Zero no Tsukaima:Volume18 Chapter3
Chapter 3 - Josette's Garden Party
Three days after the party held in the garden to commemorate the coronation of the new Queen ... In the courtyard of the palace of Versailles a huge stage was built, and today they had planned to hold a big dance party.
All the nobles who would participate in the event were gaily dressed to celebrate ‘The advent of the founder’ .They had been called as dance party was about to begin.
This party was some kind of an opera that represents the advent of the founder, Brimir. On stage there were already dancing nobles representing the Founder and people welcoming his arrival.
While she could hear the musicians play a piece of lively music, Josette was shivering in her private tent, which serves as dressing room and was located right next to the stage.
“ I cannot, I cannot dan ... I cannot dance in a place while all of them are watching me. “ The role Josette in that scene was ... the main character in this colorful musical drama, the role of a woman saint.
Beside her was a handsome priest, waiting to see Josette’s dress, approached her and pat her head.
“It's all right, just remember what we practiced last night.”
“You're right, but ...”
“At this moment, all are waiting expectantly to see the new "Queen" dancing. We must do everything in our power not to betray their expectations.”
Then gradually they could heard the "tempo" of the music rising, this was the sign that it was about time to leave her tent. Right now, Josette was unable to take a single step, she just started to look at the blue dress she was wearing, she had chosen it for this occasion.
It was a dress with a bold emphasis, wearing a gorgeous neckline both in front and back, it was really a good dress, highlighting the elegance of her childish slender figure. But she does not see it that way, however, for her this dress helped strengthen the only reason that prevented her one step.
Those noble ladies who were dancing at the moment, all possessed a graceful femininity such that if Josette were able to dance at the same place with them, the comparison between these noble will emerge. It will devastate….
“You have nothing to worry about, as there is nobody in this country to be able to tease a dancing Queen.”
“I don’t care what they think about me right now...” Josette Said without reservation.
“Well, then everything is ready.”
“But… I don’t want you to see me… cause they will try to make fool of me. All of them are very good, they are all so beautiful! If I have to dance in that place, they would probably think that I’m only a little girl.”
“Never mind that! In this world, you are the most wonderful girl.”
Julio said this to Josette while stroking her head, for her it was enough for her heart was filled with joy.
“Well, then I'll dance with you.”
“Huh?” There was no time to wonder, Julio took Josette's hands and together they went to the stage and immediately dance at its center.
The nobles that were already dancing, immediately stepped backward to open the way for the queen, as they welcomed her with spirited cheers and applause. Those shouts of encouragement and joy have been enough for Josette to stay frozen in the middle of the stage. But...
Right in front of her eyes, Julio continued dancing, then the cheering stopped due to the strong impression that caused by his fabulous dance form. Josette had also been astonished by such a display of skill, then, as if hypnotized by his light steps, Julio took her hand and then began to guide her, then they start their dance.
Being able to witness the dance of Julio, from Josette’s heart a warm feeling rose and invaded her whole being. She had realized that this had made her heart thrill for the first time.
Then, Josette took the opportunity to bring one of her flushed cheeks together with Julio, then muttering: “This is wonderful.”
That’s it. Josette finally realized it.
The true nature of those little bursts waving her chest. The mysterious anxiety that beat down violently every 5 seconds.
I don’t want to lose him, she thought at that moment.
The ballad music was started to play around her, along with the cries of greetings and applause. But before her, for her eyes, all she could see right now, was the man who smiled along with the magnificent blue stone castle behind him, she could only see her beloved Julio and nothing more.
Then she felt a strange warmth of the tears running her cheeks. This feeling, it was a totally new experience she had ever felt in her life. Lately, all kinds of emotions similar to this, which until then she had not understood, invade more and more frequently.
But now, finally, she could clearly identify the name of this emotion.
"I'm so happy"
A thunderous storm of applause was dropped on them, then, Josette returns to her tent. Sweat ran down her face caused her a nice feeling and wonders, when was the last time I had moved much.
“You're pretty good.” Julio said this praise, then Josette replied in a timid voice:
“That's because you were by my side, all I did was to be guided as we danced.”
“It seems that you weren’t satisfied, well, it was the least that could be expected.”
“ What is the next thing I have to do?”
“The following: give a rest to Her Majesty the Queen who has worked both in her role in the dance, and then continue with the celebration of the great feast.”
Apparently all that Josette could do right now was rest.
“Julio, tell me, will you stay with me?”
Then as if to say "of course" Julio nodded to her question.
Upon leaving her tent, Josette met a group of followers of the queen, those noble, loud and eagerly began to circle her.
Within that group of nobles were some who looked reluctant upon seeing Julio who had become a frequent companion of the queen, however, none of them dared to raise such complaints against him, for there could be consequences for what they might say.
After all, they knew very well he had been attending their Queen who possesses the crown at this very moment.
Still, they know that this young girl carrying the crown was nothing more than a puppet controlled by Romalia. They and the former supporters of Orlean's faction still believe that the course of things right now will lead towards a bright and new age.
Although the Queen was in her best dispositions to help continue the "holy war", they did not pay attention to the issue of imminent danger of those actions, they knew that in the end, the bloodshed on the battlefield would not be theirs.
Just as they arrived at the gates of the palace, the group following her has finally dissolved. In the palace when Josette finally get to her room, the first thing she set out to do was to immediately get on the bed.
After the sudden outburst, Josette slowly gathered herself and sit on her bed, then Julio went to her and extended both his arms. In response, Josette took his arms gently and give him a hug.
Then as if encourage by him, Josette bowed her head and then kiss his lips. After finishing with her kiss, without thinking Josette muttered "This happiness…" I wonder if there is any girl happier than me?
With this in mind, the next thing she did was to observe her room, it was a beautiful room with a lot of fine furniture. It immediately provoked a comparison between this and the bedroom she shared with all other sisters while living in Saint Margarita, it was really a huge difference.