"Tch, does that damned woman really think nothing will happen just because she left the Land of Shadows for a day or two?!"
In the Land of Shadows, Aife stood proudly atop a mountain peak, a spear firmly gripped in her hands as fierce winds violently tossed her long hair. Her face carried an expression of profound displeasure, and her tongue clicked in irritation as she gazed toward the horizon.
Why exactly do I have to come here and help drive away monsters?
This country clearly belongs to that guy.
She's the Queen of Alba, yet she keeps acting like a subordinate of another kingdom's queen.
Last time, she was gone for half a month. If I hadn't shown up to handle things, the monsters would have invaded the Land of Shadows long ago.
Is she really willing to abandon her own country just because of that apprentice?
What an idiot...
Or had she known from the very beginning that I would come and help?
Aife immediately shook her head, dismissing the idea.
How would that be possible?
Since when does that woman pay attention to what other people are doing?
She only cares about perfecting her skills!
Aife brushed her hair back and turned her gaze toward the monsters circling above the castle. Instantly, a fierce killing intent appeared in her eyes.
"I'll help her one more time because of Nessa..."
Her voice carried obvious irritation.
"But don't expect me to keep cleaning up your mess forever, Sister!"
Raising her spear above her head, she gathered strength into her arms.
The next instant, the weapon tore through the air like a bolt of lightning.
The spear was hurled with absolute violence toward an enormous dragon weaving through the distant skies.
---
Inside the ballroom.
Why are you being so shy and hesitant?
Scáthach held Arthur's hand while guiding him through the dance in the magnificent ballroom.
Her figure was naturally breathtaking, but the ballroom gown elevated that almost perfect beauty even further. Her long crimson hair flowed elegantly down her back, and her red eyes remained calm and indifferent as she observed her disciple.
"These hesitant movements, full of uncertainty, are the greatest taboo for any warrior."
Scáthach frowned slightly as she watched Arthur's stiff and overly cautious movements.
"If I make movements that are too large, I might end up stepping on your foot."
Arthur replied with a helpless smile.
It wasn't cowardice.
He was simply worried.
He had no idea how many times he had already stepped on Morgan's and Guinevere's feet during the previous dances.
Only after considerable effort had he finally managed to keep up with Guinevere's rhythm properly.
"It's fine. This is also a form of training."
Scáthach answered calmly.
"You can relax a little. Otherwise, there would be no point in me teaching you."
"How could dancing with Master ever be pointless...?"
Arthur muttered almost inaudibly.
Scáthach paused briefly.
Pretending she hadn't heard those words, she merely said calmly:
"Let's continue."
"Yes."
After replying, Arthur wrapped one arm around Scáthach's waist and held her hand with the other.
It was only at that moment that he realized something.
This was the first time he had ever made such an intimate gesture with her.
Before, his movements had been so restrained that his arms seemed to hover awkwardly in the air, as though he didn't know where to place them.
Now, however, he was genuinely holding her by the waist.
The sensation of that soft and elegant body beneath his arm stirred something strange within him.
A feeling difficult to describe.
Instinctively, Arthur raised his eyes.
And met Scáthach's gaze.
She was looking at him as well.
Her eyes remained calm.
Yet there was something different in them.
Something that resembled faint amusement.
As if she had noticed exactly what was running through his mind.
Arthur discreetly looked away.
Even Master is looking at me like that...
"Are you not planning to move?"
Scáthach's voice pulled him back to reality.
So I have to lead on my own?
The moment that thought surfaced, Scáthach resumed dancing.
Caught off guard, Arthur immediately tried to follow her.
But on the very first step...
He stepped directly onto her foot.
"Sorry."
The apology escaped reflexively.
"You don't need to apologize for something like that."
Scáthach merely smiled.
"If I had to apologize every time I stepped on you during training, how many times do you think I would have apologized by now?"
She lightly shook her head.
"Continue."
The two resumed dancing.
However, whether due to nervousness, pressure, or some other reason, Arthur continued making mistakes.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
He ended up stepping on Scáthach's feet repeatedly, and each mistake only made him even more tense.
Why was Guinevere the only person I managed to dance with properly?
Arthur couldn't help thinking that.
Could this also be part of that so-called destiny?
A chill ran down his spine.
If even something like this were predetermined by fate...
That would be terrifying.
But if that's not it, then why is my compatibility with Morgan and Master so low?
While reflecting on that, Arthur stepped on Scáthach's foot once again.
This time, she slowly stopped.
Arthur also came to a halt.
A look of regret appeared on his face.
It was only natural.
Scáthach was his master.
After spending so long apart from her, he wanted to show her his best side.
Yet his movements were completely uncoordinated.
He looked like a broken machine trying to follow a melody.
The more he thought about it, the more embarrassing everything felt.
I think I'll need Morgan to teach me how to dance again after this...
Otherwise it'll be embarrassing next time.
Arthur sighed inwardly.
"You're nervous."
Scáthach lowered her head slightly and met his eyes.
"Why?"
Who knew?
Arthur genuinely didn't know the answer.
He hadn't been nervous when dancing with Morgan.
Nor had he been nervous with Guinevere.
Even when stepping on their feet.
But now it was completely different.
Arthur shook his head.
"I don't know."
"Because I'm your master?"
Scáthach asked.
"Probably..."
Arthur replied uncertainly.
Scáthach smiled faintly.
"Relax."
Her voice was gentle.
"If you're that nervous, then stop thinking of me as your master for the time being."
Arthur blinked.
Doesn't that sound a little strange?
Noticing his expression, Scáthach immediately added:
"I mean temporarily."
She smiled.
"If my position as your master is what's making you so tense, then set it aside for now."
Not think of her as my master...
Arthur pondered for a few moments.
Master is right.
If her position was precisely what was making him so tense, then perhaps he should try setting it aside.
But...
Is something like that really possible?
Still...
Perhaps it was worth trying.
Arthur closed his eyes for a moment.
Then he took a deep breath.
When he opened them again, he once more met Scáthach's crimson gaze.
There was a rare tenderness hidden within those eyes.
Perhaps it was only his imagination.
Or perhaps it wasn't.
But after looking into them for several seconds, the tension in his chest gradually began to fade away.
As though some gentle emotion were quietly flowing through his heart.
Come to think of it...
Even though she was his master...
Didn't he enjoy being by her side?
Don't think of her as your master for now...
"That look is better."
Scáthach smiled slightly as she noticed the change.
"Now try again."
A new song began.
Another dance commenced.
Arthur pushed all unnecessary thoughts from his mind.
This time, he didn't look at the floor.
He didn't watch his own feet.
Instead, he kept his eyes fixed on Scáthach's.
And his movements became smooth.
As though he had always known how to dance.
His steps matched hers perfectly.
Without stepping on her feet even once.
Scáthach immediately noticed the change.
A faint glimmer of surprise crossed her eyes.
It had been a very long time since Arthur had looked at her that way.
When he was younger, he used to look directly at her.
But as he grew older, he began avoiding her gaze.
Always looking away.
As if he were afraid she might discover something.
And now, after all this time...
He was looking at her that way again.
Perhaps only because of the words she had spoken.
Even so...
That gaze felt strangely familiar to her.
Without either of them noticing, the music came to an end.
The dance was over.
But Arthur remained motionless.
And even after everything had ended, he continued holding her hand.
---
(End of Chapter)