The Count of Dimension D {REWRITE!}

20) Destiny's Dual

AN: I want to note that I didn't find the official lyrics of this anywhere, so I kinda just interpreted from what I heard listening to it. Sorry if it doesn't make any sense... -w-"

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Following Albert's perspective shortly after the count gave his speech to make up for Daisy's absence - which Albert saw and noted - he noticed that Valentine, Edalius, and Frank were all missing from their seats that Albert had saved for them without Daisy's knowledge or consent. Albert looked around to see if maybe they were simply seated elsewhere, but this didn't seem to be the case. Albert leaned over the table and lowered his voice, addressing Luigi who seemed a little distracted.

"Dad, may I please be excused? I need to find where my friends went," Albert stated.

"Huh?" Luigi looked up from his plate to Albert. "Go ahead, I won't stop you. I think that I saw them in the hall earlier when I let them in..."

Albert stood from his seat and stooped down to give Luigi a hug.

"Thanks, dad," Albert replied.

Luigi hugged back with a smile before Albert quickly ran off, going unnoticed as the guests were all distracted by their food. Albert glanced every which way until he caught sight of Edalius's back down the hall. He quickly ran to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Edalius!" Albert exclaimed. "Where have you all-?"

He paused as soon as he noticed something off; Edalius was crying. Albert gave a concerned expression and rubbed his shoulder, trying to get his attention.

"Hey... Edalius, what's the matter?" Albert asked. "Is there something wrong?"

Edalius shook his head no and pointed ahead. Albert gave him a confused expression but followed his gaze, his jaw-dropping as he did.

In front of them was Frank down on one knee and holding Valentine's hand. Albert's eyes quickly flooded with tears as he saw the object in Frank's other hand, a ring. In a black box sat a silver-colored ring with a small blue diamond on the top.

Although Valentine appeared uncomfortable while Frank smiled up at her, neither of them moved as if time had frozen.

Albert and Valentine were a couple, they were in love, and they loved each other dearly, yes, but no one else even knew about their relationship. In fear of Daisy finding out and following through on her threat of sending Albert away, they kept it secret. However, Frank had eventually come to believe that Valentine loved him not knowing that she was already in a relationship with Albert.

"It's so beautiful!!!" Edalius cried, bawling his eyes out into his hands.

Albert bit his lip and took a step back.

"I... I need to go," Albert stated.

Without another word, he quickly turned on his heels, springing back to where Luigi was. Perhaps he could help or know what to do, Albert thought. However, when Albert arrived in the dining hall, Luigi was missing. He arched an eyebrow in confusion and ran out towards the exit, assuming that maybe he just went to go see some guests out.

Albert reached the large front doors and creaked them open ever so slightly, peering outside instead of walking out in case Daisy was there to spot him. Instead of seeing her or Luigi, he saw the count's carriage roll in front of the porch, confusing young Albert.

"Why would he be coming around again if he just left?" Albert muttered.

The carriage stopped, and the passenger door opened, allowing the count to step out. Albert became even more confused as Luigi stepped out after that. Not just that, but Luigi appeared to be crying as well.