Chapter 24

“It was very good.”

Contrary to my expectations, Mrs. Cecil praised me lavishly with a pleased smile.

“Your Highness is impeccably perfect, and Miss Maria danced gracefully and with poise. But.”

But?

“Unlike your highness who has a relaxed expression throughout the dance, Miss Maria has never managed to control her facial expression. I could see you trying to think of the next move in a hurry.”

It was a sharp point. But I have nothing to say because I really did exactly that.

“I feel the same way.”

When I turned my head to the low voice, Ains was looking at me.

“This’ll definitely make everyone notice that you are a hasty partner.”

Uhmm… That’ll be a problem, right?

I didn’t know the details, but it was easy to guess what’s going to happen afterwards.

“The dance itself wasn’t bad. To be honest, I was surprised that you did better than I expected. But like Cecil pointed out, The problem is that you’re too stiff. To the point that I think you’re not even looking at me while we’re dancing. “

I knew what he meant. It means that I was focused too much on the dance itself as if I was in some dance competition.

“I’ll try to make my face smoother.”

“No. “

No?

“That’s not enough. Once again, that day, I will choose you over a strong fiancée candidate. We have to dance like lovers in love. “

“……lovers?”

My eyes grew bigger without realizing it.

You didn’t say that! I thought all I have to do is dance well!

Ains sighed beside me, as if his innermost feelings were revealed on his expression.

“Since it’s my birthday celebration, all the children from aristocratic family will be present. In such a place, do you think I will be able to just ask for anyone to a dance and hold on to them?”

That sounded right.

Dancing like lovers in love… To be honest, I am not confident…

“Alright, then I’ll try again.”

I looked at Ains with determined eyes. After a few days of practice that almost killed me and barely mastering the dance, it seemed too unfair if I spoiled all my hardwork just because of my expression.

I could see Ains’ mouth rising. He offered his hand once again and I accepted it.

Holding his hand solemnly, I moved my body to Ains’ lead. With a gentle smile on my face, I focused my eyes on his face from beginning to end.

“Turn, turn. One, two, three, four!”

From some point on, I couldn’t even hear Cecil’s voice. I was completely immersed in the dance as I move according to the steps, but something like a thunderstorm suddenly happened.

“…..!”

Ains’ face suddenly stiffened and he pulled my waist. At the same time, I felt my body slanted and we began to fall.

Huh? Huh?

I was so surprised that I couldn’t even scream. I closed my eyes in anticipation of the imminent shock.

thud

It was obvious that I had fallen down because my body completely tilted. But I couldn’t feel the pain that I had been expecting. I felt a strange firmness after falling on the floor instead.

As I slowly opened my eyes late, Ains’ face was right in front of my nose. It was a very close distance that I can even see myself in his blue eyes.

And, somehow, I felt something strangely soft on my lips…

“……..!”

Heuk!

As soon as I realized what just happened, I stepped back like a lightning bolt. My butt hit the floor a bit hard, but I didn’t even felt pain.

….isn’t this lips-to-lips?

Without realizing it, the back of my hand went up with my lips. Ains who was looking blankly at me, also rose up late.

“O-oh my god! “

Cecil belatedly made a fuss and examined Ains’ complexion.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine. “

Ains, who answered briefly, turned his head toward me.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes? Yes… “

I answered half-heartedly, and Ains ruffled his own hair.

“The bird on your shoulder suddenly rolled down. I almost stepped on it, so I avoided it, but I couldn’t keep my balance.”

Only then did I come to my senses. Ruri rolled down?

I looked around in panic, and saw Ruri sitting on a carpet about a meter away.

I hurried up to her my knees and then I put her on my palm.

“Are you all right, Ruri?”

[I’m okay.]

I felt relieved hearing her small voice. Let’s take a closer look. Fortunately, there was no trauma or visible injury.

“Are you really okay?”

[Yes….I got really dizzy from all the spinning so I fell down. I’m sorry, sister.]

“No, It’s fine. What’s important is you’re not hurt.”

[From now on, I’ll just sit still on the cushion.]

“Yeah. “

I’m so glad that Ruri didn’t get hurt. I put her on the table.

When I saw Ains raising himself, I hurried up to him.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. “

He doesn’t look that fine though.

The reason was quickly revealed. This is because Ains spoke out in an uncomfortable expression soon after.

“And……that just…”

Ack!

I knew what he was going to say, so I took the lead to say it first.

“I-it’s an accident! “

“…..”

“You know, we just fell down and it’s not really your fault since it happened accidentally. So I don’t care about it at all.”

“……”

“It could have turn into a disaster, but thanks to you, we were able to avoid Ruri from getting injured. Thank you very much.”

I said something crazy, but I really meant it when I said thank you. We manage to avoid a more terrible accident.

To calm the awkwardness, I purposely smiled brightly and continued talking again.

“Then shall we try again?”

“….okay. “

“I’ll do my best.”

Because of unconsciously taking care of me and avoiding Ruri, my favorable sentiment index towards him rose sharply.

So just this once. I just wanted to be good at dancing and be a little help to Ains.

So the dance practice resumed, and as soon as it was over, I looked at Cecil, and asked.

“How was it?”

I could tell just by looking at her face. As expected, Cecil spared no praise unlike the first time.

“It was great. You were the best dancer I’ve ever danced with.”

“Really?”

I gazed turned to Ains with joy.

“You hear that? I see some hope now.”

“Good job. Let’s take a break and try it one more time.”

The table was prepped with drinks. Since I’m thirsty, I hurried to it, picked up the teapot and asked Ains.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Yes.”

My gaze touched his slightly moving lips. Then it turns out that on those lips… Ack! go away evil thoughts!

I slanted the teapot into the teacup, while driving the thoughts out of my head.

“Here.”

Then I savored my share of tea. It’s not cool, but it’s refreshing, so it’s perfect after sweating like now.

“Where did you get that?”

“Huh? “

“That. “

Ains pointed at Ruri with his fingertips. I answered his question with a big smile.

“I found her on the hill behind the square.”

“You found it?”

“Yes. She got stuck in a pile of straws so I helped her. Do you like birds?”

“I don’t particularly like it or hate it.”

So why are you staring at her like that?

Anyway, this in denial and dishonest habit at times like this definitely reminded me of Glick. Holding back laughter at his words and actions, I asked Ains.

“Would you like to call her by her name?”

“….no thanks”

Although he rejected my offer in a single blow, I didn’t feel sad at all. Far from saying that, I was just thankful to think that he avoided Ruri in fear of stepping on her.

The accident that happened after that…Why am I thinking about it again?

I drank the rest of the tea in a gulp and leaned slightly toward Ruri.

[Ruri]

[Yes?]

[Ains wants to be friends with you.]

[Really?]

[Yeah.]

Maybe.

[Can he touch you?]

[Yes! It’s okay. Ruri likes to be touched!]

When I reached out my hand, Ruri moved her dainty legs and climbed over my palm. I soon looked at Ains with a smile on my face.

“Would you like to touch Ruri?”

“…..no thank you. “

“Don’t be like that, touch her. It’ll be okay because it’s a child who likes human touch.”

“…..”

I could see Ains’ gaze moving slowly. He only looked at her for a while, then he finally reached out his hand as if he had finally made up his mind.

Pft…

I struggled to hold back my laughter. At first, I could see that Ains’ fingers, which reached Ruri, were shaking.

It wasn’t because he was scared. It was a vigorous gesture to be careful that he might not be able to act or adjust his strength.

“Don’t laugh.”

“I didn’t laugh….”

“Why don’t you put a saliva on your mouth and talk?”

It was a blunt way of speaking, but it was not as tense or scary as before. Now that I know that he is more friendly and well-mannered than he looks.

“Would you like to open your hands?”

Ains obeyed me gently. Ruri, who was quick-witted, jumped on Ains’ palm.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ains gently swept Ruri’s head and back. There was a smile hanging around his lips.

See? I thought you’d like it.

I was pouring another cup of tea when Ains’ asked me.

“What are you going to do tomorrow afternoon?”

“Well, if I’m not too tired, I’ll go out to the town, or I’ll be reading in the library.”

Then, Ains smiled.

“You like to go out.”

“I feel stuffy staying inside.”

I felt lonely rather than stuffy.

Because of my parents who are busy working together, I have been alone since I was young. No brothers or sisters, no pets. When I was alone in the quiet house, I felt a great sense of desolation and loneliness.

So I would often go to the playground and play or spend my time watching people walking and going with my arms leaning against the window frame of my room.

“Don’t go out tomorrow and leave your schedule empty. Because you have someone to meet.”

I have someone to meet?

I asked Ains with a puzzled look.

“Who is it?”

Then Ains answered with a serious look.

“The person who will back you up in the future.”

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