Chapter 80
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Please Dance with Me. (7)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I followed Erje into the banquet hall.
The banquet hall was hushed. Not only was the grand music absent, but even the murmur of conversations had vanished. In that utter silence, only the sharp echo of Erje's footsteps rang out.
And it was dark. The lamps and chandeliers that had blazed so brilliantly before now slumbered without light. Only the soft moonlight filtering through the balcony windows gently illuminated the interior.
Was this really the same banquet hall as yesterday? The thought slipped into my mind unbidden.
At that moment, the footsteps came to a halt.
Her brilliantly glowing golden eyes turned toward me.
"Luke, you danced with Miss Elena yesterday, didn't you?"
"...Yes."
There was no point in hiding it, so I spoke the truth plainly. From the question itself, it was clear she already knew everything. If it was going to come out anyway, there was no reason to conceal it.
"And on the first day of the festival, you danced with Miss Evie too."
"...How did you know?"
"Miss Evie's mind was full of nothing else. I didn't mean to peek, though."
"I see..."
Of course. With Erje standing right there, hiding anything was impossible. She could peer straight into anyone else's heart but mine.
"Just as Your Highness said. I danced with the Grand Duchess and Miss Evie. If that displeased you, I sincerely apologize."
"Yes, it did."
Erje's lips pursed into a pout, her sulkiness on full display.
I didn't feel particularly aggrieved. From her perspective, it must have looked no different from one male club member cozying up to two female members.
I was just about to offer a heartfelt apology when—
"The gardening club has three girls, but you only danced with two. Skipping the club president—me."
"Pardon...?"
"I'm the only one left out. That's what's unfair."
"Then when you said it displeased you..."
"Of course it was because I didn't get to dance. Or did you think I hated you? That I'd chase you away?"
Erje's eyes curved in mischief. Proof it was all a tease—and a sigh escaped me despite myself. Dead or alive, I'd never win against her in words.
'But why tell me that?'
I understood being upset over missing a dance. But sharing it with me meant there had to be a reason.
It didn't take long to figure it out.
After a brief silence, Erje spoke.
"Please dance with me."
Every trace of playfulness had vanished from her face, as if her earlier smile had been a lie.
Instead, her cheeks were faintly flushed.
I gazed at her for a moment before answering.
"I can dance with you as much as you'd like. In fact, dancing with Your Highness is an honor."
A baron's son like me had no grounds to refuse. Not that I'd even considered it.
Who'd have thought I'd be the one boasting about a dance with the princess for life? Talk about watching your words.
"But to dance, we'll need music..."
"Don't worry about that."
Erje undid a couple of buttons on her uniform shirt and slipped her hand inside—just like when she'd pulled out that gold coin earlier.
What emerged in her hand was a small music box.
"..."
"Impressed? You're the one who called it big."
Erje set the music box atop her chest, then cupped her breasts from below with both hands. It wobbled off-balance for a second before settling steady.
Sure, I'd thought her chest was ample. But pulling a music box from there? That was a whole different matter. It was too ridiculous for words.
"Please treasure your body, Your Highness."
"Oh? The dress was even more revealing."
"The dress is designed that way. But you unbuttoned this yourself..."
I couldn't hold back and started rambling, at which Erje's lips curved all the way to her ears. Caught in her scheme again.
My reactions weren't even that entertaining—why did she love teasing me? Another sigh slipped out.
"That was a slip of the tongue."
"Even if it wasn't, it's fine. Everyone's equal at the academy."
"Understood."
"Now that we have music, shall we dance?"
"Let's."
Erje wound the music box and set it on the floor.
As the spring unwound backward, slow and steady, music began to flow. She and I matched our steps to it.
Clack, clack.
Each footfall echoed thunderously through the empty hall.
As we danced on, I murmured softly.
"Is Your Highness truly content with this?"
No dazzling lights to frame Erje, no enraptured audience, no gown or swelling orchestra to highlight her. And her partner? No renowned figure worth acclaim.
Hardly fitting conditions for an imperial princess.
"Luke, it's not just content. I like it this way."
Erje answered without a hint of hesitation, a pleased smile playing on her lips.
"I don't quite follow..."
"No need to hear others' heart-voices. No need to shut my eyes. Holding your hand hides your heart from me too. Right here, I'm just... ordinary me."
"Forgive the foolish question."
My query had fixated solely on her station as princess. I'd given no thought to what Erje desired.
Utterly thoughtless. An apology was only right.
Not that I sought absolution...
"Do you dance well?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
"Then let's pick up the pace."
I'd give my all to let her savor this fleeting normalcy.
The dance grew more spirited after that. Erje spun in delighted circles, arched back in my grasp.
When the spring finally ran down and the music faded, we stood breathless, shoulders heaving.
"Luke, you're... actually good."
"Physical stuff? Always confident."
"Not the sort of line for a lady late at night... Eh, I'll forget it."
"...You know that's not what I meant."
Maybe my flustered response amused her. Erje dissolved into bright giggles.
The carefree laugh of a simple girl.
Time flowed on until vacation's start.
Waking at dawn as usual, my body felt noticeably lighter. Probably thanks to Shavel aiding my aura circulation yesterday.
She'd looked drained again, though...
"Ha, haah... This feeling never gets easier. My whole body tingles..."
She'd called it rewarding to help her disciple, so I let it go. Selfishly, I had no reason to refuse anyway.
After training, Elena and I strolled the streets. More precisely, she shopped for family gifts.
I picked up a few for the other servants, but mostly I was baggage handler.
Back to now. Slipping from the dorm, I spotted Evie warming up.
No seeing her over break, so today marked our last joint training.
"Evie, ready?"
"Ah, yeah."
As always, we set off running the academy's perimeter.
Showing off her hard work, maybe? Evie surged ahead.
I couldn't let that stand and matched her pace. Circling back to the dorm, we were both a limp mess.
My victory, naturally. Even running? No losing.
Evie flopped to the ground, gasping.
"How was that?! Way better, right?!"
"Yeah, a lot."
"Wait till break's over. I'll shock you."
"Looking forward to it."
I chuckled and offered a hand. She grabbed it, pulling herself up.
Then back to the dorm for homeward prep. I groomed extra carefully, swapping uniform for butler attire.
Had I grown that much? It'd fit perfectly at enrollment—now it felt snug.
'Should I mention it to Elena...'
Belting on, I sheathed my sword.
I met Elena shortly after.
She startled at the sight of me, forcing an awkward smile.
"...Good morning."
"Bless you if you coughed, Grand Duchess."
"Can't we drop the awkwardness...?"
"One month to endure."
Elena pinched her brow, hand to forehead.
No helping it, even if she hated it. At the ducal house, equality didn't apply.
I'd never assumed it anyway—but choosing it versus being forced? Worlds apart.
"Then please, board."
I opened the carriage door and bowed.
Time to return to servant life for real.