It’s really a matter of wanting both

The ball came to an end.

Although there had been a small incident, Kalandria’s excellent control of the event kept things largely smooth and successful.

When the farewell music for the guests began to play, the second young master of the Holy Sword family also returned to the hall, standing off to the side and waving like a ceremonial mascot.

By the end of the night, the only things people would remember were the dazzling jewel of the Lewincete family—

and the young master’s ridiculous fall.

Once most of the guests had been sent off, Kalandria stepped forward and stopped Loya before he and Timos could leave.

“Is there something else?”

Loya’s tone was distant, as if deliberately emphasizing that the two of them had nothing to do with each other.

But of course, Kalandria wasn’t fooled.

Strangers?

The perfect harmony they had shared while dancing earlier said otherwise.

The more he tried to act indifferent, the more obvious it was that he was hiding something.

“I understand.”

“Your steps earlier were quite good.”

“Oh.”

Loya responded politely but without interest.

Praise coming from this noble lady sounded less like genuine recognition and more like someone complimenting a pet.

It was no different from praising a dog for bringing back a ball.

“But speaking of which, you’re clearly so good at dancing. Why didn’t I know? I’ve never seen you dance at a ball before.”

Her surprise was genuine, and she didn’t bother hiding it.

Besides, saying things like this conveniently satisfied a bit of his need for recognition.

Kalandria knew perfectly well how to handle commoners.

Of course, that would only work if the person listening wasn’t the current Loya.

“I watched enough and eventually learned. It’s just ballroom dancing. Nothing special.”

Loya gave a modest smile.

There were plenty of things she didn’t know about him.

After all, the young lady had never truly tried to understand anyone.

No matter how many times things repeated, that never changed.

“Kalandria, it’s getting late. I should head back.”

“Thank you for the hospitality tonight.”

“Goodbye.”

Already in a poor mood because his objective hadn’t been fully achieved, Loya didn’t give her another chance to prolong the conversation.

After saying his piece, he turned and walked away.

Kalandria wanted to stop him, but she had no excuse left.

Her hand lifted slightly, then dropped again when she realized she had nothing to say.

Still, she understood.

Loya had already been exposed but was still pretending to be carefree.

—Ah, I see.

He didn’t want to be accused publicly of interfering with the marriage alliance, so he sabotaged things behind the scenes while acting indifferent on the surface.

Typical.

But unless you apologize properly and crawl back beneath my skirt, obediently recognizing your place like a loyal little dog,

I won’t let you return to my side so easily.

“…Um.”

Timos spoke quietly from the side.

Only then did Kalandria realize someone else was still there.

“Oh, Timos. If you don’t want to walk back yourself, you can wait a little while. You can ride back to the manor with my carriage later.”

“N-no, that’s not it.”

Timos shook her head awkwardly.

“Miss Kalandria… I won’t be returning.”

“Hm?”

For a moment, Kalandria thought she had misheard.

This elf girl had always been obedient and strictly followed the team’s rules.

She had never once spent a night away.

What was going on today?

Had that Mosoren fellow secretly invited her somewhere?

And what about Loya?

Didn’t he know his student had been taken away by that playboy?

Thinking she might as well do Loya a small favor, Kalandria casually asked,

“If you’re not going back to the manor, where will you go tonight?”

“Um… actually… it’s more accurate to say that I won’t be returning to Riverside Manor for a while.”

Timos hesitated and lowered her head, as if struggling to find the right words.

But in reality, she was eagerly anticipating the expression that would soon appear on Kalandria’s face.

“Not returning?”

Kalandria froze for a moment.

Perhaps trying to rationalize it, she quickly forced a smile.

“Oh, right. It must be that vacation we talked about before. If you want to go relax somewhere, there’s no need to rush off in the middle of the night—”

“No, Miss Kalandria.”

Timos shook her head.

“Before coming to the banquet, I already moved my luggage out of Riverside Manor and cleared my room.”

“From now on… I plan to live with Teacher.”

Kalandria went completely still.

Her mind went blank.

The corners of her smiling lips twitched uncontrollably.

“During my time in Swan Lake, thank you very much for taking care of me, Miss Kalandria. I’m sorry for any trouble I caused.”

“Goodbye, Miss Kalandria.”

After saying that, Timos bowed politely to the team leader.

Then she turned and ran after the young man already walking away in the distance.

Leaving Kalandria standing alone, utterly stunned.

Wait.

All this time she had been guarding against outsiders—

only to be robbed by someone inside the house?

When did that pointy-eared girl get involved with Loya?

He’d been gone from the team for almost a month.

She had barely even heard Timos mention him.

And now they were living together?!

Holding up her skirt, Timos finally caught up with Loya.

Slightly out of breath, she tugged at his sleeve.

“Teacher… are you in a hurry to go back?”

“No.”

Loya answered flatly.

This expression meant he was deep in thought.

Timos recognized it instantly.

Though she couldn’t quite guess what he was thinking about.

Still, she couldn’t let him leave just yet.

After glancing behind them, Timos stepped a little closer to him.

“Then… would you walk with me for a while?”

Seeing the elf girl lower her head in apparent disappointment,

Loya felt a pang of sympathy.

Perhaps the events at the ball had been a heavy experience for such an innocent elf girl.

Feeling ashamed, Loya nodded.

“Alright. Where do you want to go?”

“Just around here. I want to walk with you and look at the night scenery.”

“Okay.”

Loya took a deep breath.

This time, when his student sweetly linked her arm with his, he didn’t pull away.

Finally reclaiming her place beside Teacher, the “good student” huffed inwardly.

Watching Kalandria dance with him earlier had made Timos grind her teeth in anger.

That was exactly why she had deliberately delivered that shocking announcement to Kalandria earlier—

to reclaim some dignity.

Seeing the stunned expression on that woman’s face,

and now standing close beside her teacher again,

Timos felt incredibly satisfied.

Walking together under the moonlight through the streets of Florence, admiring the night scenery—wasn’t that basically a date?

How was that any different from being together?

Of course, the reason she lingered nearby wasn’t just for those small personal thoughts.

As they continued walking down the street lit by glowing crystal lamps, the sound she had been waiting for finally arrived.

The wheels of a carriage rushed toward them, raising a cloud of dust before stopping in front of them.

The crest of a silver longsword on the carriage gleamed brilliantly.

Before the carriage even came to a full stop, the young master’s voice called out urgently from inside.

“Miss Timos… please wait!”

Just as the elf girl had predicted, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

That unwilling fool

had finally come chasing after her.