The Last Dance and Lingering Worries

“This is…….”

Theodore’s eyes widened as he recognized the equipment.

Sian turned to Theodore, who had come down at the right moment, and said, “Come here quickly and try it on.”

“…….”

Sian, who was in a hurry, didn’t see the subtle expression Theodore was making.

She was only worried about whether the equipment would fit Theodore well.

Theodore had to leave on an adventure soon, so there shouldn’t be any inconveniences.

So, when she urged him, Theodore was dragged to Sian with a reluctant face.

He wore the equipment made of Mana Stone and slowly folded and unfolded his fingers.

“How is it?”

“It seems fine.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

But Sian was not satisfied and urged him to move his body more.

At that, Theodore had to draw his sword while wearing the equipment.

“It’s light and comfortable.”

“There’s really no uncomfortable part, right?”

“Yes.”

Only after checking several times did Sian finally understand.

She was worried, but she was relieved that Theodore was okay.

Sian carefully asked Theodore, who was still looking down at the equipment that was covering his body with a curious expression.

“Do you like it?”

“Did you make this to give to me?”

“That’s right.”

“…….”

Sian nodded at Theodore, who was asking back.

Theodore had a vague expression that was impossible to tell whether he liked it or not.

Seeing that, Sian became anxious for no reason.

Theodore’s body has not fully grown yet.

So, the equipment made now won’t be worn for very long.

But even so, Sian couldn’t bear it if she didn’t do something for Theodore who was leaving.

He will have to get new equipment when he grows up.

Will I be able to meet Theodore at that time too?

Sian forced a smile, hiding her uneasy feelings.

“I can feel Master’s energy…….”

“That’s because it’s equipment made of Mana Stone.”

“Ah…….”

Theodore also knew well how Mana Stone was made.

At one time, he was even jealous of the Mana Stone that Kunta took.

Sian’s energy, which was subtly emanating from the equipment, surrounded Theodore’s body.

Then, a satisfied smile appeared on Theodore’s lips.

“I like it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

When Theodore nodded greatly, Sian finally felt relieved and took a breath.

The Mana Stone used for Theodore’s equipment was specially made with more care by Sian.

But even if she made it with care, she was inwardly nervous about what would happen if the person receiving it didn’t like it.

Sian smiled back at Theodore, who was happy.

“But…… the fact that you gave this to me means…….”

“Hmm?”

“…….”

Seeing Theodore’s face darken in an instant, Sian tilted her head.

Theodore was more perceptive than she thought.

There wasn’t much that threatened Theodore on the mountain.

When he was young, he often lost consciousness for unknown reasons, which made him dangerous, but after the grown-up Theodore became much stronger than the monsters living nearby, that didn’t happen.

Of course, even so, Sian, who cherished Theodore, gave him good equipment, weapons, and various artifacts, but she had never made him any equipment made of Mana Stone.

As if now was not the time.

Theodore didn’t really want equipment, so he didn’t care, but now he seemed to know the reason.

Theodore quietly looked at Sian and opened his mouth.

“Do I have to leave this place now?”

“……!”

Sian looked at Theodore in surprise.

She lowered her eyes as she looked at Theodore, who quickly recognized her shallow intentions.

“Theo…….”

“Do you want me to leave quickly and disappear?”

“No, Theo.”

Sian shook her head at Theodore, who was speaking in a gloomy tone.

It pained her that she couldn’t tell him all her feelings honestly.

The female lead, Yurina, had returned from the desert kingdom and was coming this way with the company.

According to the Dark Elves who were tracking them, it wouldn’t take even a month.

Now, there was really not much time left to be with Theodore.

But that was never what Sian wanted.

If she could, she wanted to continue living with Theodore.

She wanted to see him grow up more.

“Master is just…….”

But that was just Sian’s greed, and it was never for Theodore’s sake.

If she was doing it for him, she would have to push him to leave on an adventure even if Theodore hated it.

She felt pathetic for not being able to do that and hesitating.

Sian gritted her teeth.

“Or are you sad that the time for me to leave is approaching?”

“Theo…….”

Unable to answer, Sian trailed off.

Theodore stared intently at Sian as if observing her.

Then, when Sian slightly nodded her head with a pained expression, Theodore raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.

“It’s okay. That’s enough for now.”

“……?”

Sian widened her eyes, not understanding Theodore’s muttering.

She didn’t know what to think of the fact that Theodore, who had been gloomy, was suddenly satisfied.

Theodore smiled brightly and hugged Sian.

“Thank you, Master. I will wear it well.”

“Y, yes.”

Anyway, it was a relief that Theodore liked it.

Sian breathed out the breath she had been holding back, feeling relieved again.

“Ahem, ahem.”

“……!”

Kunta, who had been watching quietly from behind, awkwardly cleared his throat.

Sian, who had been immersed in their own world, flinched and turned her head.

“Then may I return now?”

“Ah, yes. You may do so.”

“I understand.”

Kunta, who nodded and stood up, glanced at Theodore as if he was putting on his hat.

The beautiful boy, who had grown taller than him before he knew it, didn’t even look at him as he left.

His gaze had been fixed on only one person from the beginning.

It was Sian, the owner of this mountain and the great being they served.

The boy, who had grown quite dignified now, showed no sign of the young appearance that had scared him.

In the kind and beautiful appearance, there was also a hint of the arrogance unique to those with strong power.

With the senses unique to a blacksmith who sharpens a sharp sword every day, Kunta felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

‘I think I know why Kali is so wary of that kid.’

The boy, who had grown up day by day, was now so strong that there was no one who could compare to him except for Sian, the owner of the mountain.

Was it really a good thing that a human with such strong power was so obsessed with Sian?

Kunta, who had thought inwardly, shook his head.

It was not his job to worry about such things.

Above all, worrying about the safety of Sian, the owner of the mountain, was truly presumptuous.

Kunta, who had finished putting on his hat, politely bowed to Sian.

“Then please call me again, Sian.”

“Be careful on your way back.”

“Yes.”

After Kunta left, Sian turned her head with an awkward face.

And she reached out her hand for no reason and stroked the equipment that Theodore was wearing.

“It suits you well.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

The thin armor, which exuded a subtle Mana, fit Theodore’s body perfectly.

No matter what happens in the adventure, this armor will protect him.

Sian could barely find comfort in that thought.

Now, only the last lesson with Theodore remained.

Sian looked at the textbook with serious eyes.

The name of the book was ‘Dance Lesson Theory’.

It was a book that taught dancing, which could be said to be the flower of the banquet, a basic manner for imperial nobles.

But unfortunately, Sian had never danced before.

How often would she have to dance the dances that nobles dance in the desolate Mountain of Death?

Well-mannered Dark Elves originally didn’t dance, and even if they did, it was different from human dances.

It was closer to a serious sword dance than a dance.

Ador Village was also a place where ordinary farmers gathered, so it was completely different from noble dances.

Sometimes when she went to see their festivals, they would dance in groups, which was close to a rhythmic movement that even children could do.

‘I’m glad I have Drake’s memories.’

The reason why Sian could still teach Theodore to dance was thanks to the fact that Drake, who enjoyed amusement, had memories of dancing from time to time.

Of course, because Sian didn’t dance directly, it was very difficult to teach relying only on memories.

But looking at the book, it seemed like she could at least tell him how to do it roughly.

‘Besides, men’s dances are not that difficult.’

Sian looked at the book with serious eyes.

The woman’s side had big and flashy movements, while the man’s side didn’t.

Still, if she was going to be Theodore’s partner as a demonstration, she had to know the woman’s dance as well, so Sian read the book in a rush and memorized it.

And she analyzed every single movement of the women dancing in voluminous dresses in Drake’s memory.

‘I can’t let my precious one be ignored, no matter what.’

Sian, who nodded to herself, clenched her fist tightly.

At first, she hesitated to teach Theodore a dance that she didn’t know well herself.

But in the end, the reason why she decided to make dancing the last lesson after much 고민 was because of the female lead, Yurina.

It was because she had thoroughly ignored Theodore, who didn’t even know how to dance, in the original story.

‘A kid who only lived in the mountains can’t dance! Why did you scold him like that……!’

Sian clicked her tongue with a displeased face.

When she read the novel as a reader, she even chuckled because it was a funny part, but now that she thought about Theodore being ignored like that, she felt bad.

Yurina was good in many ways, but her personality was too brash, which was the problem.

She scolded Theodore too harshly in order not to show that she liked him on the inside.

Sian gritted her teeth as she recalled the passage where Yurina ridiculed Theodore, saying that an idiot was still an idiot.