The Wilderness Ball had always been the grand finale of the Northern hunting competition.
The aromas of red wine and roasted venison drifted through the air, and the entire manor was lit as bright as day by crystal chandeliers.
The crowd split into two sides. The nobles conversed in low voices, yet their gazes, whether intentionally or not, all converged on the blonde youth standing at the edge of the dance floor.
The blonde youth stood tall and straight, his slim-fit, dark gray formal attire accentuating his already outstanding temperament, making him look even more otherworldly.
He was waiting for his dance partner tonight.
“Young Master!”
Light footsteps approached from behind.
Lynn turned around.
Lilian stood three paces away from him. Her cherry-pink hair was swept up high, adorned with a few white winter snow orchids.
Unlike her usual cute impression, the girl dressed in a long gown appeared exceptionally gorgeous.
Her slender, easily-clasped waist was drawn very tight, making her entire being look like a late-blooming cherry blossom tree that had just sprouted its branches.
She lifted her skirt, spun around gracefully, and performed a textbook curtsy.
“Is Young Master mesmerized?” Lilian tilted her head, blinking mischievously.
Lynn snapped out of it and looked away, clearing his throat. “...I'm really not used to seeing you dressed like this.”
“Does it look good?”
“...It's alright, I guess.”
“Just alright?” Lilian puffed out her cheeks and reached out to tug at his cuff. “Lilian doesn't want to hear that, she doesn't want to hear that~”
“...You look very beautiful.”
The corners of the girl's lips instantly curled upward, like a child who had successfully stolen candy and couldn't hide her joy.
She let go of his cuff, took half a step back, and extended a slender, fair hand toward him, palm facing up.
“Young Master... No...”
“My dear dance partner, are you ready?”
The chatter around them gradually died down. The nobles' gazes turned toward their direction one after another.
The musicians raised their bows simultaneously, and the lead harp plucked the first clear, sustained note.
Lynn took a deep breath, then reached out and took her hand.
“Of course.”
He placed one hand over his chest and smiled, performing a standard gentlemanly bow.
“Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of inviting you to a dance?”
The soft little hand rested in the youth's broad palm.
“What are you still waiting for, my partner?” The cherry-haired girl smiled like a blooming flower. “I'm already bursting with anticipation~”
Lynn led her into the very center of the dance floor.
The music fell silent.
The musicians on the elevated stage stopped playing, quietly waiting for the youth's command.
As the champion of the competition, Lynn naturally had the right to request a song.
“Please play ‘Beauty of the Frozen River’.”
The soothing music started up again.
It was an ancient waltz of the North, telling the story of a young man and woman from their chance encounter to growing old together. The dance movements were grand yet simple, making it easy to pick up.
Lilian's steps were light and fluid, each turn perfectly landing on the beat.
As their movements intertwined, the two exchanged quiet whispers.
“It seems you've put in quite a bit of hard work.”
“Hehehe~ Sister Sena taught me beforehand~”
The cherry-haired girl stuck out her tongue, her eyes curving into crescents. “After all, Lilian can't embarrass Young Master~”
Lilian looked up at Lynn, the corners of her mouth curled up, her eyes curved into two crescents. Her cheeks flushed with a faint rosy glow from the exercise and joy.
Faint murmurs of admiration arose from their surroundings.
“Is that Young Master Lynn? I heard he won first place before the competition ended!”
“Those two really make a perfect match...”
“Young children, how truly enviable.”
“Look at them! Why do you always step on my feet!” A couple's dissatisfied grumbling was faintly mixed in.
The song came to an end.
Lynn held her waist and executed a final spin. Lilian leaned back slightly in his arms, her skirt blooming outward before quickly gathering back.
Lynn let out a sigh of relief.
To be honest, focusing intently and performing every movement perfectly without showing any stage fright from start to finish...
‘It was indeed quite a torturous task~ But...’
He pinched Lilian's round little face, looking at her goofball's innocent smile.
Seeing how happy this girl was... it wasn't a losing deal after all.
“Young Master...” Lilian narrowed her eyes, affectionately rubbing her face against Lynn's hand.
Her soft voice was slightly slurred.
“Everyone was completely mesmerized~”
“Isn't that only natural?”
“Mhm, mhm, after all, you are Young Master... Whoa!?” Lilian nodded in agreement.
Her comfortably closed eyes were suddenly covered, and she couldn't help but let out a soft cry of surprise.
“Yo... Young Master?”
A familiar voice rang in her ear:
“My beautiful and charming lady, do you remember what day it is today?”
Lilian blinked. “Huh?”
Lynn didn't answer. He simply kept her eyes covered, leading her all the way to the giant French windows.
The next second.
He released his hand, uncovering the girl's vision.
...
The sky suddenly lit up.
“Boom—!”
The first golden firework exploded in the night sky, spreading its branches like a massive golden maple tree across the dome of the sky. Countless golden threads drifted down, illuminating the entire Gunier manor and its snow-covered roofs.
Right after came the second, the third—crimson, silver-white, light purple, azure blue—countless brilliant fireworks competed to bloom in the night sky.
“What is that!?”
“So beautiful!”
Gasps of astonishment erupted from the bustling crowd.
Under the pitch-black night sky, the blooming fireworks gradually formed a long message of blessing.
【To the dearest Miss Lilian Anasette—】
Lilian stood dazed in the center of the dance floor, her head tilted up, the countless brilliant sparks reflected in her pupils.
“This is...” Her voice trembled slightly. “...Young Master?”
Lynn leaned down, leaning close to her ear.
His gentle whisper gradually merged with the fireworks blooming in the night sky.
【Happy Birthday】
“Happy birthday, Lilian.”
The girl's lips trembled slightly.
She turned her head, gazing at the youth's triumphant profile.
The youth was beaming with joy, chattering away:
“How is it? Beautiful, right~ I went through a ton of trouble to set this up.”
“To compress and shape the fire magic in advance, I asked Sena to consult quite a few famous masters...”
“Hmph, hmph, I've been planning this for a while. Luckily I woke up early and didn't miss today, otherwise all that work would have been for nothing...”
How could it have been for nothing?
Lilian could no longer remember the rambling words that followed.
She didn't even pay attention to the fireworks blooming across the sky anymore.
In the bustling night, people came and went.
Lilian stood motionless.
She simply tilted her head up, quietly watching the youth's joyful expression.
【Emotion Points +600】
Rate on N.U.
