Gentlemen, please join us in dancing

As the two protagonists of the banquet returned to the center of the dance floor once again, all eyes turned toward them like spotlights.

Everyone was eager to see this perfectly matched couple—handsome and beautiful, seemingly made for each other—display their dance.

Kalandria quickly glanced around the hall.

With so many people watching, if she danced a little with that playboy young master,

once the atmosphere heated up, Loya surely wouldn’t stay calm anymore.

At that point, he definitely wouldn’t be able to keep his composure.

But just as the thought crossed her mind,

Mosoren suddenly turned around.

“Come, everyone, have a dance as well.”

“Huh?”

Hani’s expression froze in exaggerated confusion.

She had thought they were only invited closer to watch the excitement, so she looked helplessly toward the young man and the elf girl beside her.

“You are members of Swan Lake—exceptional adventurers. Not just me, but everyone around here must also be curious about you. They would surely love to see our honored guests dance… what do you think?”

When Mosoren’s gaze suddenly swept toward her, Timos startled like a frightened bird and hurriedly hid behind Loya.

“B-but… Teacher, I don’t know how to dance.”

Since she had voiced what she wanted to say, Hani also forced a bitter smile and quietly declined.

“R-right. I can swing a weapon on the battlefield just fine, but spinning around in a dress… I’m afraid people would just laugh at me.”

Mosoren then turned to look at Loya.

Although he had never formally studied dancing,

after so many reincarnations and countless similar social occasions, he had long since learned simply by watching.

But this was clearly the stage for the banquet’s host.

If he wanted to build goodwill, it was only proper to give the spotlight to the noble young master and satisfy his desire to show off.

Loya shook his head with mild regret.

“I’m just a commoner. My coordination is clumsy, and I know nothing about dancing.”

—A lie.

Others might not know, but Timos did.

There was almost nothing in this world that Loya didn’t know.

Otherwise, how could she willingly call him “Teacher”?

His magical talent and physical gifts might be ordinary,

yet he could casually guide Hani’s combat techniques as if it were nothing,

and despite being a commoner, he handled noble etiquette with effortless ease.

How could he possibly be clumsy?

It was just a dance.

If anything, Teacher would handle it with ease.

She had originally planned to claim she couldn’t dance either, then let Loya teach her step by step and share a dance together.

But because he deliberately acted modest and declined,

that plan fell apart.

Timos secretly ground her teeth in frustration.

‘Is that hanger-on trying to make people embarrass themselves on purpose?’ Kalandria thought with a sideways glance.

The method was crude and petty, just like those awkward nobles who sabotaged others behind the scenes.

It even carried that same sour, unpleasant flavor.

But perhaps it wasn’t so bad.

Whether he meant to make things difficult or simply wanted to use someone else as a foil to make himself shine,

at least it irritated Loya.

If that were the case, the two of them probably wouldn’t get along.

So the friendliness they showed earlier had only been superficial courtesy.

Their relationship clearly wasn’t that good after all.

Kalandria thought this and unconsciously revealed a faint smile.

Yet just as she was waiting for the show to begin—

“Then this is where Miss Kalandria should step in.”

Mosoren suddenly turned toward the young lady of the Lewincete family.

“Miss Kalandria is the leader of Swan Lake and the host of this ball.

Whether from the perspective of hospitality or companionship, no one is more suitable to lead the dance.”

As a noble lady who pursued perfection in every detail, dancing was naturally a basic skill.

With Kalandria’s outstanding figure and elegance,

across the entire city of Florence, there were very few women whose dancing could surpass hers.

But—

What does that have to do with me?

Wasn’t it you who invited them to dance?

Kalandria almost asked him if he was joking.

Mosoren continued smiling.

“Since they are important friends of yours, Miss Kalandria, I will of course help guide them as well. However, ballroom dancing is a partnered dance between a man and a woman…”

“So you mean the two of us will each lead one person and teach them while dancing?”

“Hahaha, Miss Kalandria is truly clever. And dancing with inexperienced partners shows off one’s skill even better, doesn’t it?

The graceful dancing of Miss Kalandria of Florence is rarely seen. Since such an opportunity has arisen, I hope you will allow everyone to feast their eyes.”

By this point, Kalandria finally understood what he was saying.

Her face twitched.

At an engagement banquet announcing their betrothal,

he was actually pushing his own fiancée to dance with someone else.

This man really might have something wrong with his head.

Without intimate interaction between them,

how was she supposed to provoke Loya?

But then another thought occurred to her.

According to Mosoren’s arrangement, since it was a man-and-woman partner dance,

the person she would lead…

would be Loya.

For once, something had gone against her expectations yet unexpectedly gave her the chance to dance with Loya.

Kalandria suddenly didn’t know whether to consider it good or bad.

Her feelings became strangely complicated.

“Then… what about you, Mr. Mosoren?”

“Ah, I will of course—”

The young master had just turned his head.

At that moment, Timos immediately felt a sense of foreboding.

Every pore on her body seemed to be screaming, ‘Run!’

But Hani moved faster.

She waved her hands and stepped back.

“The chance to dance with Young Master Mosoren is rare, but I’ll leave it to Timos. I really can’t dance.

And I’m clumsy too. If you tried to teach me, you’d probably get your feet stepped on. That wouldn’t be good, hahaha.”

‘That big brute escaped fast!’ Timos secretly tugged at her sleeve.

Now Mosoren’s gaze finally landed directly on the elf girl without the slightest concealment.

Like a wolf that had carefully stalked its prey and was finally ready to strike.

“Then, Miss Timos… would you be willing to share a dance with me?

To have the fortune of dancing with a maiden of the elven race—such a moment would surely become a precious gem among the memories I treasure for the rest of my life.”

Hearing those embarrassingly sweet words,

Timos felt her teeth ache.

At this moment, Kalandria finally understood.

So this man wasn’t trying to befriend Loya at all.

His true target had been Timos from the start.

Whether from great noble houses or minor aristocrats, these playboys might appear different on the surface, but underneath they were all the same rotten bread.

Kalandria didn’t bother interfering.

She only smiled faintly in silent contempt.

Loya also understood the noble young master’s intentions.

It was rare to see someone scheme so carefully to create an opportunity.

But that was perfect.

Everything was progressing exactly as Loya had hoped.

Quietly, behind everyone’s backs, he gave his student a small signal.

It carried the same sincerity as before, as if he were saying:

‘Please.’

Timos frowned slightly.

Then she let out a quiet sigh.

The sigh was clearly meant for Loya to see.

Her expression practically said, ‘Fine. I’ll do it for you, Teacher.’

The small elf girl stepped forward with determination.

Though she extended her hand toward the noble young master, she subtly turned her head aside, just enough for only Loya to notice the reluctance.

“I-if my dancing is poor, please forgive me, Mr. Mosoren.”