He, who made you a princess

Chapter XXXV

~ the crime of love bears no sinner, and there is no redemption for the innocent ~

part one

     Claude looks back at Anastacius, dancing on the dance floor with his daughter. With a deep scowl on his face, he walks towards his brother in an angry march.

Anastacius flinches, feeling the eyes of his little brother, he asks Jen...

     "Is his majesty walking towards us?"

Jen looks over his shoulder, and indeed, there is the emperor pushing forward.

     "Yes. But he seems upset."

     "Jen, I"m going to let you go in the count of three okay? I think his majesty also wants to dance."

     "Eh? Uh—! O-okay...!"

Anastacius smiles, feeling the chills on his back as his brother comes closer and closer. He takes his final dance step with his daughter, and then, he twirls her gracefully as she steps off his feet.

     "One~ two~ three!"

And as if magic sparkles exploded, Jen was swept off elegantly, beautifully as Anastacius turned his body around, in perfect timing for him to catch the emperor's hand and back.

Anastacius pulls Claude towards him in a dance stance, with himself as the leading male. This startles Claude and he tries to push his brother away, however, Anastacius' hold around his waist is strong and unmoving.

     "??Wha—, sto—! Let go...!"

Anastacius leans in towards his ear and whispers.

     "Dance with me Claude."

He turns, sways and waltzes in the middle of the dance floor, with Claude, his little brother between his arms.

Claude grits his teeth and glares at his older brother, struggling to be released from his grasp. However, despite his struggles, Anastacius' leading makes their movement look seamless.

The crowd all watch the two in awe. Every single eye in the banquet hall are glued to who they know not are brothers.

Even Athy and Lucas watched them, lured inside by the crowd's vocal reaction.

Of course, Claude feels the gazes of everybody. He feels embarrassed, a little panicked, and most of all, troubled. Because he has something very important he wants to ask his brother. So, even though his face is slightly pinkish, Claude glares at Anastacius.

     "Let go now! I'll kill you...!"

Anastacius' brows raises and immediately, Claude's face tenses up. He gasps, and his own brows furrows up and his eyes shows regret.

     "No—! That's... I—...."

Anastacius chuckles, his face also becomes just very slightly glazed in pink.

     "Do you remember little brother? I thought you how to dance. You've really improved, but it seems you still can't shake me off. That makes me happy."

Claude scowls.