The sun had set over Chaldea, casting a warm glow over the lush gardens where the party was in full swing. Soft lighting adorned the towering trees, creating a whimsical atmosphere as the gentle breeze carried the sound of laughter and music through the air.
Among the guests, Ophelia, a young woman with heart full of hopes, stepped into the garden, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She had dressed with care for this evening. Her heart fluttered as she thought of Kirschtaria, a fellow Chaldean whom she had admired from afar for quite some time. Perhaps tonight would be the night that he would notice her.
However, as the night unfolded, Ophelia noticed that Kirschtaria was occupied, deep in conversation with several superiors. Her heart dipped slightly as she realized that her hopes for a dance with him might not come to fruition. Little did she know that fate had something else in store for her this evening.
As she stood there, taking in the vibrant atmosphere, a deep voice suddenly broke through her thoughts. "May I have the honor of dancing with you tonight?" Ophelia turned to find herself face-to-face with Emperor Napoleon.
Ophelia's surprise was evident, and she stammered slightly as she responded. "I-I would be delighted, Your Majesty, but I must warn you, I'm not a very good dancer. Please go easy on me."
Napoleon's eyes crinkled with amusement, and he offered her a reassuring smile. "My dear, you don't have to be formal with me. Besides, dancing is all about enjoying the moment." He took her hand gently and led her onto the dance floor.
At first, Ophelia was nervous, her movements a little stiff and uncertain. But as Napoleon deftly guided her across the floor, his grace and charm putting her at ease, she began to relax and soon found herself moving in sync with him. "See?" Napoleon whispered with a playful smile. "You can dance."
Ophelia couldn't help but smile back, a warm glow spreading through her. "Finally," Napoleon continued, his eyes softening as he took in her radiant smile, "you smiled. You know, you look even more beautiful when you smile."
Flattery escaped her, and a gentle flush crept across her cheeks. As the song drew to a close, Napoleon showed no signs of wanting to stop dancing. If anything, he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely, and Ophelia, despite her initial reservations, found herself swept away by the music and the moment.
However, the heels she had been standing in for most of the night were beginning to take their toll, and Ophelia found herself craving a brief respite from the bustling party. Sensitive to her needs, Napoleon suggested they retire to a nearby balcony, where they could take a break from the noise and the crowd.
Ophelia leaned against the railing, gazing out at the night sky, a gentle breeze playing with her hair. Napoleon, ever the gentleman, offered her his coat, sensing the slight chill in the evening air. "Thank you," she murmured, wrapping it around her shoulders. "I didn't realize it would get so cold."
They stood side by side in comfortable silence, taking in the beauty of the night. "Should you not go back inside?" Ophelia asked after a while, a hint of concern lacing her voice. "Surely people will wonder where did you go."
Napoleon turned to her, his eyes holding a mixture of warmth and something else she couldn't quite identify. "I don't want you to be alone," he said softly. "Besides, I have a feeling that if I leave, that lovely smile will fade, and you'll return to that gloomy expression I saw earlier."
Before Ophelia could respond, a loud voice suddenly counted down from three. "3...2...1..." And then, as if on cue, the night sky exploded into a dazzling display of fireworks, lighting up the garden in a shower of sparks and color.
Ophelia gazed up at the brilliant spectacle, a sense of wonder washing over her. But her wonder soon turned to surprise as Napoleon took advantage of the moment and, without warning, leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.
"Napoleon!" she exclaimed, pulling away, her cheeks now flushed for an entirely different reason.
He looked at her, his eyes intense, and said, "Allow me to be selfish just this once, Ophelia. You know that I've always cared for you."
Ophelia's heart skipped a beat as she realized the depth of his feelings. "You don't have to give me an answer now," he continued, his voice gentle. "But I wanted you to know how I felt."
Ophelia's mind was reeling. She had never expected a confession like this, especially not at this party. She knew that Napoleon was aware of her feelings for Kirschtaria, and yet he had not given up on her. Perhaps it was because she had not outright rejected him. Or perhaps, she thought with a hint of surprise, it was because she had enjoyed his company more than she cared to admit.
"Thank you for cheering me up," she said softly, her eyes dropping to the ground as she considered her tumultuous emotions.
Napoleon took a step closer, his eyes searching hers. "You deserve to be happy, Ophelia. And I want you to know that I'm here if you ever change your mind."
Ophelia didn't know what to say. She wanted to be honest, but at the same time, she didn't want to hurt Napoleon's feelings. As she grappled with her response, the sound of applause and whistles suddenly filled the air, signaling the end of the fireworks display.
Napoleon offered her his arm, and together, they re-entered the party, their appearance drawing curious glances and whispers from the other guests.
As the party continued, Ophelia found herself unable to stop thinking about Napoleon's confession. She had always seen him as her servant, but now, she realized that there was something more between them—something she couldn't quite ignore.
Kirschtaria, noticing her preoccupation, approached her and asked if she would like to dance. Ophelia, caught off guard, agreed, hoping that the familiar motion would help clear her mind. But as they danced, she found herself comparing every moment to the dance she had shared with Napoleon earlier that evening.
"You seem distant," Kirschtaria remarked as the music swelled around them. "Is everything alright?"
Ophelia offered him a weak smile. "I'm fine," she said softly, knowing full well that it was a slight exaggeration. "I just have a lot on my mind, that's all."
As the party finally began to wind down and guests started to bid their farewells, Ophelia found herself cornered by Napoleon once more. "Will I see you tomorrow?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.
Ophelia hesitated, her heart torn between her long-standing affection for Kirschtaria and the newfound emotions that Napoleon had stirred within her. "Yes," she finally replied, choosing her words carefully. "I'm still your master afterall. Not unless you want to have a contract with someone else"
Napoleon smiled, his eyes soft and understanding. "Then i'll see you tomorrow."
And with that, he took his leave, leaving Ophelia standing there, her heart filled with a mélange of emotions she couldn't quite decipher. As she made her way to her room that, Ophelia realized that the party had changed everything. Tomorrow was a new day, and with it came the possibility of new beginnings and an unexpected twist in the tale of her heart.
