The Extra's Rise - Chapter 574

Chapter 574: Fall Ball (2)
Dancing with Cecilia was like partnering with controlled fire. Her movements were precise and powerful, reflecting the confidence that had made her such a formidable political figure despite her young age. Her crimson gown swirled around us as we moved through the more complex steps of what the orchestra had shifted to—a traditional Slatemark waltz that required both technical skill and perfect coordination between partners.

“You’ve been practicing,” I observed as she executed a particularly challenging turn with flawless technique.

“Rachel insisted we all brush up on our formal dancing before tonight,” Cecilia replied with a smile that held both amusement and satisfaction. “She said it would be embarrassing if the guild master’s partners couldn’t keep up with his skill level.”

“Rachel said that, did she?” I asked, spinning Cecilia gracefully before drawing her back into the dance’s embrace.

“She did. Though I suspect her real motivation was ensuring that none of us had an unfair advantage during our respective dance time.” Cecilia’s red eyes sparkled with mischief. “We may be sharing you, Arthur, but we’re still competitive about making the most of our individual moments.”

The honesty in her statement was both touching and amusing. Even in their remarkable cooperation, the four girls retained their individual personalities and desires. It was one of the things I found most endearing about our unconventional arrangement—they had found ways to support each other while still maintaining their own relationships with me.

As we moved across the dance floor, I became increasingly aware of the attention we were drawing. Not just from other students, but from faculty members and even some visiting dignitaries who had been invited to observe the Academy’s premier social event. Our group’s arrival had clearly been noted and was undoubtedly being discussed in every corner of the ballroom.

“Are you bothered by all the staring?” I asked Cecilia quietly.

“Please,” she replied with characteristic directness. “I’m a Slatemark princess attending a formal event with Arthur Nightingale. I’d be more surprised if people weren’t staring.” She paused, her expression growing more thoughtful. “Besides, look around. We’re not the only ones providing entertainment for the gossip network tonight.”

She was right. Across the dance floor, Lucifer was now dancing with what appeared to be a very animated Deia, whose golden eyes were bright with laughter at something he had said. The sight was drawing almost as much attention as our own group, particularly from younger students who seemed fascinated by the idea that two of the Academy’s most prominent figures had both arrived with multiple dates.

“Poor Seol-ah,” I observed, noting that she was once again seated at their table, though she appeared to be engaged in serious conversation with several older students I recognized as top-ranked members of other classes.

“Don’t feel too sorry for her,” Cecilia said with knowing amusement. “Seol-ah’s probably enjoying the opportunity to make strategic social connections without the distraction of dancing. She’s very practical about these things.”

The song came to an end, and I escorted Cecilia back to our table where Rachel was waiting with obvious anticipation. She had been watching our dance with the kind of analytical attention that suggested she was planning to outshine it during her own turn.

“My turn,” Rachel announced cheerfully, rising from her seat with fluid grace that made her sapphire blue gown seem to ripple like water.

“Demanding tonight, aren’t you?” I teased as I offered her my arm.

“I prefer to think of it as enthusiastic,” she replied with the warm smile that never failed to make my heart skip a beat. “Besides, I have a reputation to maintain as the most skilled dancer among us.”

“Is that a reputation you’ve assigned to yourself?” I asked as we took our positions for what the orchestra was beginning—a livelier piece that would require more dynamic movement.

“Seraphina assigned it to me, actually,” Rachel said with obvious pleasure. “She said my natural grace and years of formal training gave me an unfair advantage.”

“And you’re modest about this advantage, I suppose?”

“Completely modest,” she replied with mock solemnity, then proceeded to demonstrate exactly why Seraphina’s assessment had been accurate.

Rachel was indeed an exceptional dancer. Her years of formal training showed in every movement, but more than that, she possessed an intuitive understanding of music and rhythm that made dancing with her feel like flying. We moved together across the floor with the kind of synchronization that only came from deep familiarity and mutual trust.

“This is wonderful,” she said softly as we spun through a particularly complex sequence. “I was worried that with everything else going on, we wouldn’t get to have moments like this anymore.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, though I thought I understood what she was referring to.

“All the guild responsibilities, the political obligations, the way everyone seems to want a piece of your time and attention.” She looked up at me with those deep blue eyes that seemed to hold starlight. “Sometimes I worry that we’ll lose the simple pleasures in all the complexity.”

Her words touched on something I had been thinking about increasingly often. The demands on my time and energy were growing exponentially, and it was becoming harder to find opportunities for the kind of uncomplicated enjoyment that made life worth living.

“That’s exactly why tonight is important,” I said, drawing her closer as the music shifted to a more intimate tempo. “No guild business, no political maneuvering, no strategic considerations. Just us, enjoying each other’s company.”

“Just us and about three hundred other students,” Rachel pointed out with gentle humor.

“Details,” I replied, earning a laugh that drew approving glances from nearby couples.

As our dance continued, I found myself increasingly aware of the conversations happening around us. The Academy’s social dynamics were always complex, but tonight they seemed particularly charged with speculation and curiosity.

“—can’t believe Arthur Nightingale actually came to a Academy event—”

“—four dates? How does someone even manage that logistically—”

“—heard that Lucifer Windward brought two as well, what is it with these prodigies—”

“—Seol-ah Moyong and Deia Solaryn, interesting choice for the Windward heir—”

“—probably some kind of political alliance thing, you know how these noble families work—”

Rachel noticed my attention drifting toward the gossip and squeezed my hand gently. “Let them talk,” she said quietly. “Half of them are just jealous that they don’t have the courage to be honest about what they want.”

“And the other half?”

“The other half are taking notes for future reference,” she replied with amusement. “You and Lucifer have probably just set new standards for Academy social events.”

When our dance ended, I was surprised to find that we had drawn a small audience. Several couples had stopped their own dancing to watch us, and there was even some scattered applause as we made our way back to our table.

“Show-offs,” Seraphina observed with mock disapproval as we approached, though her ice blue eyes held obvious warmth.

“Just maintaining our reputations,” Rachel replied cheerfully, settling back into her seat with obvious satisfaction.

“In that case,” Seraphina said, rising with characteristic grace, “I suppose I should maintain mine as well.”

“And what reputation is that?” I asked, offering her my arm.

“The most elegant dancer in the Academy,” she replied with the kind of quiet confidence that made even bold statements seem like simple observations of fact.

As we made our way back onto the dance floor, I caught sight of Lucifer’s table and was amused to see that they had been joined by several other students, including Ren Kagu and Jin Ashbluff. What had started as gossip curiosity was apparently evolving into genuine social interaction.

“Lucifer seems to be handling his situation well,” I observed to Seraphina as we began dancing to what the orchestra was now playing—a slow, romantic piece that emphasized graceful movement over technical complexity.

“He’s had a good example to follow,” Seraphina replied, echoing Rose’s earlier comment. “Though I suspect he’s finding it more challenging than he anticipated.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Look at Deia’s face when she thinks no one is watching,” Seraphina said quietly. “She’s still nervous about the attention. And Seol-ah is being very careful to appear perfectly composed, which suggests she’s working harder at it than usual.”

I followed her subtle indication and realized she was right. While both of Lucifer’s companions were handling the evening with apparent grace, there were small signs of tension that became apparent once you knew to look for them.

“Should I be concerned about how my own companions are handling things?” I asked.

Seraphina’s smile was genuinely amused. “Arthur, we’ve been preparing for this evening for weeks. We’ve discussed every possible scenario, planned our responses to various situations, and agreed on how to handle everything from gossip to direct questions about our arrangement.” She paused, her ice blue eyes meeting mine with warmth that belied her usually cool demeanor. “We want to be here. All of us. This isn’t a burden or an obligation—it’s exactly how we chose to spend this evening.”

Her words carried a certainty that eased concerns I hadn’t fully realized I was harboring. The complexity of our relationships sometimes made me worry that I was asking too much, expecting too much, or somehow taking advantage of their remarkable willingness to accommodate an unconventional situation.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For tonight, for your patience with everything, for making this work when it probably shouldn’t.”

“It works because we want it to work,” Seraphina replied simply. “And because we trust you to make it worth the effort.”

As we continued dancing, moving together with the kind of synchronized grace that made complicated steps seem effortless, I found myself thinking about how fortunate I was to have found people who understood not just what I needed, but what I could offer in return.

The evening was progressing exactly as I had hoped—filled with laughter, music, and the kind of simple pleasures that made all the complexity worthwhile. And judging by the continuing buzz of conversation throughout the ballroom, it was also providing enough entertainment value to keep the Academy’s social networks busy for weeks to come.

When our dance ended and I escorted Seraphina back to our table, I was pleased to see that Rose, Rachel, and Cecilia were engaged in animated conversation with several other students who had approached during our absence. The sight confirmed what I had hoped—that our evening was being perceived not as something scandalous or inappropriate, but as an example of how mature individuals could handle complex relationships with grace and consideration.

“How are we doing on the gossip front?” I asked as I took my seat.

“Quite well, actually,” Cecilia replied with obvious satisfaction. “Most people seem impressed rather than scandalized. Though there are some interesting theories being proposed about the political implications of both your arrangement and Lucifer’s.”

“What kind of theories?”

“The kind that give us far too much credit for strategic thinking,” Rachel said with amusement. “Apparently some people believe this is all part of some elaborate alliance-building exercise between major families.”

“If only they knew,” Rose added with gentle humor, “that our most strategic consideration was making sure we all got adequate dance time.”