“Didn’t I say I should greet the princess and say something?”
Why is it already time to dance?
Is it really dance time when I feel like more people are coming?
Even if I say that, nothing’s going to change anyway.
Yeah, I know that too.
“Huh…”
I know way too well.
I’m already standing in the center with Kyle, how could I not?
I can’t even say to delay things a bit.
Already, a bunch of people had gathered in the center of the hall.
And each one was with their own partner.
“Kyle, what if I make a mistake…?!”
“It’s fine, I’ve told you that several times.”
“But still, with so many nobles around, if I mess up, I won’t get cursed out or have people gossiping about me, right?!”
“Nope!”
Even if he says no, I’m seriously shaking!
I’m more nervous than I was taking written exams back at the dorm academy!
Back then, I had some confidence after studying through the night for days, but this? No confidence whatsoever!
The only time I danced was when I was teaching Kyle!
I’ve never really used what I learned outside of that!
In my adventurer days, dancing meant getting drunk and moving around weirdly!
“Ahhh…!!!”
“Sophia.”
“Why are you calling me suddenly? I’m already stressed enough!”
“Anyway, no one else cares about us, so we can just enjoy ourselves.”
What kind of nonsense is that?
How could they not care about us?
One of the partners is a duke—Kyle!
“Well… think of it this way. Will you see any of these people again?”
“Not at all. Why would I meet these nobles again?!”
“Exactly. So why worry?”
“I’m worried you’ll get hurt because of me.”
“It’s okay.”
Kyle holds my hands tightly.
I glanced at our hands and then back up at Kyle’s eyes.
“I’m going to win anyway.”
“Pfft…”
“Why are you laughing? I’m serious.”
“You’re not a kid anymore…”
Kyle’s unexpected joking helped ease my tension a little.
I’m still nervous, but it’s better than before.
“Are you really going to win?”
“For Sophia, of course.”
“Kuh…”
Him saying something like that suddenly makes me laugh.
Not long ago, I felt like I couldn’t do anything due to nerves.
But thanks to that, I’m feeling more relaxed now.
“Are you okay now?”
“Yeah, got it. Let’s get ready to dance.”
Before I knew it, the others around were also preparing.
Holding their partners by the waist, hand in hand, thighs—all sorts of ways.
Kyle and I began to prepare, just like them.
Kyle held one hand on my waist and held my hand with the other.
It was just like when I was teaching him to dance before.
One thing’s for sure—he hasn’t forgotten what I taught him.
“You’re holding me well.”
“Thanks to you.”
He used to hold my waist just shy of my side, but this time he did just fine.
Then, Kyle smiled slightly, raising the corners of his mouth as he looked at me.
And… the music started.
With a beautiful melody, our dance began.
It was a dance that we’d done several times before, but definitely a different dance this time.
All the dances Kyle and I had done until now were merely practice, so he wouldn’t be ridiculed when paired with someone else.
I never expected I would be that partner. He really learned well.
“Kyle, you’re dancing well?”
“Thanks to you.”
I see.
But even without me, Kyle would have done well.
He’s good at everything.
He always has been.
When we first met, I worried for him being too shy and reserved, but now he’s become such a wonderful man.
What used to feel like he was a bit smaller than his peers, now he has grown beyond most men.
And here we are, dancing quietly to the rhythm of soft music, I thought about Kyle.
With the rhythm of “punck-tack, punck-tack,” my heart seemed to beat in time too.
How can Kyle like me this much?
How can he treat me like this?
If I were Kyle…
I’d either give up or force myself to do this.
I might be overthinking, but it makes me feel guilty about how I’m treating him.
Even while dancing like this, I feel even more so when I see Kyle looking at me with affectionate eyes.
“Kyle.”
“Yes?”
My voice was so small it could be drowned out by the music from the various instruments, including the piano.
In a moment like this, no one would hear our conversation.
No, even if they did, I wouldn’t mind.
“When did you start liking me?”
It’s been a long time since I met Kyle.
I’ve known him probably the second longest after Louise.
I was curious.
I’ve asked a few times why he liked me.
Repeating the question might bring some fun, but I wanted to know more.
I wanted to know more about Kyle.
Not just as the eldest son of Eristirol, but as Kyle Eristirol, the person.
I didn’t know if we’d really become a couple, but I still wanted to know.
“We’ve known each other for such a long time. When did you start liking me? Since the beginning? Or was there a specific time?”
“Of course it wasn’t from the very beginning.”
That makes sense.
No matter how much Kyle says I’m his type, it probably wasn’t true back then.
I was only twelve years old then.
“I don’t know. Sophia, you’re just so wonderful, and beautiful that I unknowingly fell in love.”
“….”
What a lunatic.
How can he spout such sweet lines while dancing?
“That just means you’re incredibly charming, Sophia.”
“Kyle, just checking, but you don’t say things like this to other girls, right?”
Honestly, I’m worried.
Who can come up with lines like that right off the bat?
My heart that was calming down starts racing again.
“Of course not. It’s only you for me.”
“Alright… that’s good.”
By now, the song was nearing its end.
While holding one of Kyle’s hands, I spun my body, and returned into his arms.
Kyle had maintained a steady facial expression while dancing.
He was just looking at me and smiling.
Just like the way I taught him before.
Then, we turned to face each other.
Not turning our bodies, but creating a circle with both of us rotating around.
And after we stopped, I let go of one hand and released the circle, stepping outside before coming back into Kyle’s embrace.
Finally ending the dance with Kyle gently supporting me as I leaned on his arm.
“Ah… ha…”
Maybe it’s been a while since I danced?
I felt a bit tired.
But I enjoyed it more than being tired.
Yes, dancing is indeed meant to be enjoyable.
There might be dances for sad times, but this is what I prefer.
And then the sound of applause came.
Not directed just at Kyle and me, but that applause felt like part of the joy.
“Sophia, how was it?”
“It was fun. And you danced well.”
I think he did better than when he was a kid.
Back then he made some mistakes and all.
“Did you practice with someone else besides me during the time?”
“Of course not.”
“I know.”
I’ve been attached to him all day, so there’s no way I wouldn’t know.
After receiving applause from those watching our dance, we slowly returned to our seats.
Honestly, the attention felt a bit uncomfortable, but this time it felt a bit enjoyable.
“Phew… that was kind of fun.”
“Glad to hear that. If you said it was boring, I would’ve turned right back.”
“Oh.”
I might have said it was boring… wait, no.
Now that I have enjoyed it, it’s not a thought I should have.
“Are we going to dance a few more songs before leaving?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Then let me go grab something over there.”
“You could just ask the waiters.”
“I’m not used to that~”
I said that and stood up.
Maybe due to dancing, I felt a bit hungry.
Leaving Kyle behind for a moment, I thought I should bring over some wine or something.
We had successfully finished the first song, but still had several more to go.
“Hehe…”
What wine should I bring…?
The upper regions are famous for beer, but here, wine is really good, so I was looking forward to it.
I only took a small sip of the wine Kyle gave me, but it was amazing!
Of course, I have to be careful as we are still at the event.
“Um… is this the one?”
There were so many wines; I had no clue what was what.
If I had known it would be like this, I should have brought Kyle along…!
“Hmm.”
So many choices left me in a serious dilemma.
I had learned about wine distinctions back at the academy, but nothing this overwhelming.
They only taught me to identify about five types at most.
“Why are there more than ten types of wine here?”
This was honestly ridiculous.
The selection displayed was just massive.
While alone in thought at the wine display, I saw a few nobles picking out wines as if they were experts.
How could they distinguish between all those, let alone how many more were likely hidden away from my view?
“Fascinating…”
“My lady?”
“?”
As I was lost in thought about what to pick, an oddly slick voice jolted me.
Turning my head, I saw a man with completely slicked-back hair.
He had brown hair with an excessively bushy mustache.
“Excuse me, miss?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“….”
Why is this guy bothering me all of a sudden?
I’m not here working; I came as a guest.
I’m even wearing a dress.
“If it’s not too much trouble, would you dance with Anser Tammen?”
“…”
Damn.
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