Chapter 33: Shut up and Dance with Me
Shiori's pov
....
It had been almost six months since I started tutoring the princes, and somehow, against all odds, they'd made incredible progress.
Physically, mentally, academically... even socially to an extent.
Well.Mostly Oliver socially
Christopher still had the emotional temperament of an angry stray dog that someone accidentally gave royal authority.
Still, improvement was improvement.
As for my recommendation letter, it had already been sent to the academy weeks ago. Meaning my role here would soon come to an end.
I dipped my pen into ink before writing down the day's observations into my journal.
"Christopher managed to complete advanced sword drills without threatening bodily harm today. Remarkable growth."
I paused before sighing softly.
"In a few months, my job here will be completed..." I murmured quietly, staring at the candlelight flickering across the page.
"Then I can continue searching for Sanemi."
The room fell silent afterward. Too silent.
My chest tightened slightly at the thought of my missing brother, but before the mood could sink any deeper—
Knock knock.
I blinked.
"Come in."
The door creaked open, revealing Oliver dressed casually instead of his usual formal attire. Compared to Christopher's constant storm-cloud energy, Oliver always looked painfully composed.
Though today he seemed... nervous.
"Hey, Oliver," I greeted. "What is it?"
"May I speak with you for a moment?" he asked carefully. I stared at him suspiciously.
That tone never meant anything good.
"...Sure. Come in."
He entered the room and sat down while I poured grape juice into a glass from the pitcher sitting atop my vanity.
"So," I said, sliding the drink toward him, "what kind of disaster are we discussing today?"
Oliver let out a small, awkward laugh before clearing his throat.
"In a few weeks, Christopher and I will be turning eighteen," he began. "There will be a grand ceremony held in honor of our coming of age. Nobles from many territories will attend."
"Sounds exhausting already."
"It is tradition for the royal heirs to participate in a ceremonial dance during the celebration."
I paused. Then slowly lowered my teacup.
"...Christopher? Dancing?"
I snorted loudly.
"Oh, now that I need to see."
Oliver looked utterly offended on his brother's behalf
"This is serious, Lady Shiori."
That only made me laugh harder.
"Sorry, sorry— continue."
He pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly.
"Although Christopher has improved significantly in his studies... his manners are still deplorable. At this rate, he may not even pass basic courtesy standards, let alone complete a proper formal dance."
"Harsh."
"It's true."
"Fair enough."
"So," Oliver continued carefully, "I was hoping we could reduce some lesson hours temporarily so his etiquette instructor can focus entirely on dance training."
I blinked.
"That's all?"
"Yes...?"
"Oliver," I deadpanned, "I thought someone died."
His shoulders visibly relaxed.
"So you don't mind?"
"Of course not." I waved dismissively. "I want you and Chris to enjoy your birthday. Go ahead."m
For a second, he genuinely looked surprised. Then he smiled softly.
"Thank you, Shiori."
"Mhmm."
After he left, I quietly closed the door.
Silence lingered for exactly three seconds.
Then—
My eyes sparkled.
"MORE FREE TIME MEANS MORE TIME TO READ NOVELS!"
I launched face-first onto my bed kicking my legs like an overexcited child.
Truly, destiny had smiled upon me today.
...
[Mind Space]
A large imaginary meeting room manifested within my consciousness. At the center table sat the different aspects of my mind.
Boss Lady slammed her hands dramatically onto the table.
"This emergency meeting between entities shall now begin!"
Happy clapped enthusiastically.
"Yay!"
Intellect adjusted imaginary glasses.
"While we appreciate the reduced workload, we should not forget our primary objective."
Insecure nervously raised a hand.
"But... we still haven't found any traces of Phantom or Crimson Cross activity. None of the White Lotus members have contacted us either. Isn't that concerning?"
Wild lazily leaned back in a chair.
"I say we just survive one catastrophe at a time.
"Agreed," Boss Lady nodded solemnly.
Happy raised her hand again.
"Counterargument: novels.
"Denied," Intellect said immediately.
"Awww."
Intellect folded their arms.
"That incident at Persefial Forest exposed a major weakness."
Wild grimaced.
"Ugh. Don't remind me. We got toyed with by that weird snake freak."
"And Christopher saving us only inflated his ego," Intellect added dryly.
Insecure sighed.
"But we can't exactly take higher-ranked missions without drawing suspicion..."
"Correct," Intellect nodded. "Therefore we shall focus on mental development."
Boss Lady narrowed her eyes dramatically.
"Elaborate."
"There are many kingdoms and races beyond this nation," Intellect explained. "If our barrier glasses are destroyed while traveling, language limitations could become a problem."
Happy gasped.
"Ohhh! Learning new languages sounds fun!"
Wild shrugged.
"Could be useful."
Insecure nodded slowly.
"I guess that makes sense..."
Boss Lady stood proudly.
"Then it is decided! Half of our free time shall be devoted to studying foreign languages!"
Z
"NO OBJECTIONS!" everyone yelled.
Meeting adjourned.
...
I sat at my study desk flipping through a beginner-level history book written in demi-human language.
Honestly?
This wasn't nearly as difficult as expected.
"It's basically caveman English," I muttered.
The grammar structure was painfully primitive.
As for Elven language...I could probably bully Eliot or Nate into teaching me later.
Suddenly—
"PRINCE CHRISTOPHER!"
A loud yell echoed through the corridor.
I blinked before opening my door.
Christopher sprinted down the hallway looking one inconvenience away from committing arson.
"Huh?"
A moment later Oliver appeared, panting heavily..
"What's going on?" Oliver looked exhausted.
"Christopher is struggling with the dance lessons."
"I gathered."
"It's like he physically lacks the ability to follow rhythm."
"Tragic."
"At this rate he'll humiliate himself during the ceremony," Oliver groaned.
"I see... you have my sympathies."
Oliver slowly turned toward me.
A dangerous look entered his eyes.
"To be ridiculed publicly during one's eighteenth birthday... doesn't that sound awful?"
Ah. There it is.
I sighed heavily.
"You want something from me."
"Yes," he said immediately while grabbing my hands dramatically. "Please bring him back to dance class."
I stared at him blankly.
"...Figures."
...
I eventually found Christopher exactly where I expected him to be. Perched lazily on a tree branch in the garden like some grumpy overgrown cat.
"I figured you'd be here," I called.
"I don't need dancing," he grumbled.
"You do for the ceremony."
"Then I'll skip the ceremony."
"It's literally your birthday celebration."
"I don't care."
I folded my arms.
"Yes you do."
"No I don't."
"You absolutely do."
He clicked his tongue irritably.
"Everyone's only coming to see Oliver anyway."
The bitterness in his voice caught me off guard.
"Don't say that."
"Why?" he snapped. "Why do I have to keep trying at things I'm bad at?"
I looked up at the evening sky quietly.
"I'm not really sure," I admitted. "I think... sometimes life just works like that."
He stared at me silently.
"Some people get the easy route," I continued softly. "Others have to struggle for every little thing.
"That's easy for you to say," he muttered bitterly. "You're good at everything."
I froze.
"…Not really."
Christopher looked genuinely surprised by my expression.
After a moment, I sat down beneath the tree.
"Can I tell you a secret?"
He slowly nodded.
"I have a younger brother," I said quietly. "He was abducted a few months ago."
His eyes widened slightly.
"I still don't know who took him. Or why."
The words felt heavier saying them aloud.
"But giving up won't bring him back," I continued. "So I keep searching. I keep moving forward because... maybe one day all that effort will finally pay off."
Christopher stared at me silently.
"I think respect is the same way," I said calmly. "It's not something earned through strength alone."
The wind rustled quietly between us.
"You're not a bad person, Chris," I added. "Just stubborn."
"..."
"Now please come to dance class," I sighed. "I'll even help you."
He went quiet, silently thinking about her words first. He suddenly jumped down from the branch—
—and smacked the top of my head.
"OW?!"
"That was for showing weakness," he muttered while walking away.
EXCUSE ME?!
Then he glanced back toward me.
"Come on already."
I stared at him in disbelief before laughing softly.
"You dumb mutt..."
...
"ONE TWO THREE— ONE TWO THREE—"
CLAP CLAP CLAP
The instructor clapped rhythmically while Christopher and I struggled for our lives.
Correction.
I struggled for my life.
"Ow!" I hissed after he stepped on my foot again. "Follow my feet, not attack them!"
"You're too slow!"
"You're too fast!"
"Skill issue."
"I'm going to bury you."
Soon came the spinning portion.
"Wait wait WAIT—"
Too late.
I got launched sideways and slammed directly into the wall.
Pain.
Agony.
Suffering.
Somewhere nearby, Oliver avoided eye contact.
You owe me compensation.
The following weeks became a blur of dance practice, studying, training, and Christopher yelling every five minutes.
I collapsed dramatically onto my bed one evening.
"I'm balancing swordsmanship, language studies, noble etiquette, and dance lessons with a tsundere prince," I groaned. "This is too much."
A servant knocked gently.
"Lady Shiori, you've received a package."
I sat up curiously before opening the box.
Inside was an entire collection of newly released novels.
My eyes widened with holy reverence.
"...Whoever sent this understands me spiritually."
I glanced at the author's name.
"Lavender?" I muttered. "Odd pen name."
Still.
Free novels were free novels.
A few days later—
"Excellent!" the instructor praised. "You've finally synchronized your movements!"
Christopher looked genuinely proud of himself.
"Really?!"
"Yes. At this rate, you should perform adequately tomorrow."
I tilted my head.
"But I won't be his partner during the actual ceremony. Will he still manage?"
"As long as he remembers the rhythm, he'll be fine," Oliver answered.
Though his smile looked strangely forced.
...I suddenly had a very bad feeling.
...
The following evening, the palace ballroom glowed beneath crystal chandeliers while nobles flooded the hall dressed in extravagant gowns and jewels.
Classical music drifted softly through the air.
Tables overflowed with delicacies from across the kingdom.
Meanwhile—
I stood in the corner aggressively stuffing meat into my mouth.
.
The white-and-blue dress Nate gifted me flowed elegantly around my legs, though I still felt painfully underdressed compared to everyone else.
"Attention everyone!"
The king's voice silenced the hall as The grand doors opened dramatically.
Christopher and Oliver stepped inside wearing matching red-and-black formal suits.
The room practically exploded with admiration.
"Today marks my sons' eighteenth birthday," the king announced proudly.
"Please enjoy tonight's festivities."
Nobles quickly surrounded the twins with greetings and praise.
"Happy birthday, Your Highnesses."
"Thank you," they answered politely.
Noble girls practically melted on sight.
.
Then came the announcement.
"Now for the ceremonial dance!" the king declared. "Any young lady wishing to pursue my sons' hand in marriage may step forward!"
I choked on my drink.
EXCUSE ME?
A shy noble girl approached Oliver first.
The two danced beautifully together.
Elegant.
Graceful.
Refined.
Meanwhile I stood there eating meat like a cavewoman.
Still...
Oliver's expression looked oddly empty throughout the performance.
Like he was simply going through motions.
Then it was Christopher's turn. A smug-looking noblewoman stepped forward confidently.
I clasped my hands together.
Please don't punch her.
Please don't punch her.
Please don't punch her.
The dance began.
At first it looked fine. Then Christopher sped up
"Slow down!" the girl yelped.
"Oh no," I whispered.
CRASH.
They both fell spectacularly onto the ballroom floor. The entire room erupted into whispers.
"Christopher!" the king snapped sharply. "Get up!"
Chris froze.
Nobles murmured cruelly around him.
"How embarrassing."
"He lacks elegance."
"Prince Oliver is clearly superior."
His shoulders tensed tighter with every word.
And suddenly—
I couldn't stand watching anymore. I stepped forward.
"May I have this dance?"
Christopher's eyes widened. The ballroom fell silent.People immediately began whispering again.
"Who is she?"
"That dress is terribly plain."
"Is she really humiliating herself for him?"
Christopher looked ready to combust.i gently grabbed his hand.
"Just like we practiced," I whispered.
"I know that," he muttered stubbornly.
The music began again.
At first he moved stiffly.
Then he stumbled—
—but I caught him before anyone noticed.
"Don't tell me you're nervous," I teased quietly
"Of course I am," he hissed. "Everyone's watching."
"Then close your eyes."
"What?"
"Trust me."
He hesitated.
"Christopher."
"…Fine."
I smiled softly.
"Ready?"
He nodded.
"1...2...3...4…"
Slowly, his movements steadied.
"1...2...3...4…"
The ballroom noise faded away.
"1...2...3...4…"
Step by step, we moved perfectly together.
Like sword practice at dawn. Like breathing.
Like rhythm itself.
When the song ended—
Silence.
Then—
Clap.
Another clap followed.
Then another.
Soon the entire ballroom erupted into applause.
Christopher opened his eyes in shock.
His expression lit up brighter than I'd ever seen before.
And honestly?
That alone made the embarrassing attention worth it.
...
"My word..." Oliver laughed softly afterward.
"How did you manage that?"
"Beast-human hearing," I explained casually. "Chris was overwhelmed by all the gossiping, so I redirected his focus toward my voice instead."
Oliver blinked slowly.
"That's... incredibly clever."
"See?" Christopher grinned proudly. "Shiori's amazing."
I smirked.
"That's only because I wanted you to succeed."
His smile somehow widened even more.
Cute.
Wait.
No.
Not cute.
Absolutely not.
I quickly shoved two wrapped boxes into their hands.
"Anyway. Birthday presents."
They opened them carefully
Inside were twin blades crafted specifically for each of them. Their eyes widened.
"Twin blades for the birthday twins," I grinned.
I'd reinforced them heavily with mana too.
Mostly because Christopher fought like he had a personal grudge against weapon durability.
"What do you think?"
Suddenly—
A tear slipped down Christopher's cheek.
I panicked internally.
WAS IT THAT BAD?!
Before I could react, he pulled me into a tight hug.
"Thank you, Shiori," he whispered quietly. "For everything."
His head rested against my neck.
My brain blue-screened instantly.
"H-Huh?!"
After a second, I awkwardly hugged him back.
"You're welcome, idiot..."
Nearby, Oliver smiled warmly at the sight.
And for the first time in a while—
Christopher genuinely looked happy.
I suppose even bratty princes had soft spots after all.