As the music began, my eyes met Elnora’s.


    “Would you like this dance, Lady Kirkwood?” Alex asked, extending his hand.


    “Perhaps,” she replied with a smirk and a light blush before placing her hand in his. Together, they walked onto the ballroom floor.


    Elnora and I remained at the table, speechless.


    My heart began to race.


    I had danced before—many times, in this life and the one previously.


    So why was I so scared to dance with her?


    “Good evening again, Sir Ashford.”


    The voice made me turn. There, in her golden-yellow dress, stood Celina. She bowed.


    “It would be lovely to dance with you,” she said with a graceful smile.


    I glanced back at Elnora, my hesitation evident, but before I could decline, she interrupted.


    “He’s all yours.” She said, her voice firm.


    I turned around offering my hand to Celina, bowing slightly. As she took it, I caught a glimpse of Elnora, standing alone at the table.


    The music picked up, and we began to dance. The steps were familiar—classic, slow, elegant.


    I twirled Celina, pulling her back in, but her movement were forceful, like a duel.


    She tried to lead, but I took control, guiding her rhythm.


    “You dance as well as you fight, Sir Ashford,” she mused. “But… may I call you Ryn?”


    No, I would prefer that she didn’t.


    “S-Sure, if that’s what you desire your excellence.”


    “No need for formalities. Please, call me Celina,” she said smiling.


    Of course, seduction.


    “O-Okay. Celina. What would you like to talk about?” I asked, keeping my voice low as we moved with the music.


    “You saved me. You defeated that dungeon master. But I would have never guessed the shy boy I once knew from my childhood could do it.” Her voice dropped, becoming serious. “The kingdom needs someone like you Ryn. I need someone like you.”


    I spun her again, the crowd murmuring with admiration.


    “This kingdom is rotten—corrupt beyond saving, especially from the church.” Her words were sharp, edged with desperation. “If someone like you stood by my side, we could change the power balance. We could save it.”


    I remained silent as we danced.


    “In a year or so, everything will fall apart,” she continued. “But with you… Ryn I could give you the power you desire.”


    I exhaled sharply, gripping her hand firm but gentle.


    “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I want nothing to do with kingdom or its politics,” I said, keeping my tone polite but resolute. “I understand your duty, but I have my own at the moment.”


    She went silent.


    Her heels glided across the polished marble floor, yet every step felt forced.


    She pushed forward, attempting to lead again, but I countered.


    The crowd watched in awe, drawn in by the tension between us.


    Was this a dance or a battle?


    Each step was a challenge.


    Each movement. Was a silent negotiation.


    When I dipped her, she barely flinched, her golden dress cascading like an ocean wave.


    I held my ground.


    She smiled—whether in amusement or frustration, I couldn’t tell.


    By the final, spin I was in control.


    The music slowed.


    The dance ended.


    I bowed before her. She bowed back.


    Applause erupted.


    Whispers flooded the ballroom.


    “Sir Ryn, would you dance with me?” a woman called.


    “Oh, Ryn! Over here!”


    “Sir Ryn!” More voices echoed out.


    But then, through the noise, one voice reached me.


    Soft.


    Clear.


    Like wind chimes bringing me peace.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    “Ryn…”


    I turned immediately.


    “Yes!” I called back, pushing back the crowd.


    There, standing in her emerald-green and white dress, was Elnora. A single tear glistened her eye.


    “Y-you heard me,” she whispered, smiling softly despite the sadness on her face.


    I extended my hand toward her cheek.


    Wiping away the tear.


    “It’s okay to cry. I’m here,” I whispered telepathically.


    Then, lowering myself onto one knee, I extended my hand once more.


    “Would you give me this dance?”


    Elnora’s lips curled into a soft smile as she bowed.


    “It would be my pleasure.”


    She slowly placed her hand in mine, and together, we stepped onto the ballroom floor.


    Around us, couples twirled gracefully, lost in the melody of the music.


    The song began softly, a delicate waltz that guided us into a simple sway side to side.


    “I—I’m sorry I left you back there,” I murmured, guilt pressing against my chest.


    “I’ve been leaving you alone a lot, haven’t I?”


    She smiled, small and understanding. “Yeah… but you can’t help it.”


    Her reassurance was warm, but there was quiet longing in her eyes.


    The melody shifted, deepening into something richer, more vibrant.


    “But you owe me,” she teased, her fingers tightening slightly around mine.


    I extended my hand, allowing her to spin slowly before returning to my embrace once more.


    “Oh?” I asked, my cheeks tinged with warmth.


    “And what do I owe you?”


    She blushed, mirroring my expression. “A good dance.”


    I smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Do you believe you can keep up?”


    “It looks easy enough,” she replied, her voice light, confident.


    The song swelled.


    Our dance transformed.


    It was as if two doves had taken flight, soaring effortlessly through the air.


    Each step we took aligned perfectly with the melody, our feet tapping the floor in seamless harmony.


    There was no hesitation.


    No misstep.


    Only, fluidity, as if we had danced together countless times before.


    “Wow.. you’re good at this,” I said, laughing softly. “Are you sure this is your first time dancing?”


    She giggled. “Y-yeah I practiced a little bit with Lilli.”


    I spun her, the fabric of her dress fanning out like waves in the wind.


    Then, catching her by the waist, I lifted her gently, her weight as light as air.


    She landed gracefully, and with a flick of my wrist, I spun her once more.


    One hand behind my back, the other guiding her, I twirled her effortlessly, drawing her close to my chest.


    “Whew…I’m a bit dizzy,” she said, laughing breathlessly.


    “Oh? Want me to do it again?” I teased.


    “Oh, hush you,” she replied.


    We danced, lost in each other, unaware of the growing silence in the room.


    Unlike Celina, who fought for control.


    Elnora moved as if she knew every step before I took it. She didn’t command the dance—she completed it, adding a grace that made every movement feel natural.


    Then, familiar voices drifted from behind us.


    Alex.


    Lilli.


    I turned slightly, realizing we were not the only ones left dancing.


    The ballroom floor belonged to the four of us now.


    --Alex, Lilli, Elnora, and me.


    We spun the girls, trading partners in perfect rhythm.


    “Is Alex taking good care of you, or is he being a pain?” I asked Lilli as I guided her into a dip.


    She chuckled. “Oh, he''s tolerable at the moment.”


    Alex smirked. “So how is it going with Ryn?” He asked Elnora.


    “He... He’s like a fairytale,” she admitted softly.


    Alex’s expression softened “Then let’s return you back toward your prince.”


    With that, we exchanged partners once more.


    Elnora spun back into my arms, her body falling effortlessly into my grasp.


    The room gasped.


    The way we moved—it was something from an era long ago.


    A dance of legend.


    Of unspoken emotion.


    For a moment, the only sound was the beating of our hearts.


    Our eyes locked.


    And as the final notes of the song whispered through the air, I dipped her one last time, holding her close as the world faded around us.


    For a moment, we didn’t let go even after the song ended.


    Our hands lingered, our eyes locked, as if the world around us was invisible.


    The crowd erupted into cheers—louder than those Celina and I had received.


    Yet, we ignored them, lost in each other’s gaze.


    But the moment was rudely interrupted.


    “You call that a dance?”


    A voice dripping with mockery, echoed through the ballroom. From the crowd, my brother, Alaric emerged, dressed in an outfit like mine.


    He smirked, his presence alone casting a shadow over the celebration.


    “Hah! Pathetic. As always little brother.” He crossed his arms, his voice filled with contempt.


    “Are we really supposed to believe that this weakling defeated a Dungeon Master? Are we certain?”


    The crowd fell into an uneasy silence, hanging onto his every word.


    “How is it fair,” Alaric continued, stepping forward, “that you—born after me—somehow possess magic powerful enough to defeat a Dungeon Master? That a weakling can suddenly stand tall, fearless, with women by his side?


    His words were laced with envy, his gaze darkened.


    “I don’t believe it for a second. And those who do—” he scoffed, shaking his head, “—are fools.”


    His eyes flickered toward Elnora, slowly trailing up and down her form.


    He licked his lips.


    My stomach twisted in disgust.


    “I shall teach you another lesson, my dear brother,” he sneered, stepping closer to me. “Did you forget who beat you before?” He turned to the crowd. “Yes, people I have bested Ryn Ashford—the so—‘next great hero’—before.” He chuckled, the sound grating.


    “You’re nothing but a putrid spawn.” “Something that should have ceased to exist.”


    His words barely registered as I clenched my fists.


    Then, his smirk widened. “Brother, I challenge you to the Polemos.” He leaned in, his breath hot against my skin. “And if I win, your little Elnora will be mine.”


    Elnora tense behind me, her fingers gripping my sleeve. His hand lashed out, slapping me across the face.


    Mmh.. As usual..


    And then—


    A voice echoed in my mind. Not his. Not mine.


    Quest:


    Re-educate the fool: 0/2


    Win Polemos: 0/1


    An interface notification spoke. Demanding punishment.


    The very thought of my brother laying his disgusting, lustful gaze on Elnora burned deep into my soul. Without hesitation, I raised my hand—


    CRACK!


    My hand met his jaw with bone—snapping force.


    Alaric stumbled backward.


    He clutched his face, eyes wide in shock. Blood trickled from his mouth.


    Gasps filled the room–some horrified, some in awe. A few nobles even turned away, retching.


    I felt nothing.


    My mana flared slightly, raw power coursing through me, my gaze growing cold.


    Alaric, on his knees, looked up at me in horror, his once-mocking grin shattered.


    “L…little…b-brother..” he stammered, his jaw grotesquely mis-aligned.


    Lèse-majesté.


    The phrase echoed in my mind.


    I took a step forward, the weight of fury pressing down on the room—


    But then, a gentle touch.


    Elnora’s hand wrapped around my wrist. She pulled me close, whispering telepathically.


    Don’t. Not. Here.


    The coldness in my veins went away enough for reason to seep back in.


    I exhaled, sharply my fist unclenching.


    Alaric gritted his teeth, staggering to his feet. “H..how dare you! He hissed; voice slurred from his ruined jaw. “I-I’ll tell Father!” He turned and stumbled away, disappearing into the crowd.


    The ballroom remained silent.


    Then whispers—


    “What force...”


    “Did you see that mana?”


    “He almost took his head off with one strike.”


    And then—three slow claps.


    In the center of the room, Prince Lucas stood, a smug smile on his lips. His short blonde hair swayed slightly as he tilted his head, mismatched eyes—one blue, one green—gleaming with amusement.


    “It isn’t a ball without a little bit of drama,” he mused, letting out a laugh. He raised his hand, summoning his spell blade—a spear. His spear flared with fire magic, instantly incinerating the bloodstains on the floor.


    “Their. That mess is cleaned up,” he said smoothly, sheathing his weapon.


    “Now then…” His expression tightened for a moment before he forced a pleasant smile.


    “My sister will begin handing out the reward for our valiant heroes. “He gestured toward Celina, his tone betraying irritation.


    “Go on, sister.”


    Celina straightened; her expression unreadable as she unrolled a document.


    “Come forward, the valiant party known as The Phantoms.”


    The rooms attention bore down on us as the four of us slowly stepped forward.