Cinders & Gold (Celeste Academy Fanfic👑)

Cinders & Gold ◇ Ballad

oi guyz izz me again. i live for comments so don't hesitate to drop your sentiments.

btw, what's your fave ice cream flavour? mine's blueberry.

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♠chapter twenty four♠
BALLAD

Valeriana pried herself away from Raziel once they had done the third dance cycle, and she smiled at him before turning away and seeing Corvan.

The Arlandian heir stood at the staircase, holding onto the polished bronze balustrade and it looked as though he had been standing there for a while, watching her.

When both of their gazes met, Valeriana tried to read the expression on Corvan's face, but he seemed indifferent and not bothered by the fact that they were having a staring contest. A few beats passed and Valeriana took note of Corvan's jaw, which seemed to be ticking. She frowned.

Just then, someone bumped into her. The honey golden blonde stumbled a bit before regaining her balance and turning to see who it was.

The fifth ranker's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Aloe Vera," she muttered.

The lady stared at her in surprise before narrowing her eyes as well. "What a pleasant surprise," she said in a sickly sweet voice. "We meet again."

Valeriana didn't think that bumping into her was pleasant. She swallowed hard before opening her mouth to speak, but Alovia was quick to cut her off, and the noble lady did not address her.

"Corvan, dear," yelled Alovia and almost everyone in the room turned, as she waved to him over Valeriana's shoulder. "I'm so glad I found you."

Alovia brushed past the fifth ranker and Valeriana clenched her fist as she urged herself not to turn and watch their interaction. She faked a gag once she caught whiff of Alovia's scent: something akin to a rose with a hint of pineapple or something close to that. Although she did not want to admit it, Valeriana felt a bit jealous at her sweet smell, that she subtly began to sniff her own armpits. Alovia's scent had already left an imprint in Val's mind, and only the gods knew what it would do to Corvan.

Choosing not to over think on what had just transpired, Valeriana scanned the room, looking for something to distract herself with. She noticed that more and more people trickled in the castle, and a few others left, but most of the people who remained were interacting with each other.

Everyone seemed busy, and she began feeling left out. There were a few cleaners who were finishing up on the polishing of different areas of the room. As much as the castle had a grim feel and theme to it, it still looked sophisticated. The podium in which three thrones had been placed looked quite magnificent, and Valeriana couldn't help but be in awe of how the thrones gleamed in the little ray of sunlight that filtered through the high windows of the Krandlevur's castle.

She strayed her eyes to the far corner opposite the pew, and saw different dressed men and women holding on to musical instruments and engaging in a lively chat with Alendrius.

The honey golden blonde suddenly remembered the task that they had been assigned and she was glad that she could finally be distracted without looking like the odd one out.

The fifth ranker trudged across the room, passing in between people and muttering her apologies whenever she accidentally bumped into someone.

"—doesn't need to be the same thing each year," Alen was saying when she reached the group. "I'm sure The Twelve can come up with something refreshing."