……Got up late, begging for monthly votes~
Congratulations to friend Dream-Wake-Heart-Also-Sleeps for becoming an Alliance Leader!
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The night was deep and the misty, lovely silver moon cast its cool glow, and with the evening breeze sweeping through, it washed away the heat and bustle of the great hall, leaving Lucian feeling refreshed and brimming with energy.
But the picturesque balcony scene at night didn't belong to Lucian alone. Two women of differing charms were locked in a tight embrace near the corner, kissing passionately. The bright, dreamlike moonlight fell upon them, and combined with their intoxicated, breathtakingly beautiful faces, it painted a scene like a sacred and beautiful oil painting — one that felt almost wrong to disturb.
Lucian managed an awkward smile and slowly backed away, wine glass in hand.
But Natasha was a fifth-rank Great Knight, and Lucian's entrance was impossible to miss from her. She stopped the intimate moment and shielded the flushed, breathless Sylvia behind her. Her handsome violet brows arched: "Lucian, what's that expression on your face? Got something to say?"
"Just one thing," Lucian said half-jokingly. "Please don't assault my eyes."
Natasha let out a chuckle, pointed at herself, then gestured toward Sylvia, and whispered: "Aren't we pretty?"
"Well, let me put it differently." Lucian had grown fairly comfortable and familiar with Natasha over these past few weeks, so he joked easily: "Please don't wound my soul."
Natasha seemed quite satisfied with this mode of interaction, her smile relaxed and languid: "Under that composed exterior, you're actually a fun person — very well suited to being a friend. Oh, right, as it happens I have something to talk to you about." As she spoke, she led the deeply bowing-headed Sylvia back into the great hall, with Lucian following behind.
After that, Natasha said a few comforting words to Sylvia, drew out a soft laugh from her, and let her go off on her own toward the circle of musicians.
"May I have this dance, Lucian? We can talk while we dance." Natasha's tall, full-bodied figure leaned forward gracefully as she extended her right hand.
Lucian didn't move, studying her seriously for a few seconds: "Your Highness, don't you think there's a problem with your posture?"
"Is there? Oh, I'm used to it — I forgot you're the gentleman here." Natasha's expression brightened with realization. She withdrew her right hand and stood elegantly in place, waiting for Lucian's invitation.
The music had already shifted to a melody commonly used for the round dance. Lucian extended his right hand to Natasha with the etiquette he'd only recently learned: "Would Your Royal Highness do me the honor of a dance?"
"Of course — you are the finest music advisor, after all." Natasha placed her hand in Lucian's palm, and the two walked to the center of the great hall together, beginning to dance the round dance.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman, both knights, dancing — it should have been wonderfully coordinated and full of grace. But neither Natasha nor Lucian saw it that way.
"Lucian, you stepped on my foot again."
"Your Highness, you're the one who got the steps wrong — that was the gentleman's..."
"Really? I'm not used to dancing like this."
"You're stepping on me, Your Highness — your strength is truly..."
"Actually, Lucian, why don't you try doing the lady's steps? That would solve everything."
"Your Highness, please just keep stepping on me."
After a struggle, the two finally managed to coordinate. Lucian then asked about the real matter at hand: "Your Highness, what did you want to see me about?"
"Heh heh." Natasha gave two laughs, looking a little embarrassed. "Sylvia heard your piano miniature today and watched your performance, and she's become completely enamored with the piano. So she's asked me to play a love-themed piano miniature for her on her birthday, the day before New Year's."
"That's wonderful — you already have a creative direction, Your Highness. Do you need me to coach you on some particular piano techniques?" Lucian asked casually, not thinking this had anything to do with him.
Natasha laughed awkwardly again: "The thing is, right now my mind is full of stirring, surging melodies, and I simply can't find any inspiration for writing a piano miniature. You're a musician too, Lucian — you should understand how dry and lifeless a piece turns out when you force yourself to create without any inspiration. I don't want to give Sylvia something half-hearted."