Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Winter Break (2)
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Winter break, on a certain day while I was faithfully spending my time sparring with Elena every three days.
A more splendidly dressed Orpheus brother caught my eye as he headed out of the palace.
"Where are you off to, Orpheus brother?"
"Nothing much, just heading to Lisia's territory for a bit."
"Pardon? To the Grabel Duchy?"
The Grabel Duchy was quite a distance from the capital. Even departing now, it would take at least a week to arrive.
Returning to the Academy near the capital would take just as long. Orpheus brother's visit to the Grabel Duchy itself wasn't unusual, but even for winter break, the timing felt a bit late.
"Has something happened to Lady Grabel?"
"No, not like that. There's a big festival in the Grabel territory this time, and Lisia sent a letter saying she'd love for me to attend. Since we'll be living there after marriage, it's a chance to show my face to the local nobles."
"I see."
It was a move to demonstrate the bond between the Grabel family and the royal family, while also signaling that Orpheus brother himself had no ambitions for central power.
He always seemed so relaxed, but he was consistently diligent in these political maneuvers.
"Will you be back in time for the Entrance Exchange Party schedule?"
"Hmm, probably not~. The festival isn't just a one-day thing, so I might arrive a week late."
"Then what about the opening dance at the Entrance Exchange Party? I believe it was originally set to be the representative stage for you and Lady Grabel."
"Just have Cedric do it. With Lady Rozier."
"...With Elena?"
"Yeah. Come to think of it, I've never seen you dance with Lady Rozier, Cedric. Is there some reason you avoid dancing?"
"......"
It seemed like a purely innocent question, but I couldn't answer right away. I couldn't say it was because Elena hated it and resisted fiercely.
Making up some other excuse might tarnish Elena's reputation, so I hesitated to speak.
"Elena is a bit shy about that sort of thing. She doesn't really like showing off holding hands with me in front of others."
"Ah, yeah, that makes sense~. Lady Rozier seems so bold, but she has that surprisingly shy side~. Still, she can't just spend every ball quietly in the corner forever, right? You need to show off your engagement with Elena once in a while."
"...I know."
The representative stage at the Entrance Exchange Party with Elena.
...She'd probably refuse, but I should at least bring it up.
"A dance at the Entrance Exchange Party? You and me?"
"...That's right, Elena. Orpheus brother has urgent business in the Grabel territory, so the spot for the representative dance is vacant."
"Ah, right. Now that you mention it, there was that event."
"Was Orpheus brother's trip to the Grabel territory part of the original story too?"
"Yeah. This Entrance Exchange Party is basically an event to gauge how far you've progressed with Lucia in the original story. To see how much mutual affection you two have, or if it's better to give up early and pursue other characters."
"......I see."
She spoke about male-female relationships so casually.
"In the original, you'd propose to her first once you had some affection built up with Lucia. Something like asking if she'd dance with you on the representative stage at this Entrance Exchange Party."
"Don't say ridiculous things, Elena. Even if I were an idiot, I wouldn't propose standing on the representative stage with another woman when I have a fiancée."
"What can you do about the original story being like that? And in the original, your relationship with Elena was bad, remember? To the point where the thought of standing on stage with Elena made your head spin. Better to dance with Lucia instead, you'd think."
"I can say with certainty I've never thought that, Elena."
"That's just how it was in the original. ...And honestly, if you want to dance with Lucia, I don't really mind?"
"I said I've never thought that, Elena."
"......Either say you won't or don't get mad about it."
I thought she no longer cared about my relationship with Lucia, but apparently not entirely.
Composing my momentarily raised voice, I explained to Elena once more.
"Anyway, Elena, if you're okay with it, let's dance on the representative stage at the next Entrance Exchange Party. Someone has to fill the vacant spot anyway, and probably only you and I can cover for Orpheus brother."
"...So you're saying dance with me?"
"Because you're my fiancée, Elena. Wouldn't that be far more natural than me suddenly dancing with some commoner girl?"
"...No one else for you to dance with? Someone other than Lucia that you've got your eye on?"
"No such person, Elena."
Only you.
Swallowing those words silently, a cautious reply came from Elena's lips.
"Hmm, well then...."
"......"
"Whatever, no choice. I'll do it."
"Are you sure?"
"I've never danced except for what the head maid in the Rozier family taught me as 'etiquette,' but if that's okay...."
"It's fine, Elena. I can match your pace, so don't worry about your skill."
"Then... please take care of me."
Fortunately, she was persuaded more easily than expected.
Back then, she would've flatly refused such a dance proposal, but accepting it now meant her resistance toward me had faded somewhat.
'Perhaps this is a chance to get even closer to Elena.'
We still had a week before returning to the Academy, so I could suggest practicing together in the meantime.
It had been years since her time in the Rozier family. Using the excuse of gauging her skill in advance would be a good way to spend time with her.
Even if she refused, it wouldn't cause any problems.
"Since we're on the topic, how about a quick practice?"
"Huh?"
"The dance. I said I'd match you, but I should still see how well you can dance."
"Just wing it, no need to go that far...."
"Better than embarrassing ourselves in front of everyone."
"Ah, true. For your sake, maybe we should check."
It was more for her sake than mine.
After setting the phonograph in the lounge to play some moderately slow music, I extended my hand toward Elena.
"Since we're in the lounge, let's just match our breathing simply. Here, Elena."
"...Sure, whatever."
"I'll start with the first step. Think of it as a slow song and match your feet slowly...."
Even though she agreed to practice without protest and extended her hand obediently, I took it and began moving quietly.
-Crunch!
"Eep?!"
...The pain on the top of my foot nearly made a voice escape in surprise.
"...Sorry."
"I-It's fine. Mistakes happen. Let's start again...."
-Crack!
"Eep...!"
"......Sorry, let's try again."
"Y-Yeah. Take it slow. No need to push...."
-Wobble!
"Whoa?!"
Not content with stepping on my foot repeatedly right from the start, Elena suddenly lost her balance and fell toward me.
Caught off guard, I fell on my butt, tumbling to the lounge floor with her.
"I-It's okay. It's been a while since you danced, so your body might not be warmed up yet."
"......"
"...Elena?"
"......I just don't wanna do it."
"W-Wait, Elena!"
With her face beet red, Elena suddenly fled the lounge.
Unsure whether to chase her or not, I sat dazed on the lounge floor, watching her go.
The afternoon after confirming Elena's shocking... no, somewhat lacking dance skills.
"Elena."
"......"
"Elena, are you listening?"
"......What."
Despite my calls, she responded with an icy coldness I hadn't heard in a while, her voice utterly indifferent.
"A-About dance practice...."
"I said no. Just dance with someone else."
"How could I? You're my fiancée, Elena."
"Ugh, just pick anyone. I'll clean up after you so your popularity doesn't drop."
"That's not what I'm worried about...."
I don't know women's hearts that well, so I could only guess cautiously, but I had a feeling why Elena was acting this way.
She was probably embarrassed. She'd always shown a flawless image until now, and this was the first time her weakness was exposed.
Even if I didn't mock or scold her, she likely couldn't accept it herself. She might be thinking she couldn't afford a mistake on stage.
'I need to somehow get Elena motivated to try again.'
Though she'd fled in embarrassment, she'd agreed to do it once.
At least dancing with me wasn't the issue. She just hated revealing her weakness.
"How about we start practicing now? A week of practice should be enough to perform in front of others."
"...No."
"I don't think your skill is the problem. I moved too hastily yesterday too."
"......"
"Today, I'll match your rhythm as best I can, so just once more...."
"...Argh, I said I'm not dancing!"
"W-Wait, Elena...."
-Bang!
"......"
Perhaps my approach was wrong; with anger, Elena rose from the sofa and turned away.
Mentioning her dance skills directly seemed to provoke her, so a different tactic might be better.
'Her sword movements are as flashy as a sword dance, yet she can't keep rhythm to slow music. That's unexpected.'
She just needed to relax and let her body follow her usual movements.
I thought I knew a lot about Elena now, but moments like this reminded me there were still things I didn't know.
'......Wait.'
Maybe there was a way to fix Elena's dance skills.
Or rather, not fix, but a slightly different solution.