Chapter 78
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Dance with Me. (5)
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The music from the banquet hall carried faintly on the wind, harmonizing with the chirping of summer cicadas and the rustle of swaying leaves that added a fresh vibrancy to the night.
Though there were no ornate decorations or spectators watching, it made for a stage that lacked nothing.
No, perhaps this suited me even better. After all, a servant could never be the star of the show.
Soon, I carefully stepped in time with the music. Elena's feet followed naturally.
Was it because we'd spent ten years together? Dancing with her felt effortless, without the slightest awkwardness. In simple terms, our rhythm matched perfectly.
Not having anyone watching helped, too. It let me shed any unnecessary tension and move with ease.
I continued the dance slowly as I spoke.
"May I ask you one thing?"
"Of course."
"Why did you turn down every single invitation?"
Elena had refused the clumsy trio's offers earlier, claiming fatigue.
Yet the moment we reached the garden, she wanted to dance. It didn't make a lick of sense.
Elena seemed to ponder for a moment before flashing a smile.
"You heard it yourself, didn't you? I was tired."
"But you're dancing now."
"Simple. My desire to dance outweighed the fatigue."
"I see."
It was like when you were dog-tired after work but still dove into a new game anyway—expectations overriding exhaustion.
"And... I don't know when I'll dance with someone else in the future, but I wanted my first time to be with you. That's what secret friends are for, right?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Though someone else didn't seem to share the sentiment. Not that I mind."
Elena said it casually, but sharp thorns hid beneath her words.
And those thorns were aimed squarely at me—no need to guess. My heart plummeted.
I really need to watch myself from now on. Falling out of Elena's good graces could doom my retirement.
After that, conversation ceased. We simply focused on each other's movements, letting the dance carry us.
Glancing sideways at her one day, I caught a soft smile on her face—pure positivity, no trace of negativity.
As time passed, the music swelled, and our steps grew more intense. One mismatched beat, and everything would fall apart.
But I had no worries. When it came to Elena, I knew her better than her own family.
By the time the music faded entirely, we struck a flawless finishing pose.
If anyone had seen it, applause would have rained down. It was that perfect.
We straightened up and bowed to each other, drawing the summer night's dance to a close.
Elena, graceful under the soft moonlight, looked like a living painting.
Too bad it didn't last long.
"This is exhausting..."
Elena slumped onto the bench, shoulders drooping, her expression vacant as if her soul had fled.
Even a slow dance demanded nonstop movement for minutes on end. For Elena, who wasn't all that active normally, it had to be overwhelming.
I, on the other hand—who never skipped training—was relatively fine. In fact, it felt good to loosen up a body stiff from three days of festival duties.
"Are you alright?"
"No. I'm truly beat today."
"It's rare to hear you admit fatigue like this, milady."
"It's all that Erje princess's fault. You heard her bragging about me entertaining three guests, right? You have no idea how shocked I was..."
Elena pouted and grumbled. The teasing from the banquet still stung.
I just felt bewildered listening to her.
'Uh... better not say anything...'
The face of Julius Xenon—whose clan was wiped out for plotting to assassinate the princess—flashed in my mind.
"...Sigh, what's the point. Anyway, come sit here."
With a sigh, Elena patted the spot beside her.
I bowed lightly and sat down.
A gentle breeze stirred her hair, carrying the fresh scent of herbs as her snowy locks tickled my face.
"..."
"This isn't my fault, got it?"
"I didn't say a word."
"Your face did."
"Not my intent... but if that's how it came across, my apologies."
"I was joking, but you really thought that?"
Elena narrowed her eyes at me, then burst out laughing—pfft. Just teasing, after all.
I stared at her blankly, heart still racing.
I swear I didn't raise her like this...
"Luke, I'm tired."
"Shall I escort you back to the dorm?"
"No need to go all the way..."
Her voice trailed off as she leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder.
The subtle weight on my shoulder stirred memories from childhood, when she often leaned on me like this.
"...Just a bit longer, and I'll be fine."
How long is "a bit"?
The question lingered unspoken. Staring off at nothing while lending her my shoulder was the best I could do.
She's doing the exact same thing as when she was little...
Irony at its finest.
It was the day after the three-day festival ended.
"I knew our swordsmanship club would take first, obviously."
"It's all thanks to Luke's cooking. You guys should've tried it."
"Why are you, Yubel, bragging like that?"
Rowdy chatter filled the classroom as I arrived. The festival buzz hadn't worn off for them yet.
Ignoring their stares, I headed to my seat—until Yubel strode over and clapped me on the back with a sharp smack.
"Luke, it's all because of you."
"What is?"
"Our club got first place. Remember?"
Oh, right—they'd voted on the best booth. Ours must've won.
I hadn't heard because I'd been in the garden with Elena forever. She'd said "just a quick rest" and passed out.
'Who'd have thought we'd actually win...'
I'd figured it was possible. Visitor votes meant noble popularity contest, and with the princess and prince on our side, losing was unlikely.
Anyway, first place was worth celebrating. If there was prize money, a team dinner wouldn't be bad.
That's when it happened.
"Everyone, take your seats."
Shabel had slipped into the room and stood at the podium, holding a yellowed paper. Another announcement, it seemed.
"Summer break schedules are out. Check the board up front. And if some of you are still caught up in festival fever, don't cause a ruckus."
Summer break—the phrase that lit up my corporate drone days. Just hearing it sparked joy.
Though reality was a brutal SME where even paid leave was a pipe dream.
'She'll head back to the Frozenheart Ducal Family for break, I bet...'
As the thought crossed my mind, Shabel's gaze locked on me.
I blinked at her blankly.
Her lips parted.
"Luke, see me in the faculty office."
With that, she left the classroom.
I watched her go, then slowly stood.
'Did I do something wrong...?'
To find out, I followed—and soon faced her in the office.
"You wanted to see me, Professor?"
"Yes. Where were you yesterday? I looked everywhere."
"Exhausted from three straight days of work, so I turned in early."
True enough—I'd gone to the garden with Elena, but no need to mention that. The fatigue was real.
But Shabel's expression stayed sour, unsatisfied.
'What should I say...'
Then it hit me.
"Professor, you looked stunning yesterday. Up on the third floor in that dress."
"Y-You saw? I figured you missed it..."
"Wouldn't miss my teacher."
I smiled, and her face softened a touch.
Praise makes even whales dance. There's wisdom in proverbs.
Still...
"You didn't call me here just for that. Out with it."
"Fine. Special summer assignment—for you only."
Shabel channeled her aura.
It surged wildly, forming a sword in her hand.