The music was a faster, slightly livelier song – a dance that Abella hadn’t learnt. She had only ever learnt to waltz in her dancing lessons – the many different waltzing songs were nothing like the song that was currently playing. There was no dance routine in general for such a song, but Abella smiled and danced a smaller jumpier dance, making it up as she went. Dietrich also seemed unfamiliar with how to dance to such a song, and Abella had no doubt that it had been the Emperor who had changed the music. After all, he was a man who enjoyed watching the nobles below him squirm in turmoil.

“You are so stiff, Your Highness. This is a lively dance,” Abella smiled as she did a quick turn.

“I have never danced something like this before,” Dietrich admitted stiffly, looking out of place amongst the others on the dance floor. Some had taken up the challenge of dancing to an unchoreographed upbeat song, whilst others merely watched from the sidelines and silently debated whether or not to join in.

“Neither have I, Your Highness. So just make something up as you go,” Abella felt elated – so much livelier than she had ever felt. She had always thought of herself as a grounded, sensible person, but now she was a child, and she could be as free-spirited as she wanted. Abella held up her dress with her hands so she wouldn’t trip, keeping up with the rhythm of the song. Unsure of what to really do, Dietrich began dancing too, a little more awkward than Abella. Slowly, Abella’s bun began falling out, and eventually, her long blonde hair flowed out freely, swishing in the air with every movement she made. Abella smiled – something different had happened for once. In her past lives, nothing except the things she changed had ever turned out differently. The Ball continued on normally each time. But this time, the music was altered… and it would have been a lie to say that Abella didn’t enjoy it.

As other nobles saw how Abella enjoyed the dance, some joined in, both with their partners and without. Dietrich still looked slightly uncomfortable, but he was dancing much smoother now. Dietrich suddenly took Abella’s hand, catching her by surprise, raising his hand to spin her around. Abella laughed and flashed a smile, her bright mood and aura lifting up the whole sensation and thrill of the dance.

The air was light and happy as people danced, and if a person were to look in at them all dancing in the ballroom through their ballgowns and suits, no one would have guessed that it was an Imperial Ball and that all the dancers were actually nobles. Some were older, but most dancing were younger. Some of the more withdrawn and sophisticated noble ladies refused to dance and merely looked on hiding behind their fan, but everyone else who spectated seemed happy to watch.

Once the music ended, people bowed to each other and their partners before scattering off the dance floor. Abella too bowed to Dietrich and he bowed in return, and as she lifted her head, she broke out laughing.

“That was hilarious,” she grinned. “I never knew that His Highness the Crown Prince could ever dance to an upbeat country song like this.” Abella nudged him in the stomach with her elbow, a playful glint in her eyes.

Dietrich couldn’t take his eyes off her – she seemed to be sparkling, literally. Her bright smile could have lit up the whole room, and her laughter seemed to make his heart feel lighter. Was it just him? Or was it an effect that she had on people?

“Well, that must have been Her Majesty the Empress’s doing.” Abella said. “But it wasn’t such a bad thing.” Abella paused for a moment. “After that dancing, I am a little tired. I’ll be back – I’m just going to get a drink.” Abella walked off, leaving Dietrich standing there, his heart pumping in his chest from more than just the adrenaline.

Abella was about to grab a glass of champagne, then quickly remembered she was still fourteen in that body and put it back. Settling for a glass of water, Abella sat down on a seat and breathed deeply. What had she done to make a change like this? Perhaps it was when she visited the Crown Prince when he was training. Perhaps it was when she told him about how the Black Lions would fall. Abella hadn’t noticed it for a little while, but slowly, things around her that she had been so sure would stay the same were beginning to change. From the smaller things, like the way the Crown Prince looked at her, to the larger events.

She glanced outside the window at the moon. I have to leave soon. She told herself, standing up. Abella’s eyes unconsciously searched for the Crown Prince as she scanned the ballroom to tell him she was leaving, but shook her head when she realized what she was doing. She had no time to be concerned about the Crown Prince – the Black Lions needed her more.

In her past lives, she had never done something like this. She had never tried to save the Black Lions. To say she was nervous would be an understatement – everything in her life she had done multiple times. This… was something new. She had gotten too used to having done everything before, and now that she was doing something different from all her other lives…

But Abella had no choice, nor was she not confident in her skills and abilities. This variation was different. This life was different, this time around. Since the Arch Mage was still alive and well and attending the second day of the Ball, perhaps the commoner rebellion wouldn’t take place. But Abella would not leave it up to chance.

Quietly, without causing a fuss, Abella slipped away from the noisy ballroom. As she hurriedly began heading towards the southern Palace entrance where the Black Lions were guarding, Abella abandoned her heels on the grass to run. Using magic in within the Palace walls would trigger the Palace alarm, and she couldn’t have people find out. Her young, fourteen-year-old body wasn’t very athletic, and she struggled to run the short distance there.

Finally, she reached the gate. It was quiet and still – no signs of battle. No smell of blood. Everything seemed peaceful.

“My Lady, what are you doing here?” Abella didn’t turn around as she was approached by a member of the Black Lions, someone she remembered as Kansas. “Do you wish to leave the Ball? I apologize, but for safety reasons, I cannot let you leave without a guard or carriage—”

“I’m not leaving,” Abella said, smiling as she turned around and taking in Kansas’s familiar appearance. He looked exactly like how Abella remembered – dark skin, black hair, and the scar on the side of his face that he never admitted to. He was dressed in a suit of light but protective armour, and underneath that, Abella could see part of the Black Lions’ uniform.

“T-Then what are you doing here?” he asked.

“I’m just waiting for something,” Abella replied with a slight smile. Inside her head, she was counting down the time until the attacks in her previous lives had taken place – all that was left was to wait and see if the rebellion was still happening.

“What are you waiting for? Is it a person or—” he was cut off by a loud crash and shouts coming from the outside of the castle walls.

Abella smiled, glancing towards the gates as they shook and rattled. “That.”