Chapter 60 : Welcome! Everyone is waiting for you

The venue for the ball was far from a simple repurposed classroom.

It was a five-story hall, only opened for special occasions, with a grand front yard. Though many people had arrived at the academy, the

ballroom’s opulence and size made their numbers seem trivial. It felt like attending a grand royal party.

Though the evening party began at dusk, the outdoor area was as bright and noisy as midday.

‘It’s seriously crowded.’

The opening announcements seemed to be over, and people were chatting in groups of threes and fives. The castle-shaped hall was already

packed.

Such a crowd gathering all the way in the far eastern part of the continent wasn’t common, especially not for the usually reclusive nobles.

Giant statues, a towering wedding cake, and outdoor tables overflowing with desserts and alcohol set a lavish scene. Even just standing there,

the noise from all around made it impossible to think straight. Some already-drunk men clinked glasses and sang opera-like tunes between

the guests.

—“Welcome~ Everyone’s been waiting for you!”

—“Tonight, forget your worries!”

…What kind of weird song is that? Sounds like a demon duke is about to crash the party. Lame.

Apparently, Amiter shared my thoughts, because we naturally walked toward a quieter spot.

Of course, “quiet” was a relative term. The more peaceful areas were already occupied by couples. Tch.

“Nice outfit,”

Amiter commented as we walked through the rose-scented garden. Really? This childish getup?

“Seriously?”

“Hmm. Honestly, it’s just a polite compliment. Doesn’t really suit what’s inside.”

What a jerk. I tried to pick her apart with my eyes, but her black suit was flawless. No faults to point out.

When I frowned, she flashed a smile, showing white teeth.

“Still, it’s the first time I’ve seen you dressed like that. A pleasant surprise.”

“Don’t worry, next time we go to Reens, it’ll be your turn. That’s a formal event too, so you’ll—”

“A fighter like me? Now or then, I’ll never wear something like that.”

As we exchanged mostly meaningless conversation, we stumbled upon a truly secluded area.

Unlike the grand front yard, the backyard was overgrown and dark, without a single light. Actually, not that quiet either.

“Uhh… Maybe we should get out of here quickly.”

“Agreed.”

Rough breathing echoed from beyond the bushes. A couple showing mutual affection—a very forward-thinking act for the future of the nation

and society…

For ordinary people, maybe it was fine. But for us, who could hear every word perfectly, walking past that spot felt too awkward.

Especially since one of us was a unicorn-certified virgin. Too much stimulation.

“Have you eaten? We should probably go inside.”

Amiter, clearly embarrassed, blushed and tugged me away by the wrist.

A comfortable touch, unlike someone else’s.

Inside the hall again, I didn’t feel like eating.

Maybe the earlier scene upset my stomach. In any case, I didn’t want to put anything in my mouth.

We sat on opposite sides of a white table, doing nothing. Awkward. Two introverts at a crowded party—what a joke.

The first floor of the hall had a dance stage at the center, surrounded by tables for dining.

I felt like I should be doing something. Just taking up space made me self-conscious.

Still, I didn’t want to go wandering around again. So, I looked at Amiter and tilted my chin.

“How about it, did you practice dancing a bit?”

On the stage, music played and about thirty people danced in pairs, holding hands.

Mostly commoners, but they were upperclassmen, so they at least managed the steps. I blinked my red eyes and leaned forward.

“I told you to practice back then.”

“I’m not the type for that kind of thing,”

She said with a bitter smile, raising the collar of her suit. There was no alcohol on the table, yet she rested her chin on her hand and looked

wistfully toward the stage.

“It might sound silly coming from me, but my life’s always been winter. An unmelting ice, a coat full of holes.”

She began to share a bit of her past. Hearing it directly was a first, so I stayed quiet and listened.

“Before I met the Matron, I wandered the streets—it was winter then, too. Even in summer, nights were cold outside.

During my days in Reens, fighting dogs, I wasn’t cold anymore, but still dried out.

And before that… No, forget it.”

She clammed up like she’d said too much.

Her story was one you could call common or cliché.

A life of hunger and suffering—truthfully, it’s the kind of thing you can find on any street corner.

A beggar’s coin, a child’s burnt bread crust—nowadays, even poets find such tales dull.

She looked at me as she ended her “boring” story.

“Until I came here, I lived in winter. And in winter, no one dances.”

“So, has spring come now?”

Instead of answering, Amiter looked at me intently.

Music still filled the air, and the desserts within arm’s reach gave off a sweet scent.

She leaned back with an unreadable expression.

“…Who knows.”

“So basically, you didn’t practice at all?”

“Correct.”

She made it sound elegant, but it was just laziness. Her slightly brighter smile annoyed me, and before I knew it, I stood up.

“Come with me.”

On the stage full of string music and applause,

Ladies in dresses danced with their partners. As I stepped up, the dancers made space without a fuss.

Amiter hesitated but followed my lead. Our feet aligned in place.

“Start with your feet together. Since you’re in a suit, you’re taking the male position. I can’t believe I’m dancing with a girl at a place like

this…”

The mood seemed to carry us. Actually, there were a few dancing with friends, so it wasn’t that weird.

Instead of caring about others, I focused on teaching her.

We held hands, and I told her to follow my steps.

“Watch where I move. One, two—”

“Like this?”

“You have to be a beat late! Don’t step on my foot!”

She was surprisingly clumsy. Fights? She was great. Dancing? Not so much.

“Try moving to the three-count beat. Ahh! You’re not doing this on purpose, right?”

“No. It’s harder than I thought.”

Still, she learned quickly. Once past the puppet-like phase, she picked things up decently.

Aside from the occasional stomp on my toes, she was doing fine.

To be fair, I’m no expert dancer either. Even if I learned, when would I ever get to practice with someone?

I used all the knowledge I had to guide her. Fortunately, while she wasn’t a prodigy, she was a decent learner.

“Spin. Turn now.”

“Turn?”

“Yeah, spin me.”

As the music neared its finale and my stamina waned, I asked her to do a mid-level spin.

She didn’t stupidly twirl on her own but gently spun me with her hand.

“Good job.”

By the end, my legs were trembling. I almost tripped while spinning,

but she caught me, ending the dance with me in her arms—a classic ending pose.

Applause rang out at the end of the song.

I barely had time to care, stumbling off the stage.

“Just… let me rest a bit.”

Exhausted, I found a couch in the corner and collapsed onto it. My whole body ached from using muscles I rarely touched.

My breathing was as heavy as the couple’s from earlier in the bushes.

Amiter, being more athletic, seemed unfazed.

As I tousled my hair and closed my eyes, the world spun around me.

“Well done. That’s the last time I’m dancing.”

My rest lasted only until Teferi found us.

So basically, about five minutes.

Her desperate gaze dragged me back onto the stage once more.