Day 234

It seemed like winter never wanted to end. One chilly night after another. But those nights were quiet. I spent most of them with Keitaro. Everything went well, and I heard nothing of Asmodeus. He was planning something, and I just don't know what. But it doesn't matter right now. Tonight is his big day. The prom and I want to dance perfectly for him.

???: Name?

C: Cornelia Moon. Keitaro Nagisa's partner.

???: You're good to go.

I walked onto the stage with bright lights. I felt like I was a bride walking to the altar. And there he was, my prince in shining armor.

K: And here you are. Beautiful as ever.

C: You are not bad yourself.

K: Don't even. I look like-

C: Handsome as ever? Yes. And don't try to tell me you are not.

K: I won't disagree with women. Nothing good can come out of it.

C: And clever. What a jackpot.

The music slowly started getting louder and louder.

C: That's our queue. I will wait for you on the other side.

K: I hope I don't mess up. I'm not good with crowds.

C: There is no crowd here. No one is here. It's just you and me. Focus on me.

K: I think I can do that.

I rushed back to my place and waited for the teacher to announce the start of prom. As the lights slowly faded away, the dance began. I waited patiently for Keitaro to approach me. He knelt and kissed my hand, and our dance commenced. Just like the swans in the lake - graceful, elegant, and passionate. There was no one else around, just the two of us. Step by step, time seemed to freeze around us as we looked into each other's eyes without ever looking away. Keitaro was now confident and happy because he had finally faced his fears tonight and won. As the song came to an end, he effortlessly lifted me in the air like a feather. The crowd slowly started clapping, and if the fire between us were visible, it would light up the entire room.

K: Thank you for the dance, milady.

C: The honor was mine.

We went back into the shadows to take a break.

C: Need a drink?

K: No. I got everything I wanted right here.

He grabbed me by the waist and kissed me on the lips.

K: How about we leave early and just get out?

C: What about the prom? I thought-

K: I already got what I wanted. A dance, with you in public. Now everyone knows you are mine. And you also helped me face my worst fear.

K: Now, the only thing I want is you.

C: That can be arranged.

We left prom early. Keitaro got what he wanted, and now he wanted more.

C: Where do you want to go?

K: After Mom saw us on the dancefloor, I doubt we would get any time to be alone.

C: My place is it then. Just leave a message that you are fine. Iliznamla.

We teleported back to my castle and went straight into my chambers. He was restless. There was a flame inside him that kept me up all night. He only fell asleep in the morning. I let him rest, while I ran some errands. I went back to his school for the pictures that were taken during the dance. I searched for us, and there it was. A close-up picture. With just two of us. That was the moment we looked each other in the eyes, and the fire inside them started burning. There are no words... The picture spoke for itself.

???: You two look beautiful in this picture. Like husband and wife.

C: Thank you. I want to frame it and hang it on my wall.

A simple white slipper and a white dress. There was a white rose in my hair that he gave me in the morning. He was in white as well. White nankeens and white suit.

I took the picture and framed it. I took it home and hung it in my room. That picture is special to me. For me, that is the most valuable item in the entire castle.