12. The Sevestar Prince Darker Version

Chapter 83

(Flashback)

As Ash and Alice stroll through the grand halls of Sevestar Castle, their footsteps echo against the opulent walls adorned with portraits of noble ancestors. Their gaze lingers on a set of towering doors leading to a spacious room. Curiosity piqued, Alice's voice breaks the silence, her tone tinged with wonder, "What purpose does this room serve?"

With a knowing smile, Ash begins to unravel the room's history, "Ah, this is the Ball Room. It's where the castle's grand dances take place, a tradition stemming from our parents' love for dancing."

Understanding dawns on Alice's features as she nods, absorbing the information. "I see," she murmurs, her thoughts drifting to another topic. "Speaking of dancing, have you ever tried it yourself?"

Ash chuckles lightly, recalling past experiences, "I've attended Monsieur Pierre's Dance Ball and even graced Professor Kukui's Wedding Ball. However, I must admit, I've never been the most graceful dancer. There have been instances where I inadvertently trod on someone's foot."

Alice's frown deepens with curiosity as she probes gently, "So, was Serena your dance partner at those events?"

A flicker of nostalgia crosses Ash's eyes before he responds, "Not exactly. We did switch partners as per the dance etiquette, but the timing always seemed off. I never got a chance to dance with her before the music ended, and I could see the disappointment in her eyes."

Noticing Alice's concerned expression, Ash tries to lighten the mood, "But hey, since we have this magnificent ballroom at our disposal, how about we create our own dance moment?"

A spark of excitement ignites in Alice's eyes, her frown melting into a smile. "That sounds wonderful! I'd love to dance with you for as long as the music plays."

As Ash casts a glance at Pikachu, a mischievous glint in his eyes, Pikachu darts off with lightning speed towards the audio control room. With a flurry of tiny paws, Pikachu deftly manipulates the controls, setting the stage with a soft, melodic tune, perfect for a slow dance.

As Ash extends his hand towards Alice, a soft smile lights up his face, creating an aura of warmth and anticipation that envelops them both. The subtle glimmer in his eyes reflects his unspoken invitation, a silent promise of shared moments and uncharted adventures on the dance floor.

Alice meets his gaze with a mixture of shyness and excitement, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue that betrays her inner emotions. Her hand trembles slightly as it reaches out, fingers delicate yet eager to intertwine with his, as if craving the connection they share.

Their movements are tentative at first, as if they're delicately testing the waters of their newfound dance partnership. Ash leads with a gentle confidence, his touch light yet firm as he guides Alice through the graceful steps of the dance. Every motion is deliberate, each step a harmonious blend of precision and fluidity that speaks of practiced grace.

Their eyes meet in fleeting glances, each exchange carrying a silent understanding that transcends words. It's as if they share a secret language, communicated through the language of dance — a language of trust, anticipation, and shared excitement for this fleeting yet meaningful moment they've created together.

With each twirl and sway, they become more attuned to each other's rhythms, their movements syncing effortlessly as if they've been dancing together for a lifetime. The music wraps around them like a cocoon, cocooning them in a world where only their dance exists, a world where time slows down to savor every step and every shared breath.