk, and do some weird seductive things to get his attention. Poor Cercis, he was just trying to work. Plus, the prince seemed to get the ick but never said too much about it, so let's not go there.

"I want to talk about the upcoming ball's." I said.

Cercis stopped for a moment, then continued on with his work.

"My lady, is this about you asking me to be your dance partner? If that's what you're coming for, then I'm sorry to disappoint, but-" Cercis spoke, but I cut him in.

"Actually your highness, I'm here to ask your permission to go to the party with someone else." I said.

Cercis went silent and finally turned to look at me with a bit of confusion.

"My lady.. what are you getting at here? Are you saying that someone has caught your eyes? Is this another one of your tactics to try to get my attention? If it's so, then you should stop as soon as possible as it won't work, and it would only hurt your reputation, you know." Cercis said with a look of pity on his face. This guy seriously…

My blood was boiling, but I tried to replied with my calmest response-

" I am not trying to set up any scheme here, your highness. Truthfully, I don't think there would be a chance that your highness would go to the ball with me either way. That's why I wanted to ask your highness to allow me to let another, accompany me for the set. I am a lady as well, your highness. Having someone that can satisfy my desires by my side would be the right thing. Don't you think so, your highness?" I said

Cercis placed his hand under his chin, leaning in and gazing at me, to see if I was being serious or not.

"Mmm then are you saying... if I were to bring another lady to the dance with me, you would permit such a thing as well?" Cercis asked curiously. There it is, the million dollars question. If I agree to this, then he would openly bring his lover to dance floor. That would be inappropriate to others, but if I also bring another person with me, then the story would be different.

I smiled- "Of course, your highness. I don't mind of such things."

".. I see.. then my speculation must be true.." Cercis said, then started to walk towards my direction.

"Your highness?" I asked. Why is he coming close? This kinda scare me.

" After that tea party, you've never written a single letter to me any longer. I thought that maybe you were busy.. but in actuality you found an interest in another person?" Cercis said as he came to stand infront of me. I was taken aback a bit… I wrote him letters?

I couldn't respond to him. He sighed, then went to sit on the couch beside me.

"I understand… if that's what you wished for, my lady, then I can not agree more. This wouldn't look good on papers… but I can take care of it.. are you certain about your decision?" Cercis asked again to make sure.

"Yes, I am sure of it, but I have a request to ask of your highness." I said.

"… What is it?" Cercis questioned.

"Until the tournament has ended, please refrain from making any rash statements. I won't try to make you fall for me anymore, but please keep everything under control." I said.

Cercis thought for a second, then let out a pleased laugh.

"Ha.. Alright my lady. I'll be looking forward to see if any of this is true or not."

We shook hands as an agreement.

Good, the plan has set, now I just have to find a partner to go to the dance with me.. or plan B, I'll just ditch this whole shenanigans and go alone. Plan C, stay home.

All of this is kind of hard to decide… ack!

Suddenly, when I was strolling out of the room, someone bumped in to me. This person.. she has a gloomy feel to her. She was pale and a bit taller than me. She has long wavy hair covering a side of her face, and her irises were dead black. More so, she looked at me with contempt, like I did something wrong to her. She just gave me a nasty glare, then continued to walk away like it was nothing. Geezz…. She's scary and also a bit familiar… is she someone that Kannavis used to bully?.. Anyway, the next thing I have to prepare for is the tournament, I have to think of a way to prevent the disaster that's about to come…

"Oh Miss Kannavis? Did you just got out of the student's council room?" Leslie, a girl with brown and braided hair, walked up to me and asked.

"…Gasp! Miss Kannavis! Did you just ask his highness to the dance with you?" Monica asked.

"Ha ha… it's nothing like that." I said. God forbids I did that.

"Is that so? What a shame… I've been thinking about it. Both you guys would make a really perfect pair, but that wicked commoner… she just comes in out of nowhere and trying to steal his highness away from you." Monica said.

"Right right.. not only the prince, but these days, all the men in the academy are flocking to ask that commoner out to the dance." Leslie continued.

"Ughh… she has no shame at all.. all she does everyday is seduce men. What a wh*re." Monica said disgustly.

I couldn't stand their nonsense and spoke out sternly.

"Ladies… That's a shallow assumption to make of someone? And where are your manners? Calling someone such a derogatory term.. if words were to spread out about this, others will think that noble ladies like yourself are jealous of a mere commoner.., no?" I said.

Both of them became a bit flustered about my comment.

"I-I apologize… Miss Kannavis.. I-I didn't mean anything bad about it…" Monica said nervously.

"R-right.. and w-who would be jealous of that commoner? A-anyway.. we're on a run right now.. please excuse us, my lady" Leslie said, then grabbed Monica and scurried away.

Fuu… these kids are foolish.Making such a lame accusation about someone just because they're pretty is some dull behavior..

As I continued to walk along the corner, I found someone stand by and peeped on the conversations..

"You…" I said as my face was getting red.

"Greetings… my- miss Kannavis." Irene spoke.

"Were you listening?" I asked.

"…? I don't know what you're saying, miss Kannavis." Irene said with a dumb look on her face… it's pissing me off..

I walked away but-

"Why are you following me?" I asked Irene.

"..I'm also heading that way, miss?" She replied.

"Yeah sure.. whatever." I said annoyingly.

She followed around everywhere, to every corner I turned. Then out of nowhere she asked- "Have you found someone to go to the ball with, miss?"

I bluntly replied-"No, I'm not interested. What about you? I heard people all around the academy has asked you out, why don't you accept any?"

"..Same reason as you, miss Kannavis. I don't find any of this that appealing." Irene said while looking away in to the distance.

"I don't know, but I think that someone suitable will ask you.. perhaps the prince? Has he approached you?" I asked, but suddenly I couldn't hear her footsteps behind. I turned around.

There she stands, staring in to the distance. Her facial expression seemed somewhat upset.. The direction she was looking at was a field of lavenders, at the Academy's backyard. As the wind blew, the breezes brought with it the fragrants of the flowers. It's… soothing.. oh I remember. This is also her favorite flower.

"I.. I am not inclined to accept his highness proposal.. after all His majesty is your.. fiancé." Irene muttered softly.

"Is that so?" I spoke while walking down to that field. Irene looked confused as I went and picked a batch from that field.

"Well.. personally, I don't mind if his highness dance with you.. nor anybody, I suppose." I said, feeling that I can't compete with him.

I hand out the lavenders to her while she stand over the hills of the dirt road. The air was warm, it seemed peaceful all around..at the same time.. she looked flushed?

She held the arm that I extended to her.. and breathe in the scent of the lavenders, then slowly moved her lips along to my fingertips, pecking it.

"Then… would his highness mind if I want to have the dance with you?" She said, with puppy eyes, staring right at me.

Augh..! I think an arrow has shot right through my chest! W-what? How am I supposed to respond to that?! She's too cute….

"H-how can we? Anyway.. I don't know how to dance." I said while trying not to look in her eyes, but then…

"Is that so?" Irene said, then bowed down, folding her arm behind her back like an etiquette to invite a lady to the dance floor.

"May I have this dance, young miss?" Irene said playfully.

Hah.. seriously.. at that moment, I couldn't help but smiled. One thing led to another, She helped me out of the hole and we started to dance, in the middle of the field, no music, just the sound of the wind blowing… And.. I don't know if it was just me, but I think I can hear the sound of her heart pounding too.. or was it just mine?

"Follow my rhythm.." Irene whispered to me. She grabbed a hold of my waist, our hands intertwined as we moved. Irene started humming some sort of lullaby, our body moved along with the sound, at one point, she swirled me around like a doll. During the dance, I tripped a few times, but it was fine.. she made sure it was.

Hah which ballroom's experience can compare to this?