NOVEL NEXT Chapter 59 – Apollo’s Banquet 03.
[Chapter Size: 1552 Words.]
Third Person POV
Orario, Apollo's Mansion.
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...
Lucius admired her beauty for a few seconds before raising the hand connected with hers next to their bodies, while slowly placing his free hand on her waist, ready to start their dance.
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.
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"I believe you have impeccable dance skills, don't you, princess?" He smiled at her while asking, never taking his eyes off her emerald orbs.
"I learned a bit from my friend, Aina. We used to practice in my quarters many years ago in the forest of the high elves," she said categorically, as if experiencing a nostalgic feeling. This surprised Lucius with the elf's expression.
"It's the first time I've seen you smile like this..." Lucius couldn't help but comment with a raised eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" She countered with a question.
Meanwhile, Lucius began to lead the elven beauty in the midst of so many couples on the dance floor with the first steps; even Bell and Aiz were dancing there.
"I always see you with a serious or uncomfortable face. It's the first time I've seen you look so... let's see... Natural, I believe that's the right word!" Lucius laughed amusingly while the elf inclined her head to his chest, consumed by the embarrassment of facing this bold human mage.
While this woman was consumed by the embarrassment of the declaration, Riveria naturally followed Lucius's steps, who led the dance, and it was something that surprised her too. After a while, her state of embarrassment passed, she looked at the man in front of her, lifting her head, revealing a look that conveyed surprise and perhaps a hint of admiration.
"And you, what's your story with the ability to dance? You seem quite natural at it too." She praised him as he took control here, with quite splendor in her opinion.
"My family is noble; I grew up with some lessons about things my parents expected from one of their children and hoped I wouldn't embarrass the family. So, I had many lessons on language and writing, laws, etiquettes, dance, and military training, a complete package, you know?" Lucius joked with a wink in the last part.
Riveria laughed pleasantly at this, exposing another natural smile.
"Hahaha, I understand, I can relate because I didn't have a very different life from yours then." She said with good humor.
"So, a dance to our families and the expectations they held for us. I disappointed my family; I don't know about you..." Lucius announced and continued to dance with a response of a playful laugh from the elf.
"Well, I guess we are more alike than I imagined..." She had to admit as she followed Lucius.
They didn't even notice how time was flowing around them, each step of Lucius in perfect harmony with the background music. As the dance continued, they became the center of the place, as Lucius merged the dance style he learned in this world with that of his past life, creating a unique and eye-catching aspect. Rivera, in turn, could only follow him as he tossed and twirled her several times, but she was naturally enjoying it.
Lucius guided Rivera in smooth turns, keeping her close before releasing her gently, creating a feeling of lightness and fluidity.
In a special moment, Lucius spun Rivera while holding one of her hands, and she extended the other as if tossing petals into the wind.
At moments, they glided across the dance floor in coordinated steps, maintaining a charming closeness as they moved with grace. The gracefulness of Lucius's movements, combined with the beauty of the elf, drew curious looks from everyone around. The hall seemed to revolve around them, as if the dance were a magical manifestation transcending time and space. The sparkle in Riviera's eyes indicated that she was not only surprised by Lucius's skill but also enjoying the experience of being led by this intriguing mage.
"Mom!!! She's being corrupted!!" Loki couldn't help but cry, looking at the couple that attracted the most attention on the dance floor.
"Lucius-Kun, don't get involved with that damned Loki's daughter!!" Hestia shouted beside her.
The two goddesses made a scene for the entertainment of those close to the area.
"Hehehe, it looks like our heroes are having quite a bit of fun!" Hermes couldn't help but look amused at the two pairs he subtly paired, while Asfi looked at him huffing, as she had the task of keeping those goddesses from interfering with the ball.
"Isn't that the elven princess? How can she be dancing with a human?" Someone in the crowd of spectators spoke.
"That's surprising; are they a couple? I mean, she has the purest elf lineage; I doubt it's a romantic relationship. They're just dancing..."
"That's true, I never imagined Larfal Ljos Alf allowing his only daughter to be involved with another race, tarnishing the purity of his lineage."
"Anyway, it's quite interesting. A beauty like Princess Riveria is coveted by many, but no one has ever come close to anyone. It's the first time I've seen her so close to the opposite sex."
"But you have to admit they're really good!"
"I've never seen anyone dance so well; I'll invite him to dance with me!"
"Besides dancing, that man is quite handsome too."
"I think they make a beautiful couple. The princess seems happy."
"Do you think this will cause any tension between the families? Elves are very protective of their lineage."
"He is that mage from the Hestia family."
"Yes, Lucius Draknar. I heard rumors that he humiliated Hyakinthos a few days ago, and now he's at this banquet, from Apollo's own family..."
"Yes, that's the one, Lucius Draknar. He's been causing a stir lately."
"I hope they keep dancing. It's like a show!"
"Fufufufufu. It seems that tonight will be even more interesting than I thought it would be!"
"Some show, will begin soon!"
While the gossip and murmurs were heard among the spectators, Lucius was unaware of these comments as he spun Riviera once more to conclude this dance.
"That was quite enjoyable, I admit." Riviera couldn't help but comment at the end when the bards finished the music and were about to start another.
"How about this lady granting me one more dance?" Lucius asked, raising an eyebrow with a playful touch.
"It seems like my newest student is quite demanding." She countered with a smile and continued.
"But I can be available for one more enjoyable dance." She responded with a smile, as these moments were rare for her, and she was finding them quite pleasant.
So, with the first melodies of the instruments, Lucius took his first steps while Riviera followed shortly after.
'Strange, I believe Apollo should have already made his move with Hestia, but for some reason, he's still silent, while Bell and Aiz were starting the new song together,' Lucius thought as he danced with the elven princess.
"Any problem?" Riviera asked as they danced, her thoughtful expression not going unnoticed by her.
"It's nothing, just had a strange thought," Lucius said and quickly changed the subject.
"They seem well." Lucius commented as he looked at the younger adventurer from his family with Aiz.
"They do seem so. I'm happy for Aiz." Riviera couldn't help but comment as she looked at them. She always saw Aiz as an adopted daughter, whom she had instructed from a young age, and knew that she was consumed by the flames of revenge, so much so that she attacked a goblin of the man in front of her in a commotion some time ago due to her hatred for monsters.
But Riviera was genuinely happy for the emotionless girl experiencing new things like a simple dance with the opposite sex, especially with someone who seems to like her a lot and she seems to reciprocate the same feeling.
"MY PRECIOUS AIZ!! MOMMY!!!!"
While they danced, there were two goddesses unable to enter the dance floor to stop all this absurdity. Seconds in their heads, they could only keep shouting their names.
Lucius and Riviera just smiled at each other as they heard the antics of their goddesses. They were having fun there, even though Riviera was quite reserved; she was experiencing new things like Aiz without realizing it.
The music continued until it reached its limit, with Lucius making a playful Riviera, often laughing in surprise as he spun her rapidly while controlling the elf with his hands and feet.
"I think we can't have another song; those goddesses need someone to control them. I don't want Aiz's moment to be ruined now, so my student here must forgive me as I go try to control the situation, as Miss Asfi seems to be reaching her limit." Riveria said with a tone of regret.
"I understand, then I'll release you this time, but you owe me another dance some other day." He said, smiling.
"How demanding, maybe I owe you another dance then... I just don't know when I could pay, as I intend to squeeze all your knowledge in the coming weeks. I won't tolerate lazy students!" She warned, imitating Lucius's smile.
"For me, it's fine, but it's a debt you'll have to pay quickly, as I usually charge interest." Lucius said calmly.
"Hahaha, it's a deal then." She confirmed with a small, natural smile and began to walk away.
After releasing Riviera to control the goddesses, Lucius prepared to leave the middle of the dance floor when he heard a voice calling him from behind.
"Hello, Lucius, could you give me a dance too?" Hearing a female voice, Lucius turned to face this woman, waiting for him to take her hand to dance.
He stared at her for a few moments with an indifferent face before accepting her outstretched hand and holding her waist to start their third song of the night.
They began to dance in silence. Lucius didn't say anything while dancing with his new partner, but he stared at her, expecting some explanation of why this here and now.
"You already danced well, but I can tell you've significantly improved your ballroom skills..." She commented in a playful tone while ignoring the questioning look from the mage.
"Let's get straight to the point. Tell me what you want. I'm not in the mood for games...Lidsey." Lucius got straight to the point; his mood wasn't as good as before, souring a lot compared to when he was with Riviera.
"Hm? Is that how you treat me after a while? Have you forgotten about your ex-girlfriend, Lucius?" She said, maintaining a neutral smile, not liking Lucius's treatment after almost two months without seeing him.
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