"WELCO my dear peasants!" the Duke of Hearts said, opening both his arms in welco. "Are you enjoying the party?" He obviously wasn't waiting for an answer because he imdiately added, "This lord has provided you with good food, great music, and wonderful entertainnt. Of course, it's only natural that you enjoy it. But let's not forget that this ball is not for you lot. This is a party to celebrate the brave warriors that participated in this year's Rookie Carnival. Let's give them a warm round of applause, shall we?"
The people around then started clapping, filling the ballroom with applause. After a few seconds, the duke raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop. After the clapping subsided, he continued;
"So of these people from the top 16 might continue on as a very famous figure in all of Arcadia, while so might just fade into the background. Whatever may happen in the future, we couldn't deny the fact that they all did amazingly well at the Carnival." He snapped his fingers and a goblet of wine appeared in his hand. "Cheers to all of you!"
He raised the glass and drank it.
"Of course, we shouldn't forget the star of this ball. The one and only champion of this year's Carnival – Noctis!"
As soon as the duke said that, Luo Yan felt a spotlight shining down on him. Because of that, his action of eating the cake he's holding stopped. And it just so happened that many people glanced at this direction because of the sudden appearance of a spotlight. So, this was what they saw. A beautiful white-haired elf with his mouth slightly opened and was about to eat a spoonful of cake.
Seeing as they were looking at him, he quickly ate the cake and then smiled at everyone.
He looked like soone who was caught red-handed while doing sothing naughty. A shy blush appeared on his cheeks. But he obviously couldn't bear not eating the cake, so, he still ate it at the end. And after swallowing it quickly, he then smiled.
All the female players present felt their hearts being pierced by an arrow. How could soone be so cute and lovely? That's all they could think of. While the males only felt conflicted. After all, the other was a fellow guy. They shouldn't be feeling all sorts of weird just because of the other's cute action.
Thankfully, the duke had spoken at that mont.
"Co here, Mr. Star of the Party. Say sothing encouraging to these peasants who ca to celebrate your win with you," the duke said, beckoning towards Noctis.
Luo Yan looked at the duke with interest. Did this guy want him to make a speech? If it's the other, he definitely had so mischief up his sleeve by calling him like this. Because that's what Luo Yan would do.
Curious as to what the other was up to, he turned to Uriel first.
"Let's et next Sunday at Yuexing Pavilion, 8:00 PM. Try not to be late." Then, he turned to Shen Ji Yun this ti. He gave the other the plate of cake he was holding. "Brother YUN, finish this cake for , hmm?"
He didn't wait for Shen Ji Yun's answer and just quickly stepped towards to where the duke was standing.
"You're going to eat that?" Duan Yu asked, looking at the small plate of, well, practically leftover cake.
As an answer, Shen Ji Yun, simply took a spoonful of the remaining cake and expressionlessly ate it. Although he looked like he was very reluctant in doing so, in fact, he was eating it with relish. After all, it's another opportunity to experience an indirect kiss with his rabbit.
Seeing this reaction, Duan Yu only shook his head. He couldn't believe that YUN who was known as an iceberg would actually spoil soone. Well, not his problem. He didn't have ti to be amused and interested right now. Since his goal was achieved, he no longer stayed in this place and just teleported.
Luo Yan, on the other hand, had already stood beside the duke. He faced the people who attended the ball and smiled brightly.
"Hello! I'm not really sure what I should say right now. I don't want to talk big and appear like so arrogant prick. So, I'll just say, let's all enjoy this evening to our heart's content. Eat all the scrumptious food, drink all the delicious wine, and dance to the amazing music. What do you think?"
"Yes!!!" – almost everyone shouted.
"Tch. That's such a boring speech," the duke complained.
Luo Yan only smiled at the other.
"Well, since you already ntioned dancing to the music, why don't you go and be the first one to dance?" the duke said with a sly smile. "Of course, you should do it with a partner."
Luo Yan raised one of his brows. So, this was what this guy was up to. Did the duke actually think that he would be embarrassed by this? Well, too bad. He had to disappoint him.
"Sure," he said without even an ounce of hesitation. "Just cue on the music. Waltz would be good."
The duke's lips turned into a straight line. "You really are quite insufferable."
"I'll just take that as a complint."
The duke only rolled his eyes at him before snapping his fingers. Then, the beautiful lody of Waltz filled the ballroom. After that, he vanished with a puff of red smoke.
Luo Yan turned to where Shen Ji Yun was. He rushed towards him and just stopped just a few steps away. He then bowed like a gentleman and raised his hand.
"Can I have this dance?" he asked with a smile.
Shen Ji Yun could only stand there, stunned. He wasn't exactly sure what was happening right now. Was Luo Yan really standing in front of him, asking him for a dance? Before he could decide whether this was real or if he was fantasizing again, he heard Luo Yan spoke with a joking tone;
"Brother, surely you'll not decline?"
That completely woke Shen Ji Yun. His body moved on its own and he reached for Luo Yan's outstretched hand. The other then pulled him to the center of the dance floor.
"Brother Ji Yun, I actually don't know how to dance waltz," Luo Yan whispered. "Can you lead ?"
Shen Ji Yun, who was still petrified, answered like a robot, "Yes."
Luo Yan smiled. "Great."
Shen Ji Yun then held Luo Yan's slim waist and held the other's hand with his free one. And then, he led him to the beat of the Waltz. He was very stiff at first. But as they danced to the lody of this beautiful waltz, the stiffness slowly disappeared and his body beca more and more fluid.
Until no nervousness could be seen and all he felt was happiness. Joy from the fact that he was holding Luo Yan in his arms.
Luo Yan raised his head, feeling the sa happiness. He knew they would be talked about for this. But who cared? He certainly didn't.
At the end of the dance, the both of them stared at each other, obvious joy in their eyes. And they were startled when they heard the people clapping. The applause was so loud that for a good 30 seconds, it was the only sound that could be heard in the ballroom.
Seeing this, Luo Yan was taken back again to that mont when he won the Carnival's championship. He smiled. Because it felt like, at this mont, his Assassin ga persona was officially revived.
Yes, he finally made his na back again into Arcadia.
(End of Volu 2)
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