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“May I have this dance?”
Ferdinand asked the question in a way that was solemn, yet heartfelt all the same. It would be impossible for Manuela to not take the hand that he extended out to her.
“My, I’d love to, Ferdinand.” She took his hand and he proceeded to guide her to the center of the Reception Hall floor, where many others had already begun their dancing. After choosing a spot, Ferdinand turned to face Manuela, holding his hands out for her to join him. She did so and thus they began their steps.
It was far from uncommon for a student to dance with a professor on this night, Professor Byleth had just entered the floor with Claude themselves after all. But the dance shared between Ferdinand and Manuela in this moment was…different to say the least.
In truth, their feelings for one another grew far deeper than anyone would assume from the sight of them. The only hint to outsiders that existed was the intense blush that graced both of their faces. With their roles as student and professor, their romance would be viewed as scandalous without question. Therefore, any public displays of affection were largely unavailable to them, lest they be behind closed doors with a certainty of no one stumbling across them. But with everyone either looking at their own partner or speaking amongst themselves on the sidelines, the couple felt safe indulging in this blush, accompanied by the deep longingness in their eyes.
Manuela couldn’t help herself but fall for the man whose right hand firmly grasped her left, while his left held onto her side. His hold was almost possessive in a way. Vaguely suggesting he wouldn’t dare let anyone else dance with the woman before him. A visceral reaction born from not wanting anyone to steal her away. Manuela could not resist reciprocating that firmness, as she felt entirely the same.
Manuela loved this sensation, the feeling that her partner wanted her unconditionally, regardless of her flaws. She almost didn’t feel deserving of it. In fact, she had originally tried to dissuade Ferdinand’s confession.
There was the staggering problem of them being professor and student, yet Ferdinand was adamant that titles would be the last thing he’d allow to restrict his love for her (not that anything else would have better luck making him budge on the subject). Then there was the difference of authority between them. To that, Ferdinand mentioned how he was the son of a Duke, the Prime Minister at that. Surely that made everything cancel out. She couldn’t use his age as a reason as while he was seventeen at the beginning of the year, he had turned eighteen within the first moon of the school year, and she barely knew him at that point.
When all external reasons had failed to send him away, she resorted to cutting deep. Mentioning how she is a ‘has been’, a drunk, a person whose all previous potential suitors had abandoned after the first night. All in a desperate plea to make Ferdinand realize that he deserved so much more than her, because she too loved him. And you wish for the best for those you love, right?
“It pains me that this is how you view yourself. Because to me, you are the most elegant, gorgeous, talented, and kind hearted person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. That dazzling songstress whose voice and dances captivated me for all those years in the past? She is the very woman who stands before me now.”
That is what he had told her. That is what tore down all of her walls. Their relationship no doubt began when she promptly kissed him after that speech. Furthermore, he promised that someday she would see herself in the way that he does.
“That’s a high bar. It’ll probably take a lot of effort to get there…” Manuela had said while looking away, partially embarrassed, but not before admiring how good Ferdinand looked with her lipstick on his mouth.
“It would be my honor to stand beside you as we pursue that goal, because my beloved deserves no less.” He had proclaimed while caressing her cheek. Their first kiss was admittedly abrupt and not long lasting. With his words however, he had earned himself a second, but much more sensual one.
In recent times, Manuela must confess that it has been some time since she last drowned her sorrows in alcohol. She found it easier to avoid now that she had so much more to be thankful for.
—
The two continued to dance together, despite the fact that some of the other duos had begun swapping partners. Many times throughout their dance, the two had to physically restrain themselves from becoming anymore affectionate within this crowd. Their lives would be much easier if they abstained and their commitment to one another is what pulled them through.
“You look absolutely mesmerizing tonight, my love.” Ferdinand whispered to her after he pulled her closer to him. His breath on her ear sent a shiver down her spine.
“Thank you, Ferdinand. It was easy to get ready for tonight when I had a dashing face to look forward to seeing.” The ball had bad associations within Manuela’s mind. The night itself was usually good enough, but the morning after never failed to hit her with a wave of reality and sadness. Something was telling her that this year would break that streak.
“But my, aren’t you bold? If you hold me this close, others might give us some unwanted attention~” She was playful in tone. She couldn’t help it as her grievance was real, but the joy she reaped from it was much more bountiful.
“Let them look, I only plan to keep you here for a short while longer anyway.” He continued the dance with perfect movements, as if it wasn’t obvious that Manuela disliked what he just said.
“Oh…do you plan to leave me here?” Her voice grew quieter. If it was up to her, she’d continue dancing with him for as long as her legs would carry her.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Once our dance is finished, meet me outside the back entrance of the Reception Hall, on the bridge, in ten minutes.” Manuela could only smile. Of course he would have that in mind. She in turn snuck a very quick kiss to his lips.
“Oh, I wonder what you could possibly have planned.” she said in a knowing inflection.
—
They had stopped dancing and took some time for refreshments. Afterwards, they went separate ways in the Reception Hall, mingling with those they came across. Without a doubt, this was all a ploy that would cast suspicion away from their upcoming disappearance.
When the ten minutes passed, Manuela went to the place that Ferdinand spoke of. Upon her arrival, Ferdinand greeted her with a kiss to the back of her hand.
“Shall we be off?”
“Absolutely.” Manuela had always dreamed of being taken by someone to the Goddess Tower on this night. The legend was something fun for the students to believe in, but Manuela couldn’t help herself but want to lean into it. Sneaking off like this with Ferdinand to try at this legend made her feel young again. The vacancy of the bridge and the area surrounding the Cathedral gave their trip an eerie feeling, which only fed their exhilaration. A romantic escape was inbound and Manuela, with a heart full of love, was ready to bask in it.
Once they reached the top of the Goddess Tower, there was nothing that could have kept Manuela’s hands off of Ferdinand. Their kissing was frantic and needy. They barely gave themselves time to breathe between each time their lips met. Ferdinand planted one hand in her hair, while the other was on her back. Both of Manuela’s arms wrapped around his neck so that he couldn’t escape her. Not that he would even want to try.
Eventually their kisses escaped the bounds of their lips. It started with Ferdinand missing, putting one on the corner of Manuela’s mouth as he simply missed in the heat of the moment, and it ended with Manuela giving love to his neck. All of what built up during their dance was pouring out now, with no way to stop it.
Once the two found it within themselves to separate, they took a moment to just stare lovingly into each other’s eyes. That eventually brought them back together however, but in the form of a wholesome hug. Ferdinand kissed the top of her head and then she would kiss his cheek.
“You have no idea how happy you make me, Ferdinand.” Manuela started leaning into his chest.
“I’m afraid you haven’t gotten me beat in that regard. My love for you is certainly far more boundless than you think.”
“I guess we’ll just have to learn just how much we mean to each other as time goes on, right?” Ferdinand tightened his hug on her as he spoke directly into her ear.
“I’d want nothing more.” They took another moment to simply enjoy the presence of the other.
“Shall we do what couples usually do while they’re here on this night?” Manuela asked.
“Do you already have a vow in mind?”
“I know you already do too.” She gave him a smug look. She truly had him all figured out. Ferdinand released her from the hug. He took her hands into his own and gave each a kiss, and then held them properly.
“Manuela…my love. I vow to always stay by your side, cherishing you for as long as I am physically able.”
“Ferdinand…the man who I’ve been searching for all my life. I vow to return the love you give to me tenfold, as you go on to inevitably achieve great things in your life.” It felt amazing for them to get that off of their chests.
“I must ask, Ferdinand. Why did you bring me to the Goddess Tower so early in the night? I usually don’t see people come here until much later.” His proposition had made her curious. She knew he was a go-getter, but to this extent?
“It’s because I wanted the first face the Goddess saw tonight to be the most beautiful of them all. Unfortunately for her, the rest will pale in comparison.” Why wasn’t she already married to him? Seriously, the fact that neither of them are wearing rings right now is a crime. To make amends for said crime, Manuela opted to kiss him again. One that she put all the love she could muster into.
“Before we leave, Manuela. May I have one more dance? Sadly, I doubt we’ll be able to have another one around everyone else without raising any eyebrows.” He held out his hand for her to take.
“I’d love to, Ferdinand.”