As the trio made their way through the grand hall, they spotted Leona at the center of attention, surrounded by a group of handso priests and monks from the nearby temple. Their robes, though modest, were pristine and well-fitted, giving them an air of reverence and charm. Each one seed eager to win a mont of Leona's attention, their polite smiles and subtle complints adding to the lively atmosphere.
"Looks like your cousin is the belle of the ball," Kael said, nudging Lucian with a grin. "I an, I can't bla them. She's glowing like a goddess."
Lucian rolled his eyes, but a smirk tugged at his lips. "Leona always attracts attention wherever she goes. She has that innocent charm people are drawn to. It's harmless."
Aeliana tilted her head, observing the scene with curiosity. "Harmless, maybe, but they're practically falling over themselves to ask her for a dance. She's got them wrapped around her finger without even trying."
At that mont, one of the priests, taller and more striking than the others, stepped forward, bowing deeply before offering his hand to Leona. His golden hair glinted in the light of the chandeliers, and his smile was warm but confident, as though he knew he stood out among his peers.
"Would the lady of the evening honor with a dance?" he asked, his voice smooth and deep.
Leona's cheeks flushed a soft pink, but she didn't hesitate to place her hand in his. "I'd be delighted," she said, her tone light and sweet. The other priests stepped back respectfully, though so exchanged subtle glances of disappointnt.
The tall priest led Leona to the center of the dancefloor, his movents graceful and practiced. As the music swelled, the pair began to glide across the floor, their steps perfectly in sync. The guests watched in admiration, murmuring amongst themselves about how enchanting the scene was.
"I have to admit," Aeliana whispered to Lucian, "your cousin knows how to make an entrance. She looks like she belongs in a fairytale."
Lucian nodded, his expression softening as he watched Leona laugh at sothing her partner said. "She's always been like this. She has a way of making people feel special, like they're the only ones in the room. It's one of her many gifts."
Kael, anwhile, leaned closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied the tall priest. "Who's the golden boy? He seems… different from the others."
Lucian's gaze followed Kael's, his brow furrowing slightly. "I'm not sure. He's likely from the temple in the nearby city, but I don't recognize him. I'll ask Leona about him later."
As the dance ca to an end, the crowd erupted into applause, and Leona curtsied gracefully before the priest bowed and returned her to her previous place. She glanced over at Lucian, Aeliana, and Kael and offered them a cheerful wave, her radiant smile lighting up the room.
"Well," Aeliana said with a playful smirk, "it looks like your cousin's birthday is already a resounding success. Shall we go congratulate her before she gets whisked away again?"
Lucian chuckled. "Good idea. Knowing her, this won't be the last dance of the evening."
The three made their way toward Leona, weaving through the crowd of admirers and well-wishers, eager to catch up with the birthday girl before soone else claid her attention once more.
...
Lucian gracefully took Leona's hand as the music began to play, leading her onto the dance floor. The crowd parted slightly to make room for them, murmuring with curiosity and admiration at the sight of the Dark Lord sharing a dance with the birthday girl. Despite Lucian's usual stoic deanor, his steps were smooth and confident, his movents so natural it seed he'd been born for monts like this.
anwhile, Aeliana and Kael lingered at the edge of the room, watching the pair from a distance. Kael leaned in close, lowering his voice so only Aeliana could hear.
"Are those priests and monks her past suitors?" Kael jested, glancing at the group of n who were still watching Leona with longing eyes. "I an, look at them. They're practically pining for her. Seems your future cousin-in-law has left a trail of broken hearts behind her."
Aeliana stifled a laugh, nudging Kael with her elbow. "I wouldn't be surprised. She does seem to have that effect on people. Though, I'm sure they're all here for… purely holy reasons," she said with a smirk, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm.
Kael grinned. "Holy reasons, right. Because nothing says devotion to the divine like a gaggle of lovesick monks lining up for a dance."
Aeliana laughed, trying to keep her voice down, but her amusent was hard to hide. Her gaze flicked back to Lucian and Leona, watching as they moved in perfect harmony across the floor. "You have to admit, they make it look effortless," she said, tilting her head. "I didn't know Lucian could dance like that."
"He's full of surprises," Kael said with a shrug. "But don't tell him I said that. I'd never hear the end of it."
As if on cue, Lucian's sharp ears caught their conversation, and he glanced in their direction. His gaze narrowed slightly, but the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I can hear you two, you know," Lucian called out as he spun Leona effortlessly, his voice carrying just enough to make Aeliana and Kael freeze for a mont before bursting into laughter again.
Leona giggled as well, glancing between Lucian and his companions. "Are they always like this?" she asked, her voice light with amusent.
"Unfortunately, yes," Lucian replied dryly, though the humor in his tone was unmistakable. "They seem to forget their manners when they think I'm distracted."
Aeliana cupped her hands around her mouth and called back, "We're just enjoying the show, my lord!"
Lucian shook his head, exhaling a soft laugh before focusing back on Leona as the music began to slow. When the dance ended, he escorted her back to her admirers with a bow, earning a round of applause from the crowd. As he returned to Aeliana and Kael, he gave them both a pointed look.
"Enjoying yourselves?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.
Kael grinned unapologetically. "Imnsely. You should take to the dance floor more often, Dark Lord. It suits you."
Aeliana, still smiling, chid in, "Agreed. Though I'm not sure if you'll ever top that performance."
Lucian rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the slight twitch of a smile. "You two are insufferable. Co on, let's find sothing else to occupy your clearly restless minds."
..
"Actually," Lucian said casually as he joined them, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve, "they are Leona's past suitors. Before she beca the Oracle, of course."
Kael, mid-sip of his drink, choked and coughed violently, nearly spilling the contents of his cup. His face twisted in a grimace as he tried to regain his composure. "You're joking, right?" he managed to rasp, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Aeliana blinked, her brows raised in mild disbelief. "Wait, all of them? Every single one of those priests and monks?"
Lucian smirked slightly. "Not all, but a good number. Leona had… quite the charm even before her ascension as the Oracle. It's no surprise many tried their luck. Of course, the mont she took her vows, they all had to accept the obvious."
Kael looked at the crowd of n who still lingered near Leona, their eyes filled with admiration and barely concealed longing. He grimaced again, shaking his head. "That's awkward. Imagine taking holy vows and still seeing your ex at every ceremony."
Aeliana laughed softly, leaning toward Kael. "They do seem rather… devoted to her. But you have to admit, she handles it with grace."
"She's used to it," Lucian said, his tone tinged with amusent. "It's not every day you et soone who can charm their way through life and still be revered as a spiritual leader."
Kael leaned back, eyeing Leona with sothing between awe and pity. "Well, I don't envy her. All those eyes on her all the ti? That's pressure I wouldn't want."
Aeliana smirked. "Oh, Kael, I think you're just jealous you're not one of them."
Kael sputtered, "Jealous? Of what, exactly? I'd rather stick to my sword than pine after soone I can't have."
Lucian's smirk widened as he watched them bicker. "You two never fail to entertain," he remarked. "But let's keep our focus. We're here for Leona, not to speculate about her admirers."
Aeliana and Kael exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter again, though they couldn't quite hide their curiosity as they stole another look at Leona and her entourage. It was quite a spectacle to know such information about the Holy Leona and her shenanigans, mishaps or even her love life that most would think she is perfectly well-rounded individual with no dirt what-so-ever. But looks are always deceiving and not always in tip-top shape as, they were once was.
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