Cerulean Waves | Duke Ergi

Chapter 4

"Oh! It must be time to dance!"

As the orchestra started playing, people expected the couple to lead the first dance on the night. But instead, he approached the snow haired girl to the surprise of many people. Nobles around them whispered to each other secretly as they gaze at the Emperor who was next to his rumored Mistress with hawk eyes.

Aria glanced at the Empress with a frown, knowing that only the Emperor is allowed to take the first dance with her. According to etiquettes, at least. She diverted her attention when she heard a familiar voice calling out to her.

"May I have this first dance with you, Sister?" Amaris asked with an outstretched hand. She gladly took it as they joined the others on the dancefloor.

They glided through their way as the music started. It had become a tradition to the siblings to be each other's partner for the first dance of every first night of the New Year's Ceremony. The duo deemed it to be fitting since they practiced dancing with each other ever since they were little.

As the pair quickly found the rhythm, many nobles who were watching on the side admired the Valea siblings whose every move were as graceful and light as a feather. Even through the most difficult parts of the song, they make it appear to be so easy.

"I see you haven't fainted at the amount of champagne you have been consuming." He remarked, referring to the one time she had unfortunately lost consciousness at the one of the banquets they attended. Thankfully, no one but her older sibling saw her at such an embarrassing state.

"Oh shut it." Aria snapped with an irritated look directed at the young Lord who simply laughed at his sister's quick remark.

After gazing out somewhere his eyes widened and instantly looked at her, he suddenly spoke in a hushed tone. "Psst, look over there."

But Aria only looked at him with disinterest. "I had enough of your tricks-" Her older brother only gestured towards a certain dancing couple, making the young lady's eyes widen as well.

'Now way, is that..?'

"Her Majesty and the Prince of the Western Kingdom, it seems that they are a benevolent pair." Amaris mused as he made Aria twirl, in accordance to the practiced dance routine.

"I must say, the Prince is quite daring." He commented and his younger sister can't help but agree.

"I agree as well. I can already feel the rumors stirring at this very moment."

Shortly after, the song ended and the respective partners bowed to each other. Looping her arm around her brother's, they made their way near one for the tables as another song started.

Accepting the offered drinks by the butler, Amaris concluded. "I must say, this is one of the most interesting New Year's Ceremony I've ever attended."

"I'm starting to think this is only the beginning." The Lady Valea muttered to herself, making her brother raise his eyebrow towards the beverage she held in her hand. "Have you not had enough glasses already?"

His concern made Aria roll her eyes. "Don't fret, I haven't drank that much yet."

"If you say so. I don't think I'd prefer to carry a drunken lady at this moment." The Lady of Valea only ignored his words and gazed at the dancing Eastern couple with bored eyes.

'I feel bad for Navier, being married to a man who cherished that naive brat. But anyhow, it's not like Emperors with countless of mistresses was a rare occurrence.' She offhandedly thought, swirling the contents of her glass with a dazed expression.

As the Empress' childhood friend, she had spent a lot of time with her whenever she was not busy studying. This had also meant that she saw first hand the beginning of the couple's sprouting friendship up until the demise of their relationship because of the appearance of that commoner.