A graceful waltz slowly flowed through the ballroom. Carlisle gently held Subaru's hand, guiding her through elegant dance steps to the music.
Subaru's movements still carried the awkwardness of a beginner, occasionally gripping Carlisle's Fingers unconsciously, but each turn and spin became smoother and smoother.
If she practiced a few more times, she would surely dance as well as those noble young ladies who had studied dance since childhood.
Mid-dance, Subaru tilted her head slightly, her gaze falling on Carlisle's face, so close to her. The light from the crystal chandelier cast fine shadows on his eyelashes, and his blue eyes, like a clear sky, were focused intently on her.
So his eyelashes are that long... Subaru suddenly realized this was the first time she had observed Carlisle's face so closely, and her cheeks involuntarily flushed. She secretly congratulated herself on being a 'face-con' (someone who values appearance), a trait that allowed her to openly admire the beautiful scenery before her.
Carlisle keenly noticed Subaru's distraction, but he didn't point it out. Instead, he deliberately adjusted the amplitude of his dance steps, avoiding all complex rotations and large strides, moving her only with the simplest basic steps. His palm steadily supported Subaru's back, ensuring she wouldn't miss a step even if her mind wandered.
Subaru gradually relaxed, and under Carlisle's perfectly timed guidance, she even began to enjoy the rhythm of the dance. Although the movements remained simple, she could already keep up with the music's tempo, occasionally even completing a small spin.
"Relax," Carlisle's voice softly sounded in her ear, "Give your weight to me."
Subaru nodded, letting him gently guide her across the dance floor. The elaborate dance moves of the surrounding nobles no longer mattered, she focused only on the Knight adjusting his rhythm for her, and the warm touch from his palm.
As the song ended, the music gradually faded, and the two slowly stopped. Subaru's cheeks were faintly flushed from the exertion. She keenly noticed the gazes from around them. Indeed, as Felix had said, many young noblemen's eyes lingered on her, but due to Carlisle's presence, no one dared to approach her.
At least they have some manners... Those gazes were exactly like the surreptitious glances boys used to send her in high school. But she was no longer the girl who would secretly delight in such attention.
Using such clumsy methods to make Carlisle jealous? She wasn't interested. True love didn't need such boring tests to prove itself.
Besides... if anyone actually dared to hit on her in front of Carlisle, Lady Crusch's invited 'elite nobles' certainly didn't include such thoughtless fools.
Once their movements completely stopped, Subaru looked up and gave Carlisle a brilliant smile. "Success! I didn't embarrass you!"
Carlisle gently released her hand, a tender smile blooming in his eyes. "Indeed, Subaru is very excellent. To keep up with the rhythm on her first dance, that's truly remarkable."
"Really?" Subaru blinked, deliberately drawing out her words, "Then Knight, don't you want to reward your diligent student?"
Carlisle reached out to straighten her slightly crooked bow hair ornament. "Oh? What kind of reward do you want?"
"Hmm..." Subaru pretended to think for a moment, then suddenly stood on her tiptoes and leaned close to his ear, "Next time, teach me more difficult dance steps? When it's just the two of us."
His ear was brushed by her warm breath, and Carlisle's ear tips flushed slightly. He nodded, feigning composure. "Alright."
Subaru chuckled triumphantly, and just as she was about to say something more, she suddenly felt someone gently tug her sleeve. Turning her head, Rem was standing beside them, a glass of juice in her hand.
"Subaru's dancing is very graceful," Rem handed the juice to Subaru. "Next, please allow Rem to..." Her voice trailed off, but her action of taking Carlisle's arm was exceptionally firm.
Subaru took the cool glass, her Fingers briefly touching Rem's. She looked at their clasped hands; it was the agreed-upon rotation. "Hmm! Don't let Carlisle's clumsy guidance make you fall, okay?"
Carlisle was momentarily stunned by her words, his gaze shifting between the two girls. Rem's thoughtfulness and Subaru's straightforwardness, paradoxically, made a subtle pang of sourness well up in his chest.
Rem seemed to suddenly remember something and said,
"Oh, Rem just tasted it, Lady Crusch's chef team is excellent," Rem pointed to the distant buffet table, where three-tiered silver stands held pastries crafted like works of art. "There's a newly developed chocolate cake; when cut, it oozes chocolate syrup mixed with mead..."
Subaru's throat involuntarily gulped at the mention... Isn't that a lava cake?! Subaru just remembered that the banquet also included dinner. She barely maintained her lady-like composure, but the cowlick at her hairline was already trembling with excitement.
"Ahem... Since you've brought it up," Subaru used her cup to hide the suspicious moisture at the corners of her mouth, "As a maid of Roswaal Mansion, it's my duty to inspect the culinary standards of our allies!"
Carlisle watched Subaru's feigned composure and uncoordinated steps as she walked away. Rem gently pulled his attention back. "Carlisle, the music is about to start," Her Fingers tightened a centimeter on the Knight's cuff, "This time... please dance your most skilled steps with Rem."
A new waltz began to play, and Carlisle led Rem into the dance floor. Her dance steps were incredibly fluid, each spin precisely on beat, Carlisle couldn't help but think. Had Rem practiced dancing before?
As the waltz entered a gentle passage, Rem suddenly spoke softly. "Carlisle... have you been feeling guilty recently?" Her voice was so soft it almost merged with the music, "About accepting both Rem's and Subaru's feelings at the same time."
Carlisle's arm stiffened slightly.
"Rem doesn't understand," Her Fingers gently curled in his palm. "Given Carlisle's status, it wouldn't be strange to marry two wives. Among the nobles in the Royal Capital, having three wives and four concubines is common..."
But I'm different.
Carlisle was about to speak when Rem suddenly lifted her face. Her deep blue eyes, under the candlelight, resembled a frozen lake. "...However, even though Rem says that, it doesn't mean Rem agrees with Carlisle having a large harem."
Her tone suddenly took on a playful note, "Two is already quite a lot. After all... Rem is truly grateful that Subaru can accept Rem like this. So..."
The music reached its climax at that moment, and Rem completed a beautiful spin under Carlisle's guidance. As she fell back into his arms, her voice was as light as a feather landing.
"...Please cherish us both very much, Carlisle."
Carlisle's hand unconsciously tightened. Rem's directness made his chest warm; this girl, who always silently gave, was now using her own way to help him resolve his inner turmoil.
"I swear," his voice was low and firm, his blue eyes reflecting Rem's slightly flushed cheeks, "I will guard you both with my life."
Rem's eyelashes fluttered gently, and a mischievous smile played on her lips. "Hmm, Rem of course believes Carlisle... However," Her Fingers secretly climbed onto his cravat, "Compared to such an oath, Rem wants something else right now."
"Something else?" Carlisle was slightly stunned, and before he could ponder the meaning of her words,
Suddenly, with a skillful pull from Rem's hand, the unprepared Carlisle was drawn closer. He felt the girl's warm breath brush his cheek, and the next second, a soft, petal-like touch gently pressed against his cheek.
"!"
Carlisle froze in place. The waltz continued, the surrounding nobles still twirled elegantly, but at this moment, his world contained only the fleeting, moist sensation on his cheek and Rem's triumphant smile before him.
His earlobes turned red at a visible speed, but he didn't panic and flee. Instead, he took a deep breath and steadily caught Rem's next spin, though the temperature of his Fingers had clearly risen a few degrees.
Rem seemed very pleased with his reaction, and in the subsequent dance steps, her guidance became exceptionally bold. Each turn subtly shortened the distance between them, and her sapphire hair ornament sparkled mischievously in the light.
Finally, the waltz reached its last note. After a perfect final movement, Rem did not immediately let go of his hand, but instead stood on tiptoes and whispered in Carlisle's ear. "This is just the beginning... One day, Rem will take all of Carlisle... Please look forward to it."
After speaking, she performed a graceful curtsy, her skirt tracing a beautiful arc as she turned to leave. Carlisle stood stunned, watching Rem's retreating figure.
However... if he had been more observant, he would have noticed that Rem's seemingly calm steps were actually a little faster than usual. If he had been a little closer, he would have discovered that the tips of her ears, hidden beneath her hair, were already crimson. If he could have seen her face, he would have caught the unprecedented, satisfied, and shy smile blooming on that usually serene face.
— — — — — —
"What's wrong, Rem?"
Subaru had just contentedly swallowed the last bite of dessert, and turning her head, found the blue-haired maid standing quietly beside her, staring at her unblinkingly. "Why are you looking at me like that all of a sudden?"
Rem gently brushed off the powdered sugar from Subaru's glove. "Nothing, I just think... Subaru looks exceptionally beautiful tonight."
"Eh?" Subaru's cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
"S-suddenly saying that, what for...?" She unconsciously touched the bow in her hair. "But... thank you for the compliment?"
Rem suddenly took Subaru's hand. "Subaru is truly amazing. Even though it's your first time dancing, you coordinated so well with Carlisle. What Subaru needs most right now..."
"Is more practice?" Subaru interjected. "Will there be many more such occasions in the future? Then I'd have to trouble Carlisle often..."
Rem shook her head. "Actually..." Her voice carried a rare hint of excitement, "Rem has already learned the gentleman's dance steps just by observing."
"Wait a minute... While I'm touched by your thoughtfulness, did I just hear something that makes me jealous?"
Rem was already leading her towards the terrace. "Please don't mind it," Her ear tips glowed a faint pink under the moonlight, "Actually... besides wanting to help Subaru practice..."
Rem suddenly stopped, performing a solemn and standard invitation to dance,.a posture entirely like a male noble.
"...Rem also wants to dance with Subaru."
Subaru's breath hitched for a moment. She had never seen Rem like this, a straight back, resolute eyes, and an outstretched hand that held an undeniable gentleness.
"So cunning..." Subaru mumbled softly, yet placed her hand on Rem's, "You know I can't refuse Rem like this..."
The night wind carried the melody of the distant band. Rem's guidance was as delicate as Carlisle's. She deliberately slowed down each movement.
"Here, it should be like this..." Rem's voice was close to her ear, a minty scent lingering at her nose, "Yes, just like that."
"Rem," Subaru suddenly spoke during a pause in a spin, "You actually... practiced for a long time, didn't you?"
The blue-haired girl didn't answer, merely guiding her through one last perfect glide.
Rem smiled, and in a voice only the two of them could hear, she said, "It's a secret."
...
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.