The singing of the distant instruments reverberated through the venue in slow and peaceful harmony, settling in the hearts of many.

With light and slightly bouncy steps, Helena took my hand and began dancing.

Her smile blossomed, and her eyes gleamed under the hue of the twinkling chandelier.

The soft laughter that escaped from her lips now and then was lovelier than any tune out there in the world.

Her hair would float and flow along her precise and playful steps.

Gorgeous and precious was her...

She saw me. And I saw her.

Nothing else seemed to matter...

"What do you think? How do I look?" Queried the beautiful Princess, slightly panting out of breath.

'...' I took a couple of seconds first to better formulate and construct my words.

"You look beautiful, Princess." And so came my response.

"You! I mean my dancing..." Flustered, Helena almost broke her posture.

"Haha...Your dancing too." I laughed.

To be honest, she was severely limited in what she did because of me sitting in my wheelchair. But frankly, thanks to Helena's vibes and expression she had managed to turn a somewhat doomed dance session passable in other people's eyes.

It was a steep task to pull off...

"Look at them. They think so, too." I hinted towards the surrounding galleries.

"So what? I don't give a damn." Snorted Helena.

"I can't say much to those who rub you in the wrong way but might as well give a chance to some people, Helena. We, humans, for better or worse, need others to live."

I usually didn't bother with others, but it was Helena we were talking about...And sooner than later, she needed to learn how to interact better with others, which would do her more good than bad.

"I know. And luckily for me. I've found them all already." Grinned Helena cheekily before spinning like a rose that just began to bloom.

"Ha...You and your stubborn skull." I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"Then enough with the crap. You're distracting me. Now, up and weave. Left, push. Right...Back..." Despite the complaint, that soft smile never left her lips. That alone was evident that she was, in fact, in a good mood.

Helena carried on with the dance, trying her best despite already being flawless in my eyes.

And maybe Mother's words did hold some truth. That sincerity, in its many forms, was contagious because after seeing Helena dancing with her whole heart, people began to follow suit.

Pair by pair, they strode forward and danced with their partners, swaying along to the uplifting melodies and rhythm, joined by the shoulders as they performed a series of movements in sync.

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Insisting that we stayed for the second song, I couldn't do much but let Helena have her way. In fact, she seemed more enthusiastic about this part than the first one.

Still, for a colorful song with joyful movements, dancing with me could pass as cute. But it'd spell a completely different feeling when we were talking about a slow song.

And I wasn't the only one who seemed to share such thoughts.

Looks and whispers of pity could be seen and heard everywhere.

Helena said she didn't mind the others, but I could tell that it was starting to affect her. And that just wouldn't do it.

I couldn't let that fly. Not on my watch...

'Hm...Trodin...You can use a basic floating spell, right?' I sent a message to the huge man.

He nodded slightly in the distance, pausing briefly.

'Then can you give me a hand? Just until this song is over...'

Thus, without even bothering himself to ask questions, Trodin immediately made his move. Paving his way among the crowds, he headed toward us with the bewildered Margareth closely staying on his tail.

Thanks to his size, he was able to stir quite the commotion as he tried to reach us.

'Thanks.' I offer a word of gratitude, fully knowing that we both shared a common interest in preferring not to draw too much attention on such occasions.

"O' mighty spirit of Wind that traveled the land since the dawn of time. Give us the kiss of your grace...Levitate." Trodin's thick and charming baritone voice rang, shocking the hell out of everyone around him.

Enveloped by the ever so gently forgiving breeze, my body began to float upward, facing the stupefied Helena.

"By the Light! It's Viscount Gelliard. In front of the king!?"

"For someone who's known to be righteous and do things by the book, I never thought he'd pull a stunt like this. Inside the Royal Palace of all places!"

Hushed murmurs from the gossiping nobles spread like wildfire. It got to the point that even the musician had to stop playing due to the commotion.

It was purely a blunder on my part. I completely missed the fact that there was a law that someone should never use magic while in the king's presence.

And knowing Trodin, rather than a man who played things by the book, he was the kind who followed things through as long as it did not collide with his belief, contrary to what others might've thought of him.

"I offer words of gratitude to the Viscount of Gelliard. The Dawson never forgets their debts." Stated Father loud, stealing the attention.

"Nemeria sends our regards to House Gelliard!" It was followed by Grandfather's booming voice that might as well be the crackle of thunder.

"Much appreciated." Returned Trodin shortly before pulling away to the side as if nothing had happened.

All eyes then went to the man who stayed at the top of the hierarchy.

The king was frowning ugly as he kept his eyes fixed on Grandfather and only at him.

Soon before long, the man waved his hand, and the intros to the second song began anew.

He could raise trouble with Trodin if he wanted to, but even the king seemed to think twice before he started messing around when Grandfather had moved.

'Holy shit...I almost fucked up again...' I, on the other hand, was just glad that nothing happened.

"Don't know what that geezer's deal, but he sure gives us a hand, Alex." Whispered Helena, grinning impishly.

"Well, doesn't matter. Are you ready?" Added her.

"Hey, you're the one who'll do everything, Princess. I'll try my best not to get in your way."

Then again, the milk had been spilled. So, I shook those intrusive thoughts away and just tried to be there in that moment, together with Helena.

"Hehehe...I like that." Giggling radiantly, she bowed and stepped forward, meeting me eye-to-eye, and assumed her hands on my shoulder. And mine on her hips.

Thus, the second dance began again.

And this time, without my wheelchair to bind me down.

Everything was going smoothly. Helena was smiling. My family also seemed to have a good time watching us.

'I wish things could stay like this...,' I thought.

But that remained to be nothing but wishful thinking in the end.

Because trouble was soon approaching us...

'Fuck...why the hell did he come here...'