Chapter 28
“Uh… Didn’t you not want to be partners with me?”
Riette looked up at Evan, recalling that day’s incident. His thick eyebrows were slightly raised, as if he wasn’t in a good mood.
Evan remained silent for a moment, then let out a sigh.
“…When did I ever say I didn’t want to?”
“Your face looked really bad that day.”
“It wasn’t because I didn’t want to.”
“Whatever you say.”
Ugh, relax your face a bit. Riette thought Evan had been scowling a lot lately.
“You’re doing it with me. No matter what.”
At Evan’s firm declaration, Riette nodded. A deal was a deal.
“Huh? What the heck!”
That’s when Lucas jumped in.
“You said you’d never team up with us!”
“There was a time I said that.”
“Then what about Samuel?!”
Ah, Samuel. When she looked beside her, Samuel stood there looking dejected.
“Ah… um, sorry. Try finding another partner,”
Riette said, patting him on the back.
Then she suddenly looked around—and realized everyone was staring. Evan, Lucas, and Samuel were all students who stood out in school. Naturally, gathering in one place attracted attention.
Riette found those gazes uncomfortable.
“Evan, why are you even here?”
Trying to get rid of him quickly, she asked what had brought him here in the first place.
“I came to check if my partner was having second thoughts—and I was right.”
He really came just for that? Riette grabbed Evan and dragged him out of the classroom.
“I told you, I thought you didn’t like me. Now go back to your class!”
“I’m coming to your house tonight.”
Although he was talking to Riette, Evan’s gaze was fixed on Lucas.
“To practice dancing, of course.”
He made sure Lucas heard it clearly.
“Oh my, Evan! What brings you here at this hour?”
“Hello, Duchess.”
Evan greeted the Duchess of Meren with a dazzling smile.
“My, my, you just keep getting more handsome.”
“And you look younger every day, madam.”
“Oh goodness. Riette, did you hear that?”
Hmm… Riette squinted at Evan.
‘That sly fox.’
Evan was always good with adults—especially Riette’s parents. Sometimes it even felt like he treated her parents better than his own uncle.
“Evan, you’ve made a big decision, doing the dance with Riette.”
The Duchess looked at him with pity.
“Ah, I still remember the look on the dance teacher’s face when they quit because of her…”
“Mother.”
Riette interrupted, horrified. The Duchess just laughed gently.
“In any case, Evan. Please be patient.”
“Of course, madam.”
The Duchess looked at Evan fondly.
“Go on up now. Evan, watch your step!”
Riette stomped up the stairs, her footsteps loud with irritation.
As if I’m not nervous enough already… Why did Mom have to say that…
Ever since she started learning dance from Evan, she’d been on edge. She’d fought him many times, but never learned from him. And if she got into a clash with Evan now, the one who’d suffer would be Riette herself.
If she wanted to be named Student of the Year, she needed his help.
“What are you thinking about?”
Evan asked curiously when Riette stood quietly in front of the door.
“It’s nothing.”
She quickly opened the parlor door. The room was cleared and spacious.
“Oh no, we don’t have a magic orb that plays music here. What should we do?”
“It’s fine. Today we’re just going to practice the basic steps.”
Evan glanced around casually, then held out his hand.
“Huh?”
“Take it.”
Ah, right. Riette stared at his hand for a moment, then slowly took it. As expected, it felt slightly warm.
“On three, move with me.”
Riette nodded and moved in sync with Evan’s lead. But soon enough, her steps tangled, and she ended up stepping on his foot.
Once, twice… The same mistake kept happening. Riette grew more and more discouraged.
“Alright, relax. Let’s try again.”
Surprisingly, Evan didn’t get annoyed or mock her. He patiently and kindly guided her through the steps again and again.
Maybe it was thanks to his encouragement, but her stiff feet began to move more smoothly.
And finally—
“That’s it!”
For the first time, she nailed the steps perfectly. Riette grinned and jumped, still holding Evan’s hand. Evan looked at her warmly.
“Good job.”
“It’s the first time I’ve danced without worrying!”
“You had the moves memorized. You just kept messing up because you were nervous.”
That’s when Riette realized the root of her mistakes.
Evan was right. The thought of “I’m bad at dancing” was deeply ingrained in her subconscious, and whenever she danced, her body stiffened like she was cursed.
If Evan had shown even a hint of negativity, she wouldn’t have broken out of that curse.
“Shall we try something a bit harder now?”
Evan asked, and Riette, now full of confidence, nodded.
Slip—
But the curse returned. Her steps got tangled again, and she tensed to avoid falling.
And then—
“Ah!”
Riette dropped to the floor. Evan quickly knelt beside her.
“What’s wrong?!”
“I think I got a cramp…”
She had used too much force, and now the aftermath had hit. Riette massaged her foot through the tingling pain.
Then Evan slipped one hand under her back and another under her knees, lifting her up.
“Hey!”
Riette struggled, but Evan carried her over and gently placed her on the parlor sofa.
“Let me see your foot.”
Kneeling before the couch, Evan looked up at her. Embarrassed, Riette pulled her legs in tight.
“N-No.”
“I need to loosen it.”
“I… I can do it myself!”
She hugged her leg like it was some priceless treasure. Her foot still throbbed, but with Evan being so kind today, she found herself distracted from the pain.
Evan sighed like she was a wary cat and pulled her foot toward him.
“Hey! That hurts!”
“You need to massage it because it hurts.”
He gently pressed her foot. Wherever his hand passed, the pain lessened bit by bit.
Even though her feet were sweaty from wearing tight shoes all day, Evan didn’t seem to mind and calmly worked on her foot.
“…It’s gross.”
“It’s not.”
Riette pressed her lips together.
Well, it’s not like I asked him to do it.
He offered, after all.
After a few minutes, her foot felt completely better. Riette pushed Evan’s shoulder.
“I’m fine now.”
They both stood up from the sofa and returned to the center of the room.
“Don’t get nervous already. On the day of the party, there’ll be way more people watching.”
“I know! It’s just easier said than done.”
Just imagining the dance party made her body tense again.
“Riette, trust me a little more.”
“…”
“I won’t ever let you be embarrassed.”
Evan’s eyes were sincere. Riette felt her anxiety calm a little.
She swallowed dryly and took his hand.
“Slowly.”
Compared to before, Evan’s movements were more careful. As time passed, Riette began to relax. Her body moved fluidly, and she could see the finish line ahead.
Just one last turn…!
And finally, she spun gently and landed in position. A perfect move.
Riette blinked up at Evan. He smiled, his eyes curved sweetly.
“Nicely done.”
Hehe. A shy smile crept onto her lips.
She didn’t jump for joy this time, but she felt just as happy.
Riette poured a glass of water left by a maid and handed it to Evan.
“Thanks for your hard work.”
“Thanks for noticing.”
Gulp, gulp.
His throat bobbed as he drank.
Watching him, Riette realized how much Evan had grown. Like earlier, when he lifted her so easily. Sadly, she could no longer compete with him in physical strength.
The one area he beat her in grades was swordsmanship, which relied on power. They were both A-rank, but Evan had the highest A.
Thinking about that reminded Riette of a question.
“Evan.”
“What?”
“Why did you want to be my partner?”
He seemed serious about grades, judging by his effort…
If she became Student of the Year at the dance party, he’d lose the top spot. Was he pretending to help only to sabotage her on the day?
She stared hard at him, trying to read his intent.
“Competitions are more fun with some tension.”
“…What?”
“Being number one unopposed is boring.”
Riette’s jaw dropped at the cocky reply. He always said unexpected things.
“So… you’re purposely helping me get bonus points?”
Evan rolled down his sleeves and nodded. His calm answer set her heart ablaze, but she refused to rise to his provocation.
Riette composed herself and looked Evan in the eye.
“Just wait, Evan. I’m going to graduate top of the class.”
“Alright.”
Evan gave a relaxed smile.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
And a few days later, the dance party began.
