Chapter 23
Giyorn asked with concern.
“…Satin. Do you think that’s even possible?”
“We won’t know unless we try, but thinking this way is better than just being scared like now. And honestly, I don’t get what’s so special about Lublier Ca Dillon. The girls keep talking about him all the time, but they don’t know what he’s really like. Personally, he keeps teasing me over every little thing—it’s annoying and irritating. I hope he gets his comeuppance this time. Then I’ll get back at him the same way.”
The more she spoke, the more a year’s worth of built-up frustration exploded. Satin huffed in exasperation.
“Alright? Giyorn? You can’t lose.”
“I’ll try my best, but…”
“Don’t worry too much. Everything will turn out fine. You’re the diligent type, after all.”
Moreover, Giyorn had the kind of earnestness where he would practice hard whenever someone encouraged him.
Perhaps this academic festival would bring about a result that surprised everyone.
After letting out her encouragement and thoughts about Lublier in the empty classroom after class, Satin opened the door.
“Let’s go eat now, Giyo…”
When she pulled the door, it came open weakly.
Ah, right. The door was broken.
Since the frame didn’t align properly, any noise from outside would drift in, making this room slightly more chaotic than other classrooms, and she had completely forgotten. Fortunately, there were no classes happening right now, so it was quiet everywhere.
Satin, focused on worrying about the swordsmanship match, helped Giyorn leave the classroom and started to take a step forward. Around the corner that bent at 90 degrees, she caught a familiar silhouette.
Jet-black hair, tall stature, sturdy frame—but a light, agile gait.
She froze for a moment.
No way…
She glanced sideways; Giyorn was still deep in thought, oblivious to his surroundings. Satin recalled what she had just said.
‘I don’t even know what’s so great about Lublier Ca Dillon. The girls talk about him all the time, but they don’t know what he’s really like. He keeps teasing me over every little thing—it’s annoying and irritating. I hope he gets his comeuppance this time. Then I’ll get back at him the same way.’
Did he hear all that? Did he? Maybe I was a bit harsh…
She tilted her head but quickly brushed the thought aside.
She had no reason to feel guilty. After all, Lublier had done things to annoy her all this time. She was just returning the favor for all the teasing he’d piled on her. She hadn’t said anything she didn’t mean, and this was fair play. If he got mad and refused to talk to her, that would be even better.
Satin pushed aside the uneasy feeling.
At that year’s academic festival, during the swordsmanship match, Lublier didn’t hold back and pressed Giyorn relentlessly, as if showing off his skills to prove a point to someone.
Giyorn had practiced hard in his own way, but he was no match for Lublier. The gap was painfully clear. Even to Satin, who had no knowledge of swordsmanship, the difference between the two was obvious.
All the rumors about Lublier were not exaggerated.
“That’s him, right? They say he’s the next head of the Sacred Knights…”
“Another remarkable figure from the Ca Dillon family.”
“The difference is so extreme, it almost feels cruel to watch.”
“How did they even make it to the finals with such a gap?”
“Other students must have let him win…”
“Right. Better to lose than anger Sel Wio or Del Mare.”
From her prime seat cheering for Giyorn, Satin could hear the whispers of the other students. Before an audience curious about a clash between two guardian families, Giyorn couldn’t even get a chance to fight properly and was mercilessly defeated.
That year, Lublier won the swordsmanship tournament.
As soon as the results were announced, the two students bowed to the audience and left. One was the victor, the other the loser. Cheers and applause rained down upon the winner from the stands.
Satin pushed through the crowd and hurried to the waiting room. Normally, access was restricted, but Satin had no such limits.
“Giyorn!”
She flung the door open and called out to him.
Lublier and Giyorn were sharing the same waiting room. Academy staff handed out towels for sweat and packs to ease muscle pain. Giyorn received a pack, Lublier didn’t.
When Satin appeared, Lublier was the first to glance up.
Ignoring Lublier’s piercing gaze, Satin approached Giyorn.
Even though his swordsmanship had been messy, Giyorn had done his best. His light brown hair was soaked with sweat, and cold packs rested on his wrists and shoulders to reduce pain.
Lublier received the honor and cheers as the victor, but Giyorn had only Satin.
Satin pressed the cold packs into Giyorn’s shoulders.
Giyorn looked embarrassed.
“Sorry, I did so poorly…”
“No, you did your best. You worked hard. I’m sorry—was it stressful because of me?”
Satin genuinely comforted him. Knowing why Lublier hadn’t given Giyorn any leeway made her feel guilty instead. Her voice was gentler than usual.
Lublier, stoic even after winning, suddenly got up and left the room. Satin frowned at the door slamming behind him.
“That’s a bit much. Everyone already knew he was talented, so there was no need to push him that hard… Even if he dislikes me, he’s my friend. Couldn’t he have gone easy to save my friend’s pride? Really cruel.”
“No, it’s because I lack the skill, Satin,” Giyorn replied, bitterly smiling.
It was clear that Lublier, confident in his own abilities, had to prove himself in front of everyone.
“Still, Satin, I feel relieved now. I was tense to the point of nearly dying before stepping on stage, but now… I feel so free. It feels great.”
Satin understood that feeling. Regardless of the outcome, the stressful swordsmanship match was finally over.
“Same here… But I’ll make sure to get back at him for you next time. Just wait.”
The opportunity for revenge came sooner than expected.
At the end of the academic festival, all the students gathered in the banquet hall for a grand party. After the hard work of showcasing their achievements, it was time to eat, relax, and enjoy themselves.
Satin’s first dance partner was Giyorn. The steps weren’t difficult, and having practiced at home for years, Satin moved gracefully with him.
Even though Giyorn had no talent in swordsmanship, he could lead the repeated dance steps well enough. Satin lightly lifted her dress to playfully spin. When she twirled holding Giyorn’s hand, her skirt floated like flower petals.
Satin completed the first, second, and third dances with Giyorn, sharing glances of camaraderie.
“Let’s take a spin and meet again later.”
Turning to the right with the music, a new partner appeared. As the song changed, some took breaks while others joined, and everyone picked partners as they went along.
Satin switched partners a couple of times. They were boys she hadn’t spoken to before, but dance steps were set. She didn’t need to talk. Maintaining appropriate distance, she enjoyed the party.
As she took the next partner’s hand, she scowled.
It was Lublier. He had smoothly joined the dance without giving her a chance to escape.
He hadn’t been nearby just moments ago. When did he appear? Wasn’t he supposed to skip the dance?
The music had already started. With no way out, Satin began the first steps under Lublier’s lead. Though she could dance beautifully and gracefully, she didn’t want a perfect dance with him.
She also had a debt to repay.
“Satin.”
As Lublier spoke, Satin seized the moment to stomp on his foot—an intentional misstep.
She quickly acted innocent. Lublier glanced down at his foot, then chuckled.
No matter how sturdy a man’s shoes were, with the pointed heels of formal shoes for dancing, it would have hurt a little—but he showed no sign of it.
Ah, I see.
As she twirled again, Satin stomped on Lublier’s foot a second time. Again, it worked, but he remained unbothered.
Satin was irritated.
No way, does it really not hurt?
From then on, the dance devolved into chaos, Satin stomping on Lublier and him stepping on her in turn. She forgot some hand movements in her immersion, but she didn’t care. She had danced perfectly with Giyorn before—this was her time for revenge.
As the music climaxed, everyone was dancing energetically, preparing to release hands and find the next partner.
This was the last one.
Satin targeted the spots where her partner’s feet would step and exacted her revenge to the very end.
“Ah…”
She lost her balance slightly, leaning backward.
I’m going to fall!
Had she pushed herself too far? Just as regret was about to strike, Lublier hugged her back upright, as naturally as a dance movement.
Satin’s eyes widened. She was stunned.
Finally, the music stopped. Students gave the final courtesy to their partner, lifting skirts or bowing with hands on their chests, then dispersed to find new partners.
As she moved rightward along the flow, Satin glanced back unconsciously.
Lublier had left the dance hall, finding no other partner.
Later, she overheard the whispers of female students and realized she had been his only dance partner. He hadn’t danced with anyone else.
