A Dance with fate.

"I've had a revelation."

Those were the first words Raphael greeted the team with as they gathered around him. 

"And what would that be, captain?" Jules asked, a knowing grin on his lips as he kept his hands on his hips.

Raphael grinned as he spread his arms wide. "In my infinite wisdom and generosity, I've decided to change our event to the autumn Festival."

Lucie giggled as she gave him a caring glance. "Here we go." She said with a shake of her head.

Jules' grin grew tenfold as Karl smiled knowingly. 

I have a bad feeling about this.

Alexander shifted uncomfortably, aware that Raphael was utterly insane.

Raphael slowly lowered his arms as his sharp gaze swept over the group. 

"That's right, little birdies, we're putting on a dance competition."

A few surprised gasps followed his announcement. 

Alexander was among the surprised, "a what?" 

Alexander muttered in shock, looking around to see if the others had heard Raphael.

Initially, the team would run a scrimmage as their event, as Raphael had earlier stated that they'd have their first game a week after the festival.

They couldn't waste time on pleasantries.

Be here Raphael was.

His expression was grave.

"Come on, what's with the glum faces?" Raphael asked mockingly, "I thought you'd be happy not to run in the cold for once."

This guy was truly mental. This was a team for combat, now twirling around like fairies.

A hand quickly shot up, and Alexander turned to see that it was Josephine. Her eyes were narrowed, and her lips curled into a frown. 

"Captain," she called, her voice firm, "forgive me, but I don't see how dancing has anything to do with fighting."

"But that's where you're wrong, little birdie." Raphael replied with a chuckle, "Fighting and dancing are practically the same; only one has a flair for style."

Josephine blinked, slowly lowering her hand. 

"Are you serious?" Aloïs asked, stepping forward with his arms crossed. "We should be preparing for the game next week."

Raphael smirked confidently, "Oh, but this is training, you brick; this competition will test your agility, coordination, and most importantly— "

Raphael placed a hand over his face as he leaned back. "It'll make you all look like idiots!" he exclaimed with a wild laugh. You'll suffer the greatest humiliation this academy has ever seen!"

His laughter radiated through the cold, tense air.

"He's lost it." One senior muttered.

"We're doomed." Another said.

Lucie sighed with a smile, "I'll get the radio." 

Alexander frowned as he tightened his fists; he couldn't dance if his life depended on it. 

But it seemed Raphael didn't have a care in the world.

— — —

While the Pathfinder team prepared to dance in the chilly autumn air, Louise and her friend sat comfortably in the academy's library. 

The air was warm, and the walls were lined with thousands of books, split between two levels. 

"You've been brooding since lunch." 

Louise's friend teased, sitting next to a tall glass-stained window. 

Her arm rested on their shared wooden table while the other twirled a fountain pen. 

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Louise looked up from her book with a glare. "What is there to talk about?" She asked coldly, "Alexander is a spineless simpleton, no better than Elizabeth's puppet."

Her friend scoffed as she put down her pen. "You don't believe that, do you?"

Louise let out a frustrated sigh as she leaned back in her chair. "It's not what I believe, it's reality." She stated plainly, "Elizabeth dug her nails into him, masking it as care." 

Louise frowned deeply as she glanced at her fellow club members, who quietly chatted and laughed. "He's a lost cause, and I won't waste my time."

Her friend chuckled as she crossed her arms, "You're full of it." She teased, "You like him, don't you?"

Louise scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, Anna; no one could love a fool like that except a tool like Elizabeth."

Her friend Anna smirked. "You said Alexander ignored you, but he looked genuinely surprised when you brought it up. What was that about?"

Louise's lips twitched. She hated it when Anna got curious. She poked at her thoughts like a child with a stick and with each poke…

She got closer to the truth.

Of course, it was she who ignored Alexander. She hated how much time he spent with that idiot Jules. 

It was only the first day, and he was already making friends. Meanwhile, she was just left out to dry. 

What was she supposed to do? 

Beg for his attention?

She'd rather die.

Anna giggled as she leaned closer. 

"You want to know what I think?" She teasingly asked, "I think you ignored Alexander, and seeing him with her Highness sparked your jealousy."

Louise snapped her gaze toward Anna. "Jealousy?" She hissed, the word like poison on her tongue. "That's absurd."

Anna raised her eyebrows as she tilted her head. "Is it?" She asked, "Or are you refusing to accept the truth?"

Louise remained silent, her jaw tightening. 

Anna continued, "You don't have to admit it, but don't give up." She said, "It's clear you care for him, and Elizabeth hasn't won yet."

Louise sighed deeply, "I don't like him, but… I don't want him to become Elizabeth's lapdog."

Anna chuckled, her smirk returning. "If that's what you have to tell yourself." She joked, "As long as you put yourself in his life, same as Elizabeth."

Louise didn't respond.

But internally, she planned to approach Alexander again. 

This time, she wouldn't let him escape; she would force an answer from him. 

— — — 

Meanwhile, Elizabeth, the student council's treasurer, was reviewing potential fundraising events for academy clubs.

As she shuffled through the papers, Victoria sat beside her. "You look more focused than usual." She said softly, "Not daydreaming about Alexander anymore?"

Elizabeth giggled softly as she looked up from her desk.

"Oh, I'm still daydreaming." She replied, "But I think things will be interesting now; Louise wants Alexander back."

Victoria raised an eyebrow as she crossed her legs, "oh, I didn't think Louise liked anyone but herself."

Elizabeth set down her papers with a warm smile. "I know, right? " she replied, "But I'm not worried. Alexander is mine; it is only a matter of time."

"Are you certain?"

"I am," Elizabeth replied, her expression thoughtful, "Alex is strong physically and knowledgeable, but…"

Elizabeth paused, her smile growing. "…he's a little dense."