Chapter 17: Pas de Deux Under Public Attention
———
The dance began, and the hall instantly darkened, leaving only two figures bathed in the spotlight.
"Are you ready?"
Ghost whispered softly, her cold hand holding Namiya's with natural confidence, as composed as a true dance master.
"Mm!"
Namiya's reply carried a hint of nervous excitement, her grip tightening unconsciously around Ghost's hand.
"Then... ready, begin!"
The music rose, elegant and rich, and from the very first note their bodies moved as one.
Their steps were light, flowing like meteors streaking gracefully across the night sky — disciplined, yet never losing elegance.
Seven continuous days of hand-in-hand instruction now bloomed into confidence. Namiya's steps, once hesitant, carried certainty; her grip on Ghost's hand was strong, filled with unshakable trust.
Their coordination was flawless. Every movement sang with power and grace, and more than that — it pulsed with emotion. Their dance wasn't just steps, but a story told through silent understanding.
In their movements was reliance, in their twirls was trust, in their gazes was something unspoken, a language only they could share.
Like elegant swans, their arms intertwined into a living painting. Each glance exchanged conveyed the signal for the next step. For them, the vast hall, the audience, the throne itself — all of it faded. In their eyes, the world contained only each other.
It was like watching a symphony in motion: graceful, radiant, and alive with feeling.
The audience felt it too. Without realizing, they held their breath, hearts swaying with the rhythm.
And soon the whispers began.
"Unbelievable... this chemistry... it's like they've danced together for years!"
"They're perfect together... look at how the Queen trusts her..."
"A woman, leading Her Majesty like this? It's unheard of... and yet, I can't look away..."
"This doesn't look like a performance... it looks like— like a love story!"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the hall, but none of it broke the spell. On stage, Ghost spun Namiya once more, their movements echoing like poetry in motion.
At last, the music reached its climax. Ghost held Namiya's hand in one palm, the other raised gracefully skyward, Namiya mirrored her, their figures frozen in perfect symmetry.
Silence fell — then the hall erupted.
"Elegant! So elegant!!"
"Their dance was breathtaking!"
"The Queen's gaze— did you see it?! That's not ordinary!"
"I think so too... Could this partner be... our future Consort?"
"Perhaps... who knows? But they look like they belong together."
"Yes... yes, they're a perfect match!"
The noise grew feverish, some praising the artistry of the dance, some speculating wildly on Ghost's identity, and others whispering with awe at the Queen's choice.
But when the crowd turned to seek out the two dancers, they were gone. The spotlight faded on an empty floor.
The discussions swelled louder, buzzing like a hive, until the minister's dignified announcement declared the official start of the banquet, finally stilling the restless audience.
Music swelled once again. The banquet had begun.
---
On the third floor of the banquet hall, in a quiet, empty room—
Two figures had slipped away unnoticed.
Not long after the dance ended, they had run off together, vanishing before the audience could catch another glimpse.
The Queen was only required to preside over the opening performance. For the rest of the night, she was free.
Which meant, now, the time belonged to her and Ghost alone.
"Phew... finally escaped. Having a physical body is such a hassle... and the chance of being seen through is too risky."
Ghost exhaled softly, leaning against the wall, her tone edged with weariness.
"You could... change back," Namiya whispered, her voice shy, almost reluctant.
"But if I change back, how can I take you with me?"
Her reply was quiet, tinged with something that made Namiya's chest tighten. She released Namiya's hand reluctantly, and suddenly the absence of her cold touch left Namiya adrift.
From the dance until now, her heart hadn't settled. Ghost's hand holding hers, Ghost's arm circling her waist — it had felt like something more, something real.
And she had enjoyed it. Too much.
She had surrendered herself to Ghost's lead completely, unguarded, her emotions swelling in perfect harmony with the music. For those minutes, she had felt a freedom she had never known.
Even now, her heartbeat refused to calm.
And then — Ghost had grabbed her hand and ran. Just like that, through the crowd, without hesitation.
Just like the stories... where the male lead sweeps the heroine away. Only this time, Ghost had taken her.
Her face burned.
"No... I can't leave here! I-I'm sorry, Ghost, I can't just run away with you!"
Namiya backed up, pressing both hands against Ghost's chest, head ducked low, too flustered to meet her eyes.
Ghost paused, then gave a low chuckle.
"You thought I was trying to elope with you?"
The teasing lilt in her voice made Namiya freeze. She looked up — straight into Ghost's gaze, sly and amused.
"N-not really..."
"Of course not."
The words struck her like a pinprick, bursting her fragile illusion. Heat flooded her cheeks. What had she been thinking?!
Remembering how she had rejected Ghost so firmly just now, she wanted to crawl into the floor. But then, replaying Ghost's ambiguous tone, she realized—
"You... you're bullying me!"
Her eyes misted red, a pitiful look that always weakened Ghost's resolve. It was Namiya's secret weapon, and she knew exactly how to use it.
This time, though, Ghost didn't surrender right away.
She leaned down instead, brushing her cold fingers gently against the corner of Namiya's eye.
"As the Queen," she murmured, "how can you cry so easily?"
The closeness froze Namiya in place. Ghost's face was right there — so close that if she leaned in just slightly more... their lips would touch.
Dangerously close.
Yet Namiya didn't move away. Her gaze locked on Ghost's, her body tilting forward ever so slightly... as though waiting.