NOVPUBBrielda Opera House, performance hall.
"That improvised scene was really well done."
"As expected of a public version directed by Abigail herself."
"It could be said to be the finishing touch, perfecting the image of the girl—because she suffered a lot and never had anything good, that’s why she’s so greedy."
"No, don’t you guys think that was a stage accident just now? I think the male and female leads were completely improvising, barely managing to keep it together based on their understanding of the characters."
"Really?"
Whispers of discussion continued among the audience.
The music begun to play.
The male and female leads danced gracefully in the center of the ballroom, as if divinely matched, their joy merging together.
With light and elegant dance steps, their eyes conveyed emotions, as if they were a pair made by heaven itself.
Though their rhythm was consistently off, they mysteriously supported each other.
It was evident that they had rehearsed the dance many times, possessing a subtle understanding between them, never fearing to trip each other, always willing to trust and lend their bodies, contradictory yet harmonious. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓹𝓾𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
"Is the choreography a bit unfamiliar?"
"They’re dancing a Demon Race dance. As a professional dancer, I can tell you with certainty that both of them are incredibly authentic, almost as if they stepped right out of a court in the Ancient Demon World."
"In fact, if you think about it, in the original story at this point, Cinderella was supposed to dance with a Governor from the Demon World. Given the ideological backdrop of that era, they couldn’t possibly hit it off right away. They’re destined for a life full of hardships, so the deliberate dance with subtle discrepancies and a sense of adjustment must be a meticulously planned and rehearsed performance."
A chorus of amazement arose.
Abigail sat in the VIP seats, her scalp tingling.
She hadn’t thought that much about it.
She felt Xido hadn’t considered all that either.
Gradually, everyone in the ballroom twirled happily to the music, a scene of sheer joy.
Guests not participating in the dance stood at the edges, their gaze always focused on the Governor and Cinderella.
"Young Master... it’s been such a long time since I’ve seen you smile like this."
The Demon Race butler who had followed the Governor from the Demon World wiped away tears, speaking with relief.
The banquet crowd: "He! Actually! Smiled! ♫"
A new opera performance correspondingly kept pace.
After a while.
The stage slowly quieted down.
"I find, I do not dislike you,"
the dance finished, the Demon Race Governor took Cinderella’s hand and said.
"I..."
Talia looked at Lanci, lost for words.
She was still grateful for having danced with Lanci at the Temple of Love previously, barely making it through this performance.
But the Governor now before her, with Lanci’s aura, made her momentarily unsure whether this was a performance or a real conversation with Lanci.
The immersive performance made her feel as though she had stepped into the story of Holy War Romance.
"Tata, your next line should be ’I do too,’ with a natural and innocent smile in response to me,"
Lanci reminded Talia through telepathy.
He probably realized Talia had forgotten her lines, and had to rely on his own recollection, trying his best to recall and assist Talia.
"I do too..."
Talia heard Lanci’s gentle thought and spoke softly, looking down.
She didn’t understand why Lanci was still so dependable at this moment, helping her.
A stubborn personality was bound to bring her more serious disasters.
But, just then, such a person was willing to help her up.
"..."
Hearing Talia’s response, Lanci was about to speak but paused.
Talia got the line right, but her performance was wrong.
Cinderella shouldn’t reveal such tenderness at this moment.
But then, applause erupted from the audience, throwing Lanci off.
Did the audience really agree with this portrayal of Cinderella?
Lanci could only continue the act.
"Are you ready to roam the banquet with me next?"
he asked Talia.
"Yes, but can you take me over there?"
Talia looked toward the banquet table to the side of the hall and asked.
She distinctly remembered the plot of this scene: after the dance, the Governor asks Cinderella where she wants to go, to which Cinderella replies that she wishes to have more delicious desserts.
"Girl, you’re not in a position to bargain with me,"
Lanci responded, yanking Cinderella’s hand.
His words maintained the Demon Race’s pride and harshness.
In reality, he was very indulgent with Cinderella, leading her toward the banquet table.
The music softened, and the spotlight focused on the two of them. The Governor, holding Cinderella’s hand, arrived at the dessert stand they had visited earlier.
"From now on, I will decide everything for you,"
the Demon Race Governor declared uncompromisingly, his gaze full of assertiveness, monopolizing Cinderella by the banquet table.
"No, I can’t..."
The overly dominant Lanci unexpectedly made her heart race, and she didn’t know why she was looking forward to what Lanci would say next.
Like this...
This way...
She would be unable to think first...
Talia’s cheeks flushed with red, and she averted her gaze, unable to look directly at Lanci.
"Which includes what you will eat next."
Lanci picked up a piece of caramel mango mille-feuille and brought it close to Cinderella’s mouth.
"Wait, I refuse!"
Talia shook her head.
"I refuse your refusal."
Lanci was resolute.
"No, no!"
Talia weakly pushed at Lanci as if defending her last line, tightly closing her mouth, refusing to let him bring the food closer.
"Lanci, don’t come any closer!"
Talia screamed internally.
The Governor smiled slightly, a blend of cool detachment, sarcasm, and nonchalance.
"Your mouth says no, but your stomach is quite honest."
