Bell walked down from the stage, hand in hand with Goddess Astraea. He accompanied her back to her seat and watched her sit down, an imperceptible drop of sweat dripping down from her forehead.
He was about to pull out his own handkerchief to wipe it away when three intense gazes pierced his back. His smile cramped, his movements freezing abruptly. The cloth he was about to pull out of his pocket was pushed back down instead.
How could I forget about the others!? Behaving like this can get me killed... sooner or later.
The most intense among the three gazes was coming from... of course, Goddess Artemis.
Bell ignored the other two gazes—those of Ais and Goddess Hestia—his focus now solely on Goddess Artemis.
He strolled over to her and offered his hand.
"My lady... may I have the pleasure?"
Outwardly, he was composed and in control. Inwardly, he was sweating buckets, scared that Goddess Artemis would suddenly take out a knife from somewhere and take a swing at him.
"Yes." Her voice was soft as she placed her hand in his offered one, rising from her seat.
Three different gazes once again made his danger sense ring insistently. He really wanted to bawl right there.
Manoeuvring between different women was like trying to defuse a bomb without any tweezers—one wrong move and... boom.
Bell had to give a big thumbs up to legends like Itsuka Shido for having a harmonious harem.
He reached the dance floor with Goddess Artemis, breaking his line of thought.
His arms wrapped around her sublime waist. Her arms came up to rest on his shoulders.
Bell understood she was a novice like him the moment they started to sway to the music.
He took the lead, showing her how to dance. Her heel even stepped on his shoes mid-waltz, yet he accepted it all.
Mistakes were, after all... an integral part of growing up, whether in life or in waltz.
He had made this dance an unforgettable experience for Goddess Astraea. Wouldn't it be unfair if he didn't do the same for her?
Bell let out an unguarded smile, looking into her green pupils mid-dance.
[Gusgam] shimmered to life. Wings comprised of flaming feathers unfolded from his back.
His smile turned into a lazy half-grin. A single flaming wing folded itself to cover her in its gentle warmth.
Their dance continued, his wings acting like a curtain isolating her from the world. The only thing she felt inside the embrace of his flaming feathers was a simple warmth.
The song ran out... yet they continued to dance.
To their heart's content.
Heedless of their surroundings.
...
..
.
Bell walked back with Goddess Artemis to their table. Goddess Loki let out a whistle in their direction.
"Kid, you really know how to make a woman feel special. Even I felt envious of Artemis for a moment." Her words were honest, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Before he could reply, Goddess Hestia leaped up from her chair, stretching her hands towards him eagerly.
"Oh... me! Me! Bell. I want to dance with you too." Her words carried a childish whine.
He helped Goddess Artemis sit back down on her chair and walked over to hold onto Goddess Hestia's outstretched hand.
"Gladly." His voice was tender, a naughty glint flashing in his eyes.
He ignored the shy screams of the surrounding women, hefting Goddess Hestia in a princess carry.
Flames blazed from his steps, carrying them to the dance floor in an instant.
Bell let her down and put her arm on his shoulder. His hand came to wrap around her, resting on her back.
He started to gyrate to the tempo with her, his steps fluid and movements confident.
With each dance... he was getting better at an alarming speed.
[Gusgam] stirred awake once again. This time, roses composed of flames burst into existence across the dance floor.
With each step they took, the flaming roses surrounding the dance floor moved aside to make space for their waltz.
From afar... it looked terrifyingly beautiful.
A garden of moving roses surrounded Bell and Goddess Hestia as they lost themselves in their dance.
Goddess Hestia could not describe her current feelings.
...This was the most memorable moment... of her entire eternal existence.
...
..
.
Bell walked back, supporting the now spent Goddess Hestia. She had danced too much in her enthusiasm and was now having trouble walking without support.
He could only wryly smile at her liveliness.
Bell helped Goddess Hestia sit back down on her seat to rest, his gaze roaming the table afterwards.
"Hey kid! Shall we have a dance too?" Goddess Loki spoke with expectation.
He walked towards her, making a smug smile appear on her face.
Though her smug smile froze a moment later, because he passed right by her to offer his hand to Ais.
"I know you've been staring daggers into my back for a long time. Let's go." Bell held onto her hand and dragged her towards the dance floor.
By the time Goddess Loki snapped out of her shock, he and Ais were already on the dance floor.
This time though... Bell did not start to dance the moment he stepped on the floor. Instead... he looked at her and asked.
"Waltz, dance and all of those are common, but... since you're the Sword Princess, why don't we have a sword dance?" His words were not loud, yet everyone across the banquet heard him. Their eyes snapped towards Ais and him with curiosity.
"Hm?" Ais tilted her head in confusion, like a doll.
"Don't worry, you'll know what to do on your own." He spoke reassuringly while looking around at the gods and adventurers watching them with intrigue.
"Rethusa dear... Two swords, please." Bell's gaze landed on Rethusa, his words straight and to the point.
Rethusa felt her cheeks flush at his sudden address. She hurriedly unsheathed the two swords at her waist and threw them towards him.
Bell caught the swords effortlessly, handing one of them to Ais.
Ais held onto the sword, confused about what to do.
"Follow your instincts... come." Bell spoke, swinging his sword towards her without any lethal intent.
Her sword swung in response.
Their swords collided mid-air at the exact instant the beat dropped.
"Hear... understand... feel what my sword wants to say." He spoke, his heartbeat synchronising with his movements and swings.
Thump. Clang.
His sword once again met hers... The rhythm of the music, the beat of his heart, and his swing... all in impeccable harmony.
Thump. Clang.
She followed his lead, her heartbeat and movements starting to become eerily similar to his.
Bell swung his sword.
Above. Below. Left. Right.
Ais responded.
Above. Below. Left. Right.
Their heartbeats harmonised.
Left. Below. Right. Above.
Left. Below. Right. Above.
Their rhythms aligned.
Above. Right. Below. Left.
Above. Right. Below. Left.
Their swords became one.
A never-before-heard tune emanated from their sword dance.
Their swords sang.
Their emotions danced.
It was a different kind of waltz.
It was...
The Melody of Swords.
...
..
.
***
[300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter]
[8 chapters ahead on P@tr3on = [email protected]/Not_Aaryan]
...
[Author's Thoughts]
Damn! Bell is turning into a lady killer. Don't follow in Ittou Makoto's steps bro! Follow our boy Emiya or Shido instead.