CHAPTER 21 - A Dance Beneath the Lights
Music began to flow once more through the grand hall of Valtherion. After the award ceremony ended, the atmosphere of the banquet became more relaxed. The nobles returned to their conversations, and several couples began to fill the wide dance floor in the center of the hall.
Candlelight reflected across the polished marble floor.
Keira sat in her seat beside the throne, quietly observing everything. She wasn't really used to parties like this. Concerts were far simpler.
Singing. Stage lights. The cheers of the audience.
Here, everything felt more… complicated.
"My Queen…" Alaric's voice drew her attention. Keira turned her head.
The King of Valtherion was now standing beside her.
He extended his hand."May I invite the Queen to dance?"
Several nearby nobles immediately turned to look.
Keira raised an eyebrow slightly. "If I refuse, will it become the talk of the court?"
Alaric replied calmly. "Perhaps. But I still hope you would be willing to dance with me."
Keira looked at the hand he was still holding out for a few seconds.
Then she placed her hand in his. "Very well."
When they stepped onto the dance floor, the conversations in the hall gradually quieted.
All eyes followed the royal pair.
The Queen of Valtherion who had just returned.
The music softened.
Alaric carefully placed one hand on Keira's waist. Keira's hand rested on his shoulder.
Then they began to move with the rhythm. Keira quickly understood the steps.
Royal ballroom dancing was not too different from the stage choreography she had once learned.
After several turns, she said, "At least this part isn't too difficult."
Alaric looked at her. "You dance very well."
Keira gave a small shrug."I've danced in front of tens of thousands of people."
Alaric almost smiled.
They continued moving slowly with the music.
Around them, the nobles watched with great attention.
Roxane stood not far away. Her gaze was sharp… Jealousy hidden behind a thin smile.
Meanwhile, at the side of the hall, Cassian watched quietly.
Lucien stood beside him, as usual observing everything.
Daniel had already taken a glass of wine while watching with great interest.
"My artist looks incredible."
Lucien did not deny it.
Keira refocused on their dancing steps. Alaric led with smooth and steady movements.
Very practiced.
But in the middle of one turn…. Keira noticed something.
A small thing.
Alaric's eyes suddenly blinked several times in quick succession.
Not because of the candlelight….Not because of dust in the air either.
It looked like a habit.
Like someone who was slightly nervous… or trying to hide something.
Keira frowned slightly. She had seen that habit before.
Someone once did the exact same thing.
Blinking more often when nervous.
Keenan.
Her steps almost slowed.
But she quickly regained control of herself.
Impossible.
Keira pushed the thought away.
Many people had the same habit.
It didn't mean anything.
Alaric looked at her.
"Are you alright?"
Keira focused on the music again.
"Yes."
She gave a small shrug.
"Just thinking."
Alaric did not ask further. And the music slowly reached its end.
Their dancing steps came to a stop.
Alaric slightly bowed his head politely.
"Thank you for the dance."
Keira gently withdrew her hand. "Yes," she replied briefly.
Alaric gave a faint smile before returning with her to their seats near the throne.
The nobles' conversations once again filled the hall.
Some even began approaching to greet the king and queen.
Keira responded politely, though most of the faces before her still felt unfamiliar.
After a while, she glanced toward the side of the hall.
Daniel was standing near the drink table.
Keira raised her hand slightly.
A small gesture.
Almost unnoticed by others.
But Daniel caught it immediately.
He raised an eyebrow and walked over.
"Your Majesty," he said dramatically while giving a slight bow.
Keira sighed softly.
"Stop."
Daniel smiled.
"So?"
Keira stood from her seat.
"Dance with me."
Daniel blinked.
"With pleasure."
***
Not long after, they were already on the dance floor.
The music began again.
Daniel was clearly not as skilled as the other nobles.
But he adjusted quickly enough.
"Well," he said quietly, "this is an experience I never expected."
Keira looked at him.
"We need to talk."
Her voice was low enough that others couldn't hear.
Daniel immediately became more serious.
"Something wrong?"
Keira shook her head slightly.
"No… or maybe yes."
She took a slow breath.
"We've been in this kingdom for almost two weeks."
Daniel nodded.
"That's true."
Keira continued,
"I've seen hundreds of people."
"Guards…Servants….Nobles….Knights." She looked directly at Daniel. "And I don't recognize anyone."
Daniel didn't look surprised. "To be honest, neither do I."
They continued dancing with the music.
Keira continued softly, "I thought maybe I would feel it."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Feel what?"
"I don't know." Keira gave a small shrug. "Maybe some kind of… instinct."
Daniel chuckled softly. "If that exists, it doesn't seem to be working."
Keira didn't argue. She fell silent for a few seconds. Her mind briefly returned to one thing.
That small habit.
The way Alaric blinked several times earlier. Just like Keenan did when he was nervous.
But Keira quickly pushed the thought away.
It was too far-fetched.
Too impossible.
She chose not to mention it to Daniel.
Instead she simply said, "It seems we still have to keep searching."
Daniel nodded. "Perhaps across the entire kingdom."
Keira smiled faintly. "Seems like it."
***
Several songs passed.
The nobles began returning to their conversations.
Some guests had already begun leaving the hall.
Lucien made sure everything was proceeding according to plan.
Cassian spoke with several northern nobles.
Kael stood among the other knights.
The royal banquet that night proceeded smoothly.
And then the royal banquet finally came to an end.