Chapter 204 End of the Evening

Chapter 204 End of the Evening


He appeared a few moments later, still as elegant as ever and perfectly at ease amid the crowd. His gaze swept quickly across the room before settling on Blanche.

His expression changed immediately.

A smile appeared on his lips.

And judging by the way Phénix straightened when he saw him approaching, Blanche was certain things were about to become much more entertaining.

Saphir had barely taken a step toward Blanche when Phénix intercepted him.

"So, General," he said with an insolent grin. "Still wearing as little as possible?"

Saphir glanced down at his perfectly tailored suit. Blanche snickered. Her familiar was really one to talk when he wandered around the mansion naked...

"I'm perfectly dressed."

Phénix gave an pointed look at his shirt, which was unbuttoned all the way down to his navel.

"You call that dressed?"

Wiwi, who had witnessed the exchange, stifled a laugh.

"I think he considers buttons to be a suggestion."

Saphir gave him an amused look.

"And I see you've found someone to defend you."

"I can defend myself perfectly well."

"Of course."

Phénix draped an arm around Wiwi's shoulders.

"But he's right. Your shirt is clearly on strike."

"It has its reasons."

"Which are?"

Saphir thought for a second.

"Too much work."

Blanche burst out laughing.

Wiwi shook his head, thoroughly amused.

"I like him."

"Me too," Phénix replied. "He has potential."

"Potential for what?" Wiwi asked.

Phénix put on a mysterious expression.

"To become my best friend."

Blanche rolled her eyes, as if that wasn't already the case! At the barracks, the two of them got along like a house on fire.

"You decide that all by yourself?"

"Always."

Saphir placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Yet you should know that people get a say in the matter."

Phénix looked at him.

"Since when?"

"Since I met you."

"So, basically, for far too long."

Wiwi was now laughing openly, clearly not fooled.

Blanche watched them with an affectionate smile. In less than five minutes, Phénix had managed to turn a simple conversation into an absurd competition, and Saphir seemed perfectly willing to play along.

Then Phénix looked at Wiwi.

"Important question."

"I'm listening."

"Can you dance?"

Wiwi hesitated.

"Yes."

"Perfect."

He held out his hand.

"Come on."

"Now?"

"Now."

Wiwi looked at Blanche, then at Saphir.

"Is he always like this?"

Saphir answered without hesitation:

"Worse."

Phénix was already grabbing Wiwi by the wrist.

"Come on!"

"Wait, I haven't even said yes!"

"Your hesitation was a yes."

"That was absolutely not a yes!"

They headed toward the dance floor anyway.

Blanche watched them go, mouth slightly open.

Saphir came to stand beside her.

"I give them ten minutes before they do something irreparable."

"You're optimistic."

In the distance, Phénix was already spinning Wiwi around with far too much enthusiasm.

Wiwi burst out laughing.

Then he stumbled.

Phénix caught him at the last second.

"See?" he proudly announced. "I'm an excellent teacher."

"You just made me lose my balance!"

"Technicality."

Saphir sighed.

"Five minutes."

Blanche smiled.

"You were right."

"I'm always right," the young woman replied.

He watched the two lunatics on the dance floor.

"But I give them less than ten minutes before someone breaks something."

The sound of shattering glass rang out.

Saphir closed his eyes.

Blanche burst out laughing.

"Three minutes."

"Two," he corrected.

And, in the middle of the room, Phénix proudly threw his arms into the air.

"NOBODY SAW ANYTHING!"

The entire room turned toward him, by now accustomed to the top model's eccentricity.

Wiwi covered his face with his hands.

Saphir sighed once again.

"I take it back."

"What?"

"They're beyond saving."

The conversations continued around them, and eventually the evening drew to a close.

\---

Winter and Saphir were disappointed to learn that Blanche already had plans for the night. The King of the Drakions insisted that Jax accompany them, but unfortunately, William's car only had two seats—which was very much to Blanche's delight.

Her grandfather, however, remained adamant. Sebastian therefore lent Jax one of the many cars belonging to his company, entrusting him with the task of following the two friends to the Oswalds' mansion.

Argy received a long hug, and so did Kysten—who took advantage of his wandering hands and the boss's absence to give her a playful pinch on the butt.

He narrowly avoided a smack upside the head before running away, laughing.

Asmodée settled for a kiss and a smile, as did Phénix. As she left, many people waved goodbye to her. Rumors were already flying, and the young woman had certainly made a favorable impression.

After all, Sebastian had declared her his lifelong guest of honor, with the added distinction of Queen.

As for the latter, he demanded four additional kisses.

A wolf disguised as a bat.

And while the vampire society was the only one to know that she was now, unofficially, their Queen, many others already recognized a certain authority in her.

Between the Drakions, the Demons who looked at her with respect, as well as the Vampires, Mages, and Sorcerers, some followed suit.

After all, she was a friend of the formidable DarkNight.

A duo far too explosive to take lightly.

A murmur followed her throughout the room: she was someone you absolutely did not want to cross, and much rather wanted as an ally.

Quite an entrance into high society.

Saphir, at last, took advantage of the relative calm of the underground parking garage to have her to himself for a few moments.

After the din of the gala, the silence of the basement was strangely soothing. Pale lights reflected off the gleaming cars as the last guests gradually made their way out.

Blanche had barely reached William's sports car when Saphir joined her.

He didn't really give her time to protest.

He leaned against the door, slipped an arm around her waist, and kissed her over the partially lowered window.

A passionate but brief kiss, tender enough to bring a smile to her lips when he pulled away.

"Good night, princess."

Blanche looked up at him, amused.

"That's all?"

"For tonight."

He stole one last kiss before stepping back.

Then his attention shifted to William, who had just walked around the car.

The General's expression immediately changed.

More serious, but by no means hostile.

"I'm entrusting her to you."

William raised his eyebrows slightly, surprised by the trust being placed in him so naturally.

Saphir continued, this time with a warmer smile:

"And if you ever need anything, kid, don't hesitate."

The young Drakion remained silent for a second.

He had expected a warning.

A barely veiled threat.

Perhaps even a display of the General's authority.

Not this.

He eventually nodded respectfully.

"I will."

Saphir gave him one last look before turning away.

William watched him go, visibly impressed.

Everything had changed so quickly tonight.

Just a few hours earlier, he had been an unknown Drakion. A disgraced one, even, after having served as the bodyguard of a missing princess—the mother of Blanche.

Now, he was the new princess's friend.

The unofficial adviser to the future Queen.

A close acquaintance of Phénix.

And apparently, someone Saphir himself trusted enough to entrust Blanche to.

William lowered his eyes toward her, then looked in the direction the General had disappeared.

"I have a feeling my life just changed pretty drastically again, all because of you."

Blanche smiled.

"You haven't seen anything yet."