The chatter around them continued.
Allen simply kept his gaze fixed on the enamel skylight above the banquet hall.
The evening glow painted the sky beyond the glass in hazy colors, edging the Iron Heart with its light.
A crimson hue descended from above, branding itself in his pupils.
Allen slowly raised his hand, as if to 'grasp' the Iron Heart overhead.
"Boreas's…"
"Iron Heart."
He murmured without thinking.
The words weren't loud, completely drowned out by the echoing conversations nearby.
Yet, the next moment—
As his voice fell, Hilda, Sylphy, Rudy, Eris, and Ghislane all stopped speaking mid-sentence.
All five turned their eyes to him.
Allen was still lost in thought, but the piercing weight of ten eyes staring at him cut through his focus like an air raid siren, yanking him out of his mood.
Stiffly, he turned toward the source of the stares, his expression freezing.
What? Why is everyone looking at me?
He blinked awkwardly.
"…It's beautiful," Allen pointed upward. "The Iron Heart."
Hilda blinked, then smiled.
"The crest on top of the tower is even more beautiful—and more striking."
"Really?! Mother, take us there! Let Allen see it!" Eris immediately turned, her little-lion voice rising with a distinctive pitch in a spoiled demand.
The volume made Rudy quickly cover his ears.
Hilda shook her head helplessly.
"Your father is likely up there now. There would be too many people, and it's already getting dark. You probably wouldn't see it clearly."
"Ah~ I see."
Eris pouted, then turned to stare at Allen, crossing her arms and lifting her chin.
"I'll take you there next time! How about it?! And Sylphy too—bring Rudy!"
Like a little adult, brimming with misplaced pride.
Allen/Rudy/Sylphy:
"Thanks." ×3
Hilda chuckled softly at the scene.
Everyone else scratched their heads, looking at the baffled Eris.
"Eris." Hilda patted her head, pressing down her ahoge.
"Hm?"
"Rather than worrying about the tower's crest, perhaps you should focus on the present."
"Eh?"
Hilda bent down to look into Eris's eyes.
"Your tenth birthday banquet will be held here. Nobles from all around the territory will attend. Unlike your fifth birthday, this time, before the ball begins, as the guest of honor, you will have to open with a dance. You can't just stand aside and watch—and many promising young men might ask you to dance."
"How."
"Do."
"I."
"Handle."
"This?"
Hilda's teasing, drawn-out words left Eris visibly shocked, her expression turning into clear reluctance.
"Can't I not dance?! There's no point in it at all!"
"No, your father would be angry."
"Ah, but—I can't learn it! Why do something I'm bad at?!"
"It's fine, Edna will give you special training."
Eris glanced at Sylphy and Rudy watching her. Though unwilling, with two 'teachers' younger than herself looking on, her pride wouldn't allow her to say "I just don't want to learn" in front of her mother.
She puffed her cheeks and grumbled.
"Fine, fine."
Hilda smiled, glancing at Allen. The warm feeling of being surrounded by children and teaching them brightened her mood.
Then she suddenly shifted her gaze from Allen to Sylphy—who had been watching Allen closely. The white-haired girl, as if caught, stiffened and tried to slip behind Rudy, as if to vanish into thin air.
"But Eris will have a partner—Sylphy will learn too."
Allen and Rudy turned to her in confusion, while Sylphy froze completely.
"Huh?"
Eris was momentarily surprised, but didn't bother asking why Sylphy had to learn. She just brightened instantly.
She had company!
That simple joy of sharing hardship—but never letting your companion slack off—was universal, whether in the modern world or in a world of swords and magic.
"Really?!"
Hilda smiled and nodded.
"So, since we're already in the banquet hall, and the atmosphere is right, let's skip some of the basic Boreas etiquette for now and go straight to teaching you the rules for a ball—as a rehearsal for your birthday."
Eris's joy froze instantly. She had been hoping to delay the lesson, only to have it land right in her lap.
Sylphy's reaction matched hers—stunned.
She had only learned yesterday afternoon that she might dance with Allen at the banquet. She hadn't mentally prepared herself at all—she'd only planned with Rudy to bring Hilda to Allen for etiquette lessons.
And now, before she could even put it out of her mind, Hilda had brought them directly to the ballroom…
Class was starting?
So suddenly?
And with their names called out directly?
Hilda smiled, taking Eris's hand.
"Rather than Boreas etiquette, this is really an Asuran court dance. Boreas noble etiquette is just woven into it."
She took two steps back. Eris stiffened in panic.
Their arms stretched straight.
Two pale arms like ribbons linked the black-and-white court attire to the blazing red gown.
"There are many types of dances, but they can be roughly divided into two—Asuran court minuets."
She stepped forward slightly, placing her foot beside Eris's, arms intertwined, keeping a suitable distance that felt neither too close nor too cold.
She then shifted sideways in small, precise steps, the other foot following, pausing every two beats—guiding the flustered Eris to move with her.
But Eris's feet shuffled in place, repeatedly stepping on Hilda's high-heeled toes.
Because Hilda often pivoted on her toes, her red skirt swirled clockwise and counterclockwise, spinning into elegant arcs.
Hilda's face remained all smiles, showing no sign of pain.
"This is mainly for more formal occasions. The steps are small, keeping a 'respectful' distance while avoiding stiffness—easy to learn."
"But…"
(End of Chapter)
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