"Still want to keep dancing? It's been a while now. Didn't think you'd actually come to enjoy it—what a surprise."
"Huh? Allen, are you tired?"
Allen looked down.
Eris looked up.
Gray eyes met crimson.
Their steps didn't stop.
Crimson hair rose and fell, brushing against Allen's face again and again. Unlike Sylphy's soft strands, hers had a springy, naturally wavy bounce.
As they moved, his breath caught faint traces of the musk-like scent common in Boreas toiletries.
In her crimson eyes, the light had already dimmed with the setting sun.
But even in the gloom, she could still clearly see Allen's slightly exasperated expression.
"It's nearly dark. In winter that's one thing, but it's summer—this etiquette lesson should be ending soon, Eris."
The banquet hall was already losing its last sunset glow through the skylight; the fiery clouds had slipped from view.
Darkness, like steam in a bathhouse, rose to fill the room—like a veil, like morning fog.
Blurring sight.
In that dimness, Eris's hair deepened to a dark, lustrous wine-red.
Children have an almost instinctive talent in certain areas—and in Eris, that talent was especially pronounced.
What talent?
—The ability to test an adult's limits.
Of course, only with adults she respected. With someone like Rudy, there was no need to "test."
And where were Allen's limits?
Half a year of these "tests" hadn't given her a full theory, but she had observed enough to make some rules.
If she made a request and Allen responded lightly and readily—she could keep making that request forever, no fear of rejection tomorrow or the next day.
Allen didn't get tired of it.
If she made a request and he frowned immediately and refused—then using the "Eris-nyan☆" plea would still work, though he'd keep refusing in the future.
But "Eris-nyan☆" would still win in the moment!
And—
If she made a request and Allen looked thoughtful, a bit helpless, shaking his head… no matter how much she wheedled, he would never agree.
That was when she had to stop immediately.
That way, Allen would smile and praise her again.
So right now…
Eris blinked—a "light brake."
Her hair, flying from momentum, swished back and fell in a fluffy bounce down her back.
Allen had already begun to take another step, but as she stopped, he used perfect core control to plant his foot firmly.
He looked down at her.
As expected—
His expression was slightly exasperated, his head shaking, but then his lips curved into a smile.
"You danced well, Eris~"
Her mouth curled in satisfaction.
"Mm!"
She spun toward Hilda, entering "seeking praise" mode.
Her steps were light like dance steps, her brows arched in joy.
"Mother! I danced even better, right?"
But her face suddenly froze.
"Moth—"
"Mother?"
Allen raised a brow at her reaction.
He had been using Flow techniques to help Eris keep her posture. Now freed from the dance, they stopped.
Something felt off.
Too quiet.
From above, the last ember of sunlight vanished as if blown out by the wind.
Darkness and silence fell over them.
Allen turned—not toward Sylphy as usual, nor toward Rudy for whatever trouble he was brewing—
But straight to Hilda.
Her face, touched by the dark, lay under a thin veil.
He couldn't read her expression.
But he felt her gaze—on him.
She hadn't turned to answer her daughter's question.
That was why Eris was surprised—this was the first time her mother hadn't returned her call with a look.
Time felt frozen—both an instant and an eternity.
A slightly hoarse voice brushed past Allen's ear, breaking the silence.
"It's dark."
"I… can't see your faces clearly now."
"Eris, you danced well. Were you happy, dancing with Allen?"
Eris blinked. Seeing her mother's shadow turn toward her again, the fleeting sense that "something big" had just happened melted away. She smiled once more and bounded into Hilda's arms.
"Happy! Mother!"
"…That's good."
"It's dark now—let's head out."
"Okay!"
Eris grabbed her mother's hand to pull her along—but felt resistance.
Before she could turn, Hilda's voice came.
"I'll stay to lock up. We've been here a while—I don't know if Lill and the others are still at the door."
"Oh! Back to the classroom then!"
Eris led the way out energetically. Rudy and Ghislane turned naturally toward the main doors.
Sylphy hesitated for a moment, her face hidden in shadow, glancing from Allen to Hilda before turning away.
Allen followed.
As he passed Hilda, he didn't turn to look—just walked by naturally.
Their footsteps shuffled toward the door.
Behind, the click of high heels finally joined in.
The sound landed squarely on his heartbeat.
Even in darkness, unable to see her face since the end of the dance—
Allen still felt it.
Her gaze.
Unbroken.
——
The head maid, Lill, had already left, leaving a few maids at the door.
So there was no real need for Hilda to lock up herself.
They crossed the courtyard now hidden under night and returned into the mansion.
As they stepped into the corridor, light washed over their faces again, brushing away the veil of dark.
Allen looked at Ghislane, Rudy, and Eris walking ahead, listening to the familiar rhythm of their heartbeats.
He stepped up to match Sylphy's pace, tilting his head toward her—he had noticed her head drooping since they crossed the courtyard.
Now, the white-haired girl kept her eyes on her toes, lost in thought.
"What's wrong?"
Sylphy glanced up at him, her face uncertain, hesitating. She opened her mouth slightly, her gaze flicking back for an instant—then simply said,
"It's nothing."
Allen paused a beat, then said no more, looking forward again.
The classroom was close to the main entrance; in the time it took to exchange those words, the open door was already before them.
Inside, the lamps were already lit—bright, warm light spilling over the doorway.
Inviting one to step inside without thinking.
(End of Chapter)
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