Chapter 21: A Dance of Resolve

Logan, who entered the banquet hall with Anastasia, was initially somewhat flustered by the attention of so many people.

It was understandable for those like Baldur and Elara, with whom he had shared hardships in the subjugation force.

He hadn’t expected even nobles he’d never met to show interest with favorable gazes.

Even the Emperor, whom he thought would scold him, “How dare someone like you enter the banquet hall with my daughter?”, welcomed him.

‘This all… must show how much Anya has worked until now.’

He could once again feel, with a fresh perspective, how remarkable she was.

That frail girl from the past had now become the Crown Princess, poised to take real power in the empire, and was leading him.

That fact felt unfamiliar, yet it stirred a somewhat emotional feeling within him.

Then.

‘Irene…?’

Logan sensed a familiar presence from the distant entrance of the banquet hall.

His heart seemed to sink.

How could he not know?

She was a being to whom he had unsparingly devoted everything, dedicating himself and cherishing her for almost his entire life.

‘……’

But now, he had to cut ties.

It might seem cold, but it was Irene who had trampled on his heart first.

Irene falling for Lian at first sight… not choosing him…

He had struggled desperately to understand, respecting her feelings.

But after that, considering how much he had done for her…

Her actions and attitudes, showing no respect for him and caring only for Lian…

Yes, he even endured that.

Because the journey to subjugate the Demon Lord itself would have been arduous, and she was in a situation competing with Sera for Lian.

From her perspective, she must have been sensitive and struggling in many ways…

He understood and endured, thinking she might have wanted to relieve that stress on him, perhaps the most comfortable person for her.

But the future vision he saw after defeating the Demon Lord.

Logan, realizing he was in a situation where he couldn’t deny that horrifyingly cruel and brutal scene was a mere illusion.

He could no longer maintain his pure love for Irene.

In the end, he had no choice but to make an incredibly difficult decision, one that felt like his heart was tearing apart.

How much he had cherished and treasured her… how could letting go be easy?

‘No more… it’s not right… Irene…’

If he followed his heart, he wanted to approach Irene, who was sending him a pitiful gaze as if asking him to look at her even now, and treat her kindly like before.

He wanted to wipe her tears and reassure her that it was okay.

However.

The moment he did that.

He would inevitably become the same as the self he saw in the future vision.

It’s truly hard… but now… really… truly… he has to let her go.

For his own sake, and for hers.

Having made such a resolve, Logan deliberately ignored Irene’s gaze.

And a short while later.

‘Is she gone…?’

He felt bitter when he sensed her presence disappear.

‘Let’s stop thinking about other things. It’s not polite to Anya.’

He soon shook his head and decided to focus on Anastasia, the person who was trying to cherish him, and spend time with her at the banquet.

---

Anastasia didn’t show it outwardly, but she was actually incredibly anxious.

It was because of Irene, who had suddenly appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall.

‘How can she be so shameless?’

She had intended to enjoy the banquet with Lian, not Logan, in the first place.

Had her interest in Logan resurfaced upon seeing his elegantly and stylishly dressed appearance, or was it that she still couldn’t let go of her obsession?

‘Stop staring!’

Irene sent Logan an ardent, no, almost pleading gaze.

There was no way Logan wouldn’t notice this.

Because of that, she was so anxious that Logan might push her aside, the one next to him, and go back to that woman.

And, very fortunately.

‘Logan…!’

He did not leave her side.

He did not go to Irene!

Anastasia might think it a bit childish, but she was intoxicated by an inexplicable sense of victory and was overjoyed.

However, a part of her heart couldn’t help but worry about him.

‘Logan… are you really okay?’

Does he no longer hold any lingering feelings for that woman?

‘No, he must have lingering feelings… but…’

At the very least, it’s clear he’s trying his best not to show it anymore and to let go.

Therefore, what she needed to do was to warmly embrace and help him overcome his wounds and move forward.

‘Logan, I will always be by your side!’

Anastasia gently took Logan’s hand beside him.

His hand was cold.

Perhaps his heart was similar or the same.

If so, she just needed to melt it warmly.

“Anya?”

“Huhu…”

She smiled softly at him, who was slightly flustered by the sudden contact, and naturally linked arms with him, leading him towards the center of the banquet hall.

“Would you like to try some of this, Logan?”

“Ah, I can eat it myself…”

“Don’t say that, here! Now, ah~”

“Ah…”

Thus, Anastasia decided to take even better care of Logan at the banquet and spend a joyful time with him.

So that he wouldn’t get lost in other thoughts, so that he could focus only on her.

So that he could heal his emotional wounds.

---

The victory banquet grew even more lively.

As the palace orchestra began to play a cheerful yet elegant waltz, various men and women attending the banquet naturally paired up and started dancing in the spacious hall.

The same was true for Logan and Anastasia.

“Ah, Anya… I don’t think… I’ve never danced before… so it would be better if I didn’t…?”

Logan spoke with a trembling voice to Anastasia, who was holding both his hands opposite him.

Given the atmosphere of the banquet hall and her invitation to dance, he had reluctantly followed her onto the floor, but this didn’t seem right.

Thanks to Anastasia, his outward appearance somewhat mimicked that of a nobleman, but was it okay for him, who hadn’t learned any noble culture or etiquette, to dance with her?

Even if he tried to search his past life’s memories in a hurry right now… no, even if he turned them all upside down, there would be absolutely no knowledge or skill related to dancing.

Therefore, Logan now tried to decline dancing, worried that he might blemish Anastasia’s noble and elegant image because of him.

Anastasia, knowing his heart well, spoke with a reassuring, gentle smile.

“Logan, don’t worry. You can do it well. I’ll lead, so you can just comfortably follow.”

“…Yes, I will do my best not to be a burden.”

“Oh my, what are you saying, Logan. A burden? It’s okay even if you step on my feet countless times and make many mistakes, so please feel at ease.”

“No, I don’t think I can go that far… Whoa!”

As Logan continued to hesitate, Anastasia began to dance, half-forcibly pulling him.

Logan tried his best to calmly follow Anastasia’s lead and movements.

He couldn’t just make mistakes left and right as she had said.

But really, it was better than he thought…

No, just as she said, dancing wasn’t difficult.

Was it because her lead was excellent and outstanding?

Her movements flowed like water, naturally, and she skillfully accommodated even his awkward motions.

Therefore, Logan could dance comfortably with Anastasia.

At this, Anastasia was inwardly surprised.

‘Are you really dancing this well so quickly?’

She hadn’t known Logan would follow her lead so skillfully.

Even if Logan had stepped on her feet countless times, she would have been able to endure it with a joyful and happy heart.

Dancing with him… that alone would have been an enchantingly beautiful moment.

But for him to follow so skillfully and smoothly… as if they had been dance partners for a long time.

“You’re really amazing, Logan!”

“…It’s all because Anya led me so well.”

“No! You’re truly wonderful! Wow!”

Perhaps embarrassed by her continuous praise, Logan started to lead himself to cut Anastasia off.

With truly elegant and beautiful movements.

There was no hesitation in his movements; rather, he led Anastasia and showcased an even more passionate dance.

At this, the gazes of those in the banquet hall naturally focused on the two of them.

“Ohh… what a truly beautiful pair.”

“Indeed, not only Her Highness the Crown Princess, but Sir Logan is also truly amazing…!”

The nobles exclaimed in admiration, one after another, and watching this.

“Heh heh heh! What are you going to do, pointy-ears? Your plan to console the boy who was downcast because he couldn’t dance properly with the Crown Princess seems to have already failed, doesn’t it?”

“Sh-shut up, dwarf! I’ve never once had such a thought!”

Baldur and Elara also watched their dance, bickering as usual.

To anyone watching, Logan and Anastasia were the main characters of the banquet hall.

Their dance was as beautiful as a painting, and the gazes they exchanged seemed to hold deep affection.

Inevitably, there were those who couldn’t help but feel displeased by this.

‘Tsk..! What a useless woman…’

Sera clicked her tongue inwardly, recalling Irene who had done nothing and ran out of the banquet hall, crying by herself.

She had deliberately smiled at the foolish men in the banquet hall to prevent that woman from becoming the main attraction… but it had all come to nothing.

So she turned her gaze elsewhere.

‘Haa… really… this one… that one… none of them are helpful…’

She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly again.

“Wahahaha!!!”

“Now, which young lady will be the next to dance with me!”

“Oh, my lady, would you dance with me?”

Because she saw Lian, oblivious to the seriousness of the current situation, grinning foolishly while dancing with noble young ladies.

Thus, the banquet was drawing to a close, with some enjoying themselves together, some feeling jealous and resentful of others… and some simply playing without a thought…

Their respective emotions intersecting.