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Chapter 49 -
Night Of The Dance Of Ambivalent
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With the dress flowing as you walk down the halls, you held a piece of paper with a quill at the ready.

While Quirin went to find the King, you took 30 minutes asking everyone about Varian’s invention along with Rapunzel’s. You wrote down whether if they liked it or not, or how their experience was to see it.

The ballroom floors were being cleaned as everyone ate in the banquet hall. You were helping by putting boutique of flowers in the vases that stood on podiums around the dance floor.

You held the last boutique in your hands then smelt the calming aroma it gave off while loving the feeling of the cool petals that softly caressed your face.

“(____).”

You jump and throws the flowers into the vase, “Yes?!”

Cassandra raises a brow then grins, rolling her eyes, “You need to eat. The Princess, King, and Queen are waiting.”

You grin sheepishly, “Okay.” You follow her to the banquet hall and glance around. If Cass is back along with Rapunzel, then where is Varian?

Quirin was having a decent conversation with Frederick while they ate. Rapunzel happily talked with her mom as you sat next to Quirin.

“There you are (____). I see the Seamstress has out done her work as always.” Frederick said.

You glance down at the dress you wore. The velvet material of your favorite color felt comfortable than those dresses that had too much pieces sew to it.

This was plainly simple, but the small bead work glimmered on the forearm of your sleeve. A silk belt was wrapped around your middle to make the dress flare at the bottom.

“Yeah. She quite amazing in her work.” You take your fork and ate after the plate of food is placed in front of you.

You slowly ate, then realize Eugene isn't next to Rapunzel. “Where's Eugene?”

Rapunzel and Arianna glance at each other and giggle, “Eugene is helping Varian get a Flynn Rider makeover.”

You blink try not to laugh, “Okay, I think I seen that coming.”

The three of you laugh, but you stop when Eugene sits next to Rapunzel. “Eugene, you have better not done anything extreme to Varian.”

Eugene grins, “Nah. He told me nothing TOO over the top, so I just helped in picking a color. Varian has a natural look which I will only admit once…..I'm jealous.”

Rapunzel coos and kisses his cheek, “Aw, but you will always be my handsome man, Eugene.”

Eugene smiles tenderly, “Thanks Blondie.”

You shake your head and laugh gently.

Varian appears in the seat beside Eugene and he felt anxious, pulling on the emerald green coat with gold seams.

You glance up then stare at Varian, grinning warmly. He does the same before grinning shyly with a small wave. Everyone began to talk to each other and you couldn't help but watch Varian as he talked to his dad.

Suddenly someone kicked the bottom of your slipper and you jumped from the action.

Everyone looked at you in confusion, “(____), are you okay?”

You blush in embarrassment and nod, then notice Varian was trying not to laugh and the only that wasn't looking at you. “I'm fine.”

Everyone continued to talk, but you narrow your eyes and kicked Varian’s boot which caused him to drop his fork. He picks it up and glares playfully. You grin mischievously, then glare when he kicks back.

The two of you kick back and forth until you both accidentally kick Eugene's leg which he had out.

“Ah-how! You two stop kicking under the table.” Eugene glares.

You and Varian look at him before glancing at each other and kick him, causing his chair to fall backwards with him.

“Oh that is it!” Eugene stood up as you two laugh and he was going to walk around to you.

“Eugene.” King Frederick warned.

Eugene stopped then grumbles, sitting back down. Quirin gave you and Varian a look to stop, which you did, but quietly giggled like children.

“Lady (____), I believe you need to get started on the contest.” King Frederick smiles.

You stand, taking a deep breath and head to the small stage. The walk was anxious and nerve racking. It wouldn't have been this hard if Varian wasn't staring.

“Excuse me, Everyone!” They all turn to you and you felt your face get hot and you rub your cool hand on cheek. “Sorry for interrupting your dinner, but I would love to get started on announcing the winners for this Expo! Please all the ones who had an entry come stand in front!”

There was about 30 people, including Varian and Rapunzel.

“Before I start, I have been the secret judge for the whole expo. Now I may not be as smart as all of you, but…...I see so much potential in ALL of you. You are all special and unique and so much smarter than you think.” You smile warmly.

“Science Lovers, don't just quit what you love to do if you don't win. This Exposition of Sciences is about showing and proving to everyone you are capable of great things. Also by discovering that your minds are capable of endless wonders to this world.” The chest is held by Cass and you walk down.

You grin, “So today I had ribbons made to thank you for being here and to show Corona and everywhere else that you've done something worth doing.” You take out purple ribbons with Corona’s Royal Seal sew onto it with words in yellow thread. CORONA’S EXPOSITION OF SCIENCES.

With every ribbon you gave out had caused every one of them to smile as they bow to you. You hand one to Rapunzel and she hugs you. The last one was Varian.

You hold his out shyly. Varian gazes softly while taking it.

“Now, I would like to announce the three winners of this contest.” You say and go back up on stage. “Starting from 3rd Place to 1st.”

Everyone quiets, all waiting anxiously.

“For 3rd Place, I would like the one who made the Automatic Flipping Flapjacks Contraptions to come up to get your medal!”

Claps of appreciation were given to the woman who walked up happily and you hand her the medal which she put around her neck.

“Now don't we all love a good ol’ flapjack.” You say, giggling as the crowd chuckles at you humor. You give the woman a thumbs up as she walks off stage after a thank you.

“2nd Place! The Mega Dry by our longed haired Princess!”

Rapunzel gasps and runs up, bouncing in place. You giggle softly and hand her a medal. Her eyes widen, “Wow! I love it! Some of it is glass!” She hugs you and jumps into Eugene's arms.

Your stomach did flips as you began on the last winner.

“Now you all know I was asking around for this specific invention. Judging your judges, I was able to make sure this 1st Place Medal is given to the one who deserves it.”

“This invention practically heated sand and materializing into a beautiful new element called Cassandrium. It was breathtaking, almost magical, wouldn't you say?” You ask with a smirk and everyone agreed while chuckling happily.

“Well, with that said, 1st Place goes to the Elemental Remagafier by the Prodigy Alchemist, Varian!”

The room erupted in cheers and claps.

Varian stood there completely frozen until a few contestants lifted him up onto the small stage. He was still shocked, so you laugh softly and help by putting the medal over Varian’s head.

The medal sat against his chest and Varian held it, his fingers going over the smooth glass like material. The middle of it bared the Corona's Royal Sun Seal which sat on a Compass Rose.

“Is this a compass rose?” Varian asked quietly.

You smile, “Yes. I had it made like this to symbolize the ability to go in the right direction with what you are capable of.” You gently turn him in the direction of his dad. “Go show your dad.”

Varian grins enthusiastically and is about to step off stage, but turns around and embraces you tightly. “Thank you…..thank you so much, (____).” He whispers serenely.

You hug him back tightly, burying your face on his shoulder, “You're welcome, Varian.”

He pulls back, though keeps a close distance and his hands softly grip your arms. You two stare at each and you could tell he wanted to say something, but he smiles shyly.

Varian reluctantly lets go off you and his hands slide off your arm, “So…..” He shuffles a bit, looking down, “...Maybe….”His eyes look to you in a shy tenderly expression, “Save a dance for me?”

You blink in surprise, but you smile sweetly, “Sure.”

Varian grins and hops off the stage with more of a bubbly feeling.

Luckily, no one else asked you to dance especially after the first boy who asked. You whine silently in embarrassment while standing next to Frederick.

That poor innocent boy had his foot stepped on by you so many times, he literally crawled away. To make it worse, he was a fan from watching you in the Challenge of the Brave.

“This is why I told you to stop hiding from your dancing lessons.” Frederick whispered, but sounded amused.

You huff, “Sorry, but I didn't want to be sore since the first lesson. Plus that teacher was so patronizing to me.”

Quirin comes up and stands with you.

“Where's Varian?” You ask.

“Talking to himself.” Quirin chuckles lightly.

“Why?”

Outside of the ballroom doors, Varian paced back and forth in front of a random mirror hanging above a table with a vase.

“Come on, Varian. You can do this.” He points, imagining he's pointing to himself, “Why are you even nervous about this?”

He turns with nervousness, “Because I'm asking (____) to dance.”

He goes back the other way with confidence, “She's your best friend. It's not that hard.”

“She's my best friend…...who I'm going to. Ask to. Dance…..” His voice squeaks a bit.

“Why is it so hard then? You had no problem in doing anything with (____) before.” Confident.

“That was before.” Nervous.

“Before…..” Varian looks at himself in the mirror. He examines his unsure reflection, then breaths out. “Varian. (____) is your best friend, it's not like you like her. Of course, you like her. Just not like-”

He stops and slouches, groaning, “What is up with me?” He glares at himself and pokes the reflection, “It's just (____). Your (____).”

Varian blinks, “My (____).” He shakes his head and goes into the ballroom, mumbling what his mom told him, “Five second of courage. Just five seconds of courage.”

You spot Varian and notice he stopped walking toward you, seeming to be talking with himself again. You excuse yourself and walk over to Varian. Your hand softly grabs his arm, “Varian?”

He jumps, then laughs nervously, “(____)! Hey, I mean. Hello Lady (____).” He bows slightly.

To be honest it was a little weird when he used Lady on front of your name, it wasn't like him. You push it off and smile shyly, “Alright. Well I thought you should know. I saved you a dance.”

You laugh nervously, “Just a warning, I don't really know how to dance. I just only had one lesson and well earlier I kept stepping on this boy's feet-” You were subconsciously rambling.

Varian laughs slightly, “(____), it's okay.”

You stop and glance to his hand which he held out to you. As you were about to take hold, Varian smirks and moves his hand away. You blink then try to grab his hand, but he kept moving his hand.

“I thought you said you saved me a dance, so why are you avoiding my hand?”

You scoff and gently shove his shoulder. “Varian!”

He laughs and takes your hand, “I was just joking.”

With the roll of your eyes playfully, you follow him out to the floor a few others. You were very nervous.

Quirin watches as Varian places his hand on your side while taking your hand in his. Your footing kept stepping on Varian's and your face flushes on embarrassment. Quirin walks out to you two.

“(____), let Varian lead and all you have to do is follow.”

Your hand is placed back on Varian's shoulder and Varian's hand on your side. Quirin steps back as Varian began to lead you to step side to side before turning in an elegant manner.

Quirin sighs and sings softly, “It's one, two, three and suddenly I see it at a glance.”

Varian steps forward then back with you following. He let's go of your side to spin you outward, your dress flowing with the movement.

“She's radiant and confident.” Quirin stands back into the crowd to watch as you spin back in to hold Varian again. “And born to take this chance.”

You stare at Varian, feeling your feet glide easily with Varian as he smiles softly while turning widely in a big circle.

Quirin thinks about his wife, smiling lightly, “You taught him well. You've planned it all, but I just forgot romance.”

“Quirin, how could you do this? How will we get through this.” He frowns, almost in regret, “I never should have let them…….dance…”

The music danced around the ones who gracefully moved on the ballroom floor. It was quite easy now and you very surprised Varian knew how to dance. He didn't look like he did and nothing ever gave it away.

“How does an overworking alchemist know how to dance?” You ask while turning twice with Varian.

He hums and chuckles, “My mom. It was just for fun. She actually knew a lot about Royalty rules and such.” The two of you move away from each other, hands still linked before coming back together.

“Maybe she worked in a castle or something.” You say.

“Possibly.”

You two continue to dance, but silently. A fluttery feeling rose in your stomach and you felt anxious as you held onto Varian when the music stopped.

Varian didn't want to let you go either after the music stopped. He moved one of his hands to cradle your face, feeling the coolness of your soft skin.

You look at him and smile tenderly, closing your eyes while your hand goes over his. You loved how his hand felt warm against your face.

Varian stares with the same tenderness as you look back at him. Slowly, you and Varian leaned in. Varian closed his eyes and you were about to do the same, but something stopped you.

Over Varian’s shoulder, Quirin had a look that was mixed with regret and guilt before he began to walk out.

Your heart sunk and you shut your eyes tightly. You turned your head away while speaking softly, “Varian…..”

Varian stops, opening his eyes and gazes at you in worry.

Your hand gently pulled his hand away from your face, but you held onto it. You didn't know what to say and what you did say next was very stupid.

“We should get off the dance floor now.” You chuckle faintly.

Varian had this sad look in eyes, but he laughed a bit, “Yeah…..we should.” He pulls away from you. “I'll…..I'll be right back.”

You try to reach out to him, but he speed walked out of the room and you felt your chest tighten. You hurt him. You hated when you hurt him.

An hour later, Varian hadn't returned and half of everyone left. The rest stayed for small desserts. You grew extremely worried and held a small plate of strawberry shortcake.

“He went to your room.”

You look at Eugene and he smiled warmly. You thank him and head up to your room with the dessert. It was dark, but the moonlight lit up your room and you were able to see a shadow leaning against the wall outside on the balcony.

Varian doesn't move from his position as you sit next to him. His knees are against his chest and his eyes stare out at the kingdom view.

You try to sound cheerful and held up the cake, “I brought you some dessert, since you didn't come back down.”

He doesn't say anything. You frown and place the plate to the side. You couldn't help it, your lips quivered and you tear slightly.

Varian feels you hold his arm and bury your face on his shoulder. He glances down once he hears something drip onto his sleeve.

He couldn't be like this to you for long, he knew that. It did hurt, whatever happened earlier, but he hated seeing you like this. With the end of his sleeve, Varian wipes away the streaks of tears before taking your hand and laying his head on yours.

You feel his hand gently squeeze yours and you squeeze back.

It was a silent apology, but you two didn't know what for because what had happened earlier had felt amazing, but also very confusing.

The two of you fell asleep after staring out at the kingdom.

The big moon blanketed you both in it's soft lighting and no one was awake to notice a soft blue glow up on your balcony.