Chapter 27
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Pheasant for Pheasant
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"My lord... over there..."
"Yes, I see it too."
Egar let out a surprised chuckle as he watched his daughter dancing on the stage with Alpha.
"Hahaha, you live long enough, and even this happens."
"Is it that surprising? Your daughter seems like quite the standout talent in high society, from what I can see."
Domos praised his daughter's beauty, but Egar shook his head with a sigh.
"If that were the case, I'd have fewer worries... But that girl prefers a sword to flowers and the training grounds to parties. She's never once accepted a dance from a man her whole life, as far as I know. And for her to ask him first, of all things..."
"Now that you mention it... And with that damned opponent, no less."
"Pardon?"
"No, what I mean is... Sir Alpha has such a unique voice and rarely shows his face, so it's a bit surprising what about him caught your daughter's eye."
Egar replied to Domos with a pleased smile.
"Hasn't it ever happened to you, Sir Domos? That sudden feeling that hits you the moment you meet someone. Lilia must have seen something in Sir Alpha we don't know about—some side of him that moved her heart. Just like her mother, through and through..."
As her father let out a quiet sigh, his daughter was inwardly sweating bullets, filled with bone-deep regret.
'I have no idea what I'm doing! If I'd known it'd come to this, I would've actually paid attention in etiquette class...!'
If you'd asked Lilia to step through sword forms, she could do it all day long.
But dance steps? She couldn't manage a single one.
As a commoner girl, she'd never needed to learn them. Even after becoming a noble and entering high society, she'd shown no interest in parties or dancing.
Her passions were solely the sword, training, and one day becoming the kingdom's strongest knight.
Her mother's old nagging echoed through her mind like a montage.
[I'm not saying master it—just learn the basics. You'll regret it someday.]
[Don't worry. Even if I died and came back, I wouldn't regret something like that.]
'Mom, I'm sorry. You were right. If I'd known, I'd have at least learned the basics...'
Her steps tangled more the harder she thought about it, and she fretted over not stepping on Johann's feet, cold sweat dripping down her back.
Before long, the music faded from her ears, the dazzling lights and the man before her vanished from sight.
It was then.
Johann whispered softly into her ear.
"Could you lightly place your foot on top of mine?"
"P-Pardon? But..."
"It's fine. Lend me the lady for a moment. I'll make you the star of this stage."
'Damn it... Fine, whatever!'
Lilia squeezed her eyes shut and gingerly placed her shoe atop his.
Johann loosely draped one of her arms around his neck and gently clasped her other hand, extending it to the side.
'Alright, since we're here, let's do this right.'
As soon as Johann committed to the dance, the onlookers gasped in admiration.
"Oh my goodness... Bravo!"
"That's the most elegant and beautiful dance I've ever seen!"
"Where on earth did he learn moves like that?"
Her steps naturally followed his lead, and the stiff puppet she'd been transformed into the likes of professional dancers rarely seen even in high society.
'Heavens... How am I dancing like this...!'
She simply relaxed and entrusted her body to him, and together they became graceful swans gliding on steps, scattering petals across the stage, dominating it entirely.
With some breathing room in body and mind, her senses finally took in her surroundings.
The orchestra's rich melody, the lavish stage, the glittering chandelier, the gazes of countless spectators...
Just as Johann had promised, in this moment, Lilia was the star of the show.
'So dancing can be this fun.'
Meanwhile, watching Lilia shift from initial panic to genuine delight, Johann swallowed an awkward smile.
'I thought she'd forgotten everything about dancing, but her body still remembers. How many social halls did she flit through for it to stick like this? Well, it's ancient history for me, but for this body, it's barely two years ago.'
"Sir Alpha!"
"Yes, my lady."
"Thank you! I never knew dancing could be this fun. Thanks to you, it feels like a dream—one I don't want to wake from."
Lilia beamed with sincere joy and gratitude, and Johann smirked beneath his mask.
"I'm glad to hear that."
'Well, she's happy, so that's something.'
But sweet moments, like shooting stars, always pass in a flash.
By the time she came to, the music had reached its finale.
"If we get another chance like this, I'll lead you next time. Thank you, Sir Alpha."
"I look forward to it. I enjoyed myself too, Lady Lilia."
They bid each other farewell, bringing their delightful time to a close.
That night, Lilia replayed the dance with Johann over and over, unable to sleep a wink.
* * *
The next day.
Domos, invited to breakfast with Egar's family, was joined by Johann and Henderson at his side.
"Did you sleep well last night, Sir Domos?"
"Thanks to your consideration, I slept soundly. That said, even breakfast here is a feast fit for a banquet. My table's going to break under the weight."
As breakfast continued, Domos and Egar chatted amiably, while Lilia pretended nonchalance but kept stealing glances at Johann beside Domos.
Watching quietly, her mother Bona grew impatient with her daughter's demeanor and decided to take matters into her own hands.
"By the way, Sir Alpha, are you married? Or perhaps betrothed to someone?"
"Mother!"
Lilia jumped up in shock at the unexpected question, but even Egar, whom she'd hoped would intervene, sided with Bona.
"Lilia, what rudeness during a meal. Sit down. My apologies, Sir Alpha. My daughter still lacks a proper noble's awareness."
"Daddy too..."
"It's no issue. I'm fine."
Sure enough, not just Bona, but Egar seemed quite taken with Johann.
Chicken instead of pheasant—as the broken engagement with Johann, House Crimford's second son, was all but sealed, they clearly aimed to forge some connection with the promising Alpha.
'If I just say I'm married, they'll back off.'
"Actually, recently..."
"Surely a married man who wed yesterday wouldn't accept a dance from my unwed daughter? A maiden seducing a wedded man—unthinkable. If word got out, Lilia couldn't even dream of marriage, let alone leave the house..."
Bona dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief as if wiping tears, then continued shamelessly with a bright smile.
"Oh dear, how silly of me... I'm just worrying over nothing, right? And no wedding ring on your finger, either. Ah, sorry for interrupting. You were saying something happened recently?"
'...'
Johann saw Bona's shift from teary concern to beaming smile as the grin of a python coiling around its prey.
With every escape sealed and the answer predetermined, Johann had no choice but to surrender.
"My engagement was recently called off. But with so much on my plate, I doubt I'd have time to devote to anyone right now."
"I see. How unfortunate for her—the one who lost a fine man like you, Sir Alpha. Incidentally, do you need skilled swordsmen where you work? Even a woman would do; I know just the talent..."
"Thanks for the meal!"
Lilia bolted from the table, her face flushed crimson.
Bona swallowed her regret and backed off for now.
'Too bad, but I'll bide my time. Can't have them avoiding each other out of awkwardness.'
"Hahaha! It seems the women of my house have taken quite a liking to you, Sir Alpha. Truth be told, I'm interested too. A bold entrepreneur who ventured into the Gurkan Mountains and forged a pact with the Gurkan Orcs, the undisputed rulers there—how could I not be?"
Egar made a proposal to Domos and Johann.
"What do you say? We're holding a joint training session for the Avangardi Knights this afternoon. If you're amenable, Sir Domos, why not observe?"
He framed it as mere observation, but his intent was obvious.
Egar didn't bother hiding it much.
'They want to verify if the contract's claims hold up—test our skills.'
Johann had anticipated this, so Domos responded as instructed, naturally.
"A tempting offer. Very well. I had nothing planned, so I'll watch the Avangardi Knights in action. If they fall short, we'll leave right away—bear that in mind."
"I guarantee they won't disappoint."
Time passed, and afternoon arrived.
With the knights prepared and Domos, Johann, and the other guests assembled, Egar called out to the unit.
"Begin."
At his command, under many watchful eyes, the knights' public training commenced.
'Well, now...'
Johann was genuinely impressed by the knights' prowess.
Rumors about the Avangardi Knights had always been poor.
'Mercenaries bought with merchant gold, a ragtag band of wandering knights, flashy show knights with no substance.'
But if those critics saw this, they'd crawl into holes.
'No wonder Egar ignores the nonsense. At this level, it's beneath notice.'
From mock duels to simulated squad battles, the varied drills delighted the eyes and ears.
Among them, the one who consistently drew Johann's attention was the Avangardi Knights' captain.
'That guy's overflowing with composure even in the grueling drills that have me impressed. How much is he holding back? Perhaps...'
Johann's eyes narrowed.