Chapter Eight: Sacred Beast
THE entire class had gathered in the small dance hall for lessons. We were forming actual pairs with the boys today. Excluding me, all my friends partnered up with each other in the blink of an eye.
“Looks like I’m the odd one out,” I said.
As I stood stock-still, petrified by shock, a number of boys appeared in front of me. All of them held out their hands.
“Would you please be my partner, Lady Vistriano?” one of them asked.
Yep, I should’ve expected this. The loner always gets her hot girl summer.
The sudden abundance of choices overwhelmed me. At that moment, I sensed something reaching out to me from behind.
What?
It turned out to be someone’s arm, which wrapped around my waist.
“Excuse me, everyone, but would you mind if I had this dance?” a familiar voice asked.
The newcomer took my right hand and wrapped his left hand around my waist. The other boys dispersed immediately.
“Is my hot girl summer over already?” I asked.
Embert’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he looked down at me. “And what, pray tell, is a hot girl summer?”
“Oh, um, it’s nothing.”
“Nothing? Was it just my imagination, or were you disappointed that your ‘hot girl summer’ came to an end?”
Laughing haughtily, I spoke like a pompous noblewoman to hide my discomposure. “Your mind is surely playing tricks on you, Your Highness.”
The music began playing once everyone had partnered up. Thus, everyone started dancing at the same time.
Embert’s expression turned serious. “Ally,” he said while dancing gracefully. “Something just occurred to me. I hadn’t known this about myself until mere moments ago.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Apparently, I’m a very jealous man.”
“Oh?”
“I can tolerate you spending time with Lauris and the others because they’re your friends,” Embert said. “However, I can’t stand the sight of you with other men. Seeing them ask you to dance just now made my blood boil.”
Though Embert spoke with a smile, his words caused me to shudder.
“Forgive me, but I don’t want to let anyone else touch you,” he continued.
Blood rushed to my cheeks. Sure, Embert sounded one step away from a stalker. At the same time, every part of my body he was touching erupted with heat, not just my face.
“Sh-Should you be saying that right now?” I asked.
“If not now, when should I say it?”
“Ugh…”
Embert tightened his grip around my waist. Naturally, this drew us closer together, and his lips brushed my hair. “Ally,” he whispered. “I wouldn’t let you escape from me even if you wanted to.”
My whole body shuddered. In fact, my heart had been pounding in my ears for several minutes now. Even so, I took a deep breath and stood my ground.
“Em,” I said while glaring up at him. “I-I feel the same way. I wouldn’t leave your side even if you told me to.”
The prince’s cheeks flushed. “You’ve grown bold, Ally. Would you mind if I kissed you right now?”
“Of course I would!”
When the song ended, an exultant Embert strode back to the dance professor’s side. Afterwards, I went to join my friends on unsteady feet.
“What’s wrong, Ally?” Lauris asked with a smirk. “I can practically see the steam rising from your head.”
“Your brother really did a number on me,” I replied.
Cia smirked in her usual manner as well. “Oh my, it sounds like the lady has fallen helplessly in love.”
“Yes, with you,” I replied.
Cia furrowed her brow for a moment before laughing. “Aha! You’re learning how to dish it back out.”
Was what I said really that funny?
“Well, it’s easier to get the better of you than Embert,” I admitted.
Cia giggled. “So long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“I feel the same way.”
This time, we both looked at each other and laughed.
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🐈 🐈 🐈
☆☆ Embert’s Point of View☆☆
DURING today’s lesson, the students were pairing up and dancing as they would at a real ball. Of course, I planned on dancing with Ally. When the professor instructed everyone to partner up, Lauris invited Princess Julietta to dance. Based on how her cheeks flushed with delight, I would be hearing good news about them in the near future.
Many young ladies appealed to me with their eyes, hoping I would ask them to dance. The sheer number of glances I received was humbling. Lady Celette, in particular, stared at me with remarkable intensity. Though she feigned bashfulness, my ear had been prickling with heat for the last few minutes.
I had no intention of dancing with anyone but Ally. Outside of official events, I only wanted to dance with the girl I loved. Thus, I headed towards her at a leisurely pace. Partway there, I passed by Lady Celette. She looked at me with an affected smile, seeming certain of something. Nevertheless, I passed by her without sparing her a glance.
When I spotted Ally, a number of men were holding out their hands to her. My composure vanished entirely upon witnessing this scene, and I raced to her side.
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🐈 🐈 🐈
☆☆Alexandra’s Point of View☆☆
“KNOCK, knock,” I said to Lauris. “Is anyone home?”
“Huh?” he responded, his pen scratching against paper as he took notes. “Are you plotting something sinister again?”
“What do you mean again? No, never mind. When did you and Julietta become a couple?”
The professor had left during class to retrieve some materials. As such, I seized the opportunity to tease Lauris a bit. Upon hearing my question, the tip of his pen snapped.
“Wh-Wh-Wha?” he stammered, his face turning bright red.
I smirked. “Looks like I caught you off guard.”
“Oh, shut your trap, dork.”
Who knew teasing your friends could be so fun?
“So?” I prompted him to continue. “What happened? And what did she say?”
“Well, we were dancing, and… Wait, you think I’m going to tell you? Don’t be an idiot.”
I mean, you were just about to spill the beans, right?
“Aww, are you blushing?” I teased. “I couldn’t be happier to see two of my best friends become a couple. You’re going to get married in the future, right? That way, we won’t have to part ways with Julietta.”
It would be heartbreaking to say goodbye when she finished studying abroad.
“That’s the plan,” Lauris said. “I’m going to visit her country during the next long break.”
Unable to help myself, I ruffled his hair. For some reason, seeing him act so masculine filled me with delight. At the same time, all my remaining worries vanished. I had fallen in love with Embert, and Lauris had fallen in love with Julietta. The past loops wouldn’t repeat themselves. I could be confident of that now.
“Heh, we’re all going to live happily ever after,” I said.
Lauris smiled in response to my unabashed honesty. “Yeah, I guess so.”
My heart filled with joy as the end of the year approached.