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It must certantly has been a while since i was this proud of a proyect, even though i had my doubts about our success, the results were more than satisfactory.
And even if i didn't expect this quest to be anything close to life changing, what happened before it was all over had better luck at getting my whole attention.
The Knight Commander, one of the most famous Paladins of The Republic, heir to an ancient House descendent from Vanillians, and my personal bodyguard during this mission.
As a Light Magic user my opinion of him was as bitter as solid coffee, and yet, after seven weeks of having to co-exist with him all alone in an airship, the thing i couldn't have ever predicted happend.
He grown on me.
Yes, as much as my ego insists on fighting me over this topic, the time and space was more than enough to get to know each other, i learned an awful lot about people like him, perhaps i should be more open minded next time i greet one of his kind, part of me hopes he's not just an exception.
We were at a ball that beautiful night, celebrating our success with a big bunch of Aristocrats, i was never the type to enjoy social gatherings, therefore after greeting everyone important i was planning my leave.
"Professor"
That's when he came up to me once more, i though after helping me getting everything ready for the presentation that could be the last time i'd ever see him, oh how wrong i was.
He offered his hand, right next to a little bow. "May i have this dance?"
A tiny blush decorated my face, hate to admit it, but for the first time in my life that request was rather exciting.
"I-i'd be honored, Commander... But i'm afraid you may have choosen the worst dancer at the place..." It was not an excuse, for that matter.
I did, in fact, not know the first thing about dancing, never have i ever had the interest on doing it before, perhaps that's where my sudden panic came from.
"Not a problem" Raised his hand a little bit more, like he was showing me how the offer was still on. "If you can follow, you can dance"
I almost felt stupid with the soft smirk growning on my lips, i couldn't fake it even if i tried... and i tried.
I finally gave him my hand and in a matter of seconds he possioned both of us on the appropied hand placement to dance, he was slow with it, a bit slower than everybody else dancing at the same melody, he wanted me to get used to it before getting in track with the rest.
I couldn't help but look at our feet, he said i could do this if i could follow his movement, and that i was commited to, besides, it was the perfect cover to aboid looking at him.
I gently squeezed his shoulder, the way his hands could hold me on to him made my head spin, i knew i looked foolish from an outside look, didn't know what've gotten into me.
With the past of a few notes, i finally started to enjoy myself, he noted, and so choose to shoot his shot.
"Professor, there is a question i'd been meaning to ask you..."
I tried to look at him to show my interest, his gaze was so intimidating, but i wanted to be respectful, after all that's all he has been with me and i took my sweet time to aprecciate that.
"You may ask, Commander, i'm listening"
He used his hold in my waist to get me a bit closer, i saw his smile growing slightly as a blush came up on his face, the way his eyes were looking straight at mine, my heartbeat turned loud.
"You may excuse my audacity, but ever since i was informed i was assigned to be you scolt on this quest, my eye could not help but examinate your aura, for i found your gowns breath taking and you character rather intriging" His voice turned low, like he was confessing a secret in the middle of the ball.
"Commander-"
"I saw the ups and lows of your persona during this mission, and allow me to say, oh sir, such great honor! To be in charge of the wellbeing of a thinker such as yourself, the desire of digging deeper on your mind has been my only thought ever since we came back, for the fact that this may be the last time i get to spent time with you has infected my senses the whole day"
We arrived at a point in the dance were he had to spin me around, and right after he did, his arm circled my waist, tilting his chest against mine.
"I... i'm flattered, Sir..." I whispered, knowing my face was a mess, my blush grow with every word he spoke, and my smile, oh my dumb smile, i look back down as much as the closeness allowed me.
"Professor, if there was no one who has been waiting for your return, and you could agree with the idea... Do you think there's room on that busy schedule of yours for a Light Paladin with a lot of love to give?" The hope on his look was so obvious, not a single sight of fear on him, it's like he knew my answer and was just waiting to hear it from me.
To be in a relationship, with a Knight Commander, nontheless.
It went against all my ideals, everything i've believed in.
Let my time be consumed by a distraction such as a lover, i am well aware relationships require time for each other, time i don't know if i'm willing to give up for a bucket of flowers and some chocolates when earlier to this dance i was already thinking of all the work i had to catch up after all the time i was away.
On top of that, a Light Magic user, how many times have i made my opinions more than clear on the topic, nothing light nor milky should be anywhere near my pulid skills.
Everything said no, only one, a little yet loud part was screaming yes.
The part that was obsessed with every inch of this man, the part that could make my face hotter than the oven, the part that made me want to cover my face everytime he looked at me.
I sound like a highschooler, but i'd actually never felt like this before, and knowing he feels the same only made that part stronger, yet i was such an amateur on the topic, and i had to be honest with him, even if that fact may make him change his mind.
"Oh Commander..." I looked away, it was the only way i had not to trip over my own words. "I must admit, you are the first person to make me consider making the room in my life for such a thing... and so i'd love to say yes, yet i shall beg you to consider if you become mine, you will be the first one... for i lack the experience you probable do have... I do not know if i'm-"
"It does not intimidate me in the slightest, if that's what's making you doubt your response" He casually went back to the dancing. "I'm proposing to love you, not to judge you, the same way you are dancing along with me because you were brave enough to let me guide you... we are more than capable of making this work, if you really want it that way"
He did have a point, i ussually really dislike being the student and not the teacher, but with him i did not feel ashamed for playing such rol, and i didn't even realise until he pointed it out, it came as natural as the question.
"Have to say... with you i feel a little lighter, the past weeks with you helped me understand thighs i thought i'd never be willing to..." I looked back at him, a bit more fearlessly. "I need that in my life, Commander"
He stopped his dancing and got even closer to my face, non verbally asking for nothing but our first kiss.
I let go i sigh, before i helped him end the distance and let our lips touch.