The sounds of conversation continued around him.
Alan simply kept his gaze fixed on the stained-glass skylight of the banquet hall.
The sunset painted the sky outside the glass in hazy colors, outlining the Iron Heart.
Crimson light descended from above.
It was imprinted in his pupils.
Alan slowly raised his hand.
He 'grasped' the Iron Heart above him.
"The Boreas…"
"Iron Heart."
He murmured, almost to himself.
His voice was quiet, completely drowned out by the echoing conversations of the others.
But in the next moment…
As he spoke, Hilda, Sylphie, Rudeus, Eris, and Ghislaine all stopped talking.
They all turned to look at him.
Alan had still been lost in his thoughts. The intense stare of five people, ten eyes, was like an air-raid siren in his 'Sense,' forcefully pulling him out of his contemplative state.
He turned his head stiffly to face the burning gazes fixed on him, his expression freezing.
Why is everyone looking at me?
He blinked awkwardly.
"…It's beautiful," Alan said, pointing up. "The Iron Heart."
Hilda blinked, then smiled.
"The crest on the high tower is even more beautiful, and more breathtaking."
"Really?! Mother, take us there! Let Alan see it!" Eris immediately turned and whined in the unique, high-pitched tone of a little lioness.
The sound made Rudeus, who was standing beside her, quickly cover his ears.
Hilda shook her head helplessly.
"Your grandfather is likely there now. There are too many of us; we shouldn't disturb him. Besides, it's already getting dark, so we might not be able to see it clearly."
"Aww, really?"
Eris pouted.
She turned to stare at Alan, her arms crossed and chin held high.
"Some other day! I'll take you! How about that?! And Sylphie, you can bring Rudeus too!"
She put on the air of a little adult.
For some reason, she looked quite proud of herself.
Alan/Rudeus/Sylphie:
"Thank you…" x3.
Hilda watched this scene and let out a soft laugh.
Everyone else just scratched their heads, looking at the inexplicably smug Eris.
"Eris." Hilda stroked Eris's head, smoothing down her cowlick.
"Hmm?"
"Instead of the crest on the tower, perhaps you should be more focused on the present."
"Huh?"
Hilda bent down to look into Eris's eyes.
"Your tenth birthday banquet will be held right here. Nobles from all over the domain, big and small, will come to attend. And unlike your fifth birthday, this time, before the ball begins, you, as the guest of honor, will have to perform the opening dance. You can't just watch from the sidelines this time. And there might be many talented young gentlemen who will ask you to dance."
"What."
"Am."
"I."
"Going."
"To do?"
As Hilda spoke, word by word in a slightly teasing tone, Eris's small face visibly contorted with shock, her expression clearly showing her reluctance.
"Do I have to dance?! Dancing is completely unnecessary!"
"You have to. Your grandfather will be angry."
"But… but I can't learn that! Why do I have to do something I'm bad at?!"
"Don't worry. Edna will give you special training."
Eris paused. She glanced at Sylphie and Rudeus, who were watching her. Although she was unwilling, in front of her two 'teachers' who were younger than her, her competitive nature wouldn't allow her to say something like, 'I just don't want to learn,' which, in this situation and in front of her mother, was more of a childish tantrum than a real refusal.
She pouted unhappily.
"F-fine."
Hilda glanced at Alan with a smile. The atmosphere, surrounded by her son and daughter and teaching them something, lifted her spirits.
Then, she suddenly shifted her gaze from Alan to Sylphie, who had been watching her expressions. The white-haired girl was now looking at Alan, her body noticeably stiff for some reason. She was trying to slide behind Rudeus, attempting to blend into the background.
"But Eris, you'll have a partner. Because Sylphie has to learn too."
As Alan and Rudeus both turned to look at her with confused expressions, Sylphie froze completely.
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Eris was momentarily stunned. She didn't even think to ask why Sylphie also had to dance; she was just instantly delighted.
I have a companion!
That simple emotion—of being able to suffer with a friend, but not wanting to see that friend succeed while you struggle—was just as applicable in this world of sword and sorcery as it was in his old one.
"Really?!"
Hilda nodded with a smile.
"So, since we're already in the banquet hall, the atmosphere is right, and the occasion is fitting, let's consider this a rehearsal for the birthday banquet in a few months. Today, we'll skip some of the basic Boreas etiquette and I'll teach you about ballroom etiquette first."
Eris's happy expression instantly stiffened. The child had hoped to delay it, but the lesson was now being shoved in her face.
Sylphie's expression mirrored hers.
She was just as bewildered.
She had only learned yesterday afternoon about the possibility of dancing with Alan at the banquet and hadn't prepared herself mentally at all. Her plan with Rudeus had just been to get Hilda to be their etiquette teacher in front of Alan.
Just as she was about to push the thought to the back of her mind, Hilda had brought them all to the very venue where the ball would take place.
And we're starting the lesson right now?
This…
This is too sudden…
And she had been called out directly.
Hilda smiled and reached out, taking Eris's hand.
"Rather than calling this Boreas etiquette, it's more accurate to say these are dance steps known by all Asuran nobles. The Boreas etiquette is simply woven into it."
She took two steps back, while Eris stood rigidly, looking flustered.
Their arms were extended.
Two fair arms intertwined like ribbons, connecting the black-and-white formal dress with the fiery red gown.
"The types of dance steps are numerous, but they can be broadly divided into two categories—the Asuran Court Minuet."
She took a small step forward, positioning her feet beside Eris's. Their arms were linked, maintaining a proper yet not overly distant space between them.
Then she began to take small, shuffling steps side to side, one foot following the other, pausing every two beats. She changed her steps, guiding Eris's panicked body to move.
However, Eris's feet just shuffled in place, repeatedly stepping on the tips of Hilda's high heels.
Hilda performed many graceful turns and pivots, causing the hem of her red dress to swirl beautifully, clockwise and counterclockwise.
Hilda wore a constant smile, looking straight at Eris, showing no sign of pain at all.
"This is mainly used on more formal occasions. The steps are small, maintaining a 'respectful' distance without being too distant. It's relatively easy to master."
"However…"
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