A lively feast passed in a joyful uproar. Paimon, stuffed to the brim, slumped in her chair, too lazy to even fly.
Lynette loosened her tight-fitting dress, and everyone noticed the delicate cupcakes adorned with their own photos on a separate, larger table. These exquisite pastries were clearly meant as gifts for them to take home.
With bellies full and spirits high, the party reached its peak.
The music from the stage swelled louder, the melody shifting to a more spirited rhythm.
All eyes turned once more to the small stage. Fidelle dropped everything and hurried to the front.
Furina had changed into a lighter, shimmering gown, while Focalors stood beside her with a gentle smile. Their eyes met, an unspoken understanding flowing between them.
For this performance, Furina had restrained herself from overindulging in the feast. After all, the party celebrating Fidelle and Freminet couldn't be just about the food.
"Ladies and gentlemen! After such a grand feast, what better way to celebrate than with song and dance?"
Furina announced loudly, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, "Next, please enjoy the Dance of the Twin Gods, presented by yours truly, Furina, and Focalors!"
Neuvillette shook his head almost imperceptibly, seemingly exasperated by the title, but his eyes held both indulgence and a hint of anticipation.
Cheers erupted from below the stage. No one questioned Furina's description; it was, after all, the truth.
Without a live orchestra, a record player played a lively and rhythmic Fontaine court waltz beside the stage.
Furina and Focalors stepped forward simultaneously, their movements mirroring each other yet each radiating their own unique grace.
"Wow—"
Paimon's eyes widened as she watched Furina and Focalors dance for the second time. How beautiful!
Furina's dance was extravagant and expressive, each spin and raised hand telling a story, captivating all eyes.
Focalors' movements, in contrast, were serene and elegant, imbued with a divine lightness and timelessness that perfectly complemented and guided Furina's vitality.
Their coordination was seamless, their skirts swirling like two differently colored lotus blossoms blooming in water.
At times, they separated like diverging paths of fate, then converged again, symbolizing ultimate unity.
Their dance was more than a visual spectacle; it contained emotions and memories only they fully understood—a profound blessing for Fidelle and Freminet.
Applause and cheers erupted in waves.
Charlotte's Kamera whirred incessantly, desperate to capture every brilliant moment. Her smile stretched so wide it nearly reached her ears.
Huge news! Huge news! she thought. Lady Furina de Fontaine and Lady Focalors are both unprecedented scoops! To capture their duet—this is a dream come true!
Arlecchino watched the stage intently, arms crossed.
As the dance concluded, the pair bowed gracefully. Furina's cheeks flushed crimson, her breath coming in shallow gasps, but her eyes shone with extraordinary brilliance.
Focalors gently steadied her, and together they descended the stage.
Below, Fidelle was already waiting with Freminet.
"Thank you, Lady Furina! Thank you, Lady Focalors!"
Freminet echoed, "Th-thank you!"
Furina chuckled. "Fidelle, quick, come here! There's still more! The Traveler and Paimon are performing last!"
"Ah?"
Fidelle's interest instantly surged. Lumine and Paimon performing?
This was an absolute must-see!
-
On stage, before the audience could fully recover from the dazzling dance, Lyney's voice, tinged with his characteristic magician's flair, rang out:
"A spectacular dance deserves an equally miraculous magic act to follow! Ladies and gentlemen, behold—"
With a flick of his wrist, he conjured his signature top hat from thin air and took a slight bow. Lynette stepped forward in perfect sync to act as his assistant.
Burp!
Unnoticed by the crowd, Lynette discreetly burped, her face flushing crimson.
"First, a simple card trick..."
Lyney captivated the audience with his impossibly nimble fingers. The cards seemed to come alive in his hands, vanishing, reappearing, and transforming suits with breathtaking speed. Paimon's eyes widened in astonishment, momentarily forgetting her stuffed belly.
"Next, we'll need a lucky audience member... Hmm, how about our lovely Head Nurse, Miss Sigewinne?" Lyney invited with a smile.
Sigewinne looked surprised but stepped forward with curiosity.
Lyney instructed her to select a card at random, show it to the audience, and return it to the deck. With a snap of his fingers, he miraculously pulled that very card from Sigewinne's nurse uniform pocket!
"Wow!" Sigewinne gasped softly in delight.
But the show wasn't over yet.
Lyney's magic grew increasingly grand, involving silk scarves, doves, and even conjuring a swarm of wind-up penguins out of thin air to distribute among the audience.
Finally, he concluded his act with a dazzling shower of confetti that exploded like fireworks, earning thunderous applause.
-
As everyone was still savoring the wonder of the magic, Paimon, who had eaten her fill and was sitting in a chair, suddenly "flew" up with a determined look, though she hovered much lower than usual.
"Ahem! It's Paimon's turn!"
She tried to make her voice sound imposing, but she couldn't help letting out a little burp from being so full. "Urp... Paimon's going to sing a song for everyone!"
The audience erupted in laughter and applause.
Everyone adored the little Paimon who always accompanied the Traveler. She was such a lovable little thing, and they wondered what she would bring this time.
Paimon floated to the center of the stage, took a deep breath (trying to suck in her stomach), and grinned. "Hehe! I'd like to invite my partner up here too! Let's give the Traveler a big round of applause!"
Lumine, standing in the audience, pressed her forehead in her hand, looking like she didn't know Paimon but couldn't help but smile.
Lumine carried a tall stool onto the stage, placing it center stage. Paimon plopped down on it, stretched out her tiny hand, and Lumine, smiling, handed her a small guitar.
"Oh, she's even going to play and sing herself!"
Wriothesley leaned closer, his interest piqued.
Paimon: "A friend taught us this song. The Traveler and I love it so much that we sing it everywhere we go. Now, I'm going to share it with all of you!"
Paimon spoke with earnest sincerity, her tiny fingers poised over the guitar strings, eyes closed in concentration.
The intro began—Paimon's guitar playing. The light, bouncy notes mimicked the surging of waves, the rhythm lively and dynamic, simple yet catchy, leaving a refreshing and joyful impression.
Below the stage, the audience gasped. They hadn't expected Paimon to actually know how to play!
And, to their surprise, she was quite good!