The Prince (WMMAP FanFic)

Ch 73: Day of the Debutante

"You're gonna be my escort." Arius declared.

Lucas narrowed his eyebrows in confusion and just stared at the prince with a dazed expression.

But Lucas quickly composed himself and brought his right hand to Arius's forehead. "You don't have a fever. . . so you better start explaining."

Arius was grinning at his genius idea and gestured for Lucas to sit down again.

After the two were settled, Arius began, "You're gonna be a guard at the debutante right, so just sneak in the banquet hall for a while and be my first dance."

Lucas stared at him with wide eyes, "Which part of 'explain' did you not get?"

"Magic." Arius's grin grew wider.

"What. Magic."

"If you can use magic to turn into a child from an old man, then you can use magic to turn into a girl for a dance."

Lucas had more than one thing to say about Arius's idea, and it showed on his face.

First he burst out in anger, "Old man?! When have I turned into that!?"

"Okay fine-"

"And are you dumb!? Can you not tell the difference between changing age and gender?"

"But . . ." Arius pouted, "Aren't you Lucas, the most powerful magician in the world?" Arius looked at him with puppy eyes as he grabbed onto Lucas's arm.

"You're becoming more and more like your sister." Lucas huffed as he looked at Arius's puppy eyes.

A silence emerged as they stared at each other, before:

"Fine, I'll do it."

Arius's bubble of happiness burst from overflowing and the hands that were grabbing Lucas instinctively went around his waist as he trapped him in a hug.

Lucas was quite taken aback by the gesture and turned stiff all over. Arius let go as quick as he hugged him, his expression still bright from happiness as he asked, "You promise?! You have to be there!"

"Y,Yea I will, sigh you're really. . ."

"Really what? A genius?" Arius adjusted his position on the couch to relax his back.

Lucas just rolled his eyes, "Anyways, why're you. . . choosing me? No lady caught your eye?" Lucas asked, staring at Arius's face for any change in expression, but there was none. Arius had his eyes closed and a small smile on his face from his previous happiness.

"Not even a princess from any neighboring countries? Is it because you haven't ever seen them?" Lucas asked before silence reigned in the bedroom.

"Eh, well honestly. . ." Arius began after a while. Lucas paying full attention to the next words out of his mouth and the slightest changes in expression. "First dances are such a nuisance."

"What." Lucas asked, his tone hinted with disappointment.

"If I escort a lady from Obelia, the nobles would jump to conclusions and it would start needless rumours, not to mention I don't have any particular interest in any lady and choosing one at random would be rude since she might not feel the same about it and actually have expectations regarding our relationship." Arius explained with a sigh.

"Escorting a princess from a foreign country would also lead to talks of political marriage and agh that's such a nuisance. First dance partners are a really bug headache, since the person whom I dance with will become the center of gossip and rumours. And-"

"That's why you wanna dance with a person who's not real."

"Bingo."

Lucas crossed his arms and leaned his back on the couch as well. Arius stared at him.