Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Everything from his trousers to boot was fashioned from supple leather that had been treated to withstand even the harshest conditions and crafted with care, tailored to fit him perfectly by the skilled hands of the Forest Spring Spirits.

The clothes not only enhanced his looks but also gave him a formidable presence.

"I suppose I should thank Daphne as well," Simon replied, glancing down at his own outfit with a rare smile.

"She certainly knows how to dress someone for a festival."

Irene chuckled softly "Yes, she does. It's nice to see you in something other than your usual battle gear."

As they sat together, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the festival, the tension of the past battles seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a sense of calm and belonging.

The laughter of children, the distant music, the sight of couples dancing under the lanterns—everything seemed to slow down, allowing them a moment of reprieve.

For a brief moment, all tension and fatigue washed away from them and they became two people enjoying the beauty and simplicity of a place they fought so hard to protect. They felt a sense of peace they hadn't felt in a while.

In the distance, the festival was going in full swing. The plaza continued to fill with more villagers, dryads and other visitors of the floor.

Time passed by… the plaza was bathed in the soft light of the setting sun, casting a golden glow over everything.

The music slowed to a more intimate pace, and the couples dancing in the centre of the plaza all turned to look at him. Before Simon could realise something he felt a tug on his right hand.

"Will you dance with me?" Irene spoke holding his right hand. Her azure blue eyes which were usually cold, held slight expectation, slight embarrassment in them.

This was the first time she asked Simon for a dance. Every year whenever it was the occasion, it would be him asking her for a dance.

This time though, she stole the initiative. An action the previous her would never even thought about was possible. Simon glanced up and saw the slight hue on her cheeks. A smile leaked from him and he stood up.

"Let's go" He grabbed her hand and led her to the plaza. Moments like this was when a man needs to show his resolve.

The music swelled, the soft notes of flutes and the rhythmic beat of drums set the perfect backdrop for their dance.

The moment Simon took Irene's hand in his, the world faded and seemed to be existing solely for them.

Confidence and sway, he led her with a gentle and firm grip. Their feet glided across the stone floor, moving with the music.

Fluid and graceful, there was something more to their dance that enamoured everyone in the plaza. The festive chatter quieted, and the people watched in awe as Simon and Irene moved together.

"Why is it that every time I dance with him I feel like this scene is much too familiar to me? A scene as if I have lived this before" She silently muttered to himself.

To onlookers who were enamoured by them, their dance was not just a display of skill but of something deeper—an unspoken bond between them that radiated outwards, touching everyone who witnessed it.

It was as if every turn, every dip, every step they took together seemed to tell a story—a story of battles fought side by side, of victories and of shared moments both quiet and grand.

Simon spun Irene around once more, and as she came back to him, they paused for a brief second, their eyes locking.

"About earlier… I wanted to thank you for covering up for me. If they knew I was injured during the battle, it would have made them worried. I much prefer they be happy rather than sad" Simon spoke.

"Un" Irene nodded.

CLAP… CLAP… CLAP… the music ended and a thunderous clapter came from the onlookers.

All eyes were stuck to the couple who in their view seemed to look perfect around each other.

"Thanks for the dance, you were wonderful"…

"I had a good partner"…

As Simon turned around to lead Irene back to their seats, a shadow appeared in front of him. It was Bea, she stood before him, confused and embarrassed.

"M-Master, w-will you dance with me?" Her voice came out wavery.

A Valkyrie and a Night Amazoness known for their fierceness was this timid when it came to dancing. If an enemy who faced Bea saw this scene they would never be able to believe this scene.

Irene looked at Bea's nervous and indecisive self and smiled.

"I am going to sit down, so why don't you fulfil this lady's wish"

She grabbed Bea's shoulder, pushing her forward "Hehe, it seems you are going to be busy".

Simon didn't understand her at first but when he saw the long queue of people lining behind Bea to dance with him, he understood why she was laughing at him.

"Haha" Simon gave a dry laugh and danced with all of them one by one. By the time he was done, the festival was almost coming to an end.

"Haah…" Having retired to his room in the forest spirit village, he gave a deep sigh. Usually, for a Demon Marquess like him who possessed many restorative skills, sleep wasn't something they required.

However, when Simon fell on the bed, he felt all the tiredness his skill couldn't remove, come overwhelming him all at once. Within a few seconds, he was already asleep.

Inside the house in another room, Irene's body twitched as she slept, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. Her face was creased with distress, and her breath came in shallow gasps.

It was clear that whatever dream she was having, it was far from peaceful.

Inside her dreams, Irene stood in the midst of a desolate landscape—a vast land of ice and snow, frozen in a perpetual winter.

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