The music gradually reached its climax, and the drumbeats became clear and powerful. Flora knew that what followed was a series of rapid cross-steps and the final pose.
She took a deep breath, focused her mind, and concentrated fully on the steps. Xueli also clearly perked up, a sharp light flashing in her red eyes; that level of focus seemed unusually extraordinary.
Spin, cross, close, then apart… the coordination between the two grew more unspoken, as if they had danced together countless times.
Height difference was no longer a hurdle, but became a unique rhythm — one high and one low, one leading and one following. Under the brilliant lights, it was like a contrasting yet harmonious painting.
The final beat fell!
Flora extended her arm, bringing Xueli to her side in an elegant gesture while leaning back slightly. Xueli took the momentum to complete an extremely beautiful spin, finally striking the pose.
One hand remained joined with Flora’s, while the other stretched back. Her petite frame erupted with stunning expressive power, like a blood-red rose suddenly blooming under the moonlight.
Applause instantly flooded the hall.
The two maintained their finishing pose, breathing slightly, their gazes meeting at a very close distance.
However, in Xueli’s eyes, beneath that ice seal of a lake, something seemed to move gently.
“Thank you,” Xueli’s voice was very small, as if she were talking to herself.
Flora’s eyes widened a bit, and then she subconsciously said, “Thank you too.”
The two stood apart once more, bowed to the crowd, and walked off the stage.
Flora returned to her seat, sat down, closed her eyes, and slowly stroked and tapped her empty glass. She unconsciously looked toward Xueli, who was saying something to Lias, but she could not hear.
What others did not know was that Flora was still relishing the dance in her heart.
A maid brought another fresh drink, but Flora only took a small sip before placing it on the table, never touching it again.
Soon, the voice of the banquet host rang out.
“Distinguished guests, we will soon reach the segment where the two races exchange gifts, which will begin with the two princesses exchanging gifts.”
“This activity symbolizes our unbreakable friendship and our beautiful wishes for the future.”
‘Prepare yourself, it will start soon.’ Flora took a deep breath, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
Meanwhile, the various nobles were conversing. Some were still discussing and praising the dance, while others discussed what gifts should be given to the opposing nobles.
Of course, the most discussed topic was what the newly appointed demon princess would give to the Vampire Princess.
“In my view, Her Highness Flora is making her debut, so she will generally give magical jewelry inlaid with the family crest, or a joint work of art symbolizing the friendship between the two races.”
“It is safe, fits the occasion and etiquette, and no faults can be found,” an elderly demon noble said, his voice kept very low.
However, a magnificently dressed young noble sitting nearby shook his wine glass and said with a slight sneer, “How old-fashioned! Is conventional safety necessarily good? Didn’t you hear Her Highness’s speech just now? Her Highness said ‘true decency’…”
“Since she can say such things, I believe Her Highness will certainly not be a ‘conventional’ person. If she gives something, it will be something with ‘heart.'”
“I guess it is a top-tier magic gemstone unique to the demon race that can calm the mind or increase mana. It is both precious and practical, and it shows care.”
“Her Highness Xueli has seen all sorts of precious objects. I think the key lies in being ‘special.’ I believe the gift Her Highness Flora gives will be something unique that the Vampire court does not have.”
“I heard the northern territory of the demons has a type of ‘everfrost frostflower’ that only blooms once every 500 years.”
“It never withers after being picked, and it perfectly matches Her Highness Xueli’s temperament,” a member of the blood clan sitting nearby said.
“Did you notice the atmosphere when they were dancing? I bet the gift is definitely something very special, maybe even a pair of magic accessories that can sense each other.”
“The more you say it, the more likely it seems.”
“Whimsical!” the elderly demon barked softly. “This is a national gift! It’s about meaning and scale. How can it be treated like a game?”
“I don’t think it’s impossible. This Princess seems to do things out of the ordinary.”
Just then, the host’s voice rang out again, announcing the start of the gift-giving segment. All low discussions stopped abruptly, and everyone’s eyes turned toward the main seats.
Flora had already taken out the blue box and adjusted her dress slightly, preparing to go on stage.
Flora stood on the left, holding the blue box steadily with both hands. Xueli stood on the right, her gaze calm.
“Now, we invite the two princesses to the stage!”
Flora took another deep breath and took her first step.
Her pace was slow but steady, her eyes looking forward without wavering.
The whole hall was silent; at this moment, only the *clack-clack* of two sets of heels touching the ground could be heard.
The nobles who were just discussing looked at how calm and composed Flora was, appearing full of confidence in her gift, and their hearts grew even more expectant. What kind of gift would this debutante princess give?
The two went onto the stage again, drawing closer and stopping at a distance of 1 meter.
As if they had rehearsed it, they both held out their gift boxes simultaneously with a mutual understanding.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the two of them, while a recording magic stone captured this historic moment.
However, at that moment, Flora took another half-step forward.
The distance between them became very close.
Flora said with a gentle smile, “Your Highness Xueli, this gift of mine… might be more suitable to be opened when we are alone. What it carries is not a dazzling brilliance, but a… wish that needs to be felt with a quiet heart.”
At this moment, the whole hall vibrated slightly.
How could a gift not be suitable for display on the spot!
Lias looked at Ilya with great interest.
“What did your Flora prepare that is so mysterious she won’t let it be shown on-site?” Lias’s voice held no blame, only a curious inquiry.
Ilya smiled faintly. “I don’t know either. Flora prepared the gift herself. I went to ask her what she prepared at the time, but she said she wouldn’t tell me.”
“I was very curious then too — what kind of thing would she keep a secret even from me?”
“Then it really is mysterious. Since it’s something she doesn’t want others to know, it must be quite ‘private.’ This little one would actually give something like this on such an occasion.”
Lias was now “watching” Flora closely, as if she wanted to guess exactly what she had given from every detail.
Xueli’s eyes, which were already hard to read, showed a trace of surprise and shock at this moment. Her gaze fell deeply on the blue box in Flora’s hands.
But soon, Xueli regained her composure and said calmly, “Thank you, I understand.”
Xueli took the gift box and then handed her own gift to Flora.