Chapter 34

The Ballroom inside Helstea manor was lavishly decorated. Eye-catching golden balloons hanging on almost invisible strings. Some people would think they were floating, but in reality, they weren't.

While they asked me to bring some 'balloons' I decided to create them myself.

'They look good, wasn't that what they wanted?' I asked myself.

Other decorations weren't my doing. Overall everything looked fine, mother and father liked it.

Then there were tables with light snacks and drinks. While I was really interested in why there were so many people coming to Ellie's birthday party, our parents welcomed them with open hands.

"Ash honey, aren't you going to change into something more formal?" The voice of my mother interrupted my thoughts.

I was wearing my usual clothes, I clearly wasn't a person who cared about formalities. So why would I wear something uncomfortable for me...

"Why?" I asked straight.

"Many people are coming, even some nobles. It's only appropriate to wear formally. Don't tell me you haven't prepared..." My mother's face quickly turned into a frightened one in the end.

"No…?"

"Change quickly then!" She pushed me in the direction of my room. I didn't want to make my mother worry about anything more so I decided to get that formal costume.

I had zero ideas what I should wear, so I looked around and saw what others were wearing. I observed every little detail, to create them later on in my costume. Arthur was dressed in black formal clothes, without much decoration. Easy to copy and looks formal, the best option for me.

I walk upstairs, enter my room and directly reform my current clothes into the same Arthur was wearing.

'That looks… just like Arthur.' I nodded at myself in the mirror and left my room.

"Heh…" When I walked down the stairs, I heard Arthur-like laughter, so I turned to Arthur.

I met Arthur's eyes, but he is the next second turned and welcomed new guests with a warm smile. He was definitely holding his laughter, I'll show you later today Arthur…

It should be soon when Ellie will finally know about this party. It was decided that we will throw a party secretly from her. Without my intervention, they did a great job setting up all of this.

Even Gideon was attending the party… What is he doing here? Did Vincent invite him? He didn't seem like a person who liked crowds, so maybe he had different reasons?

My different ideas were stopped when Gideon approached Arthur. So he was here for other inventions?

'He isn't coming to me, huh?' Maybe he couldn't crack my idea behind the rune and gave up on it?

Then there was Elijah, who was striking conversations with a lot of girls. They somehow managed to always leave him with polite excuses, making Elijah sad.

'He is strong-willed.' Despite a lot of attempts, all of them being failures. He still continued talking to other girls.

'Dude, they are just not into you.'

"Everyone, please get ready! Lady Alice and Eleanor are both on their way here!" Maid announced and signaled people to turn off the lights.

"…Mama, I thought we were going to go out for dinner? Where are we…"

"SURPRISE" Indeed surprise, a synchronized chorus of voices startled Ellie before her expression turned into joyful.

Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were burning red. That does put a smile on my face, not everyone might notice, but actually, the ends of my lips twitched upward.

"You have a wonderful little sister, Mr. Ashborn." Kaspian appeared with his usual smile.

Here was a guest that I invited to this party. He was the only one I interacted with often, also he needs to rest someday. This day will serve as a rest day.

"Indeed." I answered and took one drink for me and Kaspian. Even if we have immunity to alcohol, it doesn't mean that we can't enjoy its taste.

"Thank you." He accepted the drink and sipped a little.

"Kaspian, a lot of people know you here, don't they? Even my father." I asked him, when I noticed all the glances that I and Kaspian received from people gathered here.

"I don't like bragging, but the position of Guild leader makes you already popular among adventurers." He answered.

"Enjoy the evening Kaspian, quite some people want to talk with you." With these words I left Kaspian there and went to take another spot, but...

"Young man, isn't that alcohol?" I turned to the voice and saw my mother.

'How did she get here without me noticing? But mainly what is with her look?' She wasn't looking at me, she was looking at the drink I held in my hands.

"It's to celebrate Ellie's birthday, father said it was important to make toast." I found a good excuse to use, mother won't suspect me of anything, she knows father is someone who can say such things.

"Only this one! No more. Also, your costume is good, just like Art. I picked it up for him, but you bought it yourself. Impressive." No mother, I just copied it.

Just after this, waiters started walking around arranging platters and cups.

"Ahem! Before the party officially begins, I would like to thank you on behalf of my precious daughter for coming here tonight!" Father stated while also creating a melodic chime of glass with a spoon.

I looked at Ellie who was blushing from embarrassment, while her friends were giggling making Ellie even more flustered.

"Please start the music!" Father signaled five musicians who soon came out with different kinds of instruments. I wasn't interested in music, but I recognized instruments from my past experience in my successor's world.

"It would bring great joy to see my beloved son and daughter have the first dance!" Disaster.

This is what would bring father's words. Of course, it would, if I wasn't prepared. I'm pretty sure Arthur also knows how to dance. My mother meanwhile looked panicked and I wasn't surprised. Both mother and father didn't give us any dancing lessons.

Ellie looked petrified in horror, of being embarrassed in front of her friends. But Arthur, fortunately, took a confident step forward and offered his hand to Ellie, so inviting on dance.

"Will you honor me with your hand for a dance?" Arthur bowed and asked.

Various girls squealed and giggled at this scene. Ellie still looked worried but accepted Arthur's offer anyway. Music became clearer, people stopped making any sounds, everyone was in anticipation of dance between siblings.

And so it began. They circled around the dance floor, Ellie's dress gracefully fluttered. each of their steps in the symphony. Arthur was calm and composed, while Ellie's previously petrified expression shifted in excitement.

They continued dancing like this and while they were dancing…

'Did she get shy for all those years or what happened?' I thought while looking at a certain silver-haired elf through my soldier.

Tessia Eralith just left a gift for Ellie but hasn't come to the party. Doesn't sound like what mother and father would approve of, besides I'm sure Arthur would like to meet her. Not sure about Ellie, she even called her pervert once.

I sighed and sank in my shadow, coming out right in front of Arthur's future girlfriend in her carriage. There was also some bodyguard with her, but neither of them would notice my presence for a few seconds.

"Tessia Eralith, haven't seen you for a while." I spoke up. Surprising both the female guard and Tessia herself.

Bodyguard immediately took her weapon and was ready to strike me anytime. Tessia on other hand said only one word.

"Art?" The bodyguard changed the trajectory of her weapon after hearing her saying name.

"Unfortunately, I'm not Arthur, but his brother. you shouldn't have forgotten it in such a short amount of time." I told her and she got embarrassed.

"As much as I would like you not to attend this party and interrupt my siblings' nice moment… I also believe that my family's motto applies there and you leaving like this breaks it. I believe you aren't against meeting your beloved Arthur's parents and his family either?" At the word, 'beloved' Tessia became a blushing mess. Even all this time the expressionless guard blushed a little.

"M-Meeting Art's f-family." She mumbled.

"Princess Tessia I can't let yo-" The Bodyguard wanted to speak up intending to not let Tessia go, but I interrupted her.

"Nobody gave you a word." Bodyguard instantly shut herself. I don't remember directing pressure on her...

"But is it okay? I'm still an elf…" Apparently, she thinks that her status as an Elf might change the mood at the party. Can't blame her…

"As long as I'm there, nobody will do anything. Even if it's the King or even your parents." Her eyes sparkled.

"Then can I go now?" She asked and I just nodded.

"Yes, I wasted quite some time here already." I placed my hand on her shoulder and sank in my shadow again.

This time I popped out in front of Helstea Manor. Since the sudden appearance of the elven princess might startle guests, I decided to teleport here.

"This is the place." I said and motioned her to follow me, while also ignoring her shocked expression from my previous action.

She looked extremely shy and nervous at this moment when we approached the door. Absolutely the opposite of the impression I had on her before.

We went inside Helstea Manor from the front doors and Arthur and Ellie just finished their dance right at this moment. People were clapping loudly, so nobody could really notice us. Until…

"It would be also right for my second son to dance, everybody agrees right? So where is my Ashy hiding?" What Father said made me realize…

It was a bad idea to take this girl with me. I should get out of he-

"Oh, there he is with… With his dancing partner, I suppose!" Exclaimed father, making everyone turn to me and Tessia.

"He is with an elf…" Someone in the crowd said out loud. I glared at that person, making him shut.

Arthur widened his eyes when he saw Tessia. If only Arthur was a little taller than he is now, I would switch places with him without anyone noticing us.

"Why are you standing there? Come on buddy. Do as I taught you." Father, you haven't taught me anything… for my entire life.

"*Sigh* Let's get this over quickly. You against it?" I eyed Tessia who looked disappointed for not dancing with Arthur, so was I. But Tessia just nodded.

I offered her hand and she took it. (NOT SHIP! I REPEAT THIS IS NOT SHIP!!)

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

"You dance rather well." Said Arthur as he approached me.

Yes, I danced with her future girlfriend. He should be jealous, either way, I did dance, and great for someone who only observed.

"Are you jealous?" I asked him and his cheeks flushed crimson.

"No." He denied right after I asked, avoiding my gaze.

"You are jealous." I was certain he was jealous.

"Anyway, you might dance with her now. Party's still going. Look here she is playing with Ellie." I pointed at a small group of girls on the dance floor.

Tessia managed to quickly get along with Ellie's friends. Nobody recognized the princess of Elenoir in her, so I and Arthur didn't have to worry much.

"Don't you think it's strange for an elf to be here?"

"For you to say this... Well, I decided it was supposed to be so, you think what you want. You don't have to worry about me stealing your future girlfriend." Again Arthur blushed.

"Hey… Do you really think it's normal for me?... You know what I mean." His complicated sound made me turn to him and look into his eyes.

"Arthur Leywin, my twin-brother. What do you mean 'me'? Oh, I suppose you mean that we are still underage, then you shall wait and see for later... " He looked at me baffled at first, but later his lips turned upwards.

'Sometimes you really are just like a kid...Getting over things quicker.'

I especially said 'Arthur Leywin' a little louder. I think he gets what I mean.

"Thank you." He muttered and just left to his future girlfriend.

I looked back from the balcony. I liked the current scenery. There is a party where everyone is joyful. There is a beautiful night sky with countless stars…

If this isn't enough for people, then what?

'Too many useless thoughts.' Shaking my head I went back to the party.

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Another chapter after little rest. Well, I haven't rest much... what did I even expect from 1 day laying without doing anything.

Discord: https://discord.gg/tQk4cBspt7

Second FF: https://www.wattpad.com/story/284711075-tbate-severing-fate

Cya