Chapter 248: The Grand Banquet: Ballroom Dance

As the girl came closer, Rio could see that she was about the same height as Nyla, making her a bit shorter than Lia. Her eyes were the same shade of blue as her dress, giving her an almost ethereal look. However, the boy kept his calm and didn't get awe or captivated by her beauty.

"Hey there, Zero! Look at you, catching the eye of my sweet friend Lia. I am Emily from the Mistblade Clan, and I must say, it's a pleasure to meet the man who stole her heart," she said with a flirty smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

The girl could easily notice how close Lia and Rio were as they interlocked their hands intimately. She could see the love in Lia's eyes as the white-haired beauty was gazing at Rio, and it was clear that this was more than just an arranged marriage between an Emperor's disciple and his daughter. It was a love match, and the girl was feeling happy for her friend.

Rio's memory was jogged at the mention of the clan name. He recalled what Yami had mentioned on his first day in the Land of Asura. The chief maid had revealed that Lia had not even given the body refining liquid to her childhood friend, who happened to be the young lady of the Mistblade Clan.

"Nice to meet you, Emily. Thank you for the warm welcome," he said with a friendly smile.

"Hey Lia, why you gotta keep secrets from me? I thought we were close friends! So you're marrying this handsome devil and you didn't even tell me? Ahhh... I'm hurt!" Emily quipped with a playful pout.

Lia smiled softly and replied in a friendly, serene tone, "I wanted to keep him safe from any harm that could come his way. You know how some people from great clans can react, so I didn't want to take any chances with his life."

Emily laughed, "You're right Lia, safety first when we are surrounded by those great clans who we can not trust. Well, it was great meeting you, Zero."

"It was nice meeting you too, Emily." The boy responded in a calm tone.

Her gaze moved to look at Lia with an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry Lia, but my grandfather has me working on an ongoing mission that requires my involvement. I had to ask for special permission just to come here, but I have to return immediately. I'll be using the [Teleport Glyph] to get back."

She paused for a moment, then added with a smile, "But before I go, I just want to say happy birthday once again, and I'm so happy for you that you're marrying such a daring and handsome boy."

As the girl explained her reason for leaving, Lia's eyes reflected a little disappointment, but she put on an adorable smile and wrapped her arms around her friend, embracing her warmly.

Emily felt the warmth of the hug and reciprocated it with equal affection. Lia's embrace showed the depth of their friendship and the bonding they shared.

"Thank you for coming, Emily. Take care of yourself." Lia spoke to her friend as they separated.

After the hug, Rio with a genuine smile on his face bid farewell to Emily with a simple yet heartfelt message, "Hope to see you again soon."

His voice was soft, yet it conveyed a warmth that made Emily feel welcomed and valued.

"Definitely! Bye, guys!" She waved goodbye, her bright smile hiding the sadness she felt at leaving her friends behind. With a last glance at Lia and Rio, she made her way out of the grand hall, her heart heavy with regret.

As the night went on, more guests arrived to congratulate Rio and Lia. They warmly accepted each greeting with a smile, exchanging kind words and pleasantries.

Soon a ballroom dance began, the Royal Musicians started to play a soft and romantic tune, and many couples took to the dance floor, swaying to the music.

As Lia watched them dance, she felt a sudden tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw her beloved sisters Helia and Nyla standing behind her.

"Big sis, Let's go we should dance?" Nyla said with a lively smile, she wanted the duo to join.

Lia's heart skipped a beat, and she looked over at Rio, who was already extending his hand to her. Taking his hand, she followed him to the dance floor, where Nyla joined Helia in a graceful waltz.

As Rio and Lia began to move to the music, she felt like she was floating on air. The music seemed to melt away all the worries and anxieties that had built up inside them.

As Lia moved in sync with Rio, she gazed deeply into his eyes, lost in the moment. Her heart bloomed with love for the boy who had conquered her heart, and she felt like the luckiest girl in the world to be dancing with him.

As the music transitioned to a slower rhythm, they switched partners, and Rio took Nyla's hand while Helia took Lia's.

Despite the change in dance partners, Lia still watched Rio as he danced with Nyla, and her heart swelled with happiness seeing him enjoying himself. As they took turns dancing with each other, the grand hall seemed to transform into a magical ballroom.

Rio and Nyla twirled around the dance floor, The Magenta-haired beauty couldn't help but feel happy for the strong bonds she had with her new sisters and her darling husband. She was grateful for the love and acceptance she had found with them, and for the happiness, she had finally found in this new home.

Finally, as they switched again, it was Helia's turn to dance with Rio, and Lia watched with joy, hoping to see them dancing without any hesitation or worry.

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Edited By: TheWhiteSnow