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EVEN at night, the Amanecer capital was still brightly lit. Streetlamps lined the main thoroughfare at regular intervals. The country had two magic academies, meaning they didn’t lack for mages, which was a luxury compared to other countries. Sightseers from abroad traveled en masse to see the city at night.
In one corner of the capital was a particularly lively opera house. Carriages lined up one after the other at its entrance, passengers quickly disembarking to head inside. The street out front was lined with waiting carriages.
Inside, the lobby was dazzling with light amidst the pervasive darkness. The halls were brimming with fancily clad gentlemen and ladies. No matter where you looked, people were packed in like sardines, making it nigh impossible to spot a recognizable face among the crowd.
Oriana had come here tonight as part of her birthday celebration, and upon seeing the turnout, she quickly gave up on looking for anyone she knew. She had hoped to find even one classmate among all of these people, but the odds weren’t in her favor.
Her short, plump father led the way, holding out his arm, which she lightly draped her hand over as they made their way a step at a time up the carpeted stairway. An enormous chandelier hung overhead at the top, and its magic-reflecting crystals were what illuminated the lobby.
Since this was a special night, being her sixteenth birthday, Oriana was wearing extremely high heels. Fortunately, she was able to maintain her balance and make it to the top of the steps without tripping.
“Hey there, Elsha. Your lover there is quite beautiful. Mind introducing her to me?”
They were on their way to the gallery when someone called over to them, and the second Oriana caught a glimpse, she thought her eyes might bulge right out of her head from the shock.
“Oh, the Amethyst Dragon Duke. Fancy seeing you here,” her father greeted in turn.
Oriana swallowed hard upon hearing his title. The man had slicked back golden blond hair, and his smile was glowing. Those amethyst eyes reminded her of Vincent, both deeply pensive and imposing. As Vincent’s father, the Amethyst Dragon Duke, approached, he made it only a step before Oriana retreated a half step to curtsy.
“Actually, she’s not my lover. We’re family,” her father said.
“Oh? But I haven’t heard any news about you getting remarried?”
“Allow me to introduce her. This is my daughter, my pride and joy, Oriana.”
“Greetings,” Oriana said, her voice hitching due to nervousness. She slowly lifted her chin to find him smiling kindly at her. As Vincent aged, she suspected he would become the spitting image of his father. And yet, Duke Tanzine’s charm and presence were entirely different from his son’s.
Oh, wow. For an older man, he sure is handsome.
Oriana berated herself for being so flustered in front of a friend’s parent. She forced a smile to distract herself from her blushing cheeks.
“It’s an honor to make your acquaintance. As my father said, my name is Oriana.”
“I brought her to the opera today to celebrate her birthday,” her father explained.
“Oh? Happy birthday then, Oriana. For us to meet on such a special night like this…it can only be fate, don’t you agree?” He jerked his chin slightly. Oriana immediately realized what he was hinting at. The blush extended all the way to her neck as she held out her right hand. The duke planted a kiss atop her gloved fingers. It was an extremely dated, formal gesture, but had she ever seen anyone do it so stylishly before? No. No, never.
Eeeep! I can’t do this. He’s way too stunning!
The duke, who was still probably only barely over forty, smiled upon seeing how flustered and bright red she was.
His voice is just like Vincent’s, and his eyes, too.
Oriana’s face was burning so bright at this point she almost felt dizzy. Pulling her wits about her, she managed to squeak out, “Thank you, Your Grace. Meeting you like this has been the best gift all day.” She was at her limit. Her voice strained so much it was trembling. He still had her fingers clasped in his hand, and as much as she wanted to plead with him to release her, she couldn’t say the word. It was all she could do to stand there and keep herself upright.
“Father, I think it’s about time we—”
“Vin…cent…” Oriana mumbled. His timing was like a gift from the heavens. While she was overwhelmed with anxiety, he appeared from the crowd to retrieve his father. She let out a sigh of relief, genuinely believing he would rescue her from her current predicament.
“Oh? Are you two acquainted?” The duke quirked a brow and glanced at his son.
“We’re in the same year at the Academy,” said Vincent. “So, you’re attending tonight as well?”
“Yes,” Oriana managed to say, though her voice still didn’t sound normal. Her cheeks had been practically on fire a moment ago, but his words made her feel like she’d been doused in ice water.
“In the same year”? So he won’t even call us friends… I guess maybe he wants to keep it a secret from his father. Oh, I’m such an idiot. I accidentally called him “Vincent.”
Things were different here than they were at the Academy. Oriana knew that in her head, but it still came as an unexpected shock. While she spaced out, Vincent greeted her father. His eyes drifted to Oriana’s hand, which was still in his father’s grasp.
“Mother was calling for you. Sharon is waiting as well,” he said.
“All right. I was hoping to celebrate with you a bit longer, but my apologies. I don’t want to anger my wife. See you another time, Oriana.” At last, he released her.
A wave of relief washed over Oriana, and she smiled at him from the bottom of her heart. “That sentiment means enough on its own. I was pleased that we were able to talk at all.”
“Such a dutiful daughter. Be sure to come visit soon. We can pick up where we left off today.” The duke tried to reach for her hand again to bid her farewell, but Vincent intercepted him.
“Father, there’s no time.”
“Ah, yes, I nearly forgot my son is just as scary when he’s angry. Well then, I’ll be off.”
“All right.”
The duke hastily left, still looking every bit as dashing in his retreat as when she first saw him. It was hard to believe this was the same person who’d just been admonished by his own son.
Vincent kept his eyes on his father until he disappeared into the crowd, then Vincent turned his attention back. It wasn’t Oriana who he focused his gaze on, however, but rather her father.
“It has been a while, Mister Elsha.”
“You certainly have grown,” her father responded.
“Yes. I’m not nearly the mischievous child I was when we first met.”
“Hm, I’m not so sure about that.” Her father flashed a friendly smile, glancing at Oriana. She was confused as to why the conversation had suddenly turned toward her. In fact, she’d been struggling to keep up since the duke’s sudden appearance, never mind Vincent’s.
Vincent smiled weakly. “You have a point. I suppose I’m no less mischievous after all. Well, at any rate, the curtains will be going up momentarily. ’Till next we meet.”
“Indeed.” Her father gave a small nod and turned back to Oriana, a meaningful look in his eyes. She couldn’t decipher what it was, but she stared right back at him nonetheless.
Vincent gazed into her sky-blue eyes and smiled, expelling a breath. “Oriana, happy birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day.”
Puzzled, she furrowed her brows. “Uh, th-thank you…”
He actually knew today was my birthday.
No, surely he had only realized because of what his father had said a moment ago. She was just caught off guard by their conversation and never dreamed he would wish her a happy birthday.
The edges of Vincent’s lips twitched, and he held up his hand in her direction. Realizing he was waving goodbye, she returned the gesture.
The distance between us now is so much greater than while we were in school. But still…the way he looks at me makes it clear he still wants me as his friend.
Oriana more or less understood that he wasn’t outright rejecting her; there had to be a reason why he avoided having any kind of conversation with her. Thus, as his friend, she wanted to show him support. When he saw her wave at him, he smiled, satisfied. His necktie pin glimmered under the light of the chandelier.
“Goodbye,” he said. His coat fluttered through the air behind him as he took off after his father.
Noisy chatter filled the surrounding air in the lobby as she watched Vincent’s receding figure, her eyes never leaving him until he disappeared completely.