The center of the hall emptied, almost like they were making way for us.

My hand rested in the Third Prince's in a proper, trained hold. Contrary to holding my own hand, holding another man's hand didn't make me feel nervous or such. Rather, I felt nothing as we continued to walk past the well-dressed crowd.

It felt like I drew even more attention than before. Every step we took to the center caused a chain reaction among the others.

I mean, I had a beautiful dress and the literal prince right in front of me, why wouldn't I be the center of attention?

...Not like I was proud of it or anything.

I looked at myself as Feyt, way from the alcove. The crowd's heads were turning in sync with my own steps, and the murmurs were growing loud as well.

There were the typical lines of jealousy.

"Immediately asking the Third Prince for a dance? How selfish can she be?"

Nope, wrong, he asked me. But I couldn't really defend myself at the moment.

I took a quick glance at Mother and Leila beside me. I figured Mother would be delighted with seeing me with someone of such high ranking, but the expression I saw was the total opposite of that.

She was glaring at the Prince's hand on mine, her expression the same, unnervingly protective mask she wore when Feyt once stood too close to Carine. I hadn't seen that glare for a long time, though. Probably because I had been keeping my distance from myselves.

Guess not even a prince is safe.

Leila, meanwhile, stared silently at me and the prince. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, but I expected that, so I decided to just leave her be.

What I didn't expect, though, was someone approaching our alcove.

It was none other than Saint Clara, approaching Feyt, Mother, and Leila with a genuine yet awkward smile. She wore a beautiful, yet simple, elegant yellow dress with light frills.

Oh, she's here too?

Come to think of it, she's the student council president. It wouldn't make sense to not have her at events.

"S-Sorry to bother you, Your Grace," she said with a deep bow, addressing Mother. "W-Would it be possible for me to invite Sir Feyt for a dance?"

I froze for a moment.

Why me? Of all the people you could be inviting, you chose me??

I turned to Mother, whose expression was unreadable.

"Do as you like," was her only answer.

—

Before long, we made it to the center of the hall. Several duos surround the center with their own pairings, which include Carine with the Third Prince and Feyt with the Saint.

Right now, both of myselves were catching a lot of attention.

"Isn't that Saint Clara?"

"Isn't that boy sitting with Duchess Sareid before?"

"What family is that boy from?"

If I wasn't feeling nervous from the dance, I would be from the stares and talks.

Both pairs of my hands were held gently by the Third Prince and the Saint, respectively. It was… a surreal feeling. Kind of both uncomfortable and nerve-wracking.

The crowd's murmurs died as the orchestra band was preparing the song. I let out a silent sigh, wondering if I would do okay. I was expected to dance, but I had kinda hoped I wouldn't dance at the same time.

Thankfully, it would be on the same dance floor, meaning the same moves and steps, so there shouldn't be any problems…

…right?

"Nervous?" Clara said, her face just a few centimeters away from mine. She held a warm smile.

"Y-Yeah, kind of," I said, trying not to crack.

She chuckled for a little. "The first dance is to be classic. Your stance is well-formed. Have you trained before?"

"A-A little, yeah."

"Then it should be easy, just follow my lead."

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the center.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Allow me to apologize for inviting you so suddenly," the Third Prince said quietly. "But I would like to discuss some matters with you."

I held back an annoyed grunt. "Couldn't it wait until after the dance?"

He held back a laugh. "It seems I've been rather… impatient, lately. Forgive my indulgence."

So there was no particular reason at all?

If I wasn't Carine, my eyes would be twitching right about now.

I didn't know why he invited me, but I didn't have a good enough excuse to dismiss his offer, either, so I ended up accepting it. I didn't even hear what Villius was about to say before he showed up. I decided I'd talk to him after this was over.

The orchestra on the stage started their performance, and with a light drag of the violin strings, our steps began.

The music was a joyful, theatrical ballad. Our bodies move and weave to its rhythm.

The steps we took were steps I had been trained for since the beginning of my days as Carine, so I could handle them just fine. The rest fell upon my partners, and I wondered if they could keep up.

And they did.

Clara was weaving through my feet and legs, while subtly tugging at my hands and arms as she quietly mumbled: "One, two, one, two." as if to guide me.

The Third Prince, on the other hand—literally—followed my pace perfectly. Although he was technically leading the steps, we were following the steps by the books, it felt almost like playing back a recording.

I tried to keep my focus up so as to not mess up, but then…

"Now then, let's talk," the Third Prince said suddenly.

Now?!

We turned as we followed the next steps, a delicate footwork needed to be done so as to not trip and fall. And as we were doing that—

"How's your day been?" he said with a smile.

I nearly clicked my tongue. "Is that really what you wish to talk about?"

"Straight to the point, I see." He smirked as we continued our steps. Then, after a moment of just moving, he finally spoke. "I would like to thank you for fulfilling your part of our deal so spectacularly."

"Becoming an Honors student, yes?"

He nodded as we entered a relaxed set. "Not just that. You dominated the board easily. I hope you don't mind if I keep using your name further on. Your brilliance and efforts shall be the foundation of my proof that Setus could change."

Using my name? You mean like what you did before?

I stared at him for a moment, then, reluctantly, I nodded. "As long as you don't drag me deeper into your schemes and you fulfill your part of the deal, I'll allow it."

"I'm grateful," he said with a wide smile.

At the same time, another voice called out to me.

"I can't believe how high you scored, Feyt," Clara said.

I shifted my focus onto her.

Juggling two different conversations while… this is going to be a headache.

"Y-Yeah, I was surprised too…"

She spun under my arm, her smile never fading. "Now that you're here, I'll fulfill my promise."

"Promise?"

She nodded. "Don't tell me you forgot? Back at the infirmary, I told you I'll help you get used to being here, right?"

"A-Ah, right."

She did say something like that. To be honest, with how both of me were in different classes, I needed any help I could get.

"Then, I'll be in your care."

She chuckled warmly. "Gladly."

As we moved into the second half of the dance, the prince spoke up again.

"Ah, right, regarding my part of the deal…"

My ears perked up.

"...it'll take some time, unfortunately," he said with a carefree smile.

My eyes narrowed as they drilled into his.

I worked my ass off to fulfill your request, and here you are, dodging your end of the deal?

"I thought you said you'd do something 'magnificent' for me," I said, adopting Mother's mocking tone.

"Now, now," he chided, still smiling. "I'm not saying it will be delayed. But your request is rather… difficult. It's not exactly something I can rush."

I held my contemptuous gaze for a moment before finally dropping it. He had a point; my request wasn't something you can just rush. Still, though, I had expected more from a member of the Royal Family.

As my feet passed through my partners', I noticed it was about to shift to the next step.

Clara's voice reached my ear. "We're gonna switch partners now, but don't worry, you'll do alright!" she said with a beaming smile.

"T-Thanks."

The Third Prince widened his eyes as he looked over me. He had an almost wicked smile when he faced me again. "Ah, the best part of the dance. We shall continue our talk at a later time."

"Right…"

The prince held my hands firmly, and I did the same thing to Clara as Feyt. Then, as the music reached its peak, we released our grip. Clara and Carine spun forward elegantly. I prepared myself to be caught by my next partner as Carine, and as Feyt, I was preparing to catch my next partner.

I heard a quick, surprised gasp coming from Clara. I was worried she might've tripped, but it seemed that she didn't.

When I finally caught and was caught by my respective partners'...

I was met with my own reflections.

...Who the heck placed a mirror here?

We stared at each other, my mind racing as it slowly pieced things together.

A sense of déjà vu hit me.

Wait, don't tell me—

—I'M DANCING WITH MYSELF??!!

W-What do I do?

I didn't expect this to happen! Sure, we were dancing on the same dance floor, but what are the chances of both of us being right next to each other at the swapping part?!

Okay, to be honest, I hadn't even considered that happening, but still!

Okay, okay, calm down!

Calm down, I say!

My inner thoughts were, undoubtedly, in total panic mode. But my bodies refused to endure more shame by fumbling. So, using my muscle memories, both of my bodies continued the dance like absolutely nothing had happened.

There was no fumbling, no awkward shuffle to establish a rhythm. I didn't even step on my own foot or grip myself too tightly like last time. Could those days of me trying out dancing be worth it after all?

My right hand knew exactly where my left was going to be. My left foot stepped back just as my right foot pressed forward. It was the same kind of synergy I use for battle, and here I was using it for a dance!

The crowd's voice died as we continued to dance. My starry dress fluttered as I pushed and pulled myselves in the rhythmic motions. Whatever we did, it seemed we were somehow even more of a center of attention than both the Saint and the Third Prince.

I could feel myself cringing at every step, but thankfully, my bodies kept the pace up.

Through my corner vision, I saw the Third Prince, dancing with a random lady, smirking our way.

Clara was also there, staring at me with an open mouth. It seemed she was as surprised as I was, but why?

Then, in the distance, I saw the ever-so-motionless expression of Leila… and right next to her was Mother's cold, sharp glare; her wine glass was cracking under her grip.

…After this dance, I'm dead, aren't I?

...Might as well make this dance last.

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