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Chapter 56: At Least, at This Moment, at Least This Dance

Days passed, and Roy gradually transformed from a clumsy beginner into a skilled dancer, now able to lead with perfect timing.

Alice, rather than teaching, found herself lost in the joy of dancing with Roy.

As the song ended, they bowed to each other.

Alice looked up, clapping her small hands, and straightforwardly praised, “Alice has nothing left to teach her master.”

His progress brought her some comfort, but it also meant that Roy no longer needed her guidance.

As a maid, it seemed she might find it difficult to dance with Roy in the future.

Unknowingly, after finishing today’s training, it became a routine for Roy to give the girl a foot massage.

Although Roy was careful not to scuff Alice’s little shoes, they both understood this unspoken rule, and the little maid only pretended to struggle, allowing her master to continue.

But today, both of them were a bit quiet.

Not just Alice, Roy also felt a twinge of regret for the end of their dance training.

Of course, Alice would never refuse his requests. But Roy didn’t want her to work too hard.

Even though Alice’s expression remained calm, Roy noticed the dark circles under her eyes and how she occasionally drifted off while doing chores.

“Alice, you’ve worked hard these days. Without you, I would surely embarrass myself in front of Charlotte,” Roy sighed, his touch growing gentler.

“It’s good that Alice can help.” The little maid’s gaze was slightly absent: “Master is really looking forward to dancing with the princess, huh?”

“Well, I mean, she’s the Lionheart Princess after all. It would be odd not to look forward to it,” Roy chuckled.

Almost no young man would want to avoid dancing with Charlotte, and even if Roy didn’t have an overwhelming desire, he didn’t want to squander this opportunity.

“Besides, I practically owe her this dance.”

“……True.”

Alice lowered her gaze, softly responding, her thoughts gradually turning gloomy.

She understood all too well.

She was just an ordinary maid, while Charlotte was a noble and gorgeous princess.

Dancing with Charlotte would undoubtedly offer the master a dazzling, unforgettable experience under the spotlight at a grand ball.

Naturally, the master would prefer to concern himself with the princess.

That made sense.

But thinking about how Roy would joyfully turn towards Charlotte made Alice feel a pang of loneliness.

Her delicate little feet unconsciously curled up, like a little beast throwing a tantrum.

“Master, I wish you could dance with the princess sooner.”

“Compared to me, Master is definitely more suited for someone as noble as the princess.”

“Alice?” The gentle tremor in his palm finally made Roy realize the bitterness and loneliness in her words, and he looked up at the little maid.

Realizing her rudeness, Alice quickly composed herself, her face as cold as usual: “I’m just telling the truth.”

“And besides, Master already dances better than I do. Our training is…”

The little maid tried to cover her past feelings with a calm demeanor, but she forgot her tiny curled-up feet were still in Roy’s hands.

“Ah!”

Roy’s fingers curled slightly, making the little maid tremble and emit a sudden, adorable yelp.

“Master?!” Alice felt a mix of shame, resentment, and confusion. She instinctively tried to pull her legs back, but she couldn’t budge Roy at all.

“This is a punishment for not speaking your true feelings,” Roy raised an eyebrow, smiling lightly.

Over these days, he learned more about Alice.

No matter how much her face showed indifference, the girl’s body was quite honest.

Bare feet shaking told of shyness and unease; only when relaxed did they show enjoyment. And that earlier curling up signified her attempt to hide her true feelings.

“You clearly want to say something else,” Roy teased, watching the little maid.

His fingertip gently traced downwards, making her tremble again.

“Master, you’re not me! How can you make such a conclusion?” Alice retorted stubbornly.

Roy raised an eyebrow in surprise: “Can’t I?”

With just a little more pressure, he could feel the delicacy of her soles.

This made the little maid quiver again, light moisture forming in her blue eyes, looking both resentful and cute.

Maybe he was pushing it a bit too far.

“Alice, you clearly have something you want to say. If you don’t say it, I’ll never understand.”

When the words fell, Roy quietly waited patiently for her response.

In truth, he felt just as uneasy as the little maid did.

Eager, reluctant, anxious—he wanted to hear her response directly from her lips, confirming that this warm feeling wasn’t just his imagination.

Roy stopped teasing, simply holding her little feet gently in his hands, filled with care.

Alice was soaked in either the afternoon sun or the warmth from Roy’s palms. Under his concerned gaze, she finally relaxed and mustered up her courage.

Her courage transformed into a loud proclamation, echoing in the small room meant only for the two of them.

“Even if our training ends, Alice still wants to dance with her master!”

“Even though Alice comes from humble beginnings, doesn’t have a fancy dress or grand ball, Alice still wants to dance with her master!”

After saying it all in one breath, she shyly lowered her head, and in a voice as soft as a whisper, asked, “…Can I?”

The response was a smile softer than sunlight.

“Alice, you’ve misunderstood.”

“Heritage, dresses, grand balls—those aren’t important. What matters is the feeling.” Roy lowered his head, carefully wrapping her tender bare feet in socks and shoes as usual.

“Feelings…” Alice mumbled, understanding only slightly.

“Even without heritage, dresses, or grand balls, the joy of dancing with Alice cannot be faked.”

Roy stood up, slightly bowing, extending his hand in a standard gentlemanly gesture, inviting the little maid.

“Lady Alice, even after the training ends, may I still ask you to dance with me?”

With that elegant posture, under the warm sunlight and gentle breeze, he appeared soft yet dazzling.

Like the most stunning sight in the world, it deeply etched itself into Alice’s eyes.

“I’d be happy to.”

Alice took Roy’s hand, her steps lightening, her skirt swaying as she joyfully and eagerly nestled into his embrace.

The magical record began to play once more.

Their figures intertwined, swirling gracefully in the dust of light stirred by the warm breeze.

Alice began to lose herself.

Just as Roy said, even without noble heritage, a beautiful dress, or a grand ball, it didn’t matter that she wasn’t the one dancing with Roy under the watchful eyes of the public.

At least, at this moment, at least this dance was solely theirs, and that was enough.

Under the gentle music, their dancing steps continued to sway, as if time stood still at that very moment.