Divine Realizations [ Clarion X Milori ]

Chapter 64

Milori fidgeted with his wedding ring as he waited for Avalon to come down the stairs.
They would be late soon if she didn't finish getting ready within the next 10 minutes but he was too anxious to say anything.
Anxious for Avie to do well and anxious to see Clarion again.
This would actually be the first outing where Clarion was voluntarily coming when she knew he would also be there... so there was also that.
Twisting the ring, he wondered if she still wore hers.
He scoffed inwardly, of course she didn't, why would she?
Trying to pick his mood up out of his morose thoughts, Milori raised his head as he heard movement from the top of the stairs.
The recital was being held in the village center where their community grand hall was.
And judging by the sight of his daughter coming down the stairs, he had the most beautiful ballerina in all of Neverland.
She walked gracefully down the stairs, in a dress of white and gold.
A gold tiara sat upon her head and her hair was neatly braided into a bun.
From the corner of his eye he saw Ashe walk in, pause, then turn to leave again without saying anything.
Odd but he had no time to worry about that. With a huge smile on his face, he reached out and caught her before her foot could touch the last step, lifting her in his arms.
"I'm certain I have the most beautiful ballerina in the whole world."
Giggling, Avalon patted his shoulder- an indication she wanted to be put down.
"Surely not, how could you possibly have seen all the ballerina's of the world?"
Without hesitation, Milori shrugged and set her down gently.
"I don't need to see them all or even half to know the truth. You are a diamond."
Avalon's face began to turn crimson under his praise and he could tell she wanted to move on.
Looking at his watch he said, "We'd better get a move on, Clarion sent a message saying she'd meet us there."
Nodding her head, they both turned to leave.

Not much later, they arrived in the main square with many other families who also had loved ones partaking in the recital.
Leaving Archimedes in his personal stable, Milori and Avalon strolled amid the crowd.
Nowadays his people were used to both him and Avalon occasionally being amongst them in the town.
It used to be rare to see any winter royal out and about but that had been one of the first things to change in the midst of Clarion's absence.
And thankfully the fanfare had died down to a more manageable level because of this.
Waving to various subjects calling out to him, Milori walked Avalon up to the entrance where he could see her instructor waiting.
He tried to remember her name quickly. Melanie?
Melrose?
Mel-
Giving up, Milori began to bend down to Avalon and whisper for a reminder but she was quick to supply the name in question.
"It's Miss Melody."
"Oh right, thanks."
Vaguely he could feel Avalon shaking her head but he didn't care, he had to remember hundreds of names each day and thought he kept up pretty well.
"Ahh, if it isn't our star ballerina, hello Princess."
After saying this, they both watched as Melody bowed and Milori held out a hand.
"Please, no formalities are needed right now. I am immensely pleased to be here tonight. Avalon has told me much about your passion and incredible tutelage."
At this, Melody blushed profusely and seemed to stutter.
"I... well- thank you. I can't take all of the credit-"
But Milori stopped her once more, "Of course you can, it's evident she's bloomed under your teachings."
Putting her hands to her face, Melody seemed to turn an even deeper shade of red.
"Wow, this means so much coming from you, your highness."
Nodding his head, Milori smiled politely and watched as Avalon raced off to see one of her friends also performing.
He turned away slightly to look where they had just come.
He wondered if he should wait for Clarion here.
However he heard a faint noise and turned back to Melody to find her closer than she was before.
He had told her to drop the formalities in an effort to ease everyone on this eventful night but now he worried he had sent the wrong message.
The message that they were friends or confidants now.
Clearing his throat, Milori attempted to step back but Melody reached out a hand to his arm.
"I just wanted to say how well Avalon has acclimated to the class. I did have initial concerns at first what with her royal title, but she seems to have taken marvelously to everyone."
Milori nodded, gently pulling his arm from her grasp, "I had no concerns, Avalon makes friends wherever she goes."
Melody nodded her head in turn at this and Milori thought that was the end, however she continued on.
"Yes well, you know how kids can be sometimes when someone comes from a different...background."
Looking around as though about to unload a secret, Melody again took a step closer and lowered her voice.
"I also heard about your... separation from the Queen and wanted you to know that I am here to be a listening friend if you both should need it."
In saying this however, the caress Melody seemed to think appropriate down his arm suggested much more than friendship and Milori felt his own face becoming warm.
"Miss Melody, I don't know where you heard such information but-"
"Oh I heard Avalon telling her friend the other day what had happened. It's very sad, but again I am always here if either of you need me. I know how important good female role models are in a young woman's life."
Milori sputtered.
For the first time in a long time he had no idea what to say.
He was torn between outrage and embarrassment.
Before he could formulate a response, her lavender scent hit his nostrils and the ire that had slowly been building seemed to calm.
He felt as Clarion came up beside him and put her arm through his.
He didn't know whose expression was more shocked.
His or Melody's.
"Sorry I am a bit late, what have I missed?"