Happily Ever After

Chapter 32

Claude POV

As (Y/N) and I were dancing to the polka and having a private small talk, I could feel my master's eyes, filled with jealousy and rage, boring holes into my skin. His sharp gaze was sending daggers onto my back, but I could not care less. In fact, I do not care at all as long as I am with (Y/N). Instead, I find his behaviour pretty amusing. To be honest, toying with him is quite entertaining, but not as fun as toying with her.

"Thank you for the dance, Claude. I enjoyed it very much. You were such an excellent dancer." (Y/N) flashed a smile.

"You weren't bad yourself, Miss (Y/N). Better than I expected, as a matter of fact. Thank you for complying with my request."

I immediately sensed a presence behind me, and from the aura it projected, I could easily identify who it was in less than a second. "Ah, your highness. I see that you're done chatting with the other guests."

"I was chatting with only one guest. Get it right, butler," the Trancy boy demanded. "And if I wasn't mistaken, I believe I asked you to fetch me a slice of chocolate cake ten minutes ago. Where's my chocolate cake? You know that disobeying me means breaking the contract, right? Or perhaps you forgot what we've both agreed upon."

"No, of course not, your highness. How could I forget? You did ask me to deliver it to you, but you did not specify exactly when I should bring it. Nevertheless, here is the chocolate cake that you requested, your highness. Please enjoy."

"Keep it. I don't want it."

"Are you sure, your highness? I would like to remind you that wasting food is not a very good deed. Although, I do understand, your highness. Seeing something much more decadent and delectable is certainly tempting enough to make you want to forget about the others and devour it instead. However, I suppose I should apologise for taking the first bite," I said with a triumphant smirk.

I saw his facade crack for a fracture of a second. The Tracy boy knew what I was talking about. It was so amusing to tease him and watch him break one fissure at a time.

"I didn't tell you to throw it away. Eat it if you like. You are now dismissed until further notice," he stated.

"Yes, your highness." I bowed my head and placed a hand on my chest. Then, I took my leave just as he commanded. I was hoping to spend more time with my dear (Y/N), but it was fun while it lasted.

~•~

Alois POV

"That bloody demon..." I whispered under by breath.

"Alois, stop being so petty. Please don't call someone a demon simply because they danced with me. It's not very polite, you know." 

"I knew that it was rude to call someone a 'demon', but is it really the case if that's who they really are?" I mumbled quietly.

"Alois Trancy! How could you say such a thing?" (Y/n) scoffed and continued scolding me. "Claude devoted his whole life to serve and assist you. He has obeyed and has remained loyal to you until this very day. He even risked himself several times just to keep you safe. How could you be so ungrateful?"

Let me guess... she heard what I said, didn't she? I swear she hears everything I say though I whisper or mumble them quietly.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry. As a master, I shouldn't say such things to my servant, especially to a loyal one." 

"I am not the one who needs an apology." (Y/N) crossed her arms.

"Sigh, I know. I shall apologise to him later. Happy now?" Oh I know that you are, you fiend.

"Yes. Yes, I am. Just make sure you do it."

"Great! In that case... may I ask this lovely lady for a dance?" I held out my hand to her.

"Of course. I'd love that." She took my hand with a smile. 

{I recommend playing the 'Waltz' to help with your imagination. Another option is 'The Merry Go Round of Life' from Howl's Moving Castle to make you feel like a princess.}

(Y/N) and I danced away without a care in the world as the musicians played our favourite song. Nothing else mattered — there was only me and her and us alone. She held me spellbound with her elegant, graceful movements. She had enchanted me not only with her unique beauty, but with her pure heart and intelligent mind as well since the very beginning.

I felt as if I were a prince dancing with a princess, trapped in a fairytale I never wanted to leave. Sadly, I had to come back to reality sooner or later. Nonetheless, I cherished every single second of it, though 'twas only for a few minutes. I hope that one day this dream would become a reality  — just (Y/N) and I being the happy prince and princess we were never meant to be, even for just a short while.

As the song came to an end, I held (Y/N) near me with one hand on her waist and another on her hand. Lost in a trance, I closed my eyes as my lips slowly inched closer and closer and closer to hers. The next thing that happened caught me completely off guard. Being the bold woman she was, she pulled me closer by the collar and crashed her lips onto mine. We melted into each other's touch as our tongues danced in sync. Forget about dessert, her lips tasted much sweeter than any chocolate cake I've ever had in my entire life. Perhaps Claude was right, she truly was delectably decadent. Hmm... I wonder what else tastes good.

~•~

Hi my lovely readers. Thank you for the support you've all been giving me for the past few months. Can you believe it? This book is almost at 1000 reads! Hooray! Special thanks to my followers and to my loyal readers who have been with me since the very beginning until this very day. Love you all and have a great day/night!