Chapter 15
In the week that leads up to the ball the queen is preparing Ryu and the others make preparations for him to infiltrate the capital unseen but that is an easy task for them to do. Sūker approaches Ryu to give him the spell to use to force the portal open when he is inside the castle as well as a locator for the portal itself.
"I have everything you need Ryu," he hands Ryu a piece of paper containing the spell to open the portal and a compass to Ryu.
"So this is all I need to find and open the portal?" Ryu asks as he looks at the compass Sūker has handed him.
"You're sure this will find it I thought the point of a compass was to point north only?" He asks somewhat sceptical
"Yes I've enchanted this compass when you're inside the castle it will point to the highest concentration of magic to open a portal the remnants will be strong all you need do is follow it, as for the spell to open it, it's similar to what Lucy used to get here but much more powerful simply lay the spell on the ground and speak the words the portal will open to the wizard." Sūker explains to Ryu
"I see you have thought of everything the Sūker as always you left nothing to chance, this monster will pay for what he is doing even I would not dare meddle with another's soul and essence of life it's a line never to cross they are desperate for what they are planning to do." Ryu states he starts to walk away while Sūker heads the other way.
Lucy and Veranda are busy walking in the nearby monster town returning after picking up Ryu's mask and attire for the ball they are now approaching Ryu's castle when Veranda breaks the silence she speaks to Lucy.
"You think he'll be able to pull it off Lucy to get into the Capital and kill the wizard without alerting anybody? If something goes wrong there would be a blood bath in there many would be killed there." Veranda askes while they walk.
"I'm sure if anyone could pull this off its Ryu he seems to have thought things through enough so for him to be confident it will work and Sūker seems capable to come up with the things he needs once inside the only question I have is can he actually dance he does not seem the type that would waste his time to learn to dance despite his age." Lucy states they continue to walk towards the castle.
Once inside they look for Ryu they find him wandering the halls for once they give him his mask and attire he pulls out the mask, the mask is pearl white and resembles a skull to signify death he has a light grin on his face.
"Ahh perfect they shall have a dance with death then I do so hope they will find it amusing to know that they are so close to being killed once I'm there." Ryu says as he looks at the mask but his thought is interrupted by Lucy who suddenly starts to talk to him.
"Okay listen Ryu I know this plan is well somewhat all that we have with minimal blood shed but I need to know can you even dance do you even know your left foot from your right that's all I need to know right now otherwise this plan is doomed from the start."
"When you put it like that I'm pretty sure that's an insult but you're right I do not know how to dance at all why did I not think of this sooner I knew it was a failed plan now I need Mizuki to teach me how to dance." He says in a dead serious tone while looking at Lucy she turns pale and he turns and walks away.
A few days later Ryu is standing staring at the painting he always looks at when Mizuki starts to approach him from behind she speaks to him in a soft and gentle voice.
"What is it you see in that painting Ryu it shows whomever looks at it their hears desire even one such as you may still have some desires left that you feel you need to look at it so?"
"You are right but at times it is blank perhaps I desire nothing anymore or simply my heart does not know what it wants, now the same question to you Mizuki what do you see when you look at it or is it secret?" He asks while both of them stare at the painting.
"I suppose there is something I've longed for but it's best to be left in my thoughts alone maybe one day I'll have the courage to make it a reality."
As she finishes her sentence the Orchestra begins to play from a music box Otra Luna plays from it, it is faintly heard though out the castle Mizuki and Ryu stare into each other's eyes and begin to walk towards each other he does a proper bow to Mizuki while he is bowing he asks her a question.
"My Lady may I have the honour of this dance with you." He asks while bowing extending his right hand.
"Yes you may have this dance it would be a great pleasure my dear." She replies and takes his hand.
He lifts up his head and they begin to dance they are in perfect sync like they are as one they do the tango. Just outside of the door Lucy and Veranda watch even Ivaldi is looking at them dance.
"What was it you said can he dance or something along those lines." Veranda mocks Lucy for her earlier statements that she is worried Ryu may not know how to dance or lacks the skills for it.
"Oh shut up Veranda how was I supposed to know he could dance like that I didn't expect him to be so good either nor Mizuki for that matter they hide their talents extremely well the way I see now they must know each other extremely well to move like that."
"You're correct in saying so Lucy." A voice comes from behind it startles Lucy and Veranda they turn around to see Ivaldi standing behind them also looking at Ryu and Mizuki dance.
"They do dance quite lovely together there is trust and passion in that dance but most importantly she believes in herself that Ryu will not lead her astray and believes in her own abilities and he trust her for the trust she gives him is reflected in the way they dance its simply magnificent to have such a connection with somebody you might even think they are lovers." Ivaldi states as they all look at Ryu and Mizuki their eyes fixed on them for they have never seen two people dance like that.
"Well aren't they lovers Ivaldi? I mean they do look the part?" Veranda askes in a sceptical tone yet curiosity is on her face when asking this, even Lucy breaks her gaze from Ryu to see what Ivaldi might say.
"No in all these years they have known one another they have never held one another never embraced as lovers, the reason is simple she is his rock in this world she encourages and supports she has seen more of him than any other woman she knows who her truly is and the things he has done and yet she still follow she has fought by his side and killed many of his enemies that is who she is, I do know this I hope Ryu dies before her for if it's reversed there will be Hell to pay for the once that would dare take her from him." As Ivaldi finishes his sentence Lucy and Veranda are amazed at the bond that Mizuki shares with Ryu.
The music stops and so does the dance Mizuki looks into Ryu's eyes and her eyes sparkle it's like a mirror reflecting everything, he takes a bow and leaves the ball is tomorrow everything is in place for the mission Ryu must remain focused for it to succeed.
"I wonder if somebody will ever love me and look at me like they looked at each other and the trust they share will somebody ever trust me like that my heart longs for such a connection and it's a strong desire." These are the thoughts of two women after seeing a genuine connection between two people.
End of chapter 15