Levi broke the silence first.
"...Nice outfit."
Seraphina looked down at her gown. Then at Levi's coat.
"...You're one to talk."
Levi let out a quiet sigh.
"I can explain."
She raised an eyebrow.
"So can I."
Another moment of silence passed.
Levi glanced around the banquet hall. The whispers had only grown louder.
"They're staring."
Seraphina followed his gaze before letting out a quiet laugh.
"I noticed."
Levi looked back at her.
"...You didn't plan this, did you?"
Seraphina gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest.
"You wound me."
Levi leaned closer smirking.
"So that's a yes?"
Seraphina chuckles before quickly shutting his question down.
"It's a no."
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.
"But I have to admit..."
Her lips curled into an amused smile.
"...We do look good."
Levi looked between their outfits once more.
"...I hate that you're right."
Seraphina giggled.
"I know."
Levi sighed.
"This is going to fuel rumors for months."
Seraphina glanced at the nobles whispering among themselves.
"...Probably years."
Levi closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"...Wonderful."
Seraphina let out a quiet breath through her nose.
"You say that,"
she teased.
"but I don't exactly mind."
Levi looked at her.
"...I'm pretending I didn't hear that."
Her smile only widened.
Levi sighed.
"...I already know what everyone's thinking."
Seraphina glanced around the hall.
"Mm."
"They think we're matching on purpose."
Levi pinched the bridge of his nose.
"They do... We didn't."
She smiled innocently.
"I know."
"...Do you?"
"I do."
Levi narrowed his eyes.
"...Why do I feel like you're lying?"
Seraphina traced a finger along the edge of the table.
"I'm offended."
Levi rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"You should be."
Seraphina laughed softly.
"It's not every day I get to see the famous Lord of Ravenholt flustered."
Levi folded his arms.
"I'm not flustered."
Seraphina teased by poking his shoulder lightly.
"You sighed three times in less than a minute."
Levi sighed.
"..."
Seraphina smirked.
"You just sighed again."
Levi looked away.
"I walked right into that."
Seraphina laughing lightly behind her hand.
"You always do."
Levi folded his arms.
"I blame you."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, a smile on her face.
"For your fashion sense?"
Levi still arms crossed, now looking away.
"For existing."
Seraphina placed a hand over her heart.
"Levi..."
"...That might be the rudest thing you've ever said to me."
Levi looked at her smirking.
"I can do worse."
She grinned.
"I know."
"I've known you since we were children."
Levi couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle.
"And yet you're still here."
Seraphina lifted her chin lightly.
"I've grown quite attached."
Levi scoffed in a sarcastic way.
"...That's unfortunate."
Seraphina chuckled.
"For you, maybe."
Levi shook his head.
"You haven't changed."
She looked him up and down.
"Neither have you."
"...Well."
she smiled.
"Mostly."
Levi raised an eyebrow.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
"You've gotten taller."
Levi also raised an eyebrow
"You've already told me that."
a faint smile tugged at the corner of Seraphina's lips.
"I know."
Levi's gaze sharpened.
"Then why say it again?"
Seraphina stiffled a laugh.
"Because it's still true."
Levi stared at her for a moment before exhaling through his nose.
"...You're impossible."
Seraphina let out a quiet laugh.
"I've been called worse."
A grin spread across Levi's face.
"By me."
"Frequently."
Seraphina's smile softened.
"And yet you keep talking to me."
Levi scoffed.
"I think that's my choice to make."
For the first time since she had descended the staircase, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn't awkward. It was familiar. Comfortable.
The kind that only existed between people who had known each other long before titles, wars, and responsibilities ever entered their lives.
As the laughter around the hall slowly died down, the musicians shifted to a gentler melody. The chatter of the nobles softened.
One of the attendants stepped toward the center of the ballroom and bowed.
"My lords and ladies, the floor is now open."
Almost immediately, couples began making their way onto the polished marble floor.
Levi watched them for a brief moment.
"...Convenient timing."
Seraphina smiled knowingly.
"It is a banquet."
"I suppose."
Another silence settled between them. Neither one of them moved.
Across the hall, four pairs of eyes watched them with growing anticipation.
Maverick folded his arms.
"...Go on."
Alaric whispered.
"They're thinking about it,"
Aurelia muttered.
"They're absolutely not thinking about it,"
Celestine sighed.
"They're hopeless."
Back near the dance floor...
Seraphina stole a glance at Levi.
"...Well?"
Levi looked back.
"Well... what?"
She blinked.
"The dance."
Levi rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh."
Seraphina flashed a playful grin.
"...Oh?"
Levi rubbed the back of his neck.
"I've fought a war."
Seraphina nods.
"Yes."
Levi remarked.
"I've negotiated with nobles."
Seraphina nods again.
"Mm-hm."
Levi remarked but growing more and more flustered.
"I've rebuilt part of a kingdom."
Seraphina nods, a cheek muscle twitching in anger.
"So I've heard."
Levi admitted, looking at the floor.
"...I have absolutely no idea how to ask someone to dance."
Seraphina stared at him. Then burst into laughter.
Levi sighed.
"I don't see what's so funny."
Seraphina teased.
"The mighty Lord of Ravenholt..."
She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
"...Defeated by ballroom etiquette."
Levi sighed.
"I'm beginning to miss the battlefield."
She smiled warmly before offering a graceful curtsy.
"Then..."
She extended her hand.
"...Would you do me the honor instead, Lord Ravenholt?"
Levi looked at her outstretched hand. Then at her.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I suppose you've left me with little choice."
He took her hand.
The whispers around the ballroom immediately grew louder.
"I knew it."
"They're dancing."
"I told you they were matching for a reason."
Maverick quietly pumped his fist.
"Yes!"
Aurelia immediately elbowed him in the ribs.
"Ow."
"Act like a king."
Maverick mulled it over.
"...Right."
Beside him, Alaric was grinning so widely that Celestine didn't even bother hiding her embarrassment anymore.
"You two are unbelievable."
Maverick whispered.
"We prefer the word visionaries"
Aurelia and Celestine muttered.
"...You're both idiots."
Neither king nor duke denied it.
Instead, they watched with satisfied smiles as Levi and Seraphina stepped onto the dance floor.