Chapter 76
The strange electric current at our touching fingertips, the closeness beyond necessity, and those bright eyes fixed unwaveringly on me told me all I needed to know.
This man had a definite intention.
And his target was none other than me.
“It seems you want me to misunderstand.”
“Misunderstand?”
“You’re speaking like you’re eager to become my suitor.”
The tempo sped up, and it was time to swap places and spin with the person next to me. Though it was my first time trying this type of dance in real play, I feigned confidence and a relaxed expression.
Thanks to decent athleticism since childhood and Bali’s spartan training, I had some skill in dancing—unlike magic, which I was less confident in.
“How strange.”
Suddenly, someone grabbed me firmly as I slipped into the gaps. Wide-eyed in surprise, I saw the man who should have been dancing with another partner appear again before me.
“Why do you think it’s a misunderstanding?”
At the moment he seized my hand again, I was frozen like a small bird with wings pierced by a hawk’s talons, unable to move a muscle. The man who had carelessly altered the dance without a single apology said brazenly,
“Haven’t we seen each other quite often? We’ve had many interesting moments.”
As he barged in out of turn and threw off the rhythm, my steps gradually matched the music again. Ren skillfully led me back to the original beat and continued speaking.
“At this point, I suppose you could call it that.”
“……”
“Is it what you call… a ‘situationship’?”
Coincidentally, at that moment, he leaned into my arm and arched my waist backward.
A sudden choking sensation caught my breath, and a sharp gasp escaped me. Whether it was from the unexpected physical jolt or the strange yet familiar word he uttered, even I wasn’t sure.
“……”
Unable to find words, I passively held the pose as he slowly curled the corner of his lips into a smile. I felt his arm supporting my waist tighten slightly, and then he gradually lifted my upper body.
For a moment, I felt as if I’d forgotten how to breathe. Pushing air into my constricted chest, I barely managed to finish the final movements of the ballroom dance.
Of course, the turmoil swirling in my mind was only just beginning.
He just said ‘situationship’—the slang for that in-between stage of a relationship, where it’s unclear whether two people are together or not.
Leaving aside the fact that we were nowhere near that stage, the fact he kept pulling out Earth’s slang in front of me was a serious red flag. It could very well be a death flag.
After my thoughts settled, I met his clear eyes and slowly spoke.
“Sir, I guess you think I’m an idiot.”
I deliberately avoided the direct word. Even if the person present was the original Camilli Mute, I knew she’d pay more attention to the overall context than to a single syllable she couldn’t understand.
“Just because I dated a man for a long time doesn’t mean I’ve lost my senses.”
“……”
“At least that man was sincere with me.”
Though I couldn’t forgive him for his ‘second choice’ nonsense, his affinity had been an 88. Unlike someone who didn’t even reach positive territory and went into the negatives.
Without further words, I left. Thankfully, mentioning the wine seemed to have worked; Ren didn’t try to hold me back any longer.
* * *
Duchy Aidepen’s party was notorious for lasting until dawn, but I left before midnight.
After a tense exchange with Ren and having met both Illui and Bali to accomplish my main goals, I saw no reason to stay longer.
I went straight home and sought sweet sleep, but…
“How was it?”
“……”
My rest was far shorter than my drained energy warranted. While my stamina was somewhat preserved, my mental strength was thoroughly gnawed away.
The very next day being Sunday was a tremendous misfortune.
Lady Aidepen, who was usually more often absent due to passing out from drinking, had unexpectedly attended mass.
I guessed with high certainty it was to grill me about yesterday’s events.
I was exactly right.
“What’s with that? Do you think your chances of getting a residence permit are better?”
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