Chronicle Of The Stars

"So tomorrow is the banquet, huh?" 

Velmir, who was lying on the ground, gasping after a long training session. In the training area, Lucas reached out his hand for his friend and gave a rewarded smile toward him. "You've improved. Today our lesson ends here; you'll need to rest for tomorrow." Velmir took his hand and was pulled up. 

They then went to the nearby bench, taking out the water pouch and sharing it while watching the sunset. 

"Lady Elize Cielfir is still here with us?" 

"I thought I've told you. She will attend Niren Academy with you. - Lucas paused for a bit before continuing. 

Oh! Feeling love?" - he asked a question in return while making a ridiculous expression. 

"No! I mea- It wasn't the point!"

"Didn't hear a no, just saying."

The two had a short conversation, asking and answering, yet also mocking each other with a warm and close tone before coming back to their room.

"See you tomorrow, Lucas." 

"See you at your wedding with Elize, Velmir."

"Hey!"

Maybe it was the existence of Lucas that helped Velmir stay positive. The past days weren't his nightmare at all; it was more peaceful than he had anticipated. 

"My body is lighter than ever, and I can feel the flexibility. These days paid off! I can't use the technique continuously like Lucas, but I can utilize some of it now. And for some reason, I didn't realize I was this tall, 6'5? Something like that. Also, I have more muscle than I thought, yet I looked slim, I can hold the spear easily without trying. Anyway, the best part is, I can use a bit of Ignis to enhance my body! Everything is just like a dream to me! 

He talked to himself on the way, the warmth of satisfaction covered his body, and he gave a contented smile.

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"My Lord, your raiment is now in order. Grand Duke Valdric is waiting for you." 

Velmir, who was now suited up, looked at himself in the mirror, black themed clothes followed by golden lines with a blue tie and a black coat. His hair was even tied in a special way to leave some of it cascading on his back. "I thought it was vest for a second! But it turned out to be more like the Edwardian or Victorian era." He thought when looking at the mirror, before going outside with his friend - now as his older brother.

"You're here, Luminian. Now, to the Great Hall."

Lucas led the way, with him went first, and Velmir followed behind. "The Grand Duke Lucas Valdric and his brother - Luminian Valdric, are about to make their entrance into the grand hall!" A voice rang out across the entire mansion. 

All the eyes gathered in the upper corridor as the two appeared. All of them lowered their head in a deferential manner. Lucas quickly spoke out loud in an arrogant voice, unlike his normal days.

"I am grateful for your presence at this banquet. Today, my brother, Luminian Valdric, shall have the honor of hosting today's event!" - His words echoed in the hall, giving everyone pressure, but also appreciation. As for Velmir, he took his time and spoke.

"I - Luminian Valdric, shall announce to all of you, the banquet begins!" - The moment his sentence ended, a fanfare of trumpets rang through the air, and the music began to play, heating up the atmosphere as the two made their way down the stairs.

The crowd looked at them. Admire, curiosity, jealousy, all kinds of emotions resided in this place, to be exact, on Velmir. The moment they stepped on the lower floor, the crowd approached him. 

The first one was a mature man; he wore a dark blue suit with his hair swept back. "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Rovan Morvane."- It was a husky voice, holding a mystery beneath. He didn't bother to say any more words but to have a short conversation, leaving Velmir curious. "Morvane, huh? So he was one of the 3 Grand Duke families." But there was no space for him to pay too much attention to that man; he needed to handle the rest of them.

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"Ah, that was exhausting, I couldn't remember them all." Velmir sighed. He went to a less crowded place and leaned against the marble pillar with a lifeless face. Still, he summarized those who had the potential to be his alliance. 

" Duke Gerald Stafford, a promising man. He had many mine shafts, and his son will join the academy too. He even showed a great attitude towards me."

"Let me see, Richard Alsphier, Edward Cavender, Julian Desir. Yeah, the three of them have potential. - He quietly raised the glass of wine.

"Except for Edward, his son is a second-year student."

"I do have a good feeling for Julian Desir. Even if they couldn't become allies with me, I have to avoid becoming their enemies; their forces are no joke." - A faint smirk on the corner of his lip.

"About Rovan Morvane, he seems a lit-" 

"Lord Luminian, would you care to dance with me?" - a group of girls interrupted him in the middle of his analysis. He was drawn away by the obsession of "an ally", so he wasn't aware of the dance. Around him, people started to pair up and dance.

"...I didn't know how to dance..." - Still, to get out of this situation, he told them that he had invited Elize Cielfier to a dance and went toward her.

"Lady Elize, would you mind becoming my partner?" - He said it with the confidence that he would be rejected, but in contrast, she accepted it.

"I was waiting for you, Lord Luminian." - The acceptance froze him, and he stood still for a minute while sweating. "Why did she accept it...!...We're just strangers." - His thoughts echoed, "Wait, could it be...the dragon-horns girl!...No...there's no way..." 

Quickly calming his mind, he gave his hand to her, and they held hands. The great hall was shocked, even Lucas; they didn't expect the two big families to become partners, especially when Luminian had just revealed himself. 

On the upper floor, Lucas, who was drinking red wine with his friends, glanced at Velmir and quickly looked at his friend, but that's when he realized. "Wait.....What???...Is he holding Elize's hand? I was just kidding..." - He questioned, yet swiftly widened his eyes, turned his look to Velmir, and focused on him with wine almost spilled out of his mouth. 

As for Velmir, the dance was starting. "No no no no no no! What do I do? I might step on her foot! What if fall...How to switch positions? - That's when he looked at Lucas, trying to find his help, but it didn't work, Lucas was only staring with a teasing face, making a "rude sign" and letting it happen.

To his nightmare, the dance started. They moved, and he mimed the man behind her. But something was strange; it felt like he knew all of it. The step to the right, the way he elegantly held her hand while letting her move freely. So, he let it go on, step by step, as the music came to an end, lifted her up, and the two looked in the eyes. "You were always this subtle, Velmir." - A whisper from Elize.

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"How did I know it?" - After the dance, Velmir went outside to the fountain to breathe some fresh air. He heard it, his heart was bouncing, something that wasn't meant to happen. So he placed his hand on his body where the heart resides. He felt it, both pain and love.

Pain because he wasn't the one who deserved this. It wasn't his life. If he weren't transmigrated, would Velmir be the one to experience this? Did he steal everything away from Velmir? Who is he now? He panicked and looked at the reflection in the water. Fragged face, like a shattering mirror, he couldn't see it, yet it proved. "I'm just a thief." - He spoke. It was his feeling. But somewhere in his heart, he wanted to stay. Is that what is called love?

That's when a voice formed behind him. "Ahh, found you!" It was Elize; she was trying to find him. He turned around and looked at her, without knowing his facial expression. Her face changed, from an overjoyed face to a curious face, but also a sympathetic face. 

"Are you crying?"