Klaus and his friends spent the morning chatting and catching up. The atmosphere was relaxed, with everyone sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company. The conversations flowed easily, and the group was in high spirits as they explored the city together.
After a while, Lily and her sister took them out for breakfast. They were in Felin City, which was several times larger than Ross City. The city was full of stunning places, and Klaus and his friends were amazed by its beauty. They visited various landmarks, admired the impressive architecture, and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere.
When evening dawned, They dined at a well-known restaurant that offered a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline. The food was exquisite, and the company was even better. Klaus felt a sense of camaraderie with his friends, enjoying the night out before the challenges ahead.
Later, they returned to Lily’s mansion. They spent a little more time together before their final meeting. Keen Felin arrived and left them with a few words of encouragement.
“Remember,” Keen said, “the City Selection for Celestial Mountain Academy is only a week away. Give it your all. Passing the selection will put you in the spotlight, and you’ll need to be at your best. Many will be competing, and only the best will be chosen.”
Klaus listened. He had been eagerly anticipating this event and couldn’t wait for the days to pass. The thought of being in the spotlight and competing for a place at the prestigious academy spurred him on.
As the evening came to a close, it was time for farewells.
Daniel and Danny said their goodbyes and headed back to Guan City. Mark and Kay prepared to leave for Hamid City, while Nia and Asha made their way to the Union Capital. Klaus was surprised to learn that Nia and Asha were from the Capital of the Northern Union.
With heartfelt farewells and promises to keep in touch, Klaus, Anna, and Lucy prepared for their return to Ross City. They jet off leaving Felin City for Ross City.
The journey back to Ross City was smooth, and it didn’t take long for them to land at the Ross Residence. As soon as they arrived, Klaus saw Kofi waiting for him. After exchanging brief but warm greetings with Daven Ross, Klaus said his goodbyes and left with Kofi.
On the way home, Klaus’s mind wandered back to the Ball. He couldn’t help but smile, remembering the excitement and the memorable moments. He quickly retrieved his phone and accessed the web seeing it would take minutes before they get home.
As soon as he opened his phone, a flood of videos and articles appeared. The screen was filled with clips from the Ball—his verbal duel with Lawrence, his engaging speech on the ‘Essense of Battle’, and his insights on ‘How to Make Difficult Decisions as a Leader.’ It was clear that his performance had made quite an impression.
Klaus began scrolling through the posts, his smile growing wider with each passing moment. The comments and articles praised his eloquence and insight.
In this era, nothing stays hidden for long. Klaus hadn’t even realized he was being recorded, but now, seeing all the positive comments and remarks, he wasn’t upset. In fact, the attention only added to his growing reputation, and he welcomed the praise.
As he continued scrolling through the posts, he noticed a few important messages. With a quick flick of his fingers, he opened them. The first was from Nadia, the fashion designer he had signed the modeling contract with.
Nadia’s message was overflowing with praise for the tango he had danced with Lucy. “Klaus! Your tango performance was absolutely stunning! The way you and Lucy moved together was mesmerizing. The video is topping the charts, and you’ve become quite the sensation!”
Klaus had almost forgotten about the dance. As he read through the messages, he saw that the dance video was indeed making waves. It was everywhere—topping charts, being shared widely, and receiving countless views.
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “How did my life turn out this way? From Pretty Boy to Tango King,” Klaus mused internally, reading through the enthusiastic messages.
Suddenly, Klaus’s phone started ringing. He answered with a smug smile. “Hello, Boss.”
“Who are you calling boss?” Nadia’s voice came through, her tone light and playful. “Are you back yet?”
“On my way home now,” Klaus replied.
“Oh, okay. I just wanted to congratulate you,” Nadia said, her smile audible in her voice. “You’ve managed to sell out a product that hasn’t even been officially released yet!”
“What?” Klaus asked, surprised.
Nadia chuckled. “Well, the suit you wore was a design I created. It wasn’t supposed to go on sale just yet. But after that video of you and Lucy, we started getting offer after offer.”
Klaus was taken aback. “Seriously? People want to buy it already?”
“Yes,” Nadia continued. “Shockingly, they wanted a pair. Your suit and Lucy’s dress. Luckily for us, Lucy’s dress was also designed by me. So, when the time comes, you and Lucy will need to come in for a photoshoot together.”
“Wow, that’s incredible,” Klaus said, impressed. “Great news, actually. Let me know when you’re ready to set it up.”
“I will,” Nadia assured him. “And Klaus, congratulations again. You and Lucy have made a huge impact. It’s not every day we get such unexpected success.”
“Glad I was able to help,” Klaus said.
“I came up with some designs for your mom’s clothes,” Nadia said over the phone. “I’ll send them over for your input. Since you want something one of a kind, I’ll make sure I deliver.”
“Thank you, Nadia,” Klaus replied, genuinely appreciative. “I’m looking forward to seeing them.” He ended the call with a smile, feeling satisfied with the progress.
Shortly after, Klaus and Lucy arrived at his mansion. As soon as they stepped inside, Klaus dashed toward his mother, enveloping her in a warm hug.
“Welcome home, Klaus,” his mother said, her voice filled with affection. “I missed you too. But seriously, you’re a grown-up now. You should start behaving like one.”
Klaus grinned sheepishly, still wrapped in his mother’s embrace. “I know, Mom. But no matter how grown-up I get, I’ll always be your kid at heart.”
His mother shook her head with a smile, though there was a hint of exasperation in her eyes. “Well, it’s good to have you back. I’m glad you’re doing well.”
Despite his recent success and the attention he was getting from others, Klaus’s childish side came out when he was around his mother. It was a reminder of the deep bond they shared, and she found it endearing despite his grown-up status.
After a few moments, Klaus finally released his mother from the hug and took her hands in his. “How have you been, Mom? I hope everything has been alright here.”
“Well, I had fun watching you tango with Lucy,” his mother teased with a playful grin. “I guess everything is good after all. Honestly, I never knew you were this good.”
Klaus’s face flushed with a hint of embarrassment. He felt a warm flush rise to his cheeks as he recalled the time he spent dancing with Lucy. Despite the teasing, the memory made him smile slightly.
“Well, I had fun,” Klaus said, trying to sound casual but unable to hide his contentment. He gave his mother a small, sheepish grin before heading off toward his room.
His mother watched him go, shaking her head with a fond smile. She was happy to see her son enjoying himself and finding joy with his peers.
–
–
–
Back at the Ross Residence, Lucy and Anna stood facing each other in silence. Though no words were spoken, their eyes conveyed countless emotions and unspoken messages.
“Thank you,” Lucy finally said, her voice trembling with gratitude.
“We’re sisters, Lucy,” Anna responded with a gentle smile. “I would be selfish if I didn’t do something as simple as helping my sister find some happiness.”
Hearing this, Lucy’s eyes welled up with tears. The depth of Anna’s selflessness struck her deeply. Despite her own feelings, Anna prioritized Lucy’s happiness over her own. It was an act of profound generosity that made Lucy feel both sad and grateful.
Seeing her sister’s tears, Anna stepped forward and wrapped her in a comforting hug. The embrace was warm and filled with love, offering solace to Lucy’s troubled heart. Anna’s willingness to put Lucy’s needs above her own was a testament to their strong bond.
“Klaus makes you happy,” Anna said softly as she held Lucy close. “I saw it from the moment you saw his image. Helping you accept those feelings was the least I could do. But remember, someone with Klaus’s fame will have many admirers. Even I haven’t given up yet.” Anna’s playful tone broke the tension, adding a touch of humor to the moment.
“I expect nothing less,” Lucy said through her tears, her voice filled with emotion. “Sisters are supposed to share in joy and happiness.” She took a deep breath, feeling reassured by her sister’s support.
Though she knew she wouldn’t be the only one in Klaus’s heart, she was determined to cherish her time with him. For now, being the first to capture his heart was enough for her, and she was ready to strengthen their bond.
Unbeknownst to the two sisters, just outside the door, a woman stood silently, listening to their heartfelt conversation.
“That is rather an unexpected twist,” she said softly to herself, a smile playing on her lips.
With a final glance at the scene inside, she slowly faded into the shadows, her presence becoming indistinguishable from the darkness.
