Felix waved his hand lightly. "Then, let tonight be Subaru's most dazzling moment~ Remember to keep that smile when you dance, okay? That expression just now will surely leave all the noble young masters present staring in awe, nya~"
…Dance?
Subaru's smile instantly froze. Noble social dances? She couldn't do them at all. Wait… no one told her she had to dance?!
Although Subaru was nominally a maid at Roswaal Mansion, in this banquet hall, no one would treat her as a servant.
Her fair skin, well-proportioned figure, and the natural grace in her every movement made her appear like a properly raised noble young lady.
Not to mention the strange yet exquisite foreign attire she wore when she first appeared in the Royal Capital, according to intelligence reports. And her long, jet-black hair, which was extremely rare in Lugunica. Combined with the almost prescient strategic awareness she displayed during the White Whale subjugation and her confrontation with the Archbishop of Sin… all of this convinced Felix that Subaru must be a noble lady from a distant land.
However, Subaru only came from an ordinary middle-class family in modern Japan, where the only things taught in school physical education were calisthenics and volleyball. How could she possibly have learned noble ballroom dancing?
"Um… Felix…" Subaru opened her mouth, trying to explain.
But the cat-eared knight had already turned gracefully, leaving behind only his cheerful voice.
"Enjoy the banquet, nya~"
Subaru watched Felix disappear into the crowd. The worst-case scenarios began forming rapidly in her mind.
What if Carlisle invited her to dance, and she couldn't even manage the basic steps, stepping on his foot in front of everyone…
Subaru was about to confess that she knew nothing about noble etiquette, but her peripheral vision caught countless gazes directed toward her. The nobles appeared to be elegantly chatting and raising their glasses, yet their eyes subtly drifted toward her.
It's over…
She suddenly realized a fatal problem. As the companion of the Kingdom's Second Knight, if she exposed that she couldn't even perform basic dance steps right now…
She would definitely embarrass Carlisle.
A thin layer of sweat formed on her back.
At that moment, a hand wearing a white glove suddenly extended toward her, offering a glass of fresh orange juice.
At some point, Carlisle had taken drinks from a passing waiter.
He spoke with a gentle smile.
"Come to think of it, Subaru hasn't had a chance to rest since the subjugation battle ended yesterday, right? After being tense on the battlefield for so long, it's only natural to feel tired when suddenly placed in such a lively setting with clinking glasses."
"The banquet will last quite a while. Why don't we go over there and rest for a bit first?"
Subaru accepted the cold orange juice. She looked up into Carlisle's concerned blue eyes and immediately understood.
He was helping her out.
He was giving her an excuse. A completely reasonable and unquestionable reason of needing rest after battle, allowing her to step away gracefully.
How thoughtful…
As gratitude welled up inside her, her gaze unconsciously drifted to the sparkling champagne in Carlisle's hand. Tiny bubbles rose continuously in the golden liquid.
——————
On the terrace, where the night breeze drifted gently, Subaru grabbed Carlisle's sleeve, her voice filled with undisguised panic.
"It's over, it's over! I don't know how to do any noble social dances! Why is there even such an activity at this kind of banquet? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Carlisle gently held her trembling fingers.
"Don't worry."
He turned with a reassuring smile.
"It's actually not that difficult. There's still plenty of time. Why don't we practice a little first?"
Carlisle was naturally proficient in noble etiquette. In Lugunica, the knight class formed an important part of the aristocratic system, and social dance along with formal etiquette were required subjects.
Although he had little personal interest in such formalities, the strict training of the Knight's Order allowed no room for negligence.
Rem blinked and placed her half-finished juice on the marble railing.
"Rem's maid training didn't include this. This is also Rem's first time dancing."
"Perfect."
Carlisle took Rem's left hand and gestured to Subaru with his right.
"Let's start with the most basic box step."
One, two, three.
Subaru stared intently at the path traced by Carlisle's boots. After a short while, Rem quickly matched his rhythm and spun, her blue skirt blooming like a daffodil.
"Wait a second, is it really that smooth? Rem, you haven't been secretly practicing, have you?"
As she was twirled around, Rem answered softly.
"It's just… I've watched others and tried to imitate it a few times…"
The tips of her ears turned slightly red.
"And Carlisle's guidance is very gentle."
Carlisle released Rem and turned toward Subaru, offering a polite invitation.
"Alright, Subaru. Your turn."
Subaru hesitantly placed her hand into his, and it was immediately held firmly by a warm palm.
Carlisle's other hand rested gently beneath her shoulder blade, the warmth seeping through the thin fabric.
"Just trust me and shift your weight onto me."
The night breeze carried flower petals past their feet.
At first, Subaru stepped on Carlisle's boots repeatedly. Every time she tried to apologize, he interrupted her panic by guiding her more firmly.
Gradually, her body began to remember the rhythm.
So I'm not really dancing…
Subaru suddenly realized that Carlisle was creating a safe space for her with the support of his entire arm.
Just like now.
As he guided her through a perfect turn, Subaru's black evening gown finally spread into a graceful arc.
"We did it!"
She laughed and threw herself into Carlisle's arms.
Nearby, Rem clapped softly.
"Subaru learns even faster than Rem."
The night breeze swirled gently, carrying the faint fragrance of moonflowers from the courtyard below across the terrace.
At that moment, the music inside the banquet hall shifted into a gentle waltz.
Carlisle's fingers brushed lightly against Subaru's cheek, tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear. His palm lingered softly against her face.
"As expected of Subaru…"
The knight's voice carried a quiet sense of pride.
He stepped back slightly and performed a standard invitation.
"Then…"
The music swelled as the prelude reached its end.
Carlisle extended his arm.
"Would you do me the honor of dancing the first dance of the evening with me?"
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.