"Although I think this dress suits you very well, if you don't like it—"
Hilda's words came out in small, hesitant fragments, but the next moment, Allen cut her off.
He looked up at her eyes, his expression serious.
His tone was earnest.
"No. Whether it's the color, the fabric, or the style, I like it very much. Thank you."
Hilda narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled.
"That's good then, that's good."
Her gaze then slowly shifted away from Allen's face, landing on Sylphy, who was staring absentmindedly at the interaction between mother and son.
"Sylphy's dress is also very pretty, but the fit from the waist to the thighs might make walking a little inconvenient. You should be careful when dancing."
Sylphy blinked and nodded absentmindedly. She quickly glanced sideways at Allen's shoulder and blurted out instinctively.
"Y-Yes, I'll be careful… N-No one's going to invite me to dance anyway."
"Why not?"
Sylphy forced a small smile, about to speak—when she suddenly froze.
She looked up at Hilda.
Hilda's eyes were warm and amused, as though she hadn't spoken at all.
No.
That voice hadn't come from Madam Hilda.
It came from—
Her pupils trembled, and she slowly turned her head.
Allen was leaning slightly toward her.
And again, he asked softly:
"Why not?"
Looking into Allen's calm eyes, Sylphy suddenly felt her heart skip a beat. Flustered, she spoke without thinking.
"I… I'm not a good dancer, so… no one would want to invite me."
"I would want to invite you."
Sylphy froze.
The room fell completely silent.
Not far away, Rudy clenched his fist in triumph.
Well done, Lord Allen! As expected of my personal student!
He immediately spoke up.
"Practice! Sylphy hasn't really practiced yet! Let's do it now! Since she's already in her dress, she can get used to it early, and Allen will definitely be willing to help you practice!"
Sylphy's eyes widened as she turned toward Rudy, her mind going blank.
Right now, her thoughts were filled with the color of Allen's eyes when he looked at her earlier… and the sewing machines in Hilda's workshop.
Why the latter?
Because she truly wanted to sew Rudy's mouth shut.
While she was still flustered, she felt her hand being taken.
Startled, she looked at Allen beside her.
Then, with a gentle pull, he led her into the living room.
Hilda simply watched them with a smile the whole way.
—
In the living room, space had been cleared.
Allen and Sylphy stood facing each other.
He looked at her face.
She looked at the white low-heeled dance shoes Hilda had prepared for her.
A gentle tug brought her a step closer.
Her eyes were level with Allen's collarbone.
"Before putting on these shoes, your step size was about 15 centimeters smaller than usual. After putting them on, reduce it by another five. Try walking now—does it feel restricted? Is it comfortable?"
As he spoke, Allen led her forward a few steps.
Sylphy lowered her head nervously.
"N-No… it's fine."
"Good. Then if I shorten my stride as well—"
The next moment, Allen stepped to the side in the opening posture of a foxtrot.
Sylphy hurried to follow.
"Your steps are a little off. Are you okay?"
"Y-Yes! I'm fine!"
Allen stepped back, his toe gliding across the carpet, then gently pulled Sylphy forward.
She hesitated for a moment, then carefully stepped toward him, landing right beside his foot.
"Mm, very good~"
"…We'll increase the pace now. Careful."
"O-Okay."
Allen suddenly pulled Sylphy closer, until their faces were only inches apart.
His hand rested on her waist.
Sylphy's whole body tensed.
Then she heard Allen's voice—so soft it felt like an illusion.
"Wardrobe. Thank you."
It was barely audible, a breath against her ear.
Sylphy blinked.
"You're welcome."
The sound of their steps masked the whisper.
Step by step.
In time with her heartbeat.
—
The others watched them dance.
"Allen really is a good teacher. Sylphy's steps are becoming more stable—remarkable. I still remember… two months ago, when he taught you for the first time, you picked it up quickly too."
Hilda's voice was calm, the deliberate smile she wore around Allen softening slightly.
Eris nodded.
"That's because Allen is using Flow Style."
"Flow Style?"
"Yes! When I make a mistake, he uses Flow Style to stabilize my body until I adjust. Once I can get through three beats without error, he stops using it! Look, Mother, he just stopped using Flow Style for Sylphy!"
Hilda helplessly patted Eris's head.
She looked back to the two in the living room.
Indeed, Sylphy's steps were now smooth.
The dance was nearing its end.
Allen gently released his hand from Sylphy's waist and took a step back.
The final pose of the foxtrot.
They looked into each other's eyes.
The living room was silent.
Sylphy took a deep breath to steady her heartbeat, her eyes shifting slightly.
In her peripheral vision, she could see Hilda and the others quietly watching.
She grew nervous.
W-Why isn't anyone saying anything? Even a little encouragement…
Did I not dance well enough?
A trace of anxiety appeared on her face—only for her expression to freeze.
In the corner of her vision—
Allen was still holding her hand.
The pose wasn't the end.
After the final pose was…
!
Her eyes widened and she turned toward Allen.
But in that instant, a flash of blue light flickered in her gaze.
She looked up.
Allen was looking down at his hand.
The glow came from under his lowered lashes.
From the blue magic stone necklace at his chest.
Her reddish-brown eyes constricted.
Like touching something hot, Sylphy quickly pulled her hand away.
"Th-That's it! I probably didn't dance very well! S-Sorry!"
"Ahhh!"
Beside them, Rudy let out a cry of anguish.
He clutched his hair in despair, as if he'd suffered a great loss.
Hilda also shook her head slightly.
Sylphy glanced sideways at Allen.
He didn't seem particularly surprised. He simply looked at his hand for a moment before raising his eyes to her.
He smiled.
"It's not over."
"There's still time."
"Success deserves acknowledgment—but it doesn't need to wait long."
Sylphy blinked at him. His words were simple and direct.
But for some reason, she felt there was something more he hadn't said.
And her instincts told her—that unsaid thing…
Was important to her.
But she couldn't make sense of it right now.
So she simply nodded.
"…Mm."
(End of Chapter)
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