Chapter 22: ~The dance.~ (1/2)

***Norfolk, Fellmar***

“Why are they looking at us like that?”

Celestial takes a look around the great hall in which the Ball of Fellmar is held. Many nobles are staring at us without trying to hide it.

I smile broadly. “They are staring at -me-. First because I left my homeland, which accounts to outright betrayal. Second because I am one of the few who ever got a wish granted by the Academy. …..and third group is obviously ogling your body.”

Celestial puffs her cheeks and starts to mumble. “If anyone tries to touch me I will rip out their eyeballs and shove them up their.....”

I nod while I lead the mumbling Celestial towards a bar to get something to drink. “It's so refreshing to have such a ~nice~ companion.”

“Why did that sentence feel like pure sarcasm?” Celestial grabs my arm tighter while I fight to keep my smiling face.

Of course it was sarcasm! Well. Breath in. Breath out. Everything is fine! I am still able to do anything I want in this world.

Getting a cheeky and dangerous wife is just a little unforeseen circumstance. I can deal with her taking over my principality! No problem! At least she seems to have some skills in managing a country. I am not interested in administrative work anyway! Let her do the annoying part.

I just want to do my research. Having power and money is just a means to an end. Researching magic, science and building my machines is my primary goal.

Taking care of Violetta is another concern of mine. And as long as this scheme works out it's fine.

And how often do I get the chance to meet someone else who remembers his past lifes? I lived so many lives, I don't even remember most of them. It gets a little boring if you are caught in this loop for so long.

Yet I never met someone like me. Geez. Why does she have to be such a..... Well. I guess if you live that many lives you get a little strange and opportunistic. I can remember that I still had some ideals a few hundred years ago.

Hmmm. I guess you start to distance yourself from your whole life. After all you know that everything will change as soon as you die. You die and boom! Different family, different world, different culture, another annoying language.

I take one glass of some strange liquid from the servant and sip at it while observing the hall. There are huge windows with coloured glass on all walls. The magical powered light sources behind them dive the whole area into a strange combination of colours.

Everyone is dressed differently because there are guests from multiple different Nations.

All invited guests have their own tables and there is a big dancing floor in the middle of the room. From what I heard the Jarl decided that the first part of the evening should be reserved for talking between the leaders of the different nations.

So we will be spared from having to deal with the really big fishes.

“Sigh. Too bad that this nice room will be most likely blown to bits.” Celestial takes a look around with a sad expression.

“Blown to bits?” I arch an eyebrow and take another look around.

“There are nobles from Mislow and Jamaian here. How long do think will they need to start a fight?” Celestial tilts her head while looking at two groups.

Now I too realize that the nobles from Mislow and Jamaian are forming two camps. I snort and take another sip from my glass. “Then let's try to not get involved.”

“We could go to the dance floor and have a little duel.” Celestial steals a glance at the few couples who occupy the dance area.

“Hoh? A duel? Whoever steps on the others foot first wins?” I start to walk towards the dance floor while pulling Celestial after me.

“I thought more about going as fast as possible and whoever can't keep up looses.” Celestial follows with agitated steps.

“Actually that sounds even better. Of course I am allowed to use magic. Aren't I?” I glance at Celestial.

“Of ~course~. It would be no fun otherwise.” She smiles.

“ASCATHON!”

I am halted in my advance as someone calls for me from the side. “Oh please! He is still alive. I had hoped he was buried nine feet deep in some mass grave.” By turning my view to the side I see my father and my mother advancing towards me.

“Your parents?” Celestial takes a wild guess. Hm. Maybe not so wild as she may have recognized some family resemblance.

“Yes. Ignore them. Let's go to the dance floor.” I take a step onto the dancing area which is slightly elevated over the normal ground.