I'm not sure how I got through it.
Everything I remember from that night was as clear as day, yet, at the same time, I couldn't remember a single thing.
I remember the number of wrinkles on her dress, but I don't remember what she said before that moment or what dance we ultimately decided to dance to.
Actually, I don't think we danced in a certain style or whatever at all.
No, I can almost picture it now. Lancera was holding my hand with one arm, while she swung her other arm wildly around, and her feet were jumping and hopping in strange rhythms, not at all in sync with the music.
With a laugh that was carefree and innocent, I had joined her in her crude display, jumping and hopping like little kids at the carnival.
Amid my lighthearted wildness, I had seen many gaping mouths and judgmental eyes staring at us, with disapproval no less.
But for some reason, I didn't feel any shame nor any embarrassment.
No, I had giggled, plucking off one of my Evisse flowers and throwing them into the air, allowing it to fly up glowing into the night sky before floating down gently, like a blue-tinted snowflake.
In the North, Evisse flowers were used to represent cleanness, clarity, and a possible fresh start ahead.
Evisse flowers grew the best in heavy snow, so naturally, to the northerners, it had picked some qualities of the pure white that blanketed their land.
Just like snow, the Evisse were common but still precious.
For me, wearing these flowers signified a new beginning. A new beginning that started with Lancera.
Because of that purpled-eyed princess, I had broken apart barriers that I had never thought about breaking. I had come out of my comfort zone to see the clear skies that awaited me.
It was due to her.
So even if she didn't know what I meant, I really wanted to thank her. I wanted to show her how much of an impact she had on me.
I giggled as I plucked off another flower and set it in her hair.
And, I guess it didn't matter how fancy or how profound our dancing skills were, we would still become the most exceptional and most memorable dancers of the night.
Just look at how eye-catching we are! And spellbinding too.
Even now, I remember Lancera's eyes, glowing orbs that stood out amongst the dark mass of people and the glittering backdrop of the lanterns and magical lights.
They were just so beautiful and precious that I couldn't help but want to hold them in my hands so that only I could see them.
Reaching out to her, I watched as she stopped her little dance to smile at me, and I leaned forward to run my fingers along her purple mask, tracing over the delicate patterns.
Then, with both hands, I had lifted the mask, staring straight into her eyes, too mesmerized to realize that my body had moved in accordance with its own will.
"L-Lancera… I…" At this moment, I had thrown away my own mask, shedding away any pretense along with my disguise, "I-I really like you. I've fallen in love for you, you and your terrible villainous tricks."