Avoid The Lead!

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"Papa! The one I'm in love with is the Crown Prince of Luxia!"

Vitav's eyes widened in shock, and just briefly, just for a split second, Celia caught the cruel glint in them.

Vitav's smile was tight as he asked, "Surely not? When did you meet my younger brother? He's sickly and reclusive, so he never leaves his Wing of the Palace."

"Dear daughter, are you perhaps confused?" Lord Scarlett asked with some worry. "I also know Prince Tazeus never leaves the palace! Has another lad been deceiving you?!

"Tell me his name, and I'll deal with him accordingly!"

But Celia was now regretting her mistake!

How could she drag Taze into this?! What if his sneaking to Elfsworth was discovered??!!

"Ehehe, Papa, now that you mention it, it's probably a lie!" She scratched her head nervously. "We are guilty of no wrongs, and he probably felt intimidated by the Scarlett name!

"Since I already love him a lot, how about we pardon him?"

Vitav sensed an opportunity and jumped right in. "Ei? How can you let him off so easily?" He looked hurt. "Or did you falsify a romance, just to turn me down?"

Celia opened up her mouth to give another excuse, but another voice suddenly called out:

"Who says she's lying?"

The ballroom doors swung open at that moment, to reveal Taze in an elegant black dress coat with wide lapels, and his black hair had been styled formally, creating a look which made all the ladies fan themselves.

Several were looking between him and Vitav, and Celia was sure the were comparing Taze to a dark handsome delectable devil, and Vitav to a fair beautiful angel.

But for Celia, Taze's presence rendered Vitav insignificant!

"Ahem!" Lord Scarlett's cough made Celia realize she was blatantly staring at Taze, to the point of nearly drooling, and she humbly accepted her father's mild glare at her.

"Crown Prince Tazeus! I didn't realize you would be coming!!" Lord Scarlett bowed politely to Taze.

"E!?!"

"Crown Prince!"

"The Crown Prince was in our School?!"

"The Crown Prince was in our CLASS?!!!"

The uproar was enough to make Lord Scarlett realise that Crown Prince Tazeus had indeed been attending Elfsworth Academy.

"Lord Scarlett, my apologies for deceiving everyone." Taze bowed respectfully to him. "I just returned from the palace, and I've confessed everything to father.

"I'm a student here. Jade Class to be exact. Celia's Class."

"F- first name address!" Lord Scarlett looked at Celia, who had flushed a crimson red. "T- then-?!"

"Yes, I apologize." Taze bowed again. "Celia and I are in love with each other."

There was instant muttering among the students, as Taze approached them, with the crowd parting, bowing and curtseying to him as well.

Vitav secretly glared at Taze, but he pretended not to notice, as he smiled down at Celia, looking into her eyes.

The two exchanged a look which left no room to doubt their obvious affection.

Taze turned to Vitav.

"Brother, I haven't seen you in ages... I thought you no longer cared for me! How have you been?"

"Ehehe, little brother, if it's a joke, stop it! You're making Lord Scarlett uncomfortable!"

"Ahem!" Lord Scarlett was indeed uncomfortable, and he hastily clapped his hands, signaling for the music to continue.

Taze gazed at Celia, bowed and extended his gloved hand. "May I?"

Celia didn't hesitate to put her hand in his, and was surprised when he planted a lingering kiss on her knuckles.

He sent a smug look at Vitav, which revealed he had done it solely to annoy Vitav, but Celia didn't care.

The simple kiss had sent her senses reeling, and she barely noticed when they reached the dancefloor, until Taze's hand settled on the small of her back, making her gasp softly.

The dance began, and as Celia's feet moved automatically, she finally found her voice.

"Why are you here?!" She asked in a whisper. "Won't you get in trouble?!"

"Hmph. If I hadn't come, who would ruin my dear brother's good deeds?" Taze whispered. "I overheard a few servants saying the Royal Carriage was here, so I went to investigate.

"Vitav must have heard of your many accomplishments, and how most nobles want your hand in marriage... He's trying to use you again. I couldn't let that happen."

"Tch! That pathetic low-life!" She complained. "What did His Majesty say?!" Her voice was tinged with worry.

"I sent a clone to explain things... I don't yet know his response." He finished, then tugged her closer, bringing their bodies flush against each other, and Celia could almost feel every hardened plane of his body.

She drew in a sharp breath as heat rushed up her neck to her face.

"W- What are you doing?!" She whispered, but Taze merely smirked.

"What? Weren't you bold enough to reveal we're a couple?" He asked, his arm going around her waist, far more than was appropriate!

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Elfsworth Academy did not calm down for days after the Ball.

First there was Vitav's appearance at the Ball. Such a handsome prince who was also the Eldest!

Then there was the reveal that Taze had been the Crown Prince all along! But try as they might to remember, his surname had completely disappeared from everyone's memory!

"The only sad bit," A girl began. "...is that Taze settled on Celia Scarlett!"

"Of all people?!"

"I understand that she's Lord Scarlett's daughter, but there are other prominent households with far more elegant daughters!"

"Exactly! Doesn't she resemble a candle that's perpetually lit?!"

That was a jab at Celia's vivid red irises, set against her silvery white hair and pale skin!

Celia accepted it all with grace, as she had expected it...

Taze was far too popular in the Academy, and with his title as Crown Prince, more than a few jealous statements were bound to fly around!

And besides, according to Taze, they would all forget him at the assembly!

So their disgruntled statements didn't bother Celia in the least, and she flushed at present, recalling the dance with Taze...

Despite her expertise, she had stumbled at least thrice that night! And each time, Taze had sent her an amused smirk!

"Celia, you've not learned to dance in twenty-six lifetimes?" He teased, then twirled her and caught her in a dip.

"This red gown... It compliments you far too much! You can't blame me for taking liberties." And he kissed her knuckles again, sending a current up her arm, which spread into many little pleasant jolts, and she could only flush some more as he pulled her back up and whispered in her ear:

"Careful! If you turn any redder, your eyes might get lost in your face!"

'Damn him!' Celia thought, biting her lower lip.

He knew exactly what effect he had on her!

Since the entire school knew Taze was the Crown Prince, he had left after the Ball, and Celia hadn't seen him since, and she sighed a bit sadly, as she headed to the graduation hall.

The Years at Elfsworth Academy would be missed, but it was time to begin a new chapter!

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"Celia!" Carla's voice cut into Celia's thoughts, as she entered the hall.

She hurried over to sit beside Carla.

It was the last address by the Principal of the Academy, who none of them had seen before now!

Even in the original life, the Principal of Elfsworth Academy remained a mystery, and Celia leaned forward in anticipation, as golden light suddenly flooded the front of the hall and a stately gentleman with grey hair and beards floated down to the platform, amidst a shower of gold confetti.

The hall was instantly filled with gasps, ooh's, aah's, and loud thunderous applause, as almost everyone recognized him.

Arch Grand Mage Soren!

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