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The Swan That Dances at Midnight ~ VilxOC

Synopsis: Danica’s PE uniform vignette, What Do You Think You’re Doing from Vil's POV. Timeline for this chapter is mid October, immediately after the events of chapter 4.

A/N: This is chapter 6/20 of my VilDani anthology Fairest After All. If it isn’t obvious yet, I’m writing these chapters out of order as inspiration comes.

Pairings: 👑/🦢

Word Count: 8194

~~~

It started about a few weeks after the dorm concert. Danica was on her way back to her room, classes having ended for the day. In her arms she carried a large textbook, several golden bookmarks stuck out of its pages. Over a hundred different plants and herbs to memorize by tomorrow’s alchemy class, which meant a long evening of studying ahead of her. But her eyes were heavy and her mind clouded even as her thoughts still echoed with all she learned from Professor Crewel that day.

This fatigue began midway through the day and persisted throughout the afternoon. Thankfully none of her professors had taken notice but after a few days of this, she knew it would soon become too difficult to conceal. As it stood now, she was too tired to attend her meeting with the light music club and would likely not join in on etiquette lessons with Vil, Rook and Epel. She’d soon have to find a way to return to her previous sleep schedule and still find time for her new activities in between. But just as she was thinking about this, she turned a corner and briefly stopped, a quick spark stirring her nerves.

Vil was coming from the opposite direction, on his way to the lounge to oversee Epel’s etiquette lessons. In reflex, Danica made sure to straighten her already decent posture. She half thought about lowering her head to avoid Vil’s critical gaze, but she decided against it. Though she was tired, she still had to maintain proper decorum in his presence and more importantly, had to develop more confidence. The success of the dorm concert had been a great start but this could also be a step in the right direction.

As they crossed paths, she allowed her eyes to meet his, and she couldn’t help but find him incredibly gorgeous. He always carried himself so effortlessly in his school uniform and when she greeted him, her voice was tinged with genuine admiration, giving no indication to her weariness.

“Good afternoon, Vil-san. You look lovely, as always.”

At first, Vil barely acknowledged her presence—another fawning spudling, it seemed—until he recognized Danica’s voice. He paused to glance at her. She had addressed him properly without prompting and sounded almost confident in her appraisal—a vast improvement from her first night here. The least he could do was respond.

“Ah, fresh from Professor Crewel’s class, I presume?” he inquired, noticing the lab coat draped over her uniform.

“Yes, Sir.”

“And will you be joining us in the lounge soon?”

“I…I…” she hesitated momentarily, biting back a sudden yawn. “Forgive me, Vil-san, but…I have a lot of studying I must focus on this evening.” Danica held out her thick textbook for emphasis, scattered with bookmarks. “I’d like to get a head start on this before tomorrow’s class.”

“Of course you must, and frankly, your etiquette hardly needs refining in any case,” he gave a small nod of approval. “Hurry along, Little Potato. Professor Crewel is unrelenting and you wouldn’t want to fall behind.”

This seemed to be the end of their exchange. Danica started to move on, glad that Vil hadn’t taken notice of her tiredness. Yet, just as she began walking again, the sound of his voice stopped her in her tracks. A fresh wave of anxiety washed over her, what could he want now?

“Sir?”

“Turn around and face the mirror,” he said. “Look at your reflection.”

Danica briefly looked at him, this seemed like an odd request but based on his tone, she wasn’t about to refuse it. She turned around but when she looked at herself in the mirror, there seemed to be nothing of notice. Her eyes gave away her exhaustion but her uniform was neat and tidy, without a single stain upon her bleached white lab coat. Her hair was a little out of place with more than a few flyaways, as she had woken up later than usual and didn’t have time to tie it up properly, but otherwise, everything seemed as it always was. It turned out that the latter of these things had attracted Vil’s critical eye.

“That messy bun is throwing off your otherwise adequate appearance. Very unbecoming, wouldn’t you say?”

Danica didn’t know how to respond to this, her hands full with her textbook and otherwise not really taking notice of her hair until now. She thought about mumbling out an apology, but Vil seemed to have other plans. He came closer, reaching out for her in a way that made her heart race, and then stop all together as he undid her hair and began pulling out the hair tie and pins.

“V…Vil-san! What are you…”

“Come now, no fussing. I wouldn’t have to do this if you had taken the time to do this properly earlier.”

She bit her tongue, Vil’s touch was gentle but she could feel her cheeks burn with embarrassment. The process was brief, though to her, it seemed like an eternity as Vil rearranged her hair, All the while softly chiding her for her carelessness. Her eyes shifted from her reflection to the floor, unable to meet his gaze through the mirror.

“Your hair is quite long, still that is no excuse for being lax in your appearance. Even a little,” he went on. “I hope you’re paying attention. This is a quick style that’s easy to do when time is scarce. Quick, easy, but still elegant.”

“Yes, Sir.”

When Danica looked at her reflection again, a warmth returned to her cheeks, though this time, she didn’t mind as much. Vil had done a great job with her hair, and she liked what the mirror reflected back at her. She would definitely need to remember how to do this style tomorrow. Vil was just about done placing the pins back in her hair when he finally noticed something amiss.

“There, finished. Very nice if I do say so myself,” at this, Danica softly murmured thanks. “Now, before I allow you to leave, Little Potato, how are you feeling?”

“Sir?”

“I cannot put my finger on it, but something about you seems…different. Are you making sure to get proper sleep?”

Another question surprised her, and one she was unsure of how to answer. Of course, she wasn’t; she hadn’t been sleeping well for more than a week. But of course Danica knew she could not express to Vil the truth about her exhaustion lest she suffer a biting lecture about the importance of not skipping sleep. Or perhaps something even worse given the circumstances. She lowered her gaze again.

“Yes, Vil-san, I’ve been studying a lot as of late. But I’m still making sure to go to bed at a decent hour.” Vil gazed curiously at her, not responding for a few moments. “Is there…something else, Sir?”

“You tell me. You do seem to lack your usual energy. Is there something I should be aware of that’s taking it away?”

“I…I…no, Sir. Today's lessons took more out of me than usual. That’s all.”

Vil could sense the deceit in her tone but decided not to press her further. Maintaining oneself was often exhausting, something he knew better than most. It would be a waste of breath to scold Danica on something she was likely already aware of. Instead, he simply reminded her of the importance of proper rest for her body and mind, as well as her appearance. After all it wouldn’t do for her complexion to be afflicted by dark circles.

“But more importantly, regardless of whatever you’re doing, be it physical or mental, your performance will never be 100% if your mind isn’t properly rested.”

“Yes, Sir. I’ll be mindful of that.”

With this, Danica thanked Vil once again for rearranging her hair and continued down the hallway until she was back to her room. She placed her textbook on her bed and went over to the dresser. In a thin lacquer box lay a pair of soft pink pointe shoes. Danica picked them up, gazing at them for a long time before placing them back in their box and pushing it to the far end of the dresser.

While preparing for her dorm concert, Danica had found the Pomefiore ballroom the ideal place for rehearsing without interference and now with that behind her, it could now hopefully serve a similar purpose. Though only a month in, life at NRC was already proving to be incredibly busy. Between classes and now activities with the light music club, Danica had very little time to devote herself to what was her true passion.

As much as she enjoyed crafting fragrances and collecting perfume bottles, as much as she loved to sing, she always believed that dancing was where her true talent lay. The language of her soul from the time she was five and, on a more personal level, a way for Danica to feel connected to her late sister.

Any time she could find to be alone in the ballroom, filled with barres and mirrors ideal for perfecting her craft, was a welcome thing. Unfortunately, with her busy schedule and living in a dorm shared by many others, finding time to practice was far from easy. The first evening she had gone into the ballroom for this purpose, she savored the first half hour alone, lost in the comfort that ballet gave her. So caught up she was in her element that she initially failed to notice someone entering the ballroom, granting her an audience.

Despite overflowing with compliments and praise for what he saw, Danica begged Rook’s silence regarding her dance practices. A secret she felt necessary to keep from Vil’s discerning eyes. The idea of being observed by her vice dorm leader was embarrassing enough but the idea of anyone else possibly witnessing her in such a vulnerable state was even more unsettling. Something she tried to explain with varying degrees of success.

“I haven’t had much time to practice since coming to school,” she had told him, her tone quiet but pleading. “Please don’t tell Vil-san I was here. Please.”

“Ohhhh?” Rook smirked. “Is this another secret between you and I, ma cherie?”

“No, no! Nothing like that!” But even as Danica denied this, she blushed because that was exactly what she was asking of him. “No, it’s just that…I really need time to practice so my skills won’t become rusty, and also…” hesitantly. “Vil-san has never seen me dance before.”

“Ahh, your devotion to your craft is tres admirable, as is your devotion to everything else you do, quelle beaute!” Rook eyes sparkled with joy. “But I am certain Vil would not object to you taking time to practice here, especially if he sees your devotion first hand.”

“Huh? See my devotion…first…you mean…OHHH!”

Rook nodded, giving her his signature charming smile, and immediately sent Danica into a panic. Her eyes widened and she furiously shook her head. Taking several steps back from him and finding the door.

“Oh no, I could never! I…I…excuse me, Rook-san!”

She hurried out of the ballroom before Rook could say anything more. Bright red embarrassment scorching her cheeks as she found her way back to the hallway and away from Rook’s kind yet enticing gaze. But as embarrassing as it was, Danica was thankful that it was only Rook who had seen her as she felt it would have been far worse if it was Vil.

Before agreeing to let her take part in the VDC, Vil had insisted that she first sing solo in front of an audience; a first for her and a huge focus of her anxieties. What if he asked something similar of her if he learned of her interest in dancing? Though reasonably confident in her singing skills, when it came to dance, well, it was at that moment that she decided that perhaps practicing at that time wouldn’t be best. Maybe she’d have better luck being alone later in the evening.

Now, a few weeks after that day, Danica had taken to coming into the ballroom late at night to practice. When she could be certain that all in Pomefiore, her dorm leader included, would be asleep and she could be assured solitude. Under the cover of darkness, she could connect with the echoes of her pointe shoes tapping against the polished floor, each step a whispered testament to her devotion and passion. And to the loving memory of Fiona.

For the most part, she was successful in keeping her practice sessions a secret from everyone else and she was sure not to spend the entire night in the ballroom. Especially on school nights. But recently, the late nights had begun to take a toll on her and if Vil was able to notice her exhaustion, it must have been more obvious than she initially thought. To say nothing of all she would have to study before tomorrow.

As much as she didn’t want to, she’d have to skip practice tonight and focus on regaining her energy. Perhaps tomorrow after a night of full and uninterrupted sleep.

~~~

After a restful night and relatively successful school day, Danica felt ready and eager to resume her late night practice sessions. She finished her schoolwork quickly, looking forward to the night ahead with a renewed sense of energy. When she returned to Pomefiore, she did notice that the ballroom was occupied but figured whatever was happening wouldn’t take long. The rest of her evening was spent studying, texting her light music club buddies, and stretching in preparation for practice. Around ten, she left her room, pointe shoes in hand, and headed for the ballroom, only to be greeted by an unexpected turn of events.

The sound of lively conversation reached her ears before she even saw the ballroom door, signaling that the space was still in use. And her heart froze when she heard the voice of her dorm leader among the chatter. Her ears burned imagining the fierce scolding Vil was sure to give her if she were discovered, made worse if saw her ballet shoes and understood her intentions. Without a second thought, she swiftly retreated to her room, relieved that no one had noticed.

Most likely, Vil was rehearsing late with members of his film research club, but it was surprising nonetheless. Curfew at Pomefiore was at exactly eight o'clock as Vil was adamant about everyone going to bed at a decent hour. Hopefully they would be wrapping up soon and Danica could return without worry. She would just have to wait and so she did, for the next three hours.

Finally stepping onto the ballroom floor, feeling its delicate wooden seams through her ballet shoes, brought her such a great sense of relief that it hardly mattered that it was now nearing two in the morning. Every seam in the wooden floor evoked a myriad of emotions, nostalgia, melancholy, memories of Fiona, and above all, a sense of joy and purpose that inspired Danica to begin dancing in the first place. The stress of the school day along with the weight of her exhaustion seemed to melt away as she surrendered to these emotions, gracefully spinning and swaying across the floor.

She moved towards a patch of moonlight that streamed through a window, illuminating the space with a soft, silvery glow that improved her visibility. In the reflection of the large mirrors, Danica continued with no real direction. At this point, she was simply dancing for dancings sake, honing her talent and connecting with her sister's spirit in the only way she knew how. Four years had passed since her death, tragically at the height of her ballet career. Fiona and Danica hadn’t always had the best relationship and in the latters childhood, the former often dismissed her aspirations as merely a desire to copy her. A sentiment unfortunately echoed by their parents.

But around the time Danica began pointework, Fiona’s tune changed. It was clear that her sister's devotion to the art of dance was as strong as her own if she could begin pointework at such a young age. A testament to her tenacity and desire to succeed. Their parents were still dismissive of her but Fiona became committed to being Danica’s greatest cheerleader. Helping her improve and celebrating her successes. And Danica in turn was grateful for Fiona’s supportive presence in her life, and the love that was as strong as ever even four years later.

To dance, to hold onto her sister's memory, to connect with her spirit, was needed now more than ever. Lost in these memories and emotions, Danica watched her reflection dance across the large mirrors. She knew she ought to be taking notes of and critiquing her movements but it wasn’t where her heart was at the moment. Until she noticed something in her reflection, a shocking revelation that momentarily gave reason to pause.

She hadn’t even been thinking about it, but while dancing, she had unexpectedly executed several fouetté turns without realizing it. Consecutive fouette turns was one of the few things that Danica still struggled with, so it was an invigorating realization made all the more exciting when she then managed to pull off three in a row. This was followed by four, and then five, each spin more thrilling than the last. Even after two months at school without consistent training, her skills had not remained stagnant.

But the excitement swiftly overcame her when her focus shifted away from her turning foot for the briefest second. The resulting slip caused her entire body to topple to the side. The ensuing crashing sound echoed off the walls and caused her heart to panic. Such a loud sound wouldn’t have gone unnoticed, maybe even waking anyone previously asleep. Instead of immediately getting up, Danica sat on the floor in anxious silence, not wanting to make any more unexpected noise, not even daring to breathe.

Despite hoping beyond hope that her fall had gone unheard, a noise from the hallway sliced through the quiet darkness, setting her anxiety into overdrive. Pulling off her pointe shoes, Danica managed to move to a shadowy corner of the ballroom that the moonlight couldn’t reach. Danica held her breath, listening intently for any sound from the hallway. After a few tense minutes, the silence convinced her that it had just been her imagination. But cloaked in the darkness, the high of her fouette success had begun to fade and the fatigue of lack of sleep had begun to set in. Coupled with the ache in her body from her unexpected fall, it was probably best to end practice for tonight.

But now Danica had a new goal: that night she had managed to pull off five fouettes in a row and tomorrow, she would attempt ten. With this promise to herself, Danica managed to sneak out the ballroom from the back entrance and returned to her room with ease. Without her presence being noticed or leaving any trace of her practice behind. At least, to the best of her knowledge.

~~~

Early morning sunlight streamed into the ballroom as Vil entered and looked around, his mind still preoccupied with the noises that had woken him the previous night. Despite his certainty that something had occurred, a thorough scan of the room revealed nothing unusual. The pristine condition of the dance floor offered no clues, leaving him with a lingering sense of frustrated curiosity as he left the room to start his day. A feeling that only increased later that afternoon as he sat in the lounge with Rook and Epel.

This time, Danica had agreed to join in on today’s etiquette lessons, but despite her best efforts to appear engaged and energetic, the shadows under her eyes betrayed her lack of sleep. It was almost three in the morning when Danica finally returned to her room but her continued anxiety of being discovered awake prevented her from falling asleep until nearly four. Such was her exhaustion that she had to place her cup of tea down several times out of fear she might drop it, the tea quickly becoming cold in the process. Now she was cursing herself for staying up so late despite her initial joy with her progress.

Thankfully, Vil-san hasn’t taken notice yet. She thought. And hopefully it stays that way. I’m definitely going to have to cut back on late practice sessions after tonight.

“Danica, are you alright?”

Epel’s voice broke her reverie and Danica immediately snapped back to attention. Glancing at him with a new sense of alertness. “Oh yes, I’m fine Epel. Why do you ask?”

“Just that…I mean…It’s only that you seem a little tired. Are you…”

“Do I?” she immediately cut him off before he could say too much. “I have been studying alot, you know our teachers have been giving us quiz after quiz lately.” She laughed for good measure. “But rest assured, I’m fine.”

Her response was believable enough, but the knowing smile that Rook directed toward her unknowingly highlighted the deceit in her tone for Vil to notice. His gaze narrowed on her. Paying attention to how her alert expression melted subtly back to weariness and wondering if it could have anything to do with what he heard the previous night.

“What was that expression earlier?” Vil asked Rook soon after Epel and Danica left the room. “When Epel and Danica were talking, you seemed to be amused by something and I can’t help but be curious as to what it was.”

Ever the enigma, even to his own dorm leader, Rook smiled as he wove a tale of a lovely white swan that he had encountered a few weeks ago. His narrative skillfully honoring his promise not to betray Danica while still striving to satisfy Vil’s inquiry.

“Ahhh, such beautiful birds,” Rook continued to wax poetically. “Beautiful, elegant and si gracieux when they move, like a prima ballerina shining on the stage. And it was the recollection of this enchanting creature that brought a smile to my face.”

Vil rolled his eyes but he couldnt help but chide himsef for his own error. Though irked with Rook’s evasive tactics, it was his own fault for not knowing his vice dorm leader better by now. Clearly a more direct approach to his inquiry was needed.

“Did you notice how tired Danica appeared earlier?” He asked, his tone taking on a new seriousness which gave no room for deflection this time. “I noticed this a few days ago, she’s appearing more and more drained as of late and I can’t help but wonder why.”

“Yes, Roi du Poison. I have indeed noticed.”

“Really? So it’s not just me. It’s worrying to say the least. What could possibly be causing her fatigue?”

Maintaining his loyalty to Danica, Rook offered a careful response. "I've observed her too, Vil. But I wouldn't call it fatigue. Rather, it’s focus.”

“Focus?”

“Oui!” Rook smiled. “You can be forgiven for not catching it right away but if you noticed, there was a clear sense of determination in her eyes. Whatever is currently on her mind, it’s something she feels very passionately about. And passion can often be overwhelming. Wouldn't you agree?”

Once again, Rook’s cryptic response left much to be desired. But the frustrating vagueness only intensified Vil’s curiosity. His instincts told him there was more to the story, and the puzzle of Danica's recent behavior—her secretiveness, her exhaustion, both gnawed at him. With these context clues, Vil silently planned out his next steps, determined to discover the source of Danica’s “focus’ and why she felt the need to keep it hidden from him.

~~~

Pomefiore Dorm ~ Ballroom

“Ugh! I’m so close! Why do I keep screwing this up?!”

Danica could feel the pointe of her shoe slipping and before suffering another fall, spread her arms wide to maintain balance. She gave a frustrated huff, seven fouettés was so far all she could manage so far and the hour was getting late. Her body begged for rest but she was now so close to her goal that she felt it would be a waste to end here. Only three more turns, then she could finally sleep.

“Okay, let’s try this again.”

She stretched a few times before lazily moving from side to side in an undirected manner. Maybe if she didn’t overthink it, the turns would come more naturally. After all, she had first succeeded in the consecutive fouettés without conscious effort. Emulating that relaxed approach might be the key.

I wonder if Vil-san suspects I’ve been doing this. I really hope Rook-san didn’t tell him about when I was practicing that one day when he saw me. Then again, he would have said something by now if that was the case.

This consideration made her movements more deliberate as she transitioned from a slow adagio back to fouettés. Eight in a row before she stopped again.

Hopefully he never finds out about this. I can’t imagine how angry he’d be, and besides…

A warm sensation rose to her chest as she began another round of adagio. Without realizing it, her thoughts shifted to her dorm leader, remembering the last film she’d seen him in almost three years ago. Vil played the part of a villainous fae prince and one scene in particular that stuck to Danica was a ball scene where Vil waltzed beautifully with his female co-star.

His dancing had left a great impression on her and she recalled an interview he’d done in promotion of the film. Vil had explained that he began learning to dance at a young age in preparation for such roles. He had even dabbled a little in pointe work and had expressed deep admiration for those who put in such an effort to dance so beautifully.

“When my character pulled the heroine onto the dance floor, no words were spoken between us. But the audience can still understand the underlying passion simply by the way we moved together. I believe dancing can be an incredibly powerful form of self expression. And dancers are masters of this power.”

Power, Danica thought. Yes, Vil definitely has this power. Fiona did too. I wonder, could I ever have such power as well?

Vil’s words had left an even greater impression on her. Shaping her aspirations without even realizing it, and she couldn’t help but wonder how incredible it would be to have such a skilled dance partner.

But then again, I haven’t even begun pas de deux training. She mused sadly, self doubt creeping in her heart. Maybe someone like Fiona, but I on the other hand, I could never. Let alone let Vil see me dance. My dancing doesn’t have that kind of power.

She sighed, but before the sad thought could take shape, Danica bit her tongue. Until she was perfect, it was her hope that Vil would never see her dance. But while she was not yet perfect, that’s why she had to practice. She might not be at Fiona's level, but she would be one day. And then she could share her skills with Vil without feeling so mortified by it. With that in mind, Danica began again.

“One, two, three…” so far so good. Success was within her grasp, or so she thought. “Six, seven, eight, ni…ah!”

Her balance betrayed her once again. Perhaps Danica was more tired than she initially thought. Dejected, she took a seat under one of the barres, wondering what she should do.

It’s not that hard, why do I keep screwing up?

Extending her leg to massage it, she took a long look at the pointe shoe she wore, its soft pink ribbons delicately wrapped around her ankle. A burning sensation began to bubble up in her chest that she tried to swallow down. But the longer she sat in the moonlit silence, staring at her shoe, the harder it became to ignore. Nine fouettés total, it was almost as though fate was taunting her, and soon her frustration gave way to sadness.

I keep screwing up because I’m not as good as Fiona. She was the perfect ballerina, when she danced as Odile in Swan Lake, she did thirty two fouettés in a row! I can’t even do ten. I’m nothing like her.

Danica closed her eyes as the burning sensation threatened to release in the form of tears. She hugged her knees together and buried her face in them. In her forlorned state, she thought she heard another sound coming from the hallway. Her heart raced as she looked up from her lap and listened intently.

Another sound and she moved backwards to her shadowy corner where she was certain no one would find her, eyes locked on the ballroom's back door just in case she needed to make a stealthy escape. But after several minutes, nothing happened and she breathed in a long sigh of relief and somehow, found a new sense of invigoration coursing through her.

It must have been my imagination. Regardless, perhaps it’s a sign I should wrap this up soon. Okay, this time, I’ll do it!

With a deep breath and renewed determination, Danica got into position and started turning. Counting out each successful fouetté.

“Seven, eight, nine, TEN!!!”

She stumbled again, too overwhelmed with joy to maintain balance as she fell to the ground, smiling ear to ear. Ten in a row. Somehow, despite her doubts, despite her exhaustion, Danica had managed to achieve her goal.

“That was ten! I did it! I really did it!”

She had done it—ten fouettés in a row. Breathless and exhilarated, Danica went back to the shadowy corner. Her body was sore, her eyes were beginning to feel heavy, but it didn’t matter. She was exhausted, but she also felt accomplished.

“I did it, I’m not completely inept after all. I’m…actually proud of myself,” she smiled to herself, gently massaging her ankles as she yawned with sleepiness. “I wonder if Fiona would be proud of me too? I hope so, I miss her so much.”

Closing her eyes, she allowed herself a few precious minutes of rest before she planned to return to her room for some much needed sleep. A few minutes however turned into several and soon enough, sleep gently embraced her without her even realizing it.

Taken by exhaustion and lost in her dreams, the sudden sound of footsteps went completely unnoticed. Nor did the presence of a new larger shadow looming over her, strongly disapproving of his discovery.

“Ara, what do you think you’re doing? Here at this late hour?”

Still, Danica remained asleep, unaware that the thing she feared the most was happening right before her. While he long suspected something like this, somehow Vil couldn’t imagine her having such audacity. What would possibly have gone through her mind for her to think this was okay? Purposely neglecting sleep and possibly falling behind in her classes? To say nothing of the effect the lack of sleep would have on her appearance.

But even that wasn’t the gravest offense to his mind. Glaring down at her, he saw the soft pink pointe shoes enfolding her feet and quickly surmised what she was doing. Yet another instance of Danica intentionally trying to hide her talents that was as unsettling as it was vexing. He hadn’t seen much, but he allowed himself to envision her being just as gifted a dancer as she could sing. And likewise, devoted to her craft if she was willing to deliberately go against the dorm's curfew to improve.

If he weren’t so annoyed, he might even find this stunt admirable, endearing even. But an unsettling thought gnawed away at his warmer feelings. Why wouldn’t she just come to her or Rook directly if all she wanted was time uninterrupted to dance? Despite what others might think, Vil wasn’t an unreasonable person and wouldn’t have denied such a request. Naturally, if she was to represent their school in the VDC, he’d want to see her progress.

“Why can’t I just be invisible?”

But it was this thought, followed by a recollection days before the dorm concert that made Vil realize that he already knew the answer. And this only vexed him all the more.

What’s wrong with you?! Why do you content yourself with hiding in the shadows?! I hardly know you and yet I know that such is beneath you!

In that moment, Vil wanted to shake her awake, berate her, and ban her from ever setting foot in Pomefiore’s ballroom again. He had to quickly stop himself from doing such as he knew it wouldn’t be the best use of his energy. Danica was likely already lacking sleep and it wouldn’t do to deprive her of it any longer.

There would be time enough for Vil to make his displeasure known. And he was already plotting what his next course of action would be. But for now, she required rest. Fortunately, his unique magic would ensure that she would remain asleep until dawn.

I must say, Little Potato, you are tied with Epel for being the most frustrating freshman Pomefiore has welcomed this year. Do you realize how maddening it is seeing so much potential in someone who refuses to embrace it? No, it’s likely never crossed your mind because you’re so afraid that you’d rather be invisible. And that’s what I don’t understand.

Shaking his head, Vil slipped his hand into hers to activate his spell, but a sudden twitch of her hands stopped him. Her eyes fluttered open, and fear flared within her as she met the intense, curious gaze of her dorm leader.

She fixed her mouth to begin an explanation she knew would be futile but no words came. Her mind overflowed with apologies and pleas for forgiveness but nothing she could voice, though none of this mattered. Fear of Vil’s wrath was quickly quelled by a kind, understanding finger pressed to her lips. His gaze softened, along with the room surrounding them. The harsh lines seemed to blur into the background as Danica hesitantly placed her hand on his, bringing a small smile to his face.

Vil helped her to her feet and took her other hand. His eyes not leaving hers for a second. Instinctively , her feet went into relevè and Vil, understanding her cues, took the lead.

Still holding her hands, he slowly turned her before pulling away, gazing at her with silent encouragement that she also understood. With her heart racing, Danica moved across the ballroom floor with careful poise and a confidence that normally would elude her. The sleeves of her dorm uniform provided the perfect aid, flowing with her body and highlighting the graceful way she moved her arms. Almost as if her sleeves were also dancing with her.

Somehow, the knowledge of her dorm leader's eyes watching her was not as daunting as she feared. Vil responded to her with equal grace and there was something remarkably gentle in the way he guided her. With another spin, Danica felt his arms enfold her and she had to bite back a surprised shriek as he lifted her up off the ground. But again, this wasn’t as frightening as she felt it should be. It was so effortless, a testament to his strength, and yet so controlled that she had no fear of falling.

Bringing her back down to earth, Vil smiled and Danica finally realized just as close he was to her. Looking up at him, her heart raced again but there was something strangely comforting in his gaze that set her at ease. The anxiety that usually plagued her around him dissipated as they moved together in harmony. Something that she never imagined could find outside the shadowy confines of her dreams.

~~~

Pomefiore Dorm ~ Danica's Room

Danica stirred softly in her bed, the final remnants of her dream gradually fading as consciousness took hold. Despite the slight pang of sadness at waking up, she took solace in her recent progress. And her vivid dream only solidified a budding belief in her. She might not be a perfect dancer yet, but she at least had the hope of one day becoming one, one step at a time. Surely in the future, she could reach Fiona’s level.

Yet, as she lay there, another realization dawned on her. The idea of hiding her skills, especially now that she was slated to represent their school in the VDC, seemed increasingly futile. If Vil didn’t yet know about her late night practices, he would soon enough and she might even be better off simply asking him if she could use the ballroom from time to time. It would be better to do so soon, before he became aware of these recent late nights. Though this internal conflict plagued her for as long as she could remember, it was also making less sense to her. Why cling to invisibility when visibility could bring validation and growth?

I know I can’t be invisible forever, being in this dorm, it won’t allow for that. Vil’s presence, it demands visibility and its probably more important…WHAT THE FUCK?!

A jolt of confusion disrupted her introspective morning as she bolted fully awake and realized where she was.

The last thing Danica remembered was being in the ballroom, not her own bed. The shock propelled her upright, her heart racing as she scanned the room. Her shoes were neatly placed by her desk, exactly where she usually kept them, yet she was still dressed in her gym uniform from the night before.

How had she returned to her room? The pieces didn’t fit together, and her memory offered no clues beyond completing her dance practice. Though perplexed, Danica couldn’t think about this for long—there was no time.

“SHIT! Classes start in forty minutes!!” She jumped out of bed. “Ughhhh I need to hurry up and get ready!”

With a mix of urgency and resignation, Danica pushed aside her questions and confusion. Whatever had happened after her practice, it seemed benign enough, given she was safely in her bed with everything as it should be. The unresolved questions would have to wait. But perhaps some mysteries were better left unsolved, at least for the moment.

~~~

“Roi du Poison, Mademoiselle Chanteuse has returned!”

Perfect timing, Vil thought, smiling to himself when Rook told him that Danica had come back to the dorm towards the end of the school day. And with that, he could hear the sound of her weary voice from the and knew that now would be as fine a time as ever.

When he found her in the hallway, she now clearly appeared as exhausted as she felt. Unbeknownst to Vil, Danica had a less than stellar day trying her best to maintain alertness throughout her classes. Culminating with a very close call when Professor Trein caught her nodding off in his class. After being forced to stay after class for a lecture, she was a little more awake than before and her final class of the day, PE, had helped return some of her energy.

Trein really let me off easily but I gotta be more careful not to doze off in class again. She thought, yawning. I’m definitely going to ease up.

Now with the school day over, the adrenaline rush she received from an hour with Coach Vargas was fading fast. Soon she would be back in the sanctuary of her own room, her bed was calling her and soon she’d finally be able to answer the call. Or so she thought.

“Not just yet, Little Potato! I’d like to have a word with you!”

Even with her weariness, Danica instantly froze at the sound of Vil’s voice. He sounded upset and when she quickly turned around, she was greeted by a cold, fierce expression on his fair features. His anger, whatever the source, was evident and she had to stop herself from taking a step back as he approached her.

“He…hello, Vil-san,” she said, making a point of maintaining eye contact with him. Even as her hands trembled behind her back. “What did you wish to talk to me about?”

“Hmph, you tell me. Yesterday you seemed quite out of sorts.” Vil folded his arms, purposely stalling as he noted a flicker of panic washed over her face. “I couldn’t help but wonder why. So last night…”

Oh no…The second Danica heard this, her heart stopped and she nearly didn’t hear what Vil said next.

“…I happened to be strolling around the dorm. and come to find out, I found someone in the ballroom, sleeping on the floor in the corner,” Vil took a few steps toward her. Maintaining a cold tone even as her nervousness amused him. “Would you like to know who it was?”

“I…I…”

“Hmmm?”

Was there really any use in trying to deny it? Vil would only be angrier if she tried to lie about something he already seemed aware of. Nothing she said at this moment would help her case and perhaps his punishment would be less severe if she owed up to her actions. Danica sighed and lowered her head.

“I…was sneaking into the ballroom,” she began. “But…it was only so I could practice ballet! I…haven’t had much time to do so since coming to school so…”

“So you thought that between sleep and practice, you could do with one and not the other rather than trying to find a way to incorporate both into your schedule?” His glare intensified. “That neglecting sleep at night would be a better alternative to better time management during the day?”

“No! No, I mean, yes! But I…” stammering over her words as the shame overwhelmed her. “I’m sorry, I know its a public dorm space. So it seemed…kind of presumptuous for me to think to take it over since I can never know when it’s being used.”

This was only half the truth, but as much as Danica felt that Vil needed to know. Though he was already aware of what thought she was secretly concealing, he continued to play along. He gave her a dejected expression, making his disapproval quite clear. Danica, prepared for her second lecture of the day, began to utter another apology.

“I won’t practice there again if you don’t want me to…”

“Now stop right there, Little Potato,” Vil interjected, his voice shifting. “I never stated such a thing.”

“Hmmm?”

“If all you needed was a space for dance practice, you should have said something to me sooner.”

But how could I? How coud I when…? Danica bit tongue, not daring to express what she was truly feeling. Instead asking, “You…aren’t upset, Vil-san?”

“Oh, make no mistake,Little Potato. I am extremely upset with you!” His face briefly morphed back to anger before allowing himself the smallest of smiles. “However, as a professionally trained dancer myself, I understand the importance of the daily honing of your skills. Tell me, how long have you been en pointe?”

“I…” this was unexpected, but she nonetheless replied, “Six years, Sir. I went en pointe when I was ten years old.”

“Ara, quite a tender age to begin such advanced technique.” Most did not begin pointework until at least twelve or thirteen. This genuinely surprised Vil and without reaizing it, his smile widened. “Your devotion to your craft is very clear then, if you weren’t doing this late at night, I would say it’s admirable.”

“Wha…really?” A warmth began to tickle her stomach and she had to quickly bite down on the inside of her lip. “Vil-san…I…”

“If you have a talent, Danica, it’s important not to let it go to waste. I’m not pleased with you loosing sleep over this, but at the same time, I understand not wanting your skills to remain stagnant.”

“But…what about…”

“I’m not entirely unreasonable.” He was already smiling but now his tone took on a new sense of encouragement. “Promise me you’ll no longer neglect sleep and I will allow you private use of the dorm’s ballroom for practice during the day. We can discuss scheduling practice around your class schedule and when the Film Research Club uses the ballroom at a later date. But you may begin the day after tomorrow.”

“Really? That’s wonderful! Thank you, Vil-san! Thank you so much!”

Now it was Danica’s turn to smile and she had every reason to. She would no longer have to worry about sleeping in class and she would still be able to work towards her goal of dancing perfection. She thanked Vil wholeheartedly and Vil for his part enjoyed seeing her so ecstatic. Her smile was quite endearing and it almost made him feel rather cruel for what he was about to say next. While she continued to express her gratitude, his smile held a hint of mischief, implying this kindness carried condition.

“I greatly appreciate this, Vil-san,” she continued, pouring out genuine thanks. “You are too kind.”

“Ohh you think so?” Vil teased. “I wonder if you will continue thinking such when I tell you my condition for using our ballroom.”

“Condition?” Danica looked up at him, slightly concerned. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve mentioned in the past that you dance, yet neither I nor Rook have had the pleasure of seeing your skills firsthand,” he replied. “And if you’ve gone en pointe at such a young age, you’re likely already at the pre-professional level. Still, I don’t grant access to Pomefiore’s ballroom for just anything, not even to it’s own dorm members.”

“Then…why did you just say I was allowed to use it?” She frowned, wondering what he could have meant. The smirk widening on Vil’s face brought her to a sudden, stomach-dropping realization. Blushing, she stammered, “Wait! Unless that means…no! Vil-san, do you mean I have to…to…?!”

Vil didn’t wait for her to finish the statement. “You may use the ballroom for practice the day after tomorrow, and I and Rook will be in attendance.” He took a subtle step in her direction, ignoring the subtle gasp she was unable to stifle. “I’d like to see how far along you are in your ballet training, assess your skills as well as your potential for the future.”

“The…the FUTURE?!” Danica’s eyes widened. “What does that mean?! This isn’t about the VDC is it?!”

“Heh heh, you’ll find out in a few days now, won’t you?”

“But Vil-san! I’ve never danced around others outside of being on stage! How could I…are you sure that you…”

Nononononono! Danica could feel herself becoming faint, and not just from sheer exhaustion. No! NO! I’m not ready for that yet! I’m not on Fiona’s level! He can’t see me dance yet! He can’t! HE CAN’T!!!

“Are you sure that you want to see me dance? I mean…”

But Vil would have none of her wavering, not this time. “If you want to use the ballroom for future practice, then yes. I won’t hear any excuses, if you’re willing to neglect sleep then you must be serious about this.”

Danica opened her mouth to form a response, but the look in Vil’s eyes silenced her.

“And so am I. Besides, you told me you’ve never sang solo before your dorm concert, and yet you did so, beautifully in fact.”

He finally closed the distance between them, boldly taking hold of the tip of her chin. Danica suppressed another gasp as Vil forced her gaze to his, the violet intensity in his eyes holding her’s in place. She had to blink several times, they were beautiful, clear enough to see her own reflection. But such eyes told also told her what she already knew and just like that, her need to argue further had been swiftly extinguished.

“We both know you’re more than capable of dancing for Rook and I,” Vil tightened his fingers grip ever so slightly, still gentle but firm enough to make his conditions clear. “Isn’t that right, my little potato?”

“I…Vil…” once again his grip tightened. She could feel his fingers pressing against her jawbone, forcing a high pitched yes, to pass her lips. The second Vil let go, she lowered her head. But her words acquiesced. “Yes, Vil-san. I will.”

“Good,” he gave a satisfied smirk, but offered some final words of encouragement, at least as he felt them to be. “I’m sure you are very talented and I’m looking forward to seeing you. So don’t you dare let me down.”

Vil walked off, but his words left Danica completely frozen in place, stunned by her own mortification. To imagine Vil watching her dance and the reality were very different things and was hardly what she had in mind. Perhaps she should have just let Rook watch her the first time because now both he and Vil would and she felt far from ready for it.

What would Vil think? What would he say? And how, in only a few days time, would she be able to find the courage to see this through? Unfortunately, now with all this on her mind , Danica did not see sleep coming to her anytime soon.

#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland oc #twst oc #pomefiore oc #vil schoenheit #vil x oc #oc: danica #twst vil #otp: vildani #fairest after all #things i write

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jasmariswonderland · 2 months ago

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Hello! Hope you’re doing well ❤️ I just want you to know about how much I LOVE all your works especially VilDani stories 💕 I really do enjoy them

Thank you so much!! And because of this, I finally made some time to take my most recent 3 chapters of Fairest After All out of the basement! 👑🦢💙

#things I’ve answered #otp: vildani #things i find lovely

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jasmariswonderland · 2 months ago

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Harmony in Trepidation VilxOC

Synopsis: After his almost phophetic dream the night before, Vil prepares to seize the moment. But while Danica anticipates his inevitable confession with excitement and joy, not everyone is happy about this potential new relationship.

A/N: This is chapter 5/20 of my VilDani anthology Fairest After All. If it isn’t obvious yet, I’m writing these chapters out of order as inspiration comes.

Just a note about the timeline, this anthology takes place a few weeks after Book 6. Most of the chapters chronicle defining moments in Vil and Dani's developing relationship before, during and after Book 5 with their mutual fear of expressing their feelings being the framing device. There will be one or two chapters that take place during Melodies and Melencholy (Book 5) but this chapter returns to the present.

Pairings: 👑/🦢

Word Count: 4701

~~~

Good morning, my Little Potato

With all that has recently occurred, I’ve neglected to give you your monthly evaluation.

Please come to the lounge at precisely six o'clock today. There’s much we need to discuss, and much I’m looking forward to sharing with you. Now seems as great a time as ever.

“Dani, is something the matter?”

Yuulan softly tapped Danica’s shoulder, returning her to reality and away from the message on her phone. She glanced up at Yuulan and after assuring her that everything was alright, looked up at the dorm castle and the window above. She could see some activity through the slight parting of the curtains and wondered if Vil was looking out at them as he texted her. Yuulan glanced at her with curiosity.

“Was the message from Vil-san?” she asked.

“Yes, it was,” Danica replied, looking back at her phone again. “Every month, Vil-san personally checks in with the freshmen to assess our growth. We missed our sessions in January and February due to the VDC; now it’s April... It seems we're resuming. But…”

“But?”

“Are you worried ‘bout Vil-san scoldin’ you?” Grim asked rather impishly.

“Oh no! Nothing like that!” Danica let out a small laugh. “Just something about this message. It doesn’t sound like Vil-san. I don’t know…”

“Hmmm, mind if I take a look?” Danica nodded and Yuulan leaned over her shoulder. She read the message and added, “Well, it does sound like him; it's just a little less formal. Like he’s addressing a friend and not…” Yuulan hesitated. “Dani, I know it hasn’t been that long since we returned from the Isle of Woe, but…”

“It’s been a little more than a month.”

“That’s not a lot of time really, and all that shit happened not even a week after the VDC. You guys still haven’t talked about everything that happened?”

Danica looked away, her gaze returning to Vil’s window once more as she considered her response. The truth was, no, she and Vil had barely spoken since the crisis with STYX and even less about the VDC, the night after being the last time she saw him before the charrons violently infiltrated the school.

Though Danica was supposed to be present at the VDC postmortem at Ramshackle, misinformation about the meeting time prevented her attendance. Privately, Yuulan thought it was for the best, sparing Danica the trauma of seeing her dorm leader caged and taken by the charrons. And throughout their dangerous journey to the Isle of Woe to find him, it was her greatest fear that she might never see Vil again.

Now a month later, even without speaking much, it was clear that Danica’s relationship with Vil had taken a noticeable shift. Even at his harshest and cruelest, there was always a clear sense of gentleness with which he regarded her but now it was underscored by their shared ordeals. Indeed, after all she and Vil had endured, after the fear of losing him forever, Danica could say with complete honesty that she had fallen in love with him.

She wanted him to know, to finally break the silence about their deeper connection and finally tell him all that she felt. But after so many horrid experiences in quick succession, she was unsure of how she possibly could. And so for the last month, even as they became closer than ever, her deeper feelings remained hidden in her heart. But it was her hope that soon it would only be a matter of time before she and Vil took the next step in repairing their relationship. Even if he remained unaware of the depth of her affection.

“Dani?”

“No, we haven’t talked much at all,” Danica replied softly. “After you moved into Pomefiore, Vil-san has been mainly focused on ensuring everything returns to normal as quickly as possible. Especially since we now have a new vice dorm leader.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Yuulan nodded. “Rook-san stepped down and Sidonie has taken his place.”

“Hmph!” Grim smirked. “Did he step down or did Vil fire him ‘cause of the VDC? Cause if it were me…”

“No, Grim, he stepped down,” Danica interjected quickly, trying to avoid any misunderstanding. “Farron told me about how Sidonie took the reins of power in Pomefiore during the crisis. Vil and Rook thought it was only suitable that she be rewarded for her efforts.”

“That makes sense. I guess you two will finally have a chance this evening,” Yuulan noticed Danica’s dejected expression and continued with, “That’s what you want, right Dani?”

“Hmmm.”

Danica glanced up at Vil’s window again. The silhouette of a figure passed by the window and on instinct she lowered her eyes again, a flutter of nervousness tickling her stomach.

“Sometimes I wonder though, if everything hadn’t happened the way it did, would I still feel the way I feel for him? Do my feelings make any sense, Yuu?”

“I don’t understand.”

“She means she doesn’t understand why she still cares about Vil-san after he caused her so much crap!” Grim scoffed. “Hell when he overblotted, she almost died!”

“I get that part!” Snapped Yuulan. “What I don’t get is why you are unsure about your feelings. It’s not like Vil intentionally went out his way to hurt you.”

“Uhhh, didn’t Vil give her cursed chocolate?” Grim pointed out indignantly. “I’m sorry but I can’t forgive anyone who messes with my food!”

“That’s because all you think about is food you damn glutinous cat!” Yuulan pinched at the scruff of Grim’s neck, much to Danica’s amusement and Grim’s annoyance. “The point I’m trying to make is that Vil seems to really care about you, Danica. And it’s clear you care about him too.”

“You’re right I do, I care about him more than anything. But is it possible to love someone even after they cause you so much pain?”

“Of course,” Yuulan smiled. “People aren’t perfect, and you can still acknowledge you care about someone even if you can’t forgive their actions right away.”

“That’s true, I definitely can’t forgive Vil for everything he did during VDC prep. But at the same time, I can’t forget everything that happened between us before,” a soft tint rose on Danica’s cheeks as she glanced up at Vil’s window one last time. “In a sense, I feel like my love for him is stronger than my anger.”

“Ooooohhh you said the L word!” Grim smirked.

“Shush, Grim!” Yuulan reprimanded her furry companion before smiling at Danica. “You can still be angry at Vil, but like you said, your love for him is stronger. So your feelings make perfect sense. But,” standing up. “I imagine that there’s a lot still left unsaid. You two should probably remedy that soon so you guys can move forward.”

“Yeah I…hope so.”

Danica stood up as well, smoothing out her skirt as a means to steady herself. Taking a deep breath in, she thought about Yuulan’s words. Whatever hurt Vil had caused her, it was never out of a place of malice and his remorse was genuine. And whatever darkness lingered in Vil, Danica felt brave enough to face it, to accept it, and love him nonetheless.

She was a far different person than she was when she arrived at NRC and the truth was, she had Vil to thank for that. The very strength he instilled in her now allowed her to love him in turn. This meeting, though similar to countless others, held a weight far greater; it wasn't just any evaluation. It might be the moment she had been waiting for.

“Come on,” she finally said. “We should get to class. Let Taima know I won’t be at today's club meeting, school ends at three, and I’ll probably need as much time to prepare for this evening.”

With Yuulan and Grim following behind her, Danica left her spot under the apple tree and walked down the courtyard. Mentally preparing herself however the day might unfold. All the while wondering if this evening would finally mark a turning point in her relationship with her dorm leader. And completely unaware of the concealed presence observing her the entire time. Noting every word of their conversation with a keen ear and an increasing sense of unease.

“Oh dear, quite a conundrum this could be.”

~~~

“I understand this is extremely short notice, but couldn’t Luxe make a special exception for one of their longtime patrons?”

It was later in the afternoon and the school day would soon be drawing to a close. With the preliminary jitters having passed, Vil was planning for the evening ahead. He had already planned out what he was going to say to Danica, wrote it down, and mentally rehearsed it throughout the day. Starting with an overview of her progress in Pomefiore before shifting the conversation in a more personal manner. If all went well, he hoped that his words would reflect all that he felt for her and that she would consent to be his girlfriend.

But for Vil, it wouldn’t be enough simply for his words to resonate with her, he wanted this moment to be special. On his phone, he was looking on the website for Luxe, specifically at a gorgeously crafted gold bangle set with sapphires and diamonds. It was something he’d seen at a private jewelry show some months ago but after his rather prophetic dream the night before, all he could think about now was the exquisite piece of jewelry gracing Danica’s wrist.

Unfortunately, when Vil finally found the time to call up Adela to inquire about ordering it, he was given the frustrating news that the piece had recently been sold. And given Luxe’s reputation for exclusivity, the bangle was one of a kind, and the likelihood of replicating it was highly unlikely.

“Even if I place in a special custom order, to craft a bangle to the exact same quality with the same quantity of gems will take at least a month,” she had said. “I’m terribly sorry, Vil. It might be better to order something they already have available. I can send you some pictures of their current stock with similar stones and design.”

Vil let out a little scoff of annoyance. “Very well, I did first see it in October so I suppose it can’t be helped. Please send over some of their current items.”

Adela was swift in her response and within only a few minutes, Vil received an email containing several similar pieces from Luxe. He glanced over them, immediately finding one flaw or another with several. A pair of sapphire chandelier earrings were stunning but seemed far too ostentatious and would surely clash with Danica’s elegant, understated style. A delicate sapphire pendant seemed too simple and failed to convey the depth of Vil’s feelings—not just love, but of remorse for his past actions and gratitude for her presence in his life.

There was a star sapphire ring circled with pearls that caught his eye, but Danica never wore rings and even further, gifting a ring seemed far too presumptuous. Perhaps in a few years time, such a gift would be more appropriate.

Nothing Adela offered seemed to satisfy Vil. He was about to dismiss the latest batch as well when something finally caught his eye. It was a necklace, striking but of a classical design and elegant enough to highlight Danica’s features without being overpowering. She had sometimes expressed insecurity with her neck, particularly the length as she felt it was a little too long and awkward. Vil on the other hand secretly felt the length of her neck was one of her finest features, perfect to wear such a graceful piece of jewelry.

“I like this one,” he finally said, sending back the picture of the necklace. “This one will be perfect. And they can have it delivered within the next five hours?”

“Considering your long patronage, I’m certain Luxe will see to it,” Adela assured him. “I will note though that there is supposed to be a pair of earrings that match with this necklace but the earrings are currently out of stock. The full set is available with rubies though, would that interest you?”

“No. In this case, sapphires are preferred,” said Vil. “Thank you, Adela. Please keep me posted on the order.”

They exchanged goodbyes and Vil glanced again at the necklace. He’d decided on a sapphire piece for several reasons. For one, they reminded him of the hue of Danica’s eyes, so he knew their natural color would match well with her complexion. But beyond aesthetics, sapphires symbolized loyalty—a virtue Danica had demonstrated time and again to both him and their dorm.

It was something Vil held in great esteem and he couldn't help but imagine how beautifully Danica would wear the necklace. The sparkle in her eye when she opened the jewelry box. The smile on her face as she thanked him, coupled with her acceptance of his love. Vil didn’t consider himself much of a romantic, such sentiments were often counterproductive to his general, pragmatic worldview. But the thought of Danica always brought out surprising emotions within him and at that moment, Vil couldn’t help but allow himself to get carried away with fantasies of what a perfect evening lay ahead. And the happy future they were sure to have after so much sorrow.

“Good afternoon, Vil-san.”

So absorbed was Vil in his thoughts, that he didn’t initially notice that he was no longer alone. He glanced up from his phone to find Sidonie standing before him. He greeted her cordially, though still adjusting to her new role at his side, even if it had been his decision.

“Good afternoon, Sidonie,” he replied with a polite smile, offering her a place on the bench he was sitting at. “How are you doing today? I was just about to head over to the film research club for a quick meeting.”

“Yes, I just returned from the science club myself. Sidonie mentioned, pausing as a thought occurred to her. “I…realized we haven’t yet resumed student evaluations. We should probably start planning those soon.”

“It’s good that you have your mind on dorm matters.” Vil placed his phone down. Though not quickly enough or discreetly enough to prevent Sidonie from catching a brief glance of his screen. The image of a beautiful necklace was still visible on the screen, catching her eye.“And you’re right. In fact, I was just going over some notes before you arrived.”

Sidonie took another glance at the necklace as Vil swiped away from it to open up a spreadsheet of notes Vil kept regarding the progress of the students of his dorm. But a second glance at the necklace sparked a sense of concerned curiosity in her even as her expression remained composed and serene.

“May I see these notes?” she asked. “So I may review them?”

“We can go over them together later, after my meeting,” Vil responded.

“Very well, I won’t keep you then,” she rose from the bench, politely excusing herself. “Becoming Pomefiore’s vice dorm leader has been quite the learning curve but please let me know if there’s anything I can do to assist you with the evaluations or anything else.”

Vil thanked her, appreciating her dedication but missing the wary look that crossed her eyes as she walked away. Refocusing his mind back on the evening ahead. But as Sidonie continued walking, her mind churned with concerns she’d been harboring since that morning. If what she'd seen on Vil’s phone was what she thought it was, it seemed that her earlier suspicions were now confirmed. But more importantly, how could she help deter him from making the mistake he was about to make?

Though the events of the last month had given Sidonie a newfound respect for him, she often wondered if Vil still harbored feelings for Danica. Feelings she felt were inappropriate given all he had put her through. And beyond that, she also knew that he could be very headstrong when he set his mind to something. Often refusing to see other perspectives even when he knew he was wrong. She’d observed this firsthand during VDC prep and it now seemed that same poor judgment was about to sting his pride yet again. And possibly even place Pomefiore’s integrity, and Danica’s mental state in jeopardy if she didn’t soon intervene.

~~~

For Danica, the final hours of the school day seemed to drag on. Each minute ticked by with agonizing slowness before classes finally ended and she could return to Pomefiore. Throughout the day, her conversation with Yuulan replayed in her mind, reinforcing her resolve. Her feelings for Vil had indeed deepened amidst their shared trials, surpassing the hurt he had once caused. Now, as she prepared herself for her meeting with him, she felt more confident than ever about those feelings and looked forward to how everything would change after this evening.

After dressing in her dorm uniform and tying the wide belt around her waist, Danica sat in front of her vanity mirror to put the final touches on her appearance. On her makeup stand sat a small purple vial of perfume, the very same that she crafted in Pomefiore’s laboratory under Vil’s guidance. As she applied a dab of the fragrance to her palms, the sweet, floral scent evoked an array of vivid memories of that day and her initial anxiety about being alone with him. Initially, the experience had been intimidating, overshadowed by her fear of disappointing Vil, preventing her from fully appreciating the time they spent together.

Now in hindsight, Danica couldn't help but wonder if this moment was the first subtle hint of Vil’s interest in her, a thought that brought a smile to her face. Next, she reached for her hand cream—something Vil had given to her post-winter break. She chuckled to herself, remembering how it had come with a typical Vil-style lecture about the ravages of winter air on her delicate skin and the importance of moisturization. A sweet example of his kindness even if it came wrapped in sharp remarks. The last thing Danica did was brush her hair and decorate it with her signature rosette that matched with her dorm uniform. It had been gifted to her anonymously but she had recently begun to suspect that it was yet another gift from her dorm leader.

With these memories warming her heart, Danica felt a mixture of joy and solemnity as she finished preparing for the evening. Checking the time on her phone, she noted it was now half-past five—just thirty minutes until their meeting. With a deep breath, she turned back to her makeup, her hands steady as she applied the final touches. Tonight, everything could change, and she was ready to embrace whatever came next, hopeful for a future that was brighter and filled with mutual understanding and affection.

~~~

Since their return from the Isle of Woe, Vil had replayed this scenario in his head countless times. To the point it had recently begun to invade his dreams. As he sat quietly in the lounge, that dream now seemed closer than ever. The room was empty, silent besides the pounding of his heart. He’d managed to put Sidonie off earlier about needing the space for student evaluations, ensuring their privacy. Time was pressing, and Vil felt the weight of each second ticking by.

Adding to his anxiety, despite Adela’s promises, Luxe was unable to deliver the necklace. Instead of arriving that evening, it would come the following morning, too late for its intended purpose. But as much as this upset Vil, he chastised himself more for his own impulsiveness in deciding on a last minute gift for Danica and expecting such a prompt turnaround. Still, he remained pragmatic; this was disappointing but the necklace wouldn’t go to waste. Danica’s birthday was right around the corner, three days after his own in fact. Assuming all went well tonight, Vil couldn’t think of a better present for her special day.

Lost in these reflections, Vil was startled by the sound of the turning doorknob. Without realizing it, he briefly held his breath as the door opened and Danica walked in. Her sweet presence seemed to brighten the dimly lit room.

“Good evening, Vil-san,”

Vil quickly regained his composure, standing to greet her properly, quickly reminding himself that he had prepared the entire day for this. There was absolutely no reason for his heart to be racing as it was now. He was a professional actor after all. And yet, how was it possible for someone to be as incredibly lovely as she? Even the soft way she spoke his name in greeting was beyond enchanting. The truth was, no amount of rehearsal could shield him from the impact her presence had upon him.

Still, he had to get a grip. This was the moment he had both longed for and feared. And whatever his anxieties, it was now up to him to bridge the gap between his dream and reality.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” he said. “I hope this isn’t keeping you from other obligations.”

“I would think that meeting with one’s dorm leader should be the top of one’s priorities,” Danica replied, looking around her and realizing at once that she and Vil were alone. As she sat opposite Vil on one of the couches, she asked, “Should we wait for the vice dorm leader, or is this meeting just you and…”

“Sidonie is preoccupied with other matters,” Vil interjected. “She’s still transitioning in her new role, but I didn’t want to put this off any longer.”

Even though Danica felt she’d mentally prepred herself for this, secretly hoping for this moment with Vil, hearing this still left her a little unnerved. This was really the first time they’d been alone like this since their return from the Isle of Woe. The first time they could see each other without the presence of others. Vil noticed the uncertain look in her eyes and without realizing it, inched closer to her.

“Are you comfortable with this? That we proceed just you and I?”

“Oh, it’s fine with me,” Danica nodded, though her mind raced with a mix of emotions, particularly the realization of what all of this meant. “I don’t mind, I’m actually glad because we…”

She was about to say that because of recent events, they hadn’t seen much of each other and she was glad for this moment. But she noticed Vil looking at her in a way she couldn’t fully read and at once wondered if she was about to speak out of line, quickly apologizing before the words could pass her lips. But Vil chuckled.

“For all of your improvements, you still struggle with needless apologies,” his tone was firm but soft enough to hopefully set her heart at ease. “It’s something I truly hope you learn to curb because in all other regards, you are a model Pomefiore student, Danica. And you have grown immensely when compared to your first day here.”

“I…I mean…” Danica felt a warm sensation spread through her. “Do you really think so, Vil-san?”

“Hmph, do you believe I would lie to you, Little Potato?” He chuckled, folding his arms. “But before you apologize again, why don’t you tell me? How do you feel you’ve fared so far in your freshman year here at Pomefiore?"

“Hmmm, well,” she thought for a moment before responding. “I believe I’ve found my place here.”

“That’s because your place is here,” Vil replied, his voice carrying a hint of playfulness. “But do you still ever wish you were sorted into a different dorm?”

“No, Vil-san. Not anymore,” she laughed a little, relaxing into the conversation. “The thing is, I only ever wished that because Taima is my best friend and she’s in Scarabia. But the truth is, being in Pomefiore is helping to mold me into the kind of person I’ve always wanted to be. And I don’t think I would feel that way if…if…”

She paused, wondering if it was finally time to say what she felt in her heart. Vil pressed for her to continue. “I don’t think I would feel this way if I…didn’t have a dorm leader who was so dedicated to seeing me become a better version of myself.”

Vil nodded, his pride was evident but secretly, her gratitude warmed his heart and helped to ease the final remnants of his anxiety. Now, he was feeling bold.

“I may be biased but I agree with you, Little Potato.” He smiled, smoothly adding, “And frankly, no other dorm uniform could possibly highlight your unique beauty as ours does.”

“Vil-san…” Danica blushed, even now, it was still rare for Vil to compliment her so directly. His words lingered in her mind, nearly causing her to miss his next question.

“On that note, what do you think of your dorm leader?

“Wh…what?”

Temporarily stunned, this was a question quite atypical for a student evaluation. Such a direct question spoke to more than just Danica’s progress but something far deeper and secretly, something she was already hoping for. This was her moment and she knew she had to answer accordingly. Inhaling deeply, she silently gathered her thoughts, lowering her gaze as she began to realize the weight of them.

“Look at me, Danica,” Vil chided gently, pressing a finger under her chin. Hesitantly, she slowly raised her gaze to his, blushing at the smile pulling at his lips.

“Pomefiore’s dorm leader is a firm but fair person,” she softly began. “Sometimes he’s harsh, sometimes I don’t understand him, and sometimes he does things that come off as very cruel. But despite that, I can see his kindness and his generosity. And beyond that…”

Danica closed her eyes, recalling her horror when Vil jumped down into the underworld to rescue Idia, Ortho and Grim. After all that Idia had done, Vil didn’t think twice about pulling him and his brother back from the abyss, risking his life and coming at the cost of his youthful beauty. For all of Vil’s laments and projections of his inherent evilness, Danica couldn’t imagine any villain doing the same. With a new sense of confidence, she smiled as she finished her statement.

“…beyond that, he’s also selfless and brave. I see all of those things and I appreciate everything he does. Not just for me, but for everyone in our dorm and even beyond it. I admire him, truly.”

There was so much more that Danica wanted to say, she chose to restrain herself, staying within the bounds of the question. Regardless, Vil felt deeply moved by her answer. Though he was unsure if he truly warranted such high appraisal, he valued it nonetheless and it was exactly the response he was hoping for from her. Now he had absolutely no reservations about moving this conversation towards a more personal direction.

“When you wish to, you have always spoken your mind so eloquently,” he remarked kindly. “But your confidence has grown as well.”

Danica almost smiled, flattered and slightly embarrassed by his observation. She felt more assured than when she first arrived at Night Raven College, yet she still grappled with moments of insecurity and wasn’t sure if she fully agreed with Vil. Before she could ponder this further, she realized just how much the physical distance between them had closed as they spoke. What began as a conversation with them seated at opposite ends of the couch had subtly shifted them closer, now just inches apart, close enough to touch.

“There is one final question I wish to ask you, Danica,” Vil leaned into her, his voice now barely above a whisper.

Danica's breath caught in anticipation, her eyes locked on Vil's. But just as he was about to continue, the doorknob turned abruptly. The sudden interruption shattering the intimate atmosphere between them.

On instinct, Vil swiftly moved away from Danica before the door could fully open. Danica turned around, a strange sense of disappointment crossing her face as Sidonie stepped into the lounge.

#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland oc #twst oc #pomefiore oc #vil schoenheit #vil schoenheit x oc #vil x oc #oc: danica #otp: vildani #fairest after all #things i write

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jasmariswonderland · 2 months ago

Text

The First Test ~ VilxOC

Synopsis: Danica's dorm uniform vignette Remember to Breathe, but from Vil's POV. Timeline for this chapter is early October.

A/N: This is chapter 4/20 of my VilDani anthology Fairest After All. If it isn’t obvious yet, I’m writing these chapters out of order as inspiration comes.

Pairings: 👑/🦢

Word Count: 11157

~~~

“Have a seat, Mademoiselle.”

Vil and Rook watched as she entered the lounge. Danica made a courteous bow to her dorm leaders before sitting on the couch opposite them. Despite her attempts to maintain dignity, a hint of anxiety lingered beneath her poised exterior. After a month of observing all the freshmen who recently joined Pomefiore, it was now Vil’s intention to map out a course of self-improvement for each of them. Over the past two days, he and Rook met with them for individual evaluations. Appraising their progress or, more often, lecturing them on shortcomings and advising them on how to reach their full potential.

Vil's assessments were always fair but unfailingly meticulous and often laced with acerbity. A fact not lost on Danica. The remarks he gave were often biting with the result that she saw more than a few of her fellow freshmen leave the lounge with tears in their eyes. And just before coming in for her evaluation, Epel had his own. When she asked him how it went, he had only one response.

“Uh…it was quick at least.”

“Was it quick in a good way or a bad way?”

“Uhhh, well,” Epel shifted uncomfortably. “Well…eh…it was quick. That’s all I’m gonna say.”

His response only deepened Danica’s apprehension. Considering Epel’s poor manners and provincial speech were often the subject of Vil’s displeasure, Danica could only imagine the verbal thrashing he had subjected him to. Now it was her turn and the weight of uncertainty pressed heavily upon her. She was aware that Vil was less than pleased with her quiet nature, and he had many critical things to say about her desire to make perfume, even if he did end up assisting her in his own way. What else about her did Vil disapproved of?

Well, here goes nothing. Merciful Sevens, let this be over quickly!

“Hmm? Is something the matter? Why do you look like that?”

Vil promptly sensed her unease and didn't hesitate to address it. She tried to deny this but knew such was futile. Rook noticed as well.

“Ma cherie, you’re extremely stiff, and your eyes resemble those of a frightened doe, gazing at her doom in the form of a hunter's bow.”

“N…no…” Danica blushed, trying to fix her posture, but ended up looking more nervous as a result. “I’m fine, I swear.”

“If that’s the case, loosen your shoulders,” she did so, and Vil gave a small nod of approval. “That’s better, but not too much. I won’t tolerate slouching.”

Danica made sure to keep herself in place, breathing slowly as Vil and Rook asked her questions about her time in Pomefiore. She admitted she was unsure she was well suited for such a prestigious dorm. But she was also a great admirer of the Fairest Queen, and she felt the mission statement of Pomefiore resonated with her. Vil was pleased to hear this, though he wasn’t as pleased to find out that without his consultation, Rook had assigned Sidonie as Danica’s mentor.

Though a sophisticated and refined sophomore, Sidonie was also incredibly outspoken. She was one of the few in Pomefiore who dared answer back to Vil and while he sometimes respected it, her words often bordered on insolence. He would have much preferred Farron to be Danica’s mentor; hopefully, she wouldn’t pick up on Sidonie’s less-than-ideal traits.

“You seem to be doing well for yourself thus far,” said Vil. “In any case, you understand why you’re here, correct?”

“Yes, Sir,” Danica nodded. “To receive your guidance on how to best improve myself and become more beautiful. I will be grateful for any advice you see fit to give me.”

Vil had to suppress a smile. When she wasn’t consumed by anxiety, Danica could be unintentionally quite charming. If only the other spudlings could learn from her example. In fact, when Vil thought more about it, Pomefiore welcomed twenty-eight freshmen that year. And yet, Danica was one of only three whom he hadn’t needed to give serious critique.

Rather than needing critique, Danica actually could see the value of hard work and her conduct often reflected that. Since showing her the dorm’s laboratory, Vil often found her there, working on her fragrances when no one else was around. He had even seen her extend a hand of friendship to Epel, joining in on his etiquette lessons when she hardly needed to. Her shyness still did not sit well with him but indeed for one still in her first year, Danica was already shaping up to be a model Pomefiore student. This was remarkable in and of itself, and he had no problem telling her this.

“Competency in a freshman, even in its smallest measurement, is a breath of fresh air, to say the least.”

“Ahh, to be graced with Vil’s good opinion,” Rook beamed. “Quite a blessing, indeed!”

“Thank you, Sir.”

Danica smiled and even felt herself beginning to relax. So far, this had not been as bad as she had initially feared. Yet Vil was sure to still give her critique, and his proceeding frown caused her to tense up again.

“Still, that doesn’t mean you’re completely exempt from needing improvements!”

“Uh…yes, I understand!”

Even with all Vil approved of in Danica, he still found plenty of room for her to better herself. To her surprise, her shyness did not come up even once. He began by giving a lecture regarding her current skincare regime. As the daughter of the owner of Ledelle cosmetics, those were what Danica primarily used. To an extent, Vil could understand this, at the same time, he felt some of the items were less than suitable for her. He handed her a folded piece of paper listed with alternatives, along with the order for her to purchase them immediately. Danica agreed without protest, though silently, she found some of the recommended products quite pricey, even by her standards.

Next, Vil complimented Danica’s hair, admitting it was one of her finest features. Unfortunately, this praise was swiftly followed by yet another lecture. Though her hair was lovely, she was doing nothing to accentuate its beauty. And since it was one of her nicest features, to his mind, neglecting to bring attention to it was all the more offensive to him. It was true Danica often let her hair hang freely down her back and shoulders, tying it up only to go to Professor Crewel’s class. And she almost never used any hair accessories, though she never saw a problem with this.

“I…I always thought the length of my hair alone was eye-catching enough,” Danica replied, running her hand through some of her long dark locks. “I think it measured to almost 60cm last time I checked.”

“Oui, your tresses are magnifique,” Rook smiled. “But do you ever wear them in different styles? Decorate them with flowers or even jewels?”

“A flower might be lovely on its own but even it will wilt quickly without care,” Vil added. “In your case, consider ways to bring out the elegance of your hair.”

“Understood, Sir.”

This was the bulk of Vil’s critique. For the most part, Danica carried herself well, and her manners were adequate. She would surely take his advice regarding her hair and skincare. In regard to her makeup skills, he decided to refrain from commenting on them for the time being. Those would certainly improve over time, and at least she was aware of what colors suited her best.

Vil had only one remaining matter to address, and that was Danica's failure to join a school club. Extracurricular activities were mandatory at Night Raven College, and most freshmen decided on a club to join within a week of enrollment. Now, a month into the school year, Vil couldn’t help but find this odd, and even if the headmage didn’t take notice now, he certainly would soon.

“Perhaps we can help you select one suited for you, cherie,” Rook chimed in. “What sorts of things do you enjoy?”

“Since you’ve taken to learning fragrance crafting, perhaps you’d enjoy the science club?”

“Tres bien! I like that idea!” a huge smile lit up Rook’s face. “What say you, Danica? You’d be in the same club as myself and your mentor! What fun you would have with us!”

“Thank you, Rook-san but…” Danica hesitated. “As much as I’m enjoying learning about perfume, there are…other things I enjoy even more.”

“Oh? Care to tell us then?”

“Well…I…like to dance. And I like to sing too, but…”

“Really now?” now Vil couldn't help but smile. “With that quiet demeanor of yours, we never would have guessed.”

“Dancing and singing, quite the muse you are, cherie!”

“Ah…uh…thank you…” Danica blushed. “There was also an idol club at my middle school that I was a part of. Granted, it was only three members but we had fun and even put on a few performances for school events.”

“Idol club?”

“Yes, so I think if there’s some kind of music club here, that would be a good fit for me.”

“Hmmm.”

It was surprising enough that this soft-spoken freshman had such extroverted hobbies. But performing as an idol, even an amateur one, demanded a lot of skill and twice the dedication. And Danica certainly looked the part, Vil could easily envision her on stage were it not for her normally timid nature. It almost seemed like an oxymoron. But if this was true, well, if she didn’t have Vil’s attention before, she certainly had it now.

A thought immediately came to him, something he had been considering for quite a while but had intentionally tried to put off until this moment. Something that, if Vil played his cards right, he might very well have found a solution. So engrossed was Vil in these thoughts that he didn’t realize he had been staring at Danica for more than a few minutes—too long for her not to become concerned again.

“Uh…did I do something wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?”

Such a sweet face she has. Vil thought. Sweet, but not infuriating to look at like…and if she can sing and dance, then maybe…maybe…

“Danica, if you would be so kind as to stay put here for a moment,” he said at last. “There is something Rook and I must discuss amongst ourselves.”

With that, Vil quickly rose, and Rook followed behind him, Leaving Danica utterly confused and even more concerned. It didn’t take a genius to understand that whatever they were about to discuss involved her, and that was what troubled her the most.

~~~

They went into the hallway, pausing before Rook pointed out that they were still close enough to the lounge to be in Danica’s hearing range. Vil didn’t want to risk her overhearing anything and quickly walked further down the hall before reaching two large double doors, his mind racing all the while. The Pomefiore ballroom offered them more distance and, more importantly, privacy for what he was about to ask his vice dorm leader.

“Rook, since you seem to know a lot about Danica’s background,” he began. “Among the plethora of knowledge you’ve somehow gathered, would you happen to know where she attened middle school?”

“Oui! You know me well!” Rook gave him a knowing smile. “Danica attended Three Graces Academy.”

Three Graces Academy, that made sense, Vil thought. It was an all girls school also on the Isle of Sages, centered at the midway point between Night Raven College and Royal Sword Academy. Many of its alumni ended up attending the latter after graduating, though there were some exceptions. And with this newfound information, Vil pulled out his phone.

“The daughter of one of the most revered cosmetics brands in Twisted Wonderland, sister of one of the most celebrated dancers in Shaftlands’ history, a professed performer herself. And yet she goes out of her way not to attract attention.”

“Quite a mystery she is,” Rook said, slyly adding, “And yet, Roi du Poison, you know what they say about mysteries, right?”

“Hmph, the longer I know her, the more questions I have.” Vil tapped on his phone, and it lit up. “Mira, mira tell me something.”

“Yes, what are you searching for?” Mira asked.

“Can you show me any information available about Three Graces Acacemy’s idol club spanning from the last three years?”

“Yes, searching the web,” his phone’s screen blinked as Mira quickly completed the search. “Found, 2483 results for ‘Three Graces Academy’s idol club from last three years.”

“More than two thousand results?!” Vil was genuinely surprised. “I wasn’t expecting even half as much! For an amateur unit…”

“They must have been popular at their school,” Rook replied. “How about we take a look at what Mira found?”

Vil needed no convincing. Still standing, they went to the far corner of the room where there were a few chairs. They sat down and scrolled through Vil’s phone; the majority of the results directed them to a single Magicam account. To their surprise, this account had over twenty thousand followers, a large number for what was an amateur group. Their bio read:

“TGA’s idol club has officially disbanded. Guess what? We’ve all graduated! This is an archived account to share old memories of our time at TGA. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for us!”

The last update had been months ago, but from this account, they found several photos and videos of a younger Danica performing with two other girls at her side. Rook recognized one of the girls as Taima, a Scarabia freshman frequently seen with Danica around campus. Even without being updated for a while, there were still many new comments, which gave Vil the impression that they had indeed been well-liked when they were still active. Watching through the Magicam videos, he could understand why.

The three were undeniably talented, but his focus was primarily on Danica and her fascinating, rather perplexing stage presence. It was as though he was watching a completely different person. Far removed from how she normally was, she exuded the vibrant glow of one who loved performing with her friends and reveled in the adoration of their audience.

“Quelle beute!” Rook murmured. “I cannot take my eyes away from her!”

Vil said nothing, but he was inclined to agree with him. Danica’s smile, her energy, and the way she moved were all contagious, and Vil enjoyed watching her—even if the group’s cutesy pop style wasn’t really his preference. The longer he continued watching, the more he felt something else shift within his heart. For the last month, something about Danica continued to hold Vil’s interest, and now he felt that there was a reason.

But one thing did not escape his notice, as many of the comments also observed.

“They slay so hard, but why doesn't Dani ever sing solo??”

“They’re so cute! I’m obsessed with watching them! I just wish they all sang!”

“I graduated with them and went to most of their shows! I kept hoping Dani would sing lines of her own, but she never did!”

As Vil went through every video on their profile, he found this once again perplexing. Like a puzzle he couldn’t solve. After combing through all of their profile content, he decided to search further on Magicam. There were a few recordings of some of their shows, but nothing he hadn’t already seen. One particular video was of the group accepting an award at a local talent show, once again filling Vil’s head with ideas he did not yet dare to voice.

Eventually, after a few minutes more of scrolling, Vil came across a single video—one of the club’s final performance celebrating their school graduation. Vil tapped on it but wasn’t ready for what he was about to see—or better yet, what he was about to hear.

Dressed in soft, feathered white, Danica took center stage with her two friends behind her. Vil wasn’t one to be easily impressed, and he wasn’t sure what he was expecting. But it took only a few notes for Vil’s jaw to drop in awe. Her voice lacked the high hyper girly pitch often associated with idols. Yet it possessed a uniquely enchanting quality, unlike anything he had heard before. Vil felt his heart pounding in his chest. Along with other ideas returning to take shape.

“Ah, Vil,” Rook sighed. “It appears that Pomefiore has been graced with a rare and beautiful gem this year. And we are all the richer in having her.”

The voice of his vice dorm leader brought Vil out of his mesmerized state. He nodded at Rook’s assessment, though his focus was primarily on the video–not noticing the fact that comments on the video were disabled. All the while, his mind was still a whirlwind of thoughts, all of them changing with each passing moment.

Why was Danica so introverted despite being so talented? Why did she always act so shy and fearful when she had such incredible abilities in her hands? And just like her interest in fragrance crafting, why did she never even bring up her love of performing in the first place? Considering that NRC had a music club, Vil surmised that Danica would leap at the chance to join them and the opportunity to be on stage again. None of this made sense to him and the more Vil thought about this, the more questions welled up within him. But his initial perplexity was gradually transforming into a growing sense of annoyance.

One of the many things that incensed Vil was wasted potential. He felt that in hiding her skills, Danica was allowing them to fall to the wayside. Talent, like beauty, he felt, was a powerful thing, a treasure that not all were blessed with. Something remarkable that could hold people's attention and reach their hearts. It even had the power to change the world. It was a power Danica held so naturally so why was she so reluctant to use it?

Vil didn’t want to imagine that she could be guilty of capriciousness, but he couldn’t find any other reason to rationalize her behavior. This further irked him and it was at the height of this annoyance that Rook finally voiced the question that had been on Vil’s mind the entire time.

“I know what you are thinking, Vil,” he said. “You’re considering having Danica compete in the Vocal and Dance Championship this February. Aren’t you?”

At this, an irritated scowl began to twist upon Vil’s face. Yes, this was exactly what Vil was thinking. It was what he’d been thinking from the moment Danica told him about her previous idol club activities. This year, NRC and RSA would be competing in the VDC with two separate units; one boy's team and a girl's team as well. Vil was slated to lead the boy's unit for NRC, but he hadn’t yet given much thought to which girl would lead the other until now. And with her striking appearance and unique vocal talent, Danica seemed like a natural solution. The key to their victory against RSA.

“Is she really up to the challenge though?” he murmured.

“With talent like her’s, she would be a perfect fit, I believe,” Rook smiled.

“Hmph, it takes far more than talent to win the VDC, Rook. Winners are chosen through voting rather than judges. And those who emerge victorious often land deals in the entertainment industry.”

Vil couldn’t help but chuckle. “Given her current personality, I wonder if Danica could even handle the increased public spotlight—or if it might end up drowning her. Still, the fact remains that you are correct. I do want her to take part in the VDC. Night Raven College MUST take first place in both divisions this year, and I will see to it that this becomes reality by any means necessary!”

“Ohhh, Roi du Poison! How your eyes sparkle with intense determination, it is both frightening and inspiring!” Rook clasped his hands together with admiration. “And I suppose your desire to beat RSA makes sense, considering their boy’s team this year is being led by…”

Vil immediately turned his intense glare at Rook, silently telling him to either choose his next words carefully or bite his tongue. Instead, he tried to offer his dorm leader another suggestion.

“But if you want so badly for Danica to perform in the VDC, why not simply order her to do so? As her dorm leader, you have that authority. Why should this be any different from when you ordered the same of Epel?”

“Because this is different!”

Vil’s sharp tone took Rook aback for a moment. He hadn’t realized how deep Vil was in his thoughts and even Vil himself seemed surprised at his sudden impatience. He sighed and quickly apologized to his vice dorm leader.

“The truth is, this is about far more than her participation in the VDC. Since the start of the school year, something about Danica has held my interest and only now am I beginning to see the immense potential she holds. Yes, I’m less than pleased with her shyness and her desire to conceal her talent. But I am also eager; I suppose you can call it that. Eager to see her overcome her fear and see her succeed. Even…” A new thought came to Vil.

“Even if…”

“Hmmm?”

“Even if it means I must find more…unique ways to unlock her potential.”

Rook, ever the inquisitive one, couldn't help but press for more details. "What do you mean by that, Vil?"

Vil’s lips curled into a smirk as he divulged to Rook exactly the idea he had in mind, what would end up being his first real test for Danica.

~~~

“WHAT?!”

Danica’s voice rang out through the lounge and she nearly jumped off the couch when Vil first presented the offer to her. She could hardly believe it, when she initially sat down for her evaluation, she mentally prepared for the worst. Never did she imagine that her dorm leader would give her relatively good feedback. Let alone that he’d offer her the remarkable opportunity of leading one of NRC’s teams for this year's VDC. But that was exactly what he did. A thrilling prospect, but also incredibly surreal.

“ME?! PERFORMING IN THE…”

“Please lower your voice!” snapped Vil, always a stickler for properierty.

“But, why me?!” Danica continued, her voice quieter but no less bewildered. “Why me? I’m just a freshman!”

“Ma cherie, we doubt your grade will have any bearing on your skills,” said Rook. “And I don’t think we need to explain to you what un tres incroyable opportunity this would be.

“And frankly,” Vil slyly added. “I would prefer that both teams be led by members of the finest, most beautiful dorm in our school. That is, you and I.”

“R…really?” a soft tint came to Danica’s cheeks as she hesitantly asked, “W…will I be able to select the girls I’d like for the team? A friend of mine in the Scarabia dorm was a part of the idol club with me at our old school.

“When the time comes, yes,” Vil replied. “But I will have the final say on each team's members.”

“Hmmmm…”

Danica thought more about this. A part of her wanted to refuse Vil’s offer. Though she enjoyed being on stage, it was still her hope that she would continue her life at NRC without drawing much notice. And singing for a few hundred people at a school event and performing on the world stage were two different things entirely. Many of the students who were in the VDC eventually became idols in their own right. She remembered watching the VDC on television with her idol club, searching for inspiration.

Now, that very same opportunity for fame lay in front of her. To add to this, during past VDCs, she did notice that while NRC always competed, they never managed to snag first place. That honor almost always went to RSA.

Still, at the same time, this wouldn’t be Danica’s first time on stage, and more importantly, she wouldn’t be alone. Performing alone was truthfully her greatest fear, but with Taima by her side to keep her nerves in check, Danica felt that she could deliver a winning performance. As daunting as this proposal was, Danica had to admit, the thought of performing for NRC and helping them defeat RSA was more than a little intriguing.

A few more moments of hesitation passed before she finally smiled.

“Well, if that’s the case, I accept!” For the briefest moment, she glanced up at Vil with genuine confidence. “I’ll perform in the VDC! It would be an honor to…”

“Not so fast!” Vil interrupted her, a slightly mischievous glint came to his eyes, though Danica did not yet notice. “You didn’t think we would offer you this opportunity without first assessing your skills, did you?”

“Huh? Did you…want me to sing? Right now? Here?”

“Of course not! Recall what I said about your evaluation not ending today?”

Danica looked at Vil and Rook with slight confusion. She thought about what Vil had said and what he could have meant. A poorly concealed smirk on Rook’s face placed a horrifying thought into her mind. Exactly what Vil had in mind all along.

“Wait, WAIT! You can’t possibly mean…?!”

Vil confirmed the worst for her: “A week from today, the dorm will hold an impromptu concert. You’ll give us a brief performance, at which time I’ll determine your fitness to lead a girl’s team for VDC.”

Somehow, hearing Vil voice this was even worse than the thought of it. He couldn’t be serious. Danica prayed that he wasn’t serious. Unfortunately, he was quite serious and reiterated this, causing her heart to drop.

How could Vil ask such a thing of her? Notwithstanding her fear of being alone on stage, it didn’t make sense. If Danica performed in the VDC, she’d be performing as a group with Taima and other female students. If this was just about assuring she was talented enough, she could just sing now. Singing in front of Vil and Rook would be nerve wracking, but still less than singing in front of a bunch of other people. She didn’t understand why she had to be put in the spotlight like this.

Unfortunately, Vil’s answer did nothing to ease her anxiety. “If the leader of the girl's team is from Pomefiore, she must be up to the task and ready to bring meritt to her dorm. A model disciple of the Fairest Queen.”

“But me…?” Danica lowered her head, feeling smaller and smaller by the second. “Singing solo? Me? Only me?!”

Vil couldn’t help but chuckle. “Do you see anyone else here in this room?”

“But I…couldn’t I just sing a duet with Taima?” It was a longshot, but her one final hope to avoid this. “We were both part of our idol club after all. Can’t I just sing with her?”

“Ah,” Rook gave her a kind smile. “I had a feeling she would ask that.”

“Absolutely not! This is not an assessment for her. This is an assessment for you!”

Vil was beginning to feel irritated, but he managed to keep this to himself. This dorm concert would happen regardless of what Danica said. He refused to entertain any capricious wavering on her part but on the other hand, didn’t want to seem completely unreasonable. The truth was, Vil had decided that Danica would lead the girl's VDC team as soon as he looked at her old performances on Magicam.

Having her perform solo in public was merely a test. A facade for a far deeper motive.

“Only you will be singing, but I’ll concede to allowing you to invite her to your performance if you wish.”

Danica sighed. With the way Vil sounded, she knew that trying to argue further wouldn’t be the wisest course of action. As much as she didn’t want to do this, she did want to perform in the VDC and this was the only way she’d be able to. So with great reluctance, she nodded her agreement.

“Thank you, Vil-san. I understand. I’ll…do my best.”

“Don’t be sad, cherie,” Rook tried to encourage her. “I’m greatly looking forward to hearing you, and being enchanted by your lovely voice.”

“We have high expectations for you, Little Potato. Don’t let us down. You may go now.”

This time, Vil actually smiled, but Danica only stared blankly at them, still trying to comprehend all of this and unable to find the right words. She merely nodded again and with a heavy heart, rose to her feet and left the lounge to return to her room. Her thoughts consumed by the daunting task that lay ahead.

~~~

Even for a relatively intimate affair, Vil had much to do in the days leading up to the dorm concert. As the leader of the dorm renowned for hosting the most stylish social gatherings, everything from setting to decor had to exude Pomefiore’s signature elegance. A responsibility Vil took with the utmost seriousness.

True to his word, Vil invited Taima to attend her best friend’s performance. Naturally, every student of Pomefiore received an invite, and Vil also made a point to extend invitations to Cater, Kalim and Lilia, the three members of the light music club.

“And each of you is allowed to bring one other person as a plus one,” he had told Cater when he extended an invite to him. “I have a feeling you and your clubmates will take a strong liking to our main performer. Who knows? You may even want this little potato as your newest member!”

“Cool beans! We’re always scouting for new talent!” Cater grinned. “And I always love a good concert! Will I be able to take pics and vids for my Magicam?”

“Only of our main performer, of course!” Vil responded with a smirk. “Take as much footage of her as you like, and,” allowing himself to lean in a little closer to the redhead, “Strictly between you and I, make sure it all goes viral.”

“Oooooh, how intriguing!” Winked Cater. “IDK how much sway I have over the Magicam algorithm, but I’ll do my best!”

By the middle of the week, everything was ready except the setlist of songs Danica would sing. Vil intended to give Danica the option of what she wanted to perform, but throughout the preparations, she seemed to elude him. It got to the point that Vil had to once again turn to Rook for input on Danica’s favorite music to prepare audio for the show. And inwardly, couldn’t shake the nagging suspicion that Danica was purposefully avoiding him.

To some extent, Vil could understand her apprehension about performing solo, particularly if she did it so rarely in the past. Still, he remained adamant that the concert should still proceed. With the VDC a few months away, this would act as a dress rehearsal for her and all the acclaim that awaited her after her debut on the world stage.

Yet beyond mere performance readiness, Vil harbored a deeper intention. Danica was under the impression that needed to prove herself before earning a spot in the VDC. A misconception Vil deliberately allowed her to believe that he would dispel Saturday evening after the concert concluded. For, in truth, this was all a test of Danica’s resilience and, on a more personal level, an opportunity to show her untapped potential. A continuation of his promise that she would learn to carry herself with more confidence.

~~~

One afternoon, soon after finalizing all plans for the concert, Vil and Rook were walking back to the lounge when they finally came across Danica. Speaking with Sidonie and appearing noticeably distressed.

“I need to speak with Vil-san right away!” she said.

“He and Rook are in the ballroom,” replied Sidonie. Is everything alright?”

“It’s about Saturday! He’s probably not going to like this but…”

“But what?” Vil and Rook made their presence known and Vil glanced at Danica with curious scrutiny. “What won’t I like? Go on, Little Potato. What do you have to say?”

Danica paused, her mind quickly formulating an explanation that she felt would not only appease her dorm leader but also compel him to reconsider his plans. In truth, she had spent the day in a distressful frenzy, first finding out from Taima that Vil had extended the guestlist for the concert to students outside the dorm. And later found out that members of the light music club would also be attending and one was even going to stream the show live for Magicam. This was all quickly getting out of hand and going against every initial hope she carried when she arrived at NRC.

As much as she wanted to perform in the VDC, a part of her still desired to remain unnoticed. It was only the prospect of singing beside Taima and others that made her agree in the first place; never was it her intention to take center stage. She knew invisibility was counterproductive to her interests, but it was a complex dilemma she had held since childhood—and one she did not think would be resolved by Saturday.

“I’m sorry to bother you, Sir,” she began hesitantly. “But this is about Saturday. You see, well, since you…chose to invite other students…I feel all the more pressured to be perfect. I know this will upset you, but I’d like to cancel, or maybe…”

“Cancel?” Rook gasped. “Why ever for?”

“I never stated I wouldn’t invite others,” Vil folded his arms. “All I said was that you could invite your Scarabia friend.”

“I…I understand that, but…I’m…concerned about my ability to give a top-notch performance.”

“Is that so?” Vil suppressed a scoff. She was being capricious again, as Vil felt it to be. But everything was going according to plan, and he was willing to play along with her, even if his decision still stood firm. “Well, if that’s the case, I can understand your concerns. Care to tell me specifically what those concerns are?”

Danica took a deep breath. “Well to begin with, I brought some of my stage outfits with me from home when I came to NRC. I recently tried them all on, and it appears I’ve…lost some weight,” she sighed. “Since this concert is such short notice, I don’t have time to send them to a tailor. And Farron is too busy with his club duties to help out. Therefore, I don’t have anything suitable to wear.”

“Hmmm.”

Vil placed a finger to his chin, pretending to ponder Danica’s words

“Well now, that would be quite a conundrum warranting cancellation…” Danica’s face began to light up before Vil's eyes gave her a mischievous look. “…if you weren’t already going to wear your dorm uniform. I appreciate your desire to look fabulous, but in this case, wearing your dorm uniform would be more appropriate since you will be bringing merritt to Pomefiore. Is there anything else you’re concerned about?”

“YES!!!” Danica voice spiked before quickly reigning composure, hoping Vil hadn’t taken notice. “I mean…yes there is. I assume the concert will be here in the lounge. If that’s the case, with everyone who’s been invited, I’m worried this space is a tad too small to…”

“How interesting that you would read my mind, Mademoiselle!” This time, it was Rook who interjected, smiling kindly. “Vil and I just arrived from the ballroom and I have convinced him that space would be more suitable for allowing you to truly shine!”

“Is there anything else?” asked Vil.

“One last thing, I guess.”

Please let this work! Danica was running out of ideas, but she hoped this one would appeal to her dorm leader.

“Back in my old idol club, we would always have our performances recorded. That way, I could watch them later to critique myself and take notes on what to do differently in the future. I’m guessing it would be too short a notice…”

“Hmph. I must say, and I don’t do so lightly, that your devotion to perfection is honorable, Danica.”

This time, Vil gave Danica a small but genuine smile that took her aback. Stirring a peculiar warmth in her chest that almost made her forget her current anxiety. She hoped it was a sign that perhaps she had finally gotten through to him and he would change his mind. His following words unfortunately dashed those hopes for her.

“Fear not. Cater seems adamant about taking pictures for social media, so I’m certain he’ll be more than thrilled to take video as well. I’ll make sure he forwards everything to you.”

“As you can see, cherie, you have no need for concern. Come Saturday, you will merveilleusse!”

Vil and Rook appeared pleased but Danica couldn’t help but sigh with a sinking feeling overwhelmed her heart. Sidonie had watched this exchange happen and listened quietly. But now, seeing the sadness in Danica’s eyes, finally decided to speak up.

“Vil, I might be meddling, but I think the idea of Saturday’s concert is distressing her. A lot.”

“Is that so, Danica? There seems to be more you wish to say.”

Danica glanced up at Vil; there was indeed more she wished to say, though she was unsure if she could. She knew she couldn’t explain the extent of her anxiety to him, and she doubted he would understand in any case. How could someone as radiant and incredible as Vil Scheonheit empathize with the desire to be invisible? How could an actor as talented and gorgeous as he really understand her fears of judgement? But she knew this might be her last chance to change her mind; she had to take it and hope for the best.

“Go on.”

“All these things are important to me, Vil-san. But the honest truth is, I’ve never sung solo before. If you make me do this, it would be a first for me.”

Vil sighed. “Yes, Danica, I know.”

“Huh?!” This surprised her. “But how could you? How…”

“How I know is of no importance.”

Vil’s patience was thinning. He had humored Danica up until this point, but his patience was now wearing thin. Regardless of her feelings, the concert wouldn’t be canceled, and he had no intention of entertaining her capriciousness for much longer.

“Do you think I would consider any amateur singer to represent our school, and our dorm, at the VDC? Or someone who was unsuited?”

“N…no Sir. And I want to meet your expectations, but I…”

“If you want to meet my expectations, you can begin by not acting so sullen before you’ve even started!” He frowned. “How will you know what you’re capable of if you give up at the slightest difficulty? Unexceptionable!”

Vil could be quite frightening when he wanted to be and he was never more frighting than when he was displeased. His angry tone made quick work of any desire Danica harbored to argue further. She lowered her head with defeat, biting back a few frustrated tears that she refused to allow her dorm leader to see.

“I’m sorry. I certainly don’t want to be a disappointment. I’ll…do my best on Saturday.”

“That’s better,” his mood quickly softened at her obedience. “Now, you should probably start rehearsing; you can use the ballroom if you wish.”

Without another word, Danica exited the lounge. Vil, Rook, and Sidonie watched her leave, with the latter looking increasingly concerned. Wondering if, once again, her dorm leader was placing unnecessary pressure upon someone. After all, Danica would not be competing in the VDC alone; other NRC girls would perform with her. Vil’s plans seemed somewhat excessive to Sidonie, and she had no hesitation in saying so.

“This isn’t excessive at all,” Vil retorted. “Danica will be in the spotlight to a much larger degree when she wins. I only wish to see if she is up to the challenge.”

“Wait!” Sidonie looked at Vil with surprise. “You mean to tell me you’ve already decided to let her lead the girls’ team?”

“Oui!” Rook smiled. “Vil already decided after we found some videos of her idol club on the internet. She’s quite talented and certainly has a winning presence!”

“I’ll inform her Saturday evening, after her performance,” added Vil, giving Sidonie a stern look. “She’s not aware of this yet, and I expect you to keep it that way!”

“But now this makes even less sense! Why make Danica prove herself if you’ve already decided? What would be the point?! Why…”

As Sidonie voiced her thoughts, a new one came to her that caused her to pause. She suddenly realized what exactly her dorm leader was planning, and the look he gave her silently confirmed it. As much as she didn’t agree with this manner of guidance, there was only so much she could say. Especially since Rook seemed to agree with what Vil was doing. She shook her head.

“So you’re testing her, I see how it is. Don’t worry, I won’t tell her anything. I just hope you know what you’re doing, Vil.”

“Hmph, of course, I know what I’m doing, and of course, I’m testing her.” Vil gave a devious little chuckle. “Whether she sinks or swims, come Saturday, we shall see.”

~~~

As Vil exited the lounge, Rook opted to stay with Sidonie, talking with her and hoping to ease her concerns. It was his intention to return to his room but as he passed the large double doors leading to the dorm’s ballroom, he found they were slightly cracked. He didn’t think much of it at first, before an unexpected sound halted his steps—a soft, muffled crying from within. Curiosity piqued, Vil quietly approached the doors and peered inside, only to be confronted with a perplexing and sad sight.

“Get a grip, girl. Get a grip.”

Danica sat on the floor, softly weeping with her smartphone propped up on a chair opposite her. She was unaware of Vil’s eyes watching her, and Vil chose not to make his presence known. But her tears were brief, and Vil listened as she sternly chided herself, reminding herself that Vil wasn’t going to change his mind and that she had to be strong.

“Get a grip, Danica. You can do this, you have to do this.”

Wiping her face with her sleeve, she stood up and went to her phone. She turned on her camera and stood in front of it. The camera's beeping echoed in the large empty room, and on its cue, Danica began to sing, swaying her body to the lyrics.

“So one last time,” with a graceful turn, “I need to be the one to take you home. One more time, I promise after that I’ll let you go.”

Her voice, unaccompanied by music, filled the space with a unique beauty Vil found strangely more compelling than the Magicam videos he’d seen. He could hear how her voice had matured from her middle school days and, despite her previous tears, resonated with elegance. Danica’s performance was brief. After singing, she verbally critiqued her own performance, noting things she wished to improve to the camera.

“The sleeves of my Pomefiore uniform flow beautifully when I move. I should use that to my advantage. Open out your arms as you sing ‘I promise,’ and allow your free arm to move with you if your mic isn’t stationary. I should probably practice moving around in my dorm uniform too.” She then stopped the recording, sat back down on the floor, and chided herself before her emotions could overwhelm her again. This time, her sobs were softer and more controlled as she whispered to herself, "I can do this."

With this affirmation, Danica set up the camera again. She made several, graceful movements across the dance floor but still in view of the camera, practicing them a few times before she resumed singing. This time implementing the advice she had given herself. Her voice carried more confidence this time, and the way she moved gave clear evidence of professional dance training, something she also expressed interest in.

The result was Danica possessing a very appealing stage presence that, unlike others Vil knew, was the result of her tenacity and not merely her charming appearance.

“Baby, I don’t care if you got her in your heart. All I really care is you wake up in my arms. One last time, I need to be the one who takes you home.” She stopped singing and glanced at the camera, sighing. “Ugh, I'm such a crybaby; it's messing up my voice. Be sure to drink some ginger tea both the night and morning before the show. I can do this. I can do this.”

A smile began to pull at Vil’s lips, but it was halted by another soft, choked sob. Danica took a deep breath, still unaware of her dorm leader watching her, and murmured softly under her breath.

“I can do this…I can…ughhh, why can’t I just become invisible?”

Though her voice was soft, the echo of the large room enabled Vil to hear. A complex mix of admiration and concern brewed within him as he left as quietly as he came and returned to the hallway. He had to admit he was quite impressed with Danica’s meticulousness and her approach to self-improvement. It was clear that she was taking the prospect of performing in the VDC seriously and was convinced more than ever that arranging this dorm concert was the right decision.

But at the same time, seeing her anxiety stirred an unfamiliar discomfort in him. Why did she feel the need to hide such remarkable talent? Why did the prospect of performing alone provoke such fear? And more importantly, her plea for invisibility caused him to question if her fears weren’t the result of capriciousness after all.

The more Vil thought about it, the more he began to wonder if Danica’s behavior was rooted in something deeper that he hadn’t considered before. As much as he wanted to know, he didn’t want to appear to be yielding to her hesitations. In the end, regardless of the root of Danica’s anxieties, Vil believed that his test could be her first step in helping conquer them.

For that reason alone, Vil decided to let the matter be. At least for now.

~~~

Saturday dawned with an air of excitement and anticipation. Around noon, guests began to fill the ballroom and Vil’s attention was divided between greeting attendees and checking on the event's finer details. He hadn’t seen Danica since the day he watched her rehearsal and once again pondered if she was going out of her way to avoid him.

Despite his efforts to focus on the tasks at hand, Vil couldn’t completely shake off his concerns for his star performer. He attempted to ignore what he was feeling by focusing on last-minute preparations for the show and reminding himself that ultimately his concerns were moot. Everything was perfectly arranged, and in the end, the success of today's concert was no longer completely in his hands. Danica would now have to decide if she would rise to meet the challenge he had set before her. But it was his hope that in facing it, she would begin to realize the true extent of the power she held.

Taima soon arrived with Kalim and the rest of the light music club in tow. Her excitement was evident and Vil seized the opportunity to finally ease some of his worries.

"Could you perhaps check on Danica? She's still preparing in her room,"

His tone was casual but carried a hint of his underlying concerns. Taima agreed with her usual cheerful manner but before she turned to leave, she glanced up at Vil rather boldly. He could sense that she wanted to say something and nodded as his way of saying he was listening.

“Thank you, Vil-senpai, for setting up this performance for Dani," she said.

Vil, slightly taken aback by her gratitude, replied, "You’re welcome. But why are you thaking me?"

Taima smiled, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Invisibility is overrated, and I hope today helps her see that." With that, she headed off before Vil could delve deeper into her remark.

Her words lingered in Vil's mind, echoing his own thoughts. Invisibility was indeed overrated, a concept he could not possibly fathom that someone could desire. For the life he lived, the aspirations he held, invisibility was laughable and the more he thought about it, the more he realized how perfectly Taima’s insight aligned with his wishes for Danica.

Today was not just about a concert; it was about her learning to step into the light. He believed in her potential, and he was determined to help her realize it. If he had any say in it, after the VDC, Danica would never wish to be invisible again.

~~~

Moments before the show was set to begin, Danica stood behind the doorway leading to the ballroom, peering through a small gap at her awaiting audience. Her heart was racing but she continued to breathe slowly, advice from Sidonie to help ease her nerves. There was no turning back now. The moment was finally upon her and despite her fears, Danica was determined to see this through.

Decorating her hair was an elegant new hair accessory, a beautifully crafted rosette that matched her dorm uniform perfectly. Just as she was finishing getting ready, Sidonie had delivered the gift, untagged with no indication of the sender. Taima playfully teased Danica that it might be from a secret admirer, a notion that Sidonie was also inclined to believe. Danica decided to wear it on the off chance her admirer was in the audience and to her surprise, the pretty accessory instilled a peculiar boost in confidence as she left her room to confront the very fears she had hoped to avoid upon arriving at NRC

Keep breathing. Remember to breathe.

She whispered this over as she took one last glance through the crack in the doorway. The audience was larger than expected but she deliberately pushed the fact to the farthest corner of her mind. She caught sight of Taima, Sidonie and her three new clubmates, as well as Vil sitting close to the center. Their eyes met and he gave a subtle nod–her cue that it was time to take the stage.

With one final deep breath, Danica stepped into the ballroom as the first notes of music filled the air. She closed her eyes and let everything around her vanish, everything save for breathing and her desire to give the best performance she could. Her strong sense of focus carrying her through the first notes of the song.

“And I know and I know and I know she gives you everything, but boy I couldn’t give it to you.”

So far, so good, she thought. She was keeping her nerves in check, and her voice wasn’t wavering. As she began to move to the music, something began to shift in her chest—something warm, something wonderful. It was faint at first but swiftly grew, causing her heart to race, but in a good way for once.

“And I know and I know and I know that you’ve got everything but I got nothing here without you.”

Danica opened her eyes and, for the briefest moment, truly took in her audience for the first time. All eyes were on her but from what she saw, they all appeared to be in awe. The feeling in her heart swelled, pushing away any lingering anxiety and replacing it with a euphoric confidence that felt both foreign and familiar. She smiled, her confidence finally in full bloom.

They seem to be enjoying it! Yeah, I CAN do this!

“So one last time, I need to be the one who takes you home. One more time, I promise after that, I’ll let you go”

It had been so long; Danica had forgotten how wonderful this feeling was. It transcended her fears of judgment or resentment, eliminating her desire for invisibility, if only for a moment. And it was something that her audience took notice of.

“My goodness, I…think I understand now why Vil wanted her to do this,” Sidonie whispered to Rook. “Where did that timid freshman go? It’s like she’s a completely different person!”

“She’s magnificent!” Rook smiled, watching Danica glide across the ballroom floor. “And she moves with such grace! Quelle beaute!”

“Like a real pop idol!” Cater added, camera in hand, eager to capture every moment. “This vid is gonna blow up!”

“Yeah, now that’s the Dani I know,” Taima grinned.

And at the center of the crowd, Vil watched with them, his expression a mix of relief and pride. His gamble had paid off, and Danica was not only meeting his challenge but surpassing it. The way she sang, the way she moved, all embodied the talent he knew she possessed but wondered if she had the courage to truly embrace. Now he had his answer.

This was no longer about testing her resilience; Vil was witnessing the emergence of a true artist. One naturally blessed with the power to captivate and inspire, a power that he found himself increasingly drawn to. What began as a mere curiosity about her hidden talents was evolving into genuine respect and, if Vil didn’t know better, maybe even admiration. Her ability to overcome her fears and find her power spoke to a level of tenacity that made her perfectly suited for Pomefiore, it intrigued Vil as much as it impressed him.

And as Danica’s final notes lingered and the music faded, followed by the applause, Vil’s thoughts were already turned toward the future. Her inevitable VDC victory and her emergence on the world stage, with Vil guiding her all the way. Yes, Rook had indeed been correct. Pomefiore had been graced with a remarkable gem this year. And such a gem had no right to shimmer in the shadows.

~~~

Pomefiore Dom ~ Danica's Room

The show was a success, far beyond anything she dared to hope for. Danica walked back to her room with the hum of post performance adrenaline still echoing through her body. She hadn’t yet seen the video of her performance, but the audience response left her with a feeling of accomplishment and with it, a great weight lifted off her shoulders. Best of all, though he hadn’t said anything yet, Vil seemed pleased with her performance as well. It seemed her position on NRC's VDC team was now more secure than ever.

“Don't retire just yet, Little Potato.”

Danica’s hand stopped just above the doorknob leading into her room. Even with her back turned she could feel Vil’s gaze upon her. However, the lingering sense of accomplishment allowed her to address him with slightly less anxiety than usual.

“Rook and I will visit shortly to discuss today with you so do stay awake a little while longer.”

“Yes, Vil-san,” she replied, managing to suppress a yawn. The day’s excitement had left her exhilarated yet exhausted. “I hope my performance was adequate.”

“Very adequate indeed,” Vil nodded. “Well done, Danica. You are very talented and should be proud of yourself.”

“What?”

Danica looked up at him with genuine surprise. Though she’d been in Pomefiore only a month, she was already well aware of how difficult it was to please her dorm leader. Vil was not one to be easily impressed, such were his high standards. Making his rare words of praise all the more poignant, and her surprise all the stronger. Surely she had heard wrong.

“I…I only did what you asked me to do,” she replied, modestly lowering her eyes. “Because I really want to take part in the VDC and help bring victory to our school. Doing today’s show was the only way that would happen.”

At this, Vil took a few steps toward her. The look in his eyes was difficult to read and she felt the anxiety returning. But before she could say anything, he rolled his eyes and tutted.

“You really should learn to accept compliments with more ease,” he said.

“I…I’m sor…yes, Vil-san. Thank you.”

“You should be proud of yourself and you gave a very good performance. Not just because you sang well—which you did,” the disapproving look in his eyes softened. “But also because you pushed through your fears and anxieties about singing solo. That’s what truly matters.”

These words, followed by a kind smile, once again momentarily disarmed her. A gentle warmth began to flicker in her chest, threatening to blossom into something more substantial before she could fully grasp it. With a quick thanks, Danica retreated into her room, shutting the door behind her. Vil didn’t stop her, knowing they’d see each other very shortly, after he spoke with Cater one final time. But a faint smile touched his lips as he noted a soft red tint coloring her cheeks.

Danica could never fully know what to expect from her interactions with Vil. But such kind praise was the last thing she expected, and even more, it brought back a feeling she was trying to forget. She wanted to impress him again, to see that approval and kindness in his eyes—a stark contrast to her usual wish for invisibility.

No. She had to get a grip. This is what Danica told herself and the internal conflict prompted her to seek a reminder of why she had always valued invisibility in the first place.

She picked up her phone and went to Magicam, where Cater had already begun uploading footage of today’s show. At first, Danica focused on her singing and the way she moved across the ballroom floor, smiling while still taking mental notes of what to do differently in the future. All in all, she was pleased with how she performed but deep down, looking at the video itself was merely stalling from her original purpose. With some hesitance, she began scrolling down the comments, which weren’t disabled.

Though only a few hours old, views were already in the tens of thousands with as many comments. Danica scrolled down the comment section, many of them positive, praising her voice and her elegance of movement. There were even a few commenters from TGA who remembered her from the idol club, expressing their happiness that Danica was still singing.

“I never knew Dani had such a powerful voice! It’s amazing!”

“She’s so pretty! I hope she debuts for real one day!”

These initial comments thrilled her but as she continued scrolling, a darker undercurrent of past experiences began to resurface.

“Ugh! She’s in my homeroom class and she’s so prissy!”

“IDK how to describe it but I’m getting serious dark vibes off of her.”

“I’m not getting any bad vibes, I just hate her! She’s too perfect!”

“Nice to know she’s just as fake as she was in middle school!”

Her heart sank. These comments, tinged with envy and spite, far outnumbered the positive appraisals and were reminiscent of her middle school days, when her talents often drew resentment rather than admiration. This resentment seemed to follow her in every aspect of her life. Her idol club activities, though successful, earned her disdain from her peers, and in her ballet studies, her talent often resulted in harassment from other students. Her ability to draw resentment even seemed to follow her to NRC as Epel often commented on how he initially dismissed her as pretentious when they first met.

This was why Danica longed for invisibility, why she didn’t wish to draw attention to herself and why she disliked performing solo. She was aware of how people saw her, how her introversion was seen as aloofness and how her ambitions were misunderstood as attention-seeking. It was her hope that, in beginning a new school life at NRC, she could shed her past image as an overachiever and by keeping her head down, avoid the judgment of others.

But such hopes were now up in smoke after the events of today, and the future as well. Invisibility seemed practically moot at this point but while Danica contemplated this, she stifled back another yawn. She truly was tired; it had been an eventful day with much to think about, but she had to remain awake and wait for her dorm leaders’ arrival. And just like that, a gentle knock on the door forced her upright as she composed herself, adjusting her hair rosette and smoothing out any wrinkles in her robe. Vil walked in, followed by Rook and Sidonie behind him.

“Good, you’re still awake,” said Vil.

“Tres spectaculaire, notre chere Madmoiselle Chanteuse!” Rook exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with joy. “You were stunning out there! The muses have blessed you incredibly!”

“You sang so passionately, the way you put your heart into every note, it gave me goosebumps,” added Sidonie.

“Oh…I…” Once again, their praise surprised her, each word helping to push away the shadows cast by the harsher comments online. “I...I…” She tried to form a sentence, but felt momentarily overwhelmed. “I…I mean…”

“Remember what I said about accepting compliments with ease?” Vil asked.

“Uh…yes,” she nodded, quickly fixing her face into a smile. “Thank you, I’m glad I was able to meet everyone’s expectations.”

“And to think, you initially agreed to only sing one song,” Sidonie smiled. “But you ended up singing three!”

“I can’t explain it, but once I began, all my fears seemed to melt away. All I could think about was performing to the best of my ability. But I’m glad there was extra audio available. Vil-san, how did you know to prepare extra?”

“I always wish to be prepared for every possibility,” Vil replied, his voice carrying a hint of mischief yet his eyes were kind. “Something told me you would want to sing more, and in the end, I was right, wasn’t I?”

“Yes, Sir, you were. Thank you.”

“And now, I’m sure you now know what all of this means.”

“I understand! The cultural festival might be a few months away, but I promise I’ll give it my all!” Danica replied, her voice carrying an odd new sense of determination despite her exhaustion.

“In the meantime, continue giving your all in everything you do, Little Potato,” Vil’s tone was serious, yet with an undercurrent of encouragement. “Brilliance doesn’t come overnight. It takes perseverance.”

“Y…yes, Sir,” Danica bit back another yawn, though she listened intently. “I understand.”

“Do you?” he folded his arms. “In that case, I never again want to see you have doubts about something you and I both know you’re capable of. And remember, this is not just about possessing talent, but also possessing the courage to step into the light and embrace all facets of your capabilities. Strive to be someone worthy of wearing that Pomefiore uniform.”

“Yes, Sir! I will!” Danica felt a sense of pride swell within her. Such acknowledgment from Vil, someone she respected so deeply, ignited a confidence she hadn’t known she possessed. Without realizing it, a soft blush tinted her cheeks as she smiled, half out of amazement and half out of sleepiness. “I will, I promise!”

“Good,” A smile came to Vil’s face, not yet noticing the weariness in her eyes. “Now, one last thing, Cater informed me that the video of today’s concert is already going viral. He said he’ll give it to you on Monday if you promise to join the light music club. Also…what the?”

As he continued talking, it soon became too much for Danica, as her body suddenly fell to the side, landing on the soft pillows of her bed. At first, Vil jumped with alarm, but he realized nothing was wrong besides the fact that Danica had the audacity to fall asleep while he was talking to her. Though Sidonie and Rook found it strangely endearing.

“Poor thing,” Sidonie chuckled, draping a blanket over the younger girl. “This past week has left her so stressed, first about her evaluation and then about today’s show.”

“Ahh,” Rook sighed. “Some much-needed rest will do her a world of good then.”

But Vil didn’t see anything positive about this, endearing or otherwise. “Wake her up! She’ll get her robe wrinkled and I wasn’t finished…”

“Please, Vil-san. Just this once,” Sidonie pleaded with him. “You know Danica didn’t do it intentionally. Just leave her be, I think you owe her that much.”

“Absolutely not!” Vil snapped, deliberately raising his voice in hopes of rousing her, with no success. “I can’t allow her to sleep in her uniform! It’ll set a bad precedent…”

“A bad precedent? Who else is going to know?” Sidonie made a face but her dorm leader remained unmoved, until she threatened to reveal the true nature of today's performance. “Perhaps after I wake her, I should tell her how you had already decided to…”

At this, Vil finally acquiesced, albeit very reluctantly. “Fine! I’ll concede this one time, but she will be hearing about this!”

Yet even as he said this, his tone lacked its usual firmness, even betraying a hint of softness. A quiet shift occurred in his heart; despite his frustrations, he recognized the sheer exhaustion she must have felt and silently conceded that she did indeed deserve this rest. Vil turned to leave and once satisfied he would not disturb her, Sidonie left as well. Only one among the three lingered behind.

Rook knelt beside Danica’s bed, gazing rather wistfully at her sleeping form. His heart skipped a beat. How lovely she was, he thought, deep in slumber and unaware of what was happening around her. As though she were a princess under an enchanted spell. Not so unlike another princess whose legend Rook held dear to his heart, also known for her sweet disposition and angelic voice. He knelt down beside her, wondering if Danica would awaken in a similar manner as the princess. And wondering for several moments if he should take such a liberty.

“Mon doux petit cygne,” he whispered kindly, softly framing her face with his hand. “I wonder, would you be so afraid of the world if you knew you could easily hold it in the palm of your hand?”

Very gently, Rook removed the rosette from Danica’s hair. Bringing it to his lips—a silent confession that he was the anonymous giver—before placing it on her nightstand next to her music box. He wound it up, the soft melody filling the room as Vil re-entered.

“Rook, I’m allowing her to rest, so let her rest,” he softly chided.

Rook nodded and followed behind Vil. Both of them, with differing thoughts, stole one last glance at Danica as Vil closed the door, leaving her alone at last with the melody of her music box twinkling softly in the air.

#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland oc #twst oc #pomefiore oc #vil schoenheit #vil x oc #otp: vildani #oc: danica #twst vil #things i write #fairest after all

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