The higher the status of a person, the kindness doesn’t come for free. That’s also something Collen said once.
“But besides that, is something else bothering you?”
Cedric whispered in the same manner.
“You don’t look well.”
“Ah…”
I looked at my trembling hand. Count Gallian wasn’t in that hall, but I’m still scared.
Why do painful memories remain vivid even after several years? The wounds have healed, though.
“It’s okay. I need to go inside. It’s my first time attending a ball, so I must be nervous.”
“Then, would you like to rest for a bit and go in together?”
“Yes.”
The faint sound of music began to flow from inside the ballroom.
I pondered absentmindedly.
‘This is my favorite music.’
The sound of music I was lucky enough to hear when I was a street beggar, frequently played by the buskers on the streets.
“It seems the ball has started. It’s the song of spring,” Cedric said.
“Yes. I like this song.”
“Then let’s listen to the whole thing before going in. It’s better to listen to music like this.”
Strangely, my heart sank at his words. I nodded slowly.
“Thank you for the advice.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t need any thanks, but as a favor, could you make my task a bit easier?”
Cedric smiled softly.
Task?
* * *
I returned to the ballroom with Cedric.
The dishes on the banquet table had nearly disappeared, and light drinks, fruits, and cakes took their place.
Within the ballroom, I could now see some of my peers.
“Look, everyone brought their own children, conscious of the princess. It’s an attempt to approach the lady.”
“Is it so?”
“Yes. But if you hold my hand, no one can approach.”
Cedric whispered something to the gatekeeper while holding my hand.
“The Second Prince of the Royal Family! Cedric!”
The murmurs spread in an instant.
“A prince?”
“What’s going on here?”
Ignoring the gazes, Cedric led me to the dance floor.
Ah, now that I think about it, it’s my first ball and my first dance.
“How does dancing together help the prince?”
“I can report to the royal family that I worked diligently.”
“What kind of work?”
“Stamping faces in the South and returning.”
Hmm. Am I being used here? But I won’t lose anything. I’ve received help before.
Cedric seemed cunning, but standing side by side, he was much taller than I thought. He had a good build too.
‘He’s grown well. Tall and well-developed.’
At the age of twelve, I looked really small in front of Cedric.
“I might accidentally step on your foot.”
I warned in advance. It’s my first social dance, after all.
“I’ll pretend it doesn’t hurt.”
Cedric replied generously.
Pfft, I felt like laughing. And slowly, we started our steps to the rhythm of the music.
‘It feels strange.’
Is this how social dancing is done? It felt like I was dancing on a cloud. Every time Cedric moved, my feet followed his lead like a flowing wave.
‘Isn’t it difficult to dance?’
Or maybe Cedric is just good at it?
I wondered what it would feel like to dance with someone else. But dancing with someone I don’t know well doesn’t seem very appealing yet.
People looked at us with surprised eyes.
“And it will help the princess too. After dancing with a prince, who would dare to casually ask you for a dance?”
“So it’s beneficial for both of us. A win-win situation?”
“Yes, I’ll make sure the princess wins twice next time.”
Ah, so that’s how it’s understood? Cedric was a bit cute. It seems the term ‘win-win’ doesn’t exist in this world.
Cedric smoothly spun me around.
Then he lifted me and performed a movement where I floated in the air.
Ah, it’s fun. It’s like playing with Dad.
“The perfect couple from the beginning.”
Someone murmured.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, I ended the dance.
The higher the status of a person, the kindness doesn’t come for free. That’s also something Collen said once.
“But besides that, is something else bothering you?”
Cedric whispered in the same manner.
“You don’t look well.”
“Ah…”
I looked at my trembling hand. Count Gallian wasn’t in that hall, but I’m still scared.
Why do painful memories remain vivid even after several years? The wounds have healed, though.
“It’s okay. I need to go inside. It’s my first time attending a ball, so I must be nervous.”
“Then, would you like to rest for a bit and go in together?”
“Yes.”
The faint sound of music began to flow from inside the ballroom.
I pondered absentmindedly.
‘This is my favorite music.’
The sound of music I was lucky enough to hear when I was a street beggar, frequently played by the buskers on the streets.
“It seems the ball has started. It’s the song of spring,” Cedric said.
“Yes. I like this song.”
“Then let’s listen to the whole thing before going in. It’s better to listen to music like this.”
Strangely, my heart sank at his words. I nodded slowly.
“Thank you for the advice.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t need any thanks, but as a favor, could you make my task a bit easier?”
Cedric smiled softly.
Task?
* * *
I returned to the ballroom with Cedric.
The dishes on the banquet table had nearly disappeared, and light drinks, fruits, and cakes took their place.
Within the ballroom, I could now see some of my peers.
“Look, everyone brought their own children, conscious of the princess. It’s an attempt to approach the lady.”
“Is it so?”
“Yes. But if you hold my hand, no one can approach.”
Cedric whispered something to the gatekeeper while holding my hand.
“The Second Prince of the Royal Family! Cedric!”
The murmurs spread in an instant.
“A prince?”
“What’s going on here?”
Ignoring the gazes, Cedric led me to the dance floor.
Ah, now that I think about it, it’s my first ball and my first dance.
“How does dancing together help the prince?”
“I can report to the royal family that I worked diligently.”
“What kind of work?”
“Stamping faces in the South and returning.”
Hmm. Am I being used here? But I won’t lose anything. I’ve received help before.
Cedric seemed cunning, but standing side by side, he was much taller than I thought. He had a good build too.
‘He’s grown well. Tall and well-developed.’
At the age of twelve, I looked really small in front of Cedric.
“I might accidentally step on your foot.”
I warned in advance. It’s my first social dance, after all.
“I’ll pretend it doesn’t hurt.”
Cedric replied generously.
Pfft, I felt like laughing. And slowly, we started our steps to the rhythm of the music.
‘It feels strange.’
Is this how social dancing is done? It felt like I was dancing on a cloud. Every time Cedric moved, my feet followed his lead like a flowing wave.
‘Isn’t it difficult to dance?’
Or maybe Cedric is just good at it?
I wondered what it would feel like to dance with someone else. But dancing with someone I don’t know well doesn’t seem very appealing yet.
People looked at us with surprised eyes.
“And it will help the princess too. After dancing with a prince, who would dare to casually ask you for a dance?”
“So it’s beneficial for both of us. A win-win situation?”
“Yes, I’ll make sure the princess wins twice next time.”
Ah, so that’s how it’s understood? Cedric was a bit cute. It seems the term ‘win-win’ doesn’t exist in this world.
Cedric smoothly spun me around.
Then he lifted me and performed a movement where I floated in the air.
Ah, it’s fun. It’s like playing with Dad.
“The perfect couple from the beginning.”
Someone murmured.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, I ended the dance.
