Now, where to start? Let’s see. The princes have parted ways, Jianyu is with Aidren at what seems to be a punch bowl with peach juice, and our merc is by one of the guarded closed door balconies. Is she trying to make a getaway? In that dress? You know what, I wish you the best of luck. Go ahead and try.

But now where is, what’s his name, Elouan? Let’s see what he is up to. Ah, there he is, he’s on the dance floor. Seems I’ll have to bide my time then. I’ll just walk around a bit, try some of that peach juice.

The boys seem to have stepped away from the table, I should make my way over then.

Women and men conversing in light conversation, arrayed in pastels. Everyone is off in their own worlds of small talk. Dancing together, having fun.

This juice is surprisingly good.

…

…

Damn, I’m bored. Wonder how the little party is doing, last I knew the main two were headed away from-

“Care for a dance?”

Huh?

“Oh. Hello!” Wow, he’s pretty. And a jade mask with gold detailing? Wha-

“Hello. Would you care for a dance, My Lady?”

Damn his voice is smooth. Cute smirk.

“I- Alright.” I didn’t expect to be asked, I thought I would have to make a spectacle.

Off to the dance floor, it seems the orchestra is switching to a waltz. Just a warning, but no getting handsy Mr, this is just a dance. You may be pretty but I will get you smited if necessary. With your long black hair, and jade green eyes, and muscled figure filling out that outfit. Light green fall front trousers, what is with the amount of these kinds of trousers here? And your light green waistcoat under a light green tailcoat, with a white dress shirt with ruffled billowy sleeves? That seamstress seems to like to dress anyone she can in colors that can get them executed. Humans and their silly etiquette and aesthetic rules.

“If you don’t mind me asking, My Lady. Why do you cover your eyes?”

Uhhhhhhhhh………shit, think of an excuse!

“Oh, my eyes- are- I’m blind!” WHY WOULD YOU-!

“You're blind? But you dance so well?”

“Well, I’m just- partially blind! Not completely, so I- I just thought it wouldn’t be worth the effort to be able to see!” That's such a terrible excuse! I’m never this horrible at lying! What is even happening! What is wrong with me!

“Alright, if you insist.”

Stop talking so suave dammit, I’m breaking down here! I never lie this unconvincingly!

“Would you like to continue dancing? The song is almost at its end.”

“Oh, if you’d like to continue, I wouldn’t mind.” I very much mind! Please, I was so unprepared for this! Oh fuck this I’m turning it all back!

And back into the light of the masquerade! I just- slammed the door open. The room is silent. Everyone’s looking at me.

Okay, back in the dressing room. Now I just open the door at a normal pace. Easy. Everyone’s still in their positions. Merc near the window, hero and mage at the peach punch bowl. Princy’s still dancing with the girl in light blue. Now where did Mr.Green come from, I refuse to lose my cool this time. Creator hasn't smited me yet, I should still be in the clear with the time movement. All the men seem to be wearing more oranges and reds instead of green, where is he? He only showed up after I made my way to the table after the boys stepped away. He was fun to dance with, so I wouldn’t mind dancing with him again, I just need to refrain from losing my cool. Easy. Easy. easy.

I need a better excuse, who says ‘Oh yeah! I’m Blind!’ in the middle of a dance! I’ll just ignore this problem ‘til later. I just have to keep an eye out. Could I get away with just saying ‘it’s a design choice?’ Would that work? Maybe.

The boys are still at the table, Aidren seems a little peeved with Jianyu, or maybe it's the whole situation. He was raised in a little fishing village from what the old guy knew, so this whole thing is definitely out of his comfort zone then. Jianyu seems to be more on guard, like he has a stick up his ass. He said his surname was Longwei, and that he’s a prince… How well known is this Yangguang Empire? And the prince said he was honored to have him, instead of just saying he was glad to have him here as most royal etiquette would impose… I’m really far out of the loop here aren’t I? The merc is… ah, still by the window. Is she wearing black gloves? Where did those come from?

I still can’t spot-

“Good evening My Lady, care for a dance?”

HOW-, you know what, fine.

“Oh? Well, alright, if you insist.” I’ll play your game, acting all nice and smooth. See, I even smiled sheepishly!

The orchestra switches to a waltz and we dance in the classic messy box system. His right hand on my waist, my left on his shoulder, and the hands joined together. Everything is going well, as expected from the amount of time I spent having to practice dancing with Phin, I mean seriously.

Now here comes the part where he asks about my hair styling choices.

…

…

Um? Hello? That’s your cue?

…

“Would you like to continue dancing? The song is almost at its end.”

“I- alright…” People aren't supposed to miss their lines. This shouldn’t… was Samudra right? Did I mess something up?

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

A new waltz. Upbeat.

Left on 4 - Left Swipe Right - Left Start Right Start

Left Up - Left Swipe to 2 - Right Swipe to Start - Right Back

Left on 2 Right on 3 - Right Swipe Left - Right on 1

I don’t mess with time often. Does this kind of thing happen? Did I mess up? I- this shouldn’t…

Left Up - Left on 4 - Left Swipe Right

Left on 2 Right on 3 - Left Swipe to 2 - Right Swipe to Start - Left Start Right Start

Right Swipe Left - Right on 1 - Right Back

No, no no no no… It’s the fact that this is just a story! This is just a messy unfinished draft of a story! I’m perfectly fine! This wasn’t my fault! That’s it!

Left on 2 Right on 3 - Left Up - Left on 4

Right Swipe Left - Left Swipe to 2 - Right Swipe to Start - Left Swipe Right

Right on 1 - Right Back - Left Start Right Start

Everythings fine! Nothing else is happening anyways! Just a missing line! He’s the only one off beat! That’s fine! I can keep an eye on him!

Right Swipe Left - Left on 2 Right on 3 - Left Up

Right on 1 - Right Swipe to Start - Left Swipe to 2 - Left on 4

Right Back - Left Start Right Start - Left Swipe Right

I can just make him join the main team! If I’ve already messed things up, why not! I’ve already possessed a man and come down to the mortal plain in physical form! What’s one more heretical action!

Right on 1 - Right Swipe Left - Right on 3 Left on 2

Right Back - Right Swipe to Start - Left Swipe to 2 - Left Up

Right Start Left Start - Left Swipe Right - Left on 4

Aha! The song should be ending soon, I’ll introduce him to the main team, have them conveniently meet, bump into each other, what have you! With how suave and confident he is, he’ll be a perfect addition to the team! He can play the role of the flir-

Booms and Crashes! The left wall explodes open! Screaming crowds!

Wow, what wonderful sound effects! And now there’s dust everywhere. That is certainly one way to make an entrance. And one way to knock me out of my own thoughts. Thank you, dear impromptu villain!

“Hello, ladies and gents! You all wouldn’t happen to know where I could find my lovely little Liluae, would you?”

Hmm? Lilu-? Oh! Our merc! Obviously. This whole story seems to be moving a bit too fast, I haven’t really even been that observant either. If I was, I would notice my mistakes more. First, I just had to test my luck and got spotted by our resident redhead. Not to mention Mr. Jade eyes here missing his lines because of my own mistakes. Annoying. No time to dwell.

Missy with the black hair up there seems to have some kind of back up, I just can’t see them. The presence feels odd, but familiar? Like, inconsistent waves… Odd.

“Well? No takers? What a shame. See, I know she’s here, and that she is no longer in your maze of a dungeon. So I’m gonna need a little give from you, or I unleash hell on your pompous asses!”

And where do you think you’re going greenie? Sneaking off in the middle of a villain speech? This is usually the best part before the action kicks in! Some villains even tell their motive without even realizing, you know! The whole ‘explain my evil plan’ monologue. Speaking of motive, where did princy go? As well as the rest of my little gaggle of idiots?

Princy is… over there! By the high fashion nerds! I’m guessing those are his advisors or whatever they’re called. It looks as though they are getting into some kind of diamond formation? And now they’re glowing. Wonderful.

There’s the party, seems they got their merc back. Or, well, it seems they're interrogating her. Might as well discard the physical form. What a shame, I really liked that dress.

“Oh, I’m sorry! I totally should have to you that an ex-colleague would try to come and kill me! My bad! Obviously I didn’t think she would follow me!”

My guess was right, lucky me!

“Are you serious!? You’re an assassin, aren’t you? Isn’t there some kind of protocol where they kill anyone who defects?”

Redhead makes a point, Lils. Anyone who chases after a girl, has to have some kind of ulterior motive. It’s a classic literary trope! Now which is it; Love, revenge, mercenary politics, economic gain, etc, etc? Can’t be the last one, girlie didn’t give off the vibes of some mercenary trying to rise up the ranks.

“Okay, fine, fine. Whatever. We still need you to get us out of the castle, actually no. Even better idea. We help you here, you get us out of Nuusilicia as a whole, not just this kingdom.”

Ooooh, are we speed running it to that Oprebar place? I’ll gladly help with that then, hopefully I can mess with another oracle or two. Man, I miss Greece.

“Are you serious? I’m in this mess cause Mr.Holly plant here decided to mess around with magic! Like hell am I helping you get off the entire continent.”

“I didn’t sign up to go adventuring with you either, wizard. I have to get back to-”

Tall, fleshy colored, no hair, horns that stem from where the eyes should be, stretching about half a foot above the top of the head, and about nine feet tall.

Yep, that’s a demon.

“Helloo… is there a white haired girl heree? One with dark pink eyess? Abrasive personalityy?”

Dude, do you need a cough drop? And don’t look straight at me! It just has to be my luck that some girl strikes up a couple of demon deals, now the Creator definitely knows about what I’m doing. Great! Wonderful!

“I-i, um, sir, no. No, no. Nope, no white haired girls here.”

See what you’ve done! His voice is shaking!

“Liarr. Twoo.”

Oh, is that how it is? My hair isn’t even completely white, jackass! Get your facts straight! And how would you even be able to tell that about me, huh?

“Suchh, energyy. Around everywheree, Time moves strangee. The billowingg, different wavess.”

Oh, yeah, sure. Of course chaotic creatures can see the physical forms of those above them, yet not below. How ironic. I hope you're proud of yourself. The little gaggle of idiots are trying to make a quiet getaway.

“How meann.”

Wait, no. Don’t follow them! That wasn’t for you to respond to!

“I’m under contractt, don’t make thingss more difficult than necessaryy, dear patronn.”