Chapter 65: The Waltz
Chapter 65: The Waltz
As the final notes of the opening announcement faded, the atmosphere inside the grand banquet hall subtly transformed.
Servants quietly cleared the center of the ballroom while the musicians adjusted their instruments.
The first waltz was about to begin.
In the Valtharyn Empire, the first dance of an Imperial banquet was more than simple entertainment.
It was tradition.
Every noble child, regardless of rank, began learning the waltz almost as soon as they could walk. Dancing was considered as essential as etiquette, swordsmanship, or magic.
To the common eye, it was merely a graceful performance.
To the nobility...
It was politics disguised as elegance.
A single dance could strengthen alliances.
Repair strained relationships.
Announce engagements.
Or quietly reveal shifting loyalties.
Within this very ballroom, nobles who had plotted against one another only days before would smile warmly and dance as though they were lifelong friends.
Some had committed crimes too terrible to speak aloud.
Others secretly despised the person standing before them.
Yet once the music began...
Every smile appeared sincere.
Every movement was flawless.
Such was noble society.
Beautiful on the surface.
Ruthless beneath it.
The musicians raised their instruments.
A gentle melody echoed throughout the magnificent hall.
The first to step onto the polished marble floor was Princess Aurelia.
Standing opposite her...
The First Prince, Darius Aurelmont.
As siblings of the Imperial Family, it was only natural that they would open the first dance together.
Soon after, the great ducal families entered the ballroom one after another.
Dukes and Duchesses moved with effortless elegance, their years of experience evident in every step.
Behind them came the Marquises.
Then the Counts.
The rhythm of the hall gradually expanded as more couples joined.
Some preferred slow, graceful movements.
Others danced with confident, lively energy.
Every pair moved according to their own style while remaining perfectly synchronized with the music.
Around the edges of the ballroom, many young nobles finally gathered the courage to approach those they wished to dance with.
"My Lady... may I have this dance?"
Some young ladies accepted with elegant smiles.
Others politely declined, leaving disappointed young heirs to retreat with forced composure while their friends quietly laughed behind them.
It was a scene repeated at nearly every noble banquet.
Standing beside House Valebright, Andras quietly watched the ballroom.
His gaze eventually settled upon Princess Aurelia and the First Prince.
A faint chuckle escaped his lips.
Beside him, Seraphina turned slightly.
"What are you laughing at?"
Andras smiled.
"Nothing."
"I simply found something amusing."
He didn’t elaborate.
Inwardly, however, another thought crossed his mind.
If these people knew what Princess Aurelia would accomplish in the future...
Watching her dance so peacefully with the First Prince would seem almost ironic.
The thought disappeared as quickly as it came.
He turned toward Seraphina.
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
He extended one hand toward her.
"My beautiful lady..."
"Would you honor me with this dance?"
Seraphina looked at him for a brief moment.
Then a graceful smile blossomed across her face.
"I would be delighted."
She placed her slender hand into his.
Their fingers met naturally.
Without another word, Andras led her onto the ballroom floor.
After briefly observing the surrounding couples, he guided her toward a quieter section of the hall.
"The slower tempo suits us better," he said.
Seraphina nodded.
"I was thinking the same."
As the music continued, Andras placed one hand lightly upon her waist while their joined hands rose gracefully between them.
Seraphina rested her free hand upon his shoulder.
The dance began.
Andras naturally assumed the lead.
Within the Empire, that was simply how the waltz was performed.
The gentleman always guided the dance.
The lady followed his movements.
It was a tradition that had endured for centuries.
Naturally...
History had seen a handful of overly romantic young men attempt to reverse those roles for the sake of their strong-willed lovers.
None of those attempts had ended particularly well.
Whether from disapproving parents, relentless gossip, or the merciless ridicule of noble society...
Their stories had become little more than amusing anecdotes shared at banquets.
As a result...
Very few people still possessed the courage to challenge that tradition.
With effortless coordination, Andras guided Seraphina across the polished marble floor.
Their movements flowed gently with the music, each step measured and elegant.
Around them, crystal chandeliers bathed the ballroom in warm golden light, while countless noble couples continued to dance beneath the watchful eyes of the Empire’s greatest houses.
For a brief moment...
The grand banquet seemed almost peaceful.
The melody flowed gently through the ballroom.
Step by step, Andras guided Seraphina with effortless precision.
His movements were smooth and unhurried, neither overly extravagant nor stiff. Every turn was measured, every step perfectly aligned with the rhythm of the music.
Seraphina followed just as naturally.
Although the two had never danced together before, it felt as though they had practiced countless times. There was no hesitation between them. Each subtle movement was understood without the need for words.
Several nearby nobles gradually noticed them.
"They’re surprisingly well matched."
"I expected the young master of House Darkmoor to be inexperienced."
"So did I."
"But look at his posture."
"Not a single unnecessary movement."
Even a few veteran nobles nodded with quiet approval.
A proper waltz was not meant to attract attention through flashy movements. True mastery lay in making every motion appear effortless.
From a short distance away, Evelyne watched the pair with a gentle smile.
Her silver eyes reflected unmistakable satisfaction.
He has grown more than I realized, she thought.
Hadrian Valebright also observed the dance before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"It seems our children make quite a remarkable pair."
Beside him, Elara smiled warmly.
"They complement each other perfectly."
Neither family attempted to interrupt them.
Instead, they simply enjoyed the sight of the young couple dancing together beneath the crystal chandeliers.
Meanwhile, Seraphina lifted her gaze toward Andras.
"I didn’t expect you to dance this well."
Her voice was soft enough that only he could hear.
Andras smiled faintly.
"I had an excellent teacher."
She blinked.
"Oh?"
"And who was that?"
He glanced toward Evelyne for the briefest moment before returning his attention to Seraphina.
"My mother."
Understanding immediately appeared in Seraphina’s eyes.
"Then I should thank Her Grace."
A quiet laugh escaped Andras.
"I imagine she would appreciate hearing that."
The music gradually reached its final movement.
Without exchanging another word, the two continued to glide across the ballroom floor, perfectly in sync, while countless pairs danced around them beneath the glittering lights of the Imperial Palace.
For that single dance...
The grandeur of the banquet seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the gentle melody and the quiet harmony between two people destined to share the same path.