Chapter 13: Shattered Steps
The ball began gracefully enough. Kaiser led Elara onto the polished floor with practiced poise, and for the first few moments, they moved in perfect sync. The music swelled elegantly, and the guests watched with approving nods.
People began commenting:
They look so good together, would you look at that.
Then Kaiser changed his footing deliberately.
Elara stumbled, her balance thrown off. She recovered quickly, adjusting her steps with visible effort, but the damage was done. Kaiser gave a subtle glance toward the musicians. The tempo increased sharply. The once graceful waltz turned frantic.
Elara adapted as best she could, but her movements grew strained and awkward under the sudden pressure. Whispers rippled through the crowd. Displeased murmurs spread like wildfire.
“Poor form for a coming-of-age ceremony…”
“Shouldn’t the lady be leading better than this?”
"Can you imagine, what a disgrace, and after her family threw such a big event for her", right? "I bet even a child could do better than this ".
What a shame,the voss family would be displeased .
"I even heard she's not the biological son of Elaric,yet he treats her as his own daughter and she goes out and destroys his effort."
By tradition, the girl was expected to shine perfectly on her special night — to cover any missteps gracefully and embody noble poise. The fact that this was her ceremony made the embarrassment sting even deeper. Most of the blame fell squarely on Elara.
Kaiser leaned in close during a turn, his voice low and mocking. “Did your family not even bother getting you a proper dance instructor? How unfortunate.”
Elara’s cheeks burned with humiliation. She could see the smug satisfaction in his eyes. He was ecstatic, reveling in every misstep.
From the side of the hall, Elias watched with growing unease. His sister’s forced smile and tense shoulders told him everything. "He’s doing this on purpose, but why, why is he doing all of this,is it because I bumped into him, what's wrong with this guy."
Immediately the asshole signaled again to the musicians and they immediately increased the pace abruptly causing her to nearly stumble, "what a looser he said,I guess the voss aren't as impressive as they make them sound, you better get dancing lessons soon enough,no man would marry you,at least not in this condition.".
As they danced elara who's entire confidence had been destroyed began to get floppy making some errors, but kaiser immediately corrected it with his own movements earning the applause of the onlookers.
Maria was visible worried about all the fuss .
lira she won't recover from this she said,tears threatening to spill,I know my daughter she won't,why today of all days.
Lira spoke back: Don't worry, she'll be just fine, I'll make sure of that.
The dance finally ended. The audience clapped — politely, but reluctantly. Elara held her head high as she stepped off the floor, but the moment she was out of sight, she bolted toward the mansion’s private bathroom.
The door slammed shut behind her. Alone, she finally broke.
Tears streamed down her face as she gripped the edge of the marble sink. Why would he do this to me?, what did I do to deserve all this?Why am I like this? she thought bitterly. My little brother is already a renowned Rare-grade water mage at ten years old. And me? I’m older… and I’m nothing. I tried so hard. Sword training, etiquette, everything. It was all a waste.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror — the beautiful dress, the carefully arranged hair — and felt only emptiness. I’ll always be nothing, I'll always be nothing,why do people keep forcing me to do things I'm not good at?why is life so unfair?
The door opened softly. Lira stepped inside, her gentle face filled with concern.
“Elara, sweetheart… what happened?” She moved closer, pulling her daughter into a warm embrace. “Talk to me.”
Elara’s voice cracked. “Mother… you must be so happy to have such an amazing son. But I… I’m probably such a disappointment to you.”
Lira hugged her tighter, stroking her hair. “Oh, my girl. You look so beautiful tonight. Don’t ruin that with tears. What happened out there wasn’t your fault. That boy was playing dirty.” She pulled back slightly, cupping Elara’s face. “And you are very, very special. Just as special as your brother, in your own way.”
Elara tried to laugh it off through her tears. “It’s all just a show, Mother. You’re only saying that to make me feel better.”
Before Lira could respond, the door opened again. Elias slipped inside, his small face etched with worry.
“Sis…” He stepped closer, reaching out awkwardly. “Are you okay? That guy was clearly messing with you. You did great out there.”
Elara turned away, wiping her eyes. Elias tried again, offering a clumsy hug, but she remained stiff. "Why would he do this to you, hey come on don't cry"As he looked at her tear-streaked face in the mirror, a painful flash of recognition hit him.
That expression — the raw hurt, the self-doubt, the feeling of being utterly worthless — reminded him of someone very close… and still very far.
"That look, I've seen that same look somewhere before,In a mirror too,it's none other than"
Haruto.