CHAPTER 44: DANCE

Asher continued to stand alone as he watched the party. ’When is a face slapping moment going to happen? Or were all those authors just lying? Although it’s understandable, nobles only act high and mighty against commoners,’ Asher thought with a sigh, as he really wanted to see a face slapping moment.

"I never thought the Tenth Sun himself would come personally for my birthday party."

Asher heard a voice from behind. He turned, his gaze landing on the figure walking towards him, the Princess of the Zarethorne Empire; Vaelra Lux Vanthelmor.

"Would you have preferred another Sun in attendance or a Moon, Princess Vaelra?" Asher replied with an expressionless face.

Vaelra simply smiled as she spoke, "I do not know any Sun or Moon in particular. Besides, neither of them are my age. Unlike you, who is seventeen like me."

Asher simply nodded, as they continued to talk.

"So, what do you think of the party, Asher, if I’m permitted to call you by name?" Vaelra continued with a smile.

"Of course, you are, your highness," Asher replied, his own smile appearing.

"Please, call me Vaelra," Vaelra simply stated.

Asher simply nodded. "Vaelra, the party is kind of fun. Although I’ve never been to one to actually know that."

"Is that so...? I personally think it’s boring. I’m not into these kinds of things. But my brother wanted it; he sees it as an opportunity to strengthen the bond between the Empire and its people," Vaelra walked gently as she spoke.

The music rose gently as people began to dance to the tunes.

"Aren’t you going to ask a lady to a dance, Asher?" Vaelra spoke, as her brown eyes stared into his purple eyes.

She raised her hand, expecting him to take it. Asher smiled, his form lowered as he took her hand gently and kissed the back of her hand as he spoke, "It will be an honour to dance with the Princess of the Zarethorne Empire."

But before Asher could even take a step, someone walked up to him and Vaelra with calm strides.

"Allow me this dance, Princess Vaelra."

The boy bowed with respect, his hand on his chest.

"Maybe another time. I’m already set to dance with the Tenth Sun of the Wargrave," Vaelra declined with easing composure.

As Asher and Vaelra were about to walk away, the boy spoke again.

"Your highness, the Tenth Sun is the failure of the Wargrave family. You can’t be seen dancing with him, or it might indirectly affect your own image."

Vaelra instantly paused and turned, her smile gone as she replied, "Ryan Silvershade, are you telling me who to dance with at my own party?" Her tone dropped the more she spoke.

’I know I wished for a face-slapping moment, but for it to turn out this way is really... unexpected,’ Asher thought as he watched in amusement.

"I’m not, your highness. I’m merely stating the facts. A genius such as yourself can’t be with a failure who only awakened on his third awakening despite the blood that runs through his veins," Ryan replied, his black eyes meeting the Princess’s brown eyes.

But before Vaelra could even speak, Asher replied, "Aren’t you the son of a Duke?"

Ryan’s eyes turned to Asher as he replied, "I am."

"Then tell me, why are you so desperate for attention at this moment?" Asher spoke, his purple gaze fixed on the boy before him.

"The Princess can’t just be se—" before Ryan could even finish, Asher cut him off.

"Are you the Emperor, that you can order around the Princess?"

But before Ryan could reply, a voice came from the side, "It seems some idiot sees my sister as a path to power."

It was the Prince; Vaelric Lux Vanthelmor.

Ryan instantly frowned. He had only wanted to dance with the Princess first, then build connections. He didn’t want some no-name dancing with her.

"Ryan Silvershade, I will be having a word with the Duke about this," Vaelric spoke as he arrived. His gaze shifted to Asher, then to his sister.

"Let’s go, Asher," Vaelra spoke, her smile returning as they stepped onto the dance floor.

Asher didn’t know how to dance, but he could from the original Asher’s memories. He simply followed the memories and the Princess’s movements and mastered it on the fly.

"I’m sorry for such a sight," Vaelra spoke as she moved.

"I never thought I would hear a Princess apologise," Asher spoke calmly as they both moved to the rhythm of the tune being played.

"And I never thought a Wargrave could dance or smile," Vaelra replied with a chuckle.

"Just because the Wargraves are only known for their battle prowess doesn’t mean we aren’t good at any other thing," Asher replied in a calm tone.

Vaelra’s gaze shifted to Ryan as she spoke, "You seemed ready to fight him for me despite knowing you would lose," her tone teasing.

"I was never going to fight for you, Vaelra. Besides, who said I would lose?" Asher stated calmly as he spun the Princess around, his hand interlocked with hers.

"I never thought I would hear the day someone would say they wouldn’t fight for me," Vaelra simply replied, the smile on her face ever present.

She wasn’t angry at Asher’s words. After all, why should Asher fight for someone he just met? Even if she was the Princess of the Empire, even she wasn’t that naive.

Asher simply smiled and didn’t reply. He simply stated the truth. He had no need to fight over a woman barely a week after his transmigration.

"Why do you think you wouldn’t lose? Ryan has been training since he was five. I do not think you can match up," Vaelra continued to speak.

"Let’s just say, despite my third awakening, I remain a Wargrave, Vaelra," Asher replied, having no time to list what made him confident.

The tune came to an end, and they both came to a halt as they stopped dancing. "It was a nice interaction. I hope we meet again. Of course, that is if you survive your True Awakening," Vaelra spoke as she walked away, moving to interact with other nobles.

Asher simply shook his head. He headed towards the door, ready to call it a day. Since no face slapping really happened, he had no reason to be here. Lyra, who had her gaze fixed at the door waiting for her Young Master, instantly called the coachman the moment she saw Asher.

The carriage arrived at the front. Stepping in, Asher simply left, having no intention of remaining here. Two days were wasted without training. He had better things to do.