𝐄𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝐋𝖎𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊

【 Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ７ 】ᴘᴀʀᴛ 2

       After I'd returned to my home, I rushed into the bathroom and cleaned up any cuts or scrapes I'd received during the fight, and also tidied up my hair to look somewhat presentable. If my parents found out about it, they might not let me have the privilege of going to the ball, and I couldn't let that happen.

Once this peculiar fact about Dio became known to me, I wanted to figure out the whole story. I wanted to figure it out right then and there. Of course that wasn't an option though considering my only lead—Jackson—was in no condition to answer my questions at that point in time.

I decided to settle with the next best thing: figuring it out as soon as possible, which happened to be during the party. This leads us to where I am currently, standing before the front desk of Primrose Books.

      "Father," My hands fiddle behind my back as they usually do whenever I'm a little on edge, "Are you busy right now?"

      Hearing his daughter's voice Magnus is pulled away from his reading. He closes the book in his hands and sets it down gently, meeting my gaze, "I'm not particularly busy right now, what do you need?"

"Well, I was wondering if you could teach me, how to dance. . . " I ask hesitantly, "I don't really know how, and I thought since we're going to a ball I should know so I don't end up making a fool of myself."

He smiles at me, getting up from his worn leather chair, "Of course I'll teach you, every young lady should be taught how to dance. I'm no expert, but I can definitely show you a thing or two."

"Thanks Dad!" I grin. My father is a very humble man, so he rarely boasts about his achievements, but he's far better at it than he lets on. I have a fond memory that proves this fact; it's from quite a few years ago, but it has never faded:

Tears stream down my face, landing in small droplets on my pillow as I hug it close to me, "It's alright Anne." I whisper to myself in an attempt to calm myself, "Mum and Dad would never do something like that to me. They love me,"

      Though my face is stained with tears, not a single cry escapes my mouth. I can't understand why, but I've always felt the need to be tough, even when no one's watching.

       The soothing pitter patter of rain against my window pulls my attention to the street bellow. In the darkness of the night two figures dance underneath a halo of light provided by the street lamp.

When I squinted I could make out who they were: my parents. I watched in awe, seeing my father twirl my mother around in the rain, their movements perfectly in sync, as if they could read each other's next step before they took it. Even though they're a distance away, I can still see the smiles they wear.

This simple display of affection was enough to make me forget about the horrible nightmare.

Marveling at the sight, I decided then and there that it was, and forever would be the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. My opinion remains the same even now, years later.

—————

       "Almost. . . there!" My mother grunts, tugging at the strings of my corset once more.

I stifle a cry of pain, clutching my bruised ribs, "Mum! Please! A little looser would be nice!"

She frowns, "Your father told me you had two boys over the other day, one of which was the nice young man I met yesterday," Finally deciding that it's tight enough, she ties the strings, holding them in place.

    "You never bring friends over, and now Magnus tells me you brought home two fine gentlemen. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She huffs, clearly upset about not knowing sooner.