Chapter 87: Is That Confession Of Love?
Ball Of Honors
It had officially been announced a few days earlier that the Viola Family had invited guests from nearby territories as well as their own. It was no longer something Fergus had arranged, but something Khalish Viola had designed. Yet the more Cillian listened to Leo, his father, explain it, the more he thought that it had been planned after the attack.
Leo said a lot of things to Cillian, but it eventually came to the point where the main purpose of this ball was the meeting between the Lord of Viola, the Lord of Xesie, and the Lord of Hanetry.
On the other hand, Cillian’s main purpose for coming here, according to his father, whom he was forced to do so, was to meet Fergus in the hope of rebuilding the Brotherhood.
It wasn’t something to be happy about at all.
If not for the fact that Cillian was there to observe Arthur, he would’ve already made a reason to not join and head straight to the library with Mouthful Eye, in hopes to find Melissa there.
"We’re here.
Cillian saw where the ball was being held. Many people were entering the grand building, dressed in formal attire and elegant gowns from head to toe. Music filled the air, and countless lights almost blinded the eyes despite the nighttime.
Amidst all that, there were also downsides to holding a ball in the midst of the chaos within the Viola territory.
The rallies.
Parents holding posters and people unrelated to the attack but who had felt the unfairness of the academy to those people in importance are shouting and making things chaotic. As if Khalish Viola doesn’t care about the voices of the normal people, and pushed this ball for what? To flaunt their wealth?
The common folks who are angry about this development couldn’t help but complain openly.
"Seriously?! Our kids died in your Academy that promised safety, and you’re having a fucking stupid ball?!"
"We need an explanation! What do you mean Black Shepherds killed our kids?! Answer us...! Our daughter can’t just die like that!"
"You’re all trash! What about our kids who only hoped to learn in that Academy and get a good future! Now, even that has been stolen from them! Give us an explanation! Lord Khalish!"
It was a symphony of those desperate screams that made the atmosphere of those entering the ball gloomy.
Even Leo and Ella couldn’t help but sympathize with those parents. After all, if they had been in their position and Cillian had been among the casualties, even their loyalty to the Viola Family might have wavered.
It might be their own hypocrisy to say this, even beyond disrespect to those parents that lost their children but...
’But I’m just glad Cillian is alive. That’s all there is.’
Leo and Ella were both thinking the same thing.
Letting out a short sigh, Leo glanced at the rear-view mirror and calmly said.
"Leave now. I’m going to park this car there."
The three of them left the car and went inside, moving in the opposite direction from where the soldiers were stopping the rally from entering the banquet hall any further.
...
The Ball of Honors was at the starting point of the event. Guests filled the hall with conversation and laughter while musicians played near the dance floor. Crystal lights bathed the room in a warm glow, and the scent of freshly prepared dishes lingered in the air.
It was a night of parties, where every smile seemed just a little brighter than usual... if one ignored the people outside of this place, that is.
[White Flag]
[Red Flag]
[Black Flag]
It was also filled with different kinds of flags from Cillian’s vision. There are also familiar people, though these familiar people are mainly the main casts of the novel.
Kash was talking with people who were older than him. Willow was being hit on by guys older than her. Ivy was showing her sword to the swordsmen beside her.
All of them still had red flags.
"Cillian, we’re going to stay here. Meet Fergus."
"All right."
Cillian left his mother and sister, seeing them sitting in the farthest corner of the room, remaining silent as they should be.
’There’s no way in hell I’m going to be near that entitled fella the moment I get in here. He will definitely ruin my good mood.’
He started walking around, but instead of going straight to where Fergus might have been staying with the new Brotherhood members, Cillian headed toward the food stalls.
He was dying to taste most of them, but he had to be moderate if he wanted to remain in the best condition when the situation demanded it.
Cillian couldn’t afford to lag behind just because he was full.
He reached the food stalls with sparkling eyes before grabbing a plate and spoon. He then started picking up each food item with a single spoonful, finding everything delicious in his eyes, and ate them on the spot.
’Yummy! What the hell? It’s freaking delicious!’
Cillian was having the time of his life until someone saw how greedy he was devouring each food he picked and teased him.
"You’re such an eater, aren’t you?"
Cillian glanced to the side with his mouth full and saw Freya wearing a dress that complemented her delicate figure and gorgeous face.
"Gwoof Egening, Meam."
"All right, juggle your food down for now."
Cillian almost choked from having his mouth full, causing Freya to hand him a glass of water from the side. He managed to swallow everything after a few seconds, and a satisfied breath escaped his lips.
Cillian tapped his chest with delight before looking at Freya once more with a smirk.
"Are you here to monitor me again?"
Freya chuckled and shrugged.
"You want me to, don’t you? I mean, it’s me, Freya Gray, after all."
Cillian did like being accompanied by Freya. He had fun times talking to her and even received help from time to time. However, because of her presence, making certain actions is hard.
She’s, after all, Freya Gray.
"Nah."
"Really? Well, I guess we’re not the same."
Freya teased in an alluring manner, her green gem-like eyes shimmering.
"Your everyday life is very interesting to watch, at least for me. Heh, to be honest, I won’t mind monitoring you at all again."
Cillian stared at her for several seconds before he started moving closer to Freya, who somehow stepped back at his sudden movement.
Cillian was already aware that a few eyes were staring in their direction because of Freya. She was simply that beautiful and important as a person.
Even so, Cillian didn’t stop moving.
"..."
Freya tried to remain indifferent, but the way Cillian got closer to her face made her ears turn a bit red. She was cornered at the edge of the table, completely blocked by him
Any more than what he’s doing, and they’ll kiss.
"Is that a confession of love, Freya?"
That was until Cillian stopped a few inches away from her lips, uttering those words with his lips that were so close to her.
"If it’s not a confession of love, then so be it. But Freya, don’t try me."
Cillian smiled softly.
"If you keep doing this, I might flirt back, you know."
Cillian slowly reached up to her flushed ear and whispered in an alluring tone.
"I won’t mind but... will you be able to handle it—"
Suddenly, Freya forced her hands to move Cillian away, which somehow caught him off guard and left him frozen in place.
’What?’
Cillian thought that it was good to tease each other like they usually did whenever they talked during their monitoring hours.
But the way Freya acted, fully embarrassed, made Cillian conclude that he had gone too far with his teasing.
And it really caught him off-guard due to how red Freya’s face was getting.
She was too...red.
"U-usually, the people who want to talk with me refrain from approaching because they’re afraid to get on my bad side. S-so, it’s my first time someone other than my loved ones approached me like that and dared to almost kiss me."
Freya was not kidding.
It seemed like teasing him had backfired so much that it affected her as well.
"O-oh..."
This somehow made Cillian embarrassed and let out a light cough.
"For clarification, I’m not trying to kiss you."
"I know, but it still made me embarrassed really hard."
"Yep, my fault."
The two stared at each other for a moment before their embarrassment was removed, and the two laughed.
"How have you been the past few days?"
"So-so."
The two started to talk and this time, very normally.
But there’s one person who couldn’t forget how their earlier conversation went.
’My heart can’t stop pounding. Seriously, this troublemaker?’
Freya mused inwardly, remembering how Cillian’s lips almost touched hers.
’I was just caught off-guard. That’s just it.’
Freya reassured herself, even though her ears were still flushed red as she continued to talk with Cillian as they normally talk back in the Academy.
Even so, that interaction kept passing through her mind.