Part 18

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It was less than a month until Eris' birthday when Eden, the etiquette tutor, approached me with a request. Though it came somewhat spontaneously. By this point I had already learnt the basics of etiquette, more than necessary. Especially since Cyrus doesn't even resent me not following all the formalities in front of him anymore. Ever since I'd gotten Eris back after the kidnapping, he'd obviously been much more lenient with me. In fact, even though he's a shouting grandfather, he's not a bad person. At least, he's responsible for the region's management and seems to be more concerned with the people's welfare than with political intrigue. Though maybe that's not the best approach in the kingdom of Asura.

Talking with Philip has helped me to better understand what the nobility is like in this country. In short, a can of poisonous insects. Asura aristocrats are considered the best diplomats in the world, but only because bad diplomats are weeded out naturally in court intrigue. It's not necessarily death, it's just that the losers in this struggle are sidelined, losing political influence. Like Philip himself, for example, who lost in similar intrigues in his time. Because of this, the Notos family, from which my father is descended, has taken the upper hand in House Greyrat for the time being. And in order to keep the Boreas under control, the Notos have taken Philip and Hilda's sons as hostages and tutors.

Oh, and by the way, that's why Hilda, Eris's mother, clearly doesn't like me. She hates the idea of a child from the Notos branch walking around in her house when her own children were just taken away from her. Well, that's how it was at first, but over time she's calmed down and kind of warmed up to me, but she doesn't show it.

Or the time we were kidnapped...

This is not the first time that aristocratic children have been kidnapped for various political purposes. Sometimes kidnapped children can be used for blackmail, or simply killed to deprive another house of heirs, or, for example, to kill one of the children of an aristocrat to strengthen the position of his other child in the struggle for inheritance. The reasons could be many. And who tried to kidnap Eris that time, and for what purpose, remains unknown. Or maybe I didn't want to be privy to the details.

In fact, you can get a great position in Asura even without being a genius of intrigue, if you just side with such a genius and voluntarily become his figure. In any case, Asura is far more immersed in intrigue than other countries known to the world. If Phillip's words are to be believed. But also based on what Roxy has been told about the world, it does seem to be true.

But, back to Eden and her request.

I just witnessed Eris pulling up her dress and quickly running away from the hall. And her mentor ran after her, but the woman was no longer young, and she was nowhere near the speed of the Mad Bitch.

- Mr Rudeus! Please don't let her escape! - Eden begged.

- N-no! - Eris backed away from me.

The girl immediately decided to change her route.

- You can't run away from me. - I prepared myself.

Gritting her teeth, the redhead darted away, and very quickly, it should be noted. I had to use magic to catch up with her. But, it wasn't an easy chase. Eris had learnt how to run away from me over time, and then developed various countermeasures to my chasing methods. Changing routes abruptly, using adjacent rooms and confusing corridors. One of her favourite tactics of late has been the help of maids. As a gentleman, I didn't dare disturb young girls in their rooms, but it was no problem for Eris to break into the servants' dressing rooms or the baths to get away from me.

Therefore, this time I moved to prevent the girl from using a similar trick again.

But...

- Eris, are you serious?

- Mistress... - The girl with cat ears squeaked embarrassedly.

She was shamefully adjusting her dress.

- You can't get me here! - Eris said with a sense of superiority from under the maid's dress.

- Come out. - I said to her as I came closer.

- Mr Rudeus... - The maid looked at me pitifully.

- I won't! - Eris snapped at me.

- What's wrong?

- I'm tired! I need a day off!

- You had the day off the day before yesterday.

- I'm not taking a day off!

- Eris, come out, I'm not taking you to Eden.

- You're not?

The girl's head peeked out from under the wide hem of her black dress.

- You know my approach. I can grab you and drag you to class, but I always try to resolve conflicts first. Right?

- Hnn.

- Let's talk. - I'm giving her my hand.

- Pfft...

Eris snorted arrogantly and slapped my outstretched hand. But, at the same time, she got out from under the maid's dress and stood in front of me with her arms crossed over her chest. What manners.

- Come on, let's have a fight.

- Oh! - The girl was immediately interested.

Anyway, we had a little duel on the practice swords. And in the course of this fun, I asked the girl what happened.

- I don't want to do this stupid dance!

- Hmm, that's right, it's your birthday soon... your tenth, so there's going to be a party.

- They're inviting a bunch of strange people..." Eris muttered.

- So it's a ball. And they're getting you ready to dance, I take it?

- OPEN!

Ouch...

Nine years old and a heavy hand....

Anyway, we didn't get to talk normally during the fight, but after the fight, when we were both tired and collapsed on the grass in the yard, Eris was much easier to dialogue with.

- You don't understand. You always succeed, Rudeus! You're a genius at magic, you read, you can write, you even study other languages, maths, and fencing! How do you know what it's like to be forced to learn something you can't do?!

The girl's resentment was pouring out of her. And, I was even embarrassed to say that I have no special talent in fencing. Because it would be even more offensive to her. Like, even where I have no talent, I'm at least on an equal footing with her, while she seems to have talent only in fencing.

- Yes, you're right. - I nod with an understanding look. - I'm very good at everything.

The girl rises abruptly and tries to elbow me, but of course I expected it. I provoked it myself. I intercept Eris's arm and throw her over myself to the other side, then roll away from her myself.

- But I was suddenly curious.

- What?" the girl mumbled.

- The dance. I'm going to be at this party, too. And not that I know how to dance ...

- Well, you'll learn in no time!

- Hmm... maybe. But why? - I shrug. - I'd like to dance with you, but if you're on the sidelines, there's no point in me learning.

- Pfft... - Eris turned away.

Ohhh, I didn't do that on purpose. But the sight of the girl trying to hide her embarrassment by hiding her face was wildly adorable.

- Shall we try it together?

- No! Definitely not with you.

- Oh... I didn't know you didn't like me that much. Oh, okay.

There was a pause between us, maintaining silence for a few more minutes until Eris turned back to me again.

- And you're not dragging me to this dance? - The girl asked glumly. - You won't even talk me into it?

- Hmm... I wasn't going to before, but now I'm not so sure.

- What's that?

- You look like you're regretting it... for running away from class.

The girl squinted unhappily.

- I realise you're failing, but you seem to want to learn yourself... I can see it in your eyes, the disappointment of failure.....

- What are you looking at? - Eris was indignant.

- Let's give it a try, maybe we can learn one dance together. Come on, let's go!

I'm holding out my hand to the girl.

- Shh... - She wrinkled her nose.

And turned away and stood up.

- It's not going to work anyway.

- Maybe all you needed was a partner. You're a capable girl.

- Hnn..." Eris took a deep breath, her chest heaving.

Yeah, that's right, she's a proud girl, and she likes praise.

- Fine! But if it doesn't work out, I'll beat you up!

That's how I got her to go back to dancing lessons. I had to do it myself, though. Not that I had any plans to take dancing lessons here, I mean, in this world. And in the past, somewhere in the distant childhood, except for ballroom dancing, and then not for a long time. Nevertheless, here and now it all felt different. I also thought I could dance with Roxy. Or Sylphie or even Lily. You know, when I'm older.

And there we were.

After a while, we're together with Eris trying to mimic the dance moves, following Eden's instructions.

- And one, two, three! And one, two, three!

Actually, there was nothing complicated about these moves. I learnt to get into the rhythm pretty quickly, especially when Eden set the rhythm with her claps. My body, which was used to martial arts, adjusted to the dance quite easily.

Eris, on the other hand, had a serious problem....

Seeing her nervous and hurried movements, I realised almost immediately what the problem was.

Gilen is the queen of the sword. And although she is somewhat proficient in all styles of swordsmanship, she focuses specifically on the sword style. My father is the one who uses all three styles equally and tried to teach me the same way. Cat teaches mainly the first style. It's a fast and aggressive method. The water god's style can easily be thought of as a dance with its own rhythm. But the sword god style doesn't recognise any rhythm, it's a hard and fast attack in which you put all your strength at once, so that your first blow is so crushing that you don't need a second one.

Eris had learnt this style with her body and even in dancing she was too tense and couldn't catch the rhythm. Her body perceived such fluid movements as vulnerability, and Eden's claps, setting the rhythm, only provoked the girl to attack. So her movements came out too sharp.

- Beautiful! Mr Rudeus! It's perfect! You have real talent! - The woman rejoiced sincerely. - Ohhh, but I can't understand why the young mistress can't keep up with you....

Oh...

No tact.

Looking round, of course I saw the annoyance on Eris' face. And if nothing is done about it now, it's only going to get worse. On top of that, it's definitely going to ruin our relationship.

- The problem is that this dance just doesn't suit Eris.

- What? Eden was surprised.

- Hmm, we were taught fencing differently from the beginning. My father combines all three styles, so his technique is softer. Gilen's technique is aggressive and hard. It's not easy for Eris to adjust to the rhythm, her body is used to a different way of doing things.

- Ohhh...

Eden looked at me in surprise, clearly not understanding what I was telling her.

- But I have an idea. Eris, give me your hand!

- What? Why? - She was surprised. - Are you stupid!?

But, while blushing nicely from embarrassment, she gave me her pen.

- Haa?

And I immediately, with a sharp movement, pulled her to me, taking her firmly by the waist and twirling her in a dance. She squeezed my hand even tighter. And then our movement came to a standstill. I was a little short on imagination here. But the girl seemed to like it up to that point.

- We need something more dynamic! More energy and movement!

- I don't know what you mean, Mr Rudeus? - Eden was perplexed.

- Hnn...

At this time, I myself tried to remember how I danced as a child back in my past life. And what of that repertoire would be appropriate here. Swing, something like jenga or balboa immediately came to mind. Although, those dances seemed too complicated to me at the time, but beautiful and very energetic. That's exactly what Eris needs. Though, I don't remember those dances themselves well and I guess they're a bit... not really appropriate for nobles. Also the famous tango comes to mind, it's not as sharp and driving, but it's definitely intense and full of energy.

- It would need faster music, and the dance... I have some moves in my head that would suit Eris, I just need to decide how to use them....

For the most part, it was more improvisation.

There's not much time. If I go down this path, I might not make it to Eris's birthday. And that would be a failure, and a humiliation for the girl herself. Especially if we learn a new dance that really suits Eris, she won't be able to dance with other partners, only with me.

- W-what are you doing? - Eris recoiled from me, indignant.

And very embarrassed.

- Ohhh, I'm sorry, I just thought you'd be better suited to a more energetic dance. You know, the waltz is like water, and you're fire!

- What a silly thing to say..." Eris grumbled.

- You could try to do something about your habits, though. Or try to learn a new dance. But there's not much time, so we'll only be able to do one thing. Although, it's not certain that we'll be able to do it at all.

- Erm...

- Choose, Eris!

- Choose what? - The girl squeaked.

- Either I help you learn this dance, or we create a new one that suits you! Something that looks like this new movement....

The girl was embarrassed. After all, although she liked it, these sharp and energetic movements were somewhat... intimate, one might say. To keep up with each other at this pace, you don't want to, but you start to rely on your partner even more. It's a kind of emotional distance, you might say. In a slow dance, observing the technique, we keep the distance. But in a dynamic movement this is no longer possible and we become even closer emotionally. But that feeling of boiling energy is breathtaking.

And in the end.

- What's the new dance? - Eris was very interested in it.

- Oh... you seem to be really intrigued by it!

Anyway, that's the route we took.

In the meantime, I had a word with Gilen, convincing her to cut back on her swordsmanship lessons. We also stopped grammar and magic classes for a while, and spent hours, from morning to night, working on the dance. It was based on the slow dance that Eris had trouble with, but we developed the rhythm, discarded some of the slower movements and replaced them with more dynamic ones. I brought in more elements from balboa and tango, although they are very different styles, in general. And although the tango is not so sharp, but every movement in it is full of power, fluidity in it is not easy, but tense. And he also took some pas using martial arts kata, which, strangely enough, looked very harmonious in such a dance with this fighting girl.

And, Eris liked it a lot.

After a couple of days already, as the general pattern of the new dance began to emerge, she felt that she was really handling it with ease. It was like her body was made just for this kind of dance.

And after a week I began to worry a little, as I myself sometimes did not keep up with the furious pace of the girl. It seemed that in the next close convergence, she just pounced on me, like an angry lioness. At the same time, her initial problem solved itself. Having more or less mastered the fast rhythm, the girl began to feel better and smooth movements of the slow dance. Although, she was still bad at it, but not so bad that she would be embarrassed at the party.

In the meantime, I was doing some artefacting in the evenings. Basically, I was drawing up the blueprint for an artefact. Making the artefact itself won't take long. It's just that, given Eris's abilities, I wanted to make something easier to use, not just a trick. And for Gilen as well. Speaking objectively about their abilities in magic, it's unlikely that they'll rise above the average level. The main thing for them is to master the basic level, to perform the most basic manipulations, so that they can create water and heat it. Of course, given enough time, they might even reach the highest level by the time they are old enough. But Eris would rather spend that time doing what she's good at - swordsmanship.

And, in fact, I created a trick for her that would suit her perfectly as a swordswoman's weapon. Namely, a sorcerer's sword that had a magic stone embedded inside it. The handle of the sword could be used as a staff. At the same time, the stone itself is located in the garde, which can store some mana to then feed it to the painting on the blade, which creates a powerful electrical discharge. In general, when the inscription is activated, the sword creates a lightning strike in the direction of the point if the swordsman is delivering a stabbing blow. If the blow is a chopping blow, the energy gathers around the blade itself. And, if this lightning does not fry the enemy to death, it will definitely take him out of the fight for a while. Moreover, it was a natural lightning that could break through the enemy's morale without any problems.

For Gilen, I made almost the same sword, but in a different shape, curved like a sabre. It was based on the shape of her own sword. But, the functions of this weapon were the same as the gift for Eris.

Although, such a weapon could even be called somewhat mean-spirited, but in a real battle, it no longer mattered. There, you didn't win or lose, but survived or died. Moreover, the style of the god of the north is respected, despite the fact that it welcomes the use of tricks and various stratagems. And, my gifts would be just perfect for a user of this style. But for other forms of swordsmanship, these swords are also perfect. By the way, and this is the ideal approach to the style of the god of the north - to become a master of another style and boast about it, so that you are not expected to trick. The sword itself is assembled from different materials. Some of it is super strong carbon fibre reinforced plastic, but the bulk of the blade is a composite alloy of high carbon steel.

Anyway, I hope the girls will be happy....

And then another week and...

The day has come.

Since the morning, the Boreas mansion had been in a state of flux. The banquet hall was already ready, the servants were working, preparing everything for the ball. Eris was dragged away to dress up. As was I, actually. Though my measurements were taken when we first started dancing together. So, by that day, I had a baby parade costume ready for me. It made me feel like a little aristocrat. Although it was a bit uncomfortable and I'm not likely to wear it after the holiday.

Even Gilen was dressed more ceremoniously.

And then the guests began to arrive. Music began to play in the hall.

- Rudeus. - Phillip addressed me. - You do realise that it would be better if you didn't talk too much about your involvement with the Greyrat family.

- Do you think it would hurt the Notos?

- And not just them.

Eris's father smiled kindly, but, behind his mask, as always, there was a certain foxy cunning. Really, he's not as good a schemer as he tries to make himself out to be.

- I see. I don't want to make a big name for myself, but I don't have much reason to hide.

- Even if you think so, it doesn't mean others won't think of reasons.

What he means is that even if I have no ambitions to rule the dynasty, other Greyrats may well see me as a possible threat. Especially since I have the support of the Boreas. And they do support me. I'm sure if I do decide to lay claim to House Notos, the Eris family will be on my side. But as I see it, it's really too much trouble and unnecessary.

- I'll try not to mention my surname again. - That's all I nodded.

- Yeah... I'm sorry if that sounded offensive. I'm not forbidding you from doing anything at all.

- I understand your motives perfectly well, uncle.

- I'm glad you do. - Philip nodded.

Afterwards he went to meet the guests with his wife.

This part was rather boring, actually. Though I tried to remember the guests themselves, after all, most of them are prominent nobles of Asura. But honestly, I got bored of it quickly. Eris, on the other hand, was clearly uncomfortable, especially when they tried to start conversations with her on various political topics. Also, various aristocrats were introducing their sons to her. Some came up to introduce themselves.

By the way, the girl herself looked different today than usual.

The festive dress gave her appearance a certain solemnity. And, it was worth noting that Eris, at ten years of age, looked about the same as Roxy. More like a teenage girl, with the curves of her waist, breasts, and more feminine hips. So much for the power of genes! One look at Hilda is enough to realise that this kind of appearance at ten years old is quite normal for Eris. But, yes, she's still a child.

And finally, the key moment has arrived.

The rhythm of the music changed.

It was a bit unusual for the guests. Yes, it was about time for the dancing to begin. But the local nobility was more accustomed to classical slow dances, and the accelerated rhythm of the music stunned some of them, while others were perplexed.

- Will you give me my first dance, lady? - A perfect noble bow before Eris.

Yes, Philip's words that I shouldn't make a big show of myself kind of didn't go well with the fact that I should be the one to have the first dance with the birthday girl. After all, I'm the one she studied with, and perhaps no one else can perform our experiment.

- My pleasure, sir. - She gives me her hand.

Everything inside me is happy to be treated like this. Actually, sir and lady is a somewhat common address to any nobleman. With some convention, she could have addressed me as "Your Lordship," but that could have had various political implications.

Then...

Taking the girl's hand, I gently pulled her towards me and, waiting for the moment when the music would allow the dance to begin, actually started the dance.

Eris hesitated a bit, as if stiff with excitement. But a quick tug brought her to her senses, and she simply gave herself over to the rush of movement, when there was no time to think about anything else. Approaching, turning round, twirling in a waltz pas, and we separate beautifully, letting go of each other's hands.

And then the dance becomes like a duel. At that moment, I had a real chance to get in my ear with the edge of Eris's palm. That would have been embarrassing. And the girl broke into a rapid rhythm that even I had a hard time keeping up with. But in the end, I kept up with her.

A punch, a dodge, a block, and back again.

Our hands interlock with each other's fingers in locks.

Eris is practically pressed up against me, her leg touching mine. And that curve might even be called erotic. If only she were at least a couple of years older. There's another explosion of movement, breathless, the girl's face turning pink.

Actually, I don't even know how the guests took this dance. The frantic pace does not allow you to distract yourself and assess the situation, we both have to concentrate fully on the dance itself, and there is no time for anything else. And the tension is breathtaking, just like in a heated fight at the limit of strength.

We separate again, colliding, coming together, spinning.

Eris's fair skin glistens with sweat droplets. But, the dainty gloves on her hands keep our hands from slipping because of it.

She presses herself against me again, a bend occurs, showing off the girl's remarkable flexibility.

Her eyes sparkle with delight. Yes, she's just crazy about this dance.

I lift her up sharply and after briefly holding her against me, I pull away, spinning the girl round and round. And now, we separate again, but already holding hands, making a synchronised bow to each other.

This is the finale.

We freeze in that position. Although, even more ideal end of the dance would probably be a passionate kiss, but, again, we are not the right age.

And there's silence all around.

- Huh... - A delighted Eris breathes heavily.

I try to catch my breath and look around. The audience was clearly impressed. In fact, the nobles even parted, giving me and Eris more room. Or maybe they were afraid of getting punched, because we were getting too far apart.

- BEAUTIFUL! BEAUTIFUL! - Cyrus's powerful voice rang out across the room.

When he came to his senses, some of the nobles immediately started clapping. So did all the Boreas. And after them, all the others joined in the loud applause.

- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! - Cyrus laughed out loud.

And, unexpectedly, he rushed over to pick up both me and Eris in his arms.

- Ah-ha-ha-ha... - The girl laughed happily.

- Hey, hey... - I was frankly confused.

- THESE ARE THE NOBLE DESCENDANTS OF THE HOUSE GREYRAT! - The grandfather shouted in his voice.

Well, I guess there wasn't much point in hiding my origins. And, in Cyrus' case, it was quite obvious to everyone that this was not a political statement. Everyone knows that this grandfather is a very emotional and loud personality.