Grim found himself on the dance floor with Lianna's hand firmly gripping his. The music swelled around them as she positioned herself in front of him, one hand on his shoulder, the other still holding his.
"Try not to step on my feet," she said with a smirk. "These shoes cost more than your entire outfit."
"I'll try to contain my excitement," Grim muttered, reluctantly placing his free hand on her waist.
They began to move with the music. Despite his reluctance, Grim's recent training had given him better balance and coordination than he'd had before. He moved gracefully, much to Lianna's visible surprise.
"Well, well," she said, raising an eyebrow. "You're not completely hopeless. Who taught you to dance, Water Boy?"
"No one," Grim replied. "It's just not that difficult."
Lianna laughed. "Always so humble. One of your many charming qualities."
As they turned, Grim caught sight of Lord Terras watching from the edge of the ballroom, his face still flushed with anger. Beside him stood Verin, his head bandaged where his ear had been.
"Your new enemies are watching," Lianna commented, following his gaze. "Terras has influence in the merchant guilds. He could make things difficult for your family."
"Let him try," Grim said with a shrug.
"Such confidence," Lianna mocked. "Is it justified, or are you just too stupid to understand what you've done?"
"Both, probably."
That startled a genuine laugh out of her. "At least you're honest. That's more than I can say for most of the boys here."
They danced in silence for a moment, moving through the steps
"So," Lianna said finally, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Are you going to tell me what really happened in that garden? The rumors are flying, but I'd rather hear it from you."
"Why do you care?"
She shrugged, the movement elegant despite the dance. "Maybe I don't. Or maybe I'm trying to figure out if you're more interesting than I thought."
Grim studied her face, searching for the usual mockery, but found something closer to genuine curiosity.
"We had a duel. I won. That's all," he said finally.
"That's all?" Lianna pressed. "You cut off his ear with some kind of light technique no one's seen before, and 'that's all'?"
"Yes."
She sighed dramatically. "Fine, keep your secrets. Just know that everyone's talking about it. By tomorrow, half the nobles in the empire will have heard about the Ambrose boy who uses light techniques like his great-grandfather."
"Good," Grim said. "Maybe they'll think twice before trying to fuck with me."
"Such language," Lianna chided, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. "What would your father say?"
"He'd tell me to watch my language."
"And yet you don't."
"And yet I don't," Grim agreed.
The music began to fade, signaling the end of the dance. Lianna leaned slightly closer as they made their final turn.
"You're more interesting than I gave you credit for, Water Boy," she said, her voice just loud enough for him to hear. "Try not to get yourself killed before I figure you out."
Before Grim could respond, she released him and stepped back, offering a perfect curtsy as the dance concluded. Grim bowed in return, as protocol demanded.
"Until next time," Lianna said with a final smirk before turning and walking away, leaving Grim standing alone on the dance floor.
He was about to make his escape when a small hand caught his sleeve. Turning, he found himself looking at a familiar face—the girl from the shop, the one who had declared he would dance with her when they'd first met.
She was dressed in formal attire now, a pale blue gown that complemented her dark brown hair. Her eyes, bright and determined, fixed on his.
"You owe me a dance, Lord Ambrose," she said, her voice clear and confident despite her age.
Grim frowned. "I don't even know your name."
"Mira," she replied. "Mira Luminaris. And you promised."
Luminaris. The name registered immediately. The girl was related to Julius Luminaris, head of one of the sixteen great houses and, according to the elderly man, someone who would "handle Terras."
"I don't remember making any promises," Grim said.
"In the shop, when we first met," Mira insisted. "I said you would dance with me at the ball, and you didn't refuse. That's as good as a promise."
Grim raised an eyebrow. "That's not how promises work."
"It is with me," she declared, grabbing his hand without further discussion. "Now dance."
The musicians had begun another song, and couples were once again taking their positions around them. Mira placed herself in front of Grim, her stance perfect despite her small stature.
"For someone so young, you're very demanding," Grim observed as he reluctantly began to lead her in the dance.
"I'm eight, not a baby," Mira replied with dignity. "And I know what I want."
"And what is it you want?"
Her eyes met his without hesitation. "To see if you're as interesting as I thought you were. After that display in the garden, I'd say you are."
"You saw that?" Grim asked, surprised.
"Of course. Everyone saw." She tilted her head slightly. "The Aurora Flash Sword Dao. Not many people recognize it, but I do. My father has books on all the ancient techniques, including those of House Ambrose."
Grim's eyes narrowed. "You know a lot for an eight-year-old."
"I read a lot," Mira replied with a shrug. "And I listen. People say interesting things when they think children aren't paying attention."
As they turned, Grim caught sight of the elderly man watching them. His expression was difficult to read, but there was a tension in his posture that hadn't been there before.
"Your light affinity is strong," Mira commented casually, drawing Grim's attention back to her. "Just like mine. I hope to be that skilled with a blade someday that I can cut someone and walk around like nothing has happened."
There was something disconcerting about hearing such determination from someone so young, yet Grim found himself respecting it.
"You're not what I expected from a Luminaris," he admitted.
"And you're exactly what I expected from an Ambrose," she countered with a smile. "Bold, reckless, and full of surprises."
The dance continued, and Grim was struck by how naturally they moved together despite the difference in their heights. Mira followed his lead perfectly, her movements precise and controlled.
As the music began to fade, Mira looked up at him. "We should be friends, you and I. It would make things much more interesting."
"Friends?" Grim repeated skeptically.
"Well, allies at least. I think—"
"Mira!" a sharp voice cut through the fading music. "What do you think you're doing?"
A young boy, exactly Mira's height with the same dark hair, strode toward them. His face bore a clear family resemblance to Mira, though his expression was far less friendly.
"Hello, Max," Mira said calmly, not releasing Grim's hand. "I was just dancing."
"With an Ambrose?" Max's voice dripped with disdain. "Father will be furious."
"Father doesn't need to know everything I do," Mira replied coolly.
"Too late for that," another voice interjected.
Julius Luminaris approached, his tall figure commanding attention from those nearby. His face was set in a stern expression as he looked from his daughter to Grim.
"Mira, come here," he ordered quietly.
Reluctantly, Mira released Grim's hand and stepped toward her father. "We were just dancing, Father."
"So I saw." Julius's gaze shifted to Grim, his eyes calculating. "Young Lord Ambrose seems to be making quite an impression tonight."
"Your daughter approached me," Grim said flatly. "I was just being polite."
A flicker of something crossed Julius's face. amusement? irritation? "Politeness. From an Ambrose. How novel."
"Father...." Mira began, but Julius raised a hand, silencing her.
"We'll discuss this later," he said firmly. "Max, take your sister back to our section. I believe it's past both your bedtimes."
Max smirked at Grim before taking his twin sister's arm. "Come on, Mira. You've had your fun."
Mira threw Grim one last look over her shoulder as her brother led her away. "Until next time, Lord Ambrose," she called, earning a sharp tug from Max.
Julius remained, studying Grim with an intensity that made him uncomfortable.
"Stay away from my daughter, boy," he said finally, his voice low. "Whatever game you think you're playing, leave her out of it."
Before Grim could respond, Julius turned and followed his children, leaving Grim standing alone on the dance floor once more.
[That,] the voice in his head commented, [was interesting. The Luminaris twins are quite the pair. The girl seems particularly drawn to you.]
"Is there a reason for that?" Grim thought back.
But as usual, when it came to the most important questions, the voice remained silent.