<Chapter 139>
Theodore hugged the paper in his arms as if it were something precious, humming to himself. Selina looked at him with concern.
“Is this really okay?”
“Huh? What is?”
“What do you think? I mean buying that painting from Mie just now. From what I saw, the price was enormous…… She didn’t deliberately overcharge you, did she?”
“Oh, come on. At that price, it was cheap. Besides, she even drew us like this.”
Theodore proudly showed the paper he was holding. On it were portraits of Theodore and Selina, drawn by Mie herself.
She had drawn them specially as a service. In total, she had drawn two pictures—the other one was now tucked safely inside Selina’s pocket.
“Mie will definitely become a famous painter someday. When that happens, the money I paid today will feel like pocket change.”
“Is it really that much? I don’t know much about art prices…….”
“Absolutely. You might have to pay everything I paid today just for a single piece later on. The one I bought today will gain a premium, too. Of course, I don’t plan on selling it.”
Judging by how excited he was, Theodore wasn’t just saying that. He went on about how this painting was the biggest gain of the day and how he needed to get a frame for it immediately.
“I’m also looking forward to the piece Mie will submit for the academic festival. From what I saw, it looked like she was drawing you.”
“Really? I didn’t get to see it…….”
She had been so busy that she hadn’t had the chance to properly look at the artwork Mie was drawing that day.
The pieces Theodore bought were already impressive, so she couldn’t help but anticipate just how beautiful the festival exhibit would be.
“I want to buy the festival piece too.”
“……That might be a bit difficult.”
Selina barely managed to calm Theodore down as his enthusiasm flared up again.
“Now then, as you all know, the academic festival is just around the corner.”
On Monday morning, during the assembly, Calix brought up the festival right away.
“Some of you may have already started preparing, but from this week onward, we’ll begin full-scale preparations. Conveniently, your midterms ended last week.”
At his words, the students’ eyes sparkled with excitement. After all, the academic festival was the biggest event at the academy.
“Classes will proceed as usual. However, since there’s a lot to prepare, most classes will be shortened. Also, on the first day of the festival, there will be a masquerade ball. To prepare for that, all students will take an intensive dance course for three weeks.”
Calix pointed to specific classes on the timetable written on the board.
“These two classes will be replaced with dance lessons until the festival. That means two sessions per week, six sessions total. Since the time is extremely limited, you’ll only learn the basic steps. Still, do your best to learn.”
The students reacted lukewarmly. Most of Class 1 were nobles who had learned to dance from an early age, so they weren’t particularly interested.
Some even looked pleased, thinking they’d get an easy break.
“Each class may participate in festival events, but participation is optional. If our class wants to do something, let me know. Of course, you’ll need more than half the class to agree.”
He went on to explain other basic details of the festival—most of which Selina had already heard from Mie the day before.
“Lastly, each student will receive two invitations. One invitation allows up to five guests to enter, so invite anyone you’d like. Invitations should be sent by mail.”
Calix handed out two invitations to each student.
Selina carefully examined hers. The elegant paper listed the festival schedule.
“Selina, who are you sending yours to?” Silvia whispered quietly, glancing at Calix.
“My father.”
“Lord Fryman?”
“Yes. Other than him, everyone I’m close to is already here. What about you?”
“My parents too! But since there are invitations for my brothers as well, I’ll have to talk it over with them.”
“No one besides your family?”
“Nope. Just like you, all the people I’m close to are already here.”
“That’s surprising. I thought you’d have plenty of people outside your family.”
Silvia responded with a bright smile instead of an answer.
“That’s all for the assembly. Study hard today as well.”
Yawning widely, Calix shuffled away.
“So… the professor said these two classes are replaced with dance lessons……”
“It starts from first period today! We should hurry to the other classroom.”
By coincidence, Monday’s first period was dance class.
The students chatted noisily as they checked the location Calix had mentioned. With little time left, Selina and her friends hurried along.
The dance class was held in a space large enough to be called a hall.
“Dance, huh. I never thought I’d be learning this here.”
“Seriously. What do you think we’ll learn? Since it’s for the entire academy, probably just basic steps?”
Sylvester and Silvia spoke confidently, clearly familiar with dancing.
Selina, who had never danced even once in her life, felt her vision go dark.
“Theo, have you ever danced before?”
Theodore smiled awkwardly and shook his head. It was unexpected—she had assumed he’d learned something like this.
“We’re acolytes. Why would we learn to dance?”
“Right. It’s not like you’d dance at the temple.”
“So neither of you has ever danced……?”
“Nope.”
Chris answered for Theodore as well. Silvia murmured in surprise.
“Selina, don’t tell me you too…….”
Before Sylvester could finish, Selina replied.
“I’m a commoner. Dancing? I’ve never even tried basic steps.”
“Then this is your chance to learn! If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask me—I’ll help!”
Silvia’s deep blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Silvia really is good at dancing. She received plenty of praise from noble ladies at her debutante ball. With skills like that, learning from her wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Sylvester added unexpected information. Praise from noble ladies—just how good was she?
“It’s a shame I don’t know the male part. Dancing is usually done in pairs.”
Silvia pouted, saying she wanted to dance with Selina.
Click—click—
“Is everyone here?”
With the sound of heels, a man and a woman entered. The students immediately focused, realizing they were the dance instructors.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Louisby, and I’ll be teaching you dance. This is my partner, Ren.”
A strikingly handsome man and beautiful woman introduced themselves.
“Although we only have six lessons, totaling eighteen hours, we’ll do our best to ensure you can at least perform the basic steps before the masquerade…… though it seems most of you already have dance experience.”
Louisby tapped his lips as he skimmed through the class roster.
“Let’s confirm first. Those of you who’ve learned dance before, please raise your hands.”
More than half the students raised their hands—it was faster to count those who didn’t.
“As expected. Then those who didn’t raise their hands probably don’t know even the basic steps, right?”
Selina and a few others nodded.
After a brief discussion with Ren, Louisby spoke again.
“We’ll need to adjust difficulty levels. Sorry, but those who have never danced before, please come forward.”
Amid murmurs, exactly eight students—including Selina, Theodore, and Chris—stepped out. Some looked embarrassed, their faces flushed.
“You’ll start by observing how others dance. Please watch carefully how people of your gender move.”
“And everyone else, please pair up.”
The students hesitated briefly, then paired off into male-female couples.
Music began to play. After a moment of awkwardness, the paired students started dancing, following Louisby and Ren’s posture.
More than fifteen couples moved gracefully, like flowing water. It was fascinating—and intimidating.
“Guess it wasn’t just talk.”
Chris murmured beside her. Following his gaze, Selina saw the Hailers siblings.
They stood out among the crowd—not just because of their looks, but because of their perfect synchronization and fluid movements.
When the music ended, everyone stopped.
“Please stay where you are.”
Louisby and Ren walked around, tapping certain students on the shoulder—including Silvia and Sylvester.
“The students we tapped are skilled enough to help those at the front.”
“The rest of you are good as well, but could use a bit more refinement.”
The class was divided, with one instructor assigned to each group.
Selina had expected to partner with Theodore, so she was flustered by how things turned out. Still, it made sense to learn with someone experienced.
“Alright, now choose your partners.”
The numbers were evenly matched. As Selina looked around, a girl approached Theodore.
“Um, Theodore… would you like to pair with me?”
Her flushed cheeks and fidgeting hands made her feelings obvious.
Selina’s violet eyes flashed—until someone gently pushed the girl aside.
“Theodore, dance with me.”
It was Silvia. She winked at Selina. Honestly, Selina preferred this outcome.
Just as she relaxed, a tall shadow fell over her.
“Sylvester?”
“Dance with me.”
“…What?”
“I’m actually good at dancing. You saw me with Silvia.”
“I did, but……”
She glanced toward Theodore, only to find he’d already been dragged away by Silvia to inform Louisby of their pairing.
“Why hesitate? You’re not planning to dance with someone else, are you?”
The other boys were all strangers. After a brief pause, Selina took the hand offered to her.
“Please take care of me for the next three weeks.”
“I’ll lead well—just follow me.”
Sylvester clasped her hand confidently and led her to Louisby.
At that moment, Theodore turned around. Seeing Sylvester holding Selina’s hand, he frowned.
“Hey—”
Selina tried to speak, but a broad back blocked her.
“This much is only natural for dancing.”
“……”
“You’re not going to be petty about this, are you?”
It was practically a provocation. Theodore let out a dry laugh, then smiled crookedly.
“Right. It’s just part of class. Holding hands is fine.”
Sylvester’s eyebrow twitched—but Theodore turned to Selina with a gentle smile.
“I hope you learn quickly so we can dance together. Okay?”
“Huh? Y-Yeah! Of course. We definitely will at the ball.”
Clap, clap—
Louisby clapped his hands.
“Alright, everyone seems paired up. Please stand with some distance between couples. We’ll begin the lesson.”
Following instructions, Selina stood facing Sylvester. Theodore was right beside them, making her uncomfortable.
‘This makes it look like I’m cheating…….’
As her expression darkened, she felt firm hands on her waist and hand.
“Focus, Selina.”
Sylvester looked down at her seriously. Her reflection showed in his pale blue eyes.
“You need to learn quickly.”
Following Louisby’s teaching—and Sylvester’s gentle lead—Selina slowly began stepping.
‘That’s right. This is just a class.’
Pushing aside her tangled emotions, Selina steadied her heart.
