Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Catherine, with her innocent and lively charm, left the young gentlemen around her completely stunned when she was by Anna's side.

Anna was considered a beauty, but next to Catherine, she seemed to pale in comparison.

Anna's features inherited some of her father's stark lines, while Catherine was the spitting image of Mrs. Navarre, even more radiant than the lady had been in her youth. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire

Dressed in a light green dress, Catherine complemented Anna in her blue gown. The sisters outshone all the other girls present, and among them, Catherine made Anna look particularly dim.

"Ah," Anna sighed, pinching Catherine's bottom discreetly, "You little rascal, now you've done it, you've drawn everyone's attention here. When you dance later, others are going to bother me."

Catherine laughed and swatted Anna's hand away, saying nonchalantly, "Well, then you should dance too."

"I don't feel like dancing today."

"Come on, Anna, just one dance, just one. It's not often we have a ball. I've been so bored these days. Who knows when the next one will be?" Catherine shook Anna's arm. "I really don't understand why they can't hold balls during the war. How can we meet young men if there are no balls? If we don't meet young men, how can we ever marry? If the war drags on for more than a decade, won't we all end up old maids?"

"No, I'm certain you won't become an old maid. I have faith in you..." Anna covered her face with her fan, her tone full of helplessness.

"Alas, so many good young men have gone off to war. Without them, the balls just aren't lively anymore." Catherine sighed gloomily, "Captain Wilson went to war too. He's the best dancer, and he wouldn't step on my feet like my partners today. Anna, what's so good about war? Why must they all go? Wouldn't it be better if they stayed in Sea Blue, attended our balls, and danced?"

Struck by Catherine's words, Anna became lost in her own thoughts again.

Seeing Anna's demeanor, Catherine's eyes gleamed mischievously, and she whispered with a giggle, "I know who you're thinking about!"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Anna's face drained of color.

"Humph, mother may not know, but I see it all too clearly." Catherine struggled to contain her laughter, put on a serious face, and mimicked a deep, hoarse male voice, "I'm fine, I eat well, I sleep well, maybe I'm just really lucky."

"What? Oh! You little minx!" Anna blushed furiously, grabbing Catherine and demanding, "You, you, you... You read my letters!?"

"I didn't sneak a peek at your letters," Catherine corrected proudly, "I saw them because you left them on the dressing table, not put away."

"Isn't that the same as snooping?" Anna was both angry and frantic upon hearing her sister brazenly admit it.

Seeing her sister lose composure, Catherine grew even more smug. She bit her ear teasingly and continued, "Not only do I know about the letter, I also know you've hidden a sword in your wardrobe... Ah, ah, ah, a gold scabbard, now that's truly a tasteless choice."

Anna's face now turned completely red as an apple, even her earlobes reddening as she stammered, "You... you've been through my wardrobe too?"

"Don't we always share clothes? It's normal for me to look in your wardrobe, isn't it?" Catherine quickly changed the subject, teasing her sister, "Never mind whether I snooped or not, tell me now, who is W.M.? Using initials... hmm, he must be a stingy fellow."

"He's not stingy at all!" Anna snapped back, irritated at her sister's remark about W.M. Then, suddenly realizing her outburst, she quickly covered up, "It's none of your business!"

"Oh, to be neglected by a sister who has found a lover breaks my heart," Catherine said with a secretive smile, fanning her mouth.

"You..."

Anna was both agitated and embarrassed, but Catherine couldn't be more pleased with herself.

Meanwhile, onlookers watching the sisters thought the young women were playfully roughhousing - there could be nothing more delightful, and Catherine looked even more stunning in their eyes.

The orchestra suddenly began playing a lively introduction, identifiable by anyone as a joyous and exuberant tune.

"Ah! It's 'Look! That's Seaman Johnny!'" Catherine exclaimed, her spirits soaring. She pulled Anna up from her chair. "Dance, Anna! Dance with abandon! Keep dancing until you can't move anymore! We must dance to this song! It would be a shame not to! Come on!"

As the prelude sounded, the gentlemen were at liberty to invite the ladies to dance.

The men who had been eagerly watching the Navarre sisters could hardly wait to extend their invitations to dance.

The confident or brash men hurried to invite Catherine, but most of them were rebuffed. Those who did not approach Catherine felt that the competition was too fierce... Miss Anna wasn't too shabby either.

Catherine quickly chose her dance partner, and before she left, she whispered teasingly to Anna, "Anna, sister, believe me, if a man writes you such a short letter, he's definitely not very fond of you. The love letters I receive are filled on several sheets of paper and even sprayed with perfume. It's not worth fretting over someone who dismisses you in a single sentence. There are plenty more fish in the sea! Come and dance!"