Hair swayed in the air.
Steps did not cease.
The sound of soles striking the floor went from slightly messy at first to gradually aligning in perfect rhythm.
And then—
In the vast banquet hall, two people danced.
But only one set of footsteps could be heard.
Hilda's and Eris's steps overlapped completely.
Looking at her daughter, now fully caught up in the joy of mastering something new—like she was playing an exciting game and growing more energetic with every step—Hilda's expression flickered slightly.
In the next instant, she composed herself, returning to her usual calm and deciding to finish the lesson.
"Mm… these are the basic steps. As I thought, when compared to swordsmanship, Eris picks it up quickly."
"Mm!!"
Basking in her sense of accomplishment, Eris beamed brightly, ready to continue for a few more beats—but Hilda suddenly released her hand from Eris's waist.
She gently pushed her back one step.
But her other arm caught Eris before she could move too far away.
The two returned to the starting position.
Crimson hair, like spilled paint, swayed before falling neatly to her sides.
They stood still.
"You've grasped the feel of the dance. From here, it's just a matter of practice. At the end of a dance, you end with a pose like this."
Eris parted her lips, but suddenly remembered she was still in a lesson, with her mother before her, and held back the urge to pull her back into the dance.
Hilda looked at Eris.
"And then…"
Her free hand clenched into a fist and folded behind her back.
She rotated her wrist, turning Eris's hand so the back faced her.
She lifted it.
Drew it closer.
Brought it to her face—right to her lips.
Her eyes lifted to meet Eris's.
"After the Foxtrot's final pose, the gentleman has two choices. First, to end with a kiss on the hand—"
Before she could finish, a flustered "Eh? Eh!?" came from the side.
Everyone turned toward Sylphy, who was now covering her entire face, her ears nearly purple-red.
Ah… ah… what is this…
H-how is she supposed to dance like this now…
Beneath her hands, Sylphy's eyes were already swirling in dazed circles.
Seeing this, Allen blinked.
Since he hadn't been briefed on Hilda's ball etiquette lesson, he just assumed Sylphy had been "A-ed" by Hilda's move.
And it had to be said—when Hilda danced as the male partner, her movements were sharp yet fluid, with a rhythm that matched her voice—cool and cutting, yet soft and emotional. It was undeniably captivating.
So Eris's physical talent and sword instinct weren't solely from the Boreas bloodline.
Still riding her excitement and lacking the ability to read between the lines, Eris simply asked,
"What's the second?"
Hilda's eyes wavered for a brief moment, as if recalling a distant memory.
Then she released Eris's hand.
One hand pressed over her chest.
She bent at the waist, lowering herself.
A perfectly standard noble bow.
"Second, a more distant, formal noble's bow."
Eris frowned slightly, puzzled.
It was Rudy who couldn't hold back his question.
"Madam, what's the difference between the two?"
Straightening again with grace, Hilda lowered her gaze to her hands.
"They're two different courtesies, but their purpose is the same—to preserve both parties' dignity. A ball is an act of socializing. During a Foxtrot, with its close positioning and in the cover of the music, the two have enough time to 'communicate' and reach a certain understanding.
"When the dance ends, that understanding is shown in the final gesture—
"If it's a kiss on the hand, it means both agree to take the relationship further. It signals to others at the ball that they are 'claimed,' and other peers will refrain from further advances.
"If it's a bow, it means they have not reached such an understanding, signaling that others may still extend invitations."
As her words faded—
Sylphy's face went pale.
Lowering her hands from her face, she stared blankly ahead, then instinctively glanced at Allen—before quickly looking away again.
Allen was in a daze himself.
Wait—how was this never in the original story?? In the novel, the ten-year birthday dance was brushed over in Rudy's POV, and in the anime, the scene was more detailed, but Rudy inviting Eris to dance had clearly been a simplified Foxtrot to accommodate her.
Then it hit him—
At his own politically motivated "networking" dance during his five-year birthday, his "brothers" had indeed ended their dances with either a kiss on the hand or a bow.
Why wasn't that in the anime?
The next moment, Hilda's voice answered his question.
"But, since this ball is for your birthday, Eris, you're an exception. No one will try to use this method to test you in the Boreas estate. You're the star of the night—the choice is yours. You can dance with everyone, then decide only at the end of the banquet."
Allen rubbed his chin.
So that's why Edna never taught this… or maybe she did, but it happened outside of Rudy's POV.
And since Edna only had him help teach the dance steps, Rudy never knew—
Which explained why, at the banquet, Rudy was endlessly invited by girls, never offering a kiss on the hand to any of them.
To outsiders, that probably made him look like a peacock in mating season.
Allen glanced at Rudy, who now looked stiff as a board.
So, this time… would Rudy make a different choice? Accept a noble girl's heart?
A noble girl?
Eris?
Allen looked between the two, seeing no hint of hidden emotion, and his mouth twitched.
Well… in this loop, the kidnapping case had been derailed, and so far, there wasn't a hint of spark between them. Still, considering the anime, Rudy was far more popular than Allen had imagined—he'd been warmly greeted by girls in Buena Village, and at Eris's ten-year birthday, noble girls had kept inviting him to dance.
Completely different from the original events. Interesting. Allen decided he'd have to stick close when the time came—maybe there'd be a good show to watch.
Rudy's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Crap. This is bad. My plan to sidle up to Allen and play the "supporting wingman" is officially dead. Sylphy will definitely dance with Allen. Eris? I'll be lucky if she doesn't hit me—dance with me? Not happening.
And the other noble girls?
They'll be waiting for Allen to finish with Sylphy before inviting him!
I need to stay far, far away! There's no way I'm playing the wingman this time!
(End of Chapter)
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