Most Spectacular Dancers of the Night

"C-Chess?" The violet-eyed girl looked slightly shaken, glancing nervously at me.

I nodded indiscernibly.

But… why would she be nervous?

Is it cuz of the thing with those strange scaredy-cats?

"Hmm, well, everything's good now! You don't need to worry, Lance! I got you! I'll save you!" I grinned, squeezing Lancera's hand.

Looks like there are times that even Lancera can look so nervous.

Hehe. Then it's my turn to protect her! My pride swelled.

Slightly springing with each step, I veered towards the venue for chess.

Unexpectedly, even though chess was a sport played predominantly in his majesty's court, even the lowest rungs of society knew of it and played it as well.

Heh, some random kid dressed in ragged clothing had even beat me!

This… unacceptable! However, he couldn't stay for another round and told me to come to the venue at a certain time—there's a few minutes before that time comes as of now.

"Kiddo!" I waved frantically at the skinny adolescent who had shaggy brown hair.

As a result, while I had intended to bring Lancera out of that bad situation when bringing up the topic of chess, that was not my only intention.

Behind me, I felt the Hall brat slow to a stop.

"Hmm?" I glanced back at her.

She was pouting, her violet eyes filled with childish displeasure. "I thought we were gonna play together, Clareeeee." She squeezed my arm, her eyes glaring at the pitiful boy before us.

Ah.

I-I-IS THIS THE SO-CALLED POSSESSIVENESS OF THE LOVER?!

I felt my face underneath the crimson mask redden.

"I-I-uh-Y-Yeah! Let's play together then!" I cleared my throat. Act calm, Asura!

Oh, wait.

But… what about the Lil kiddo?

Hmm… Well, he can play by himself!

The Hall brat is more important!

But Lancera's face didn't show any signs of happiness. "I don't want to play chess anymore!"

Before I could protest, she pulled me close. "Let's go dancing!"

Hmm?

D-D-DANCING?!

I gulped.

It's the only event that I've been avoiding that all evening. Dancing in the court square.

It wasn't that I didn't want to dance with Lancera… it's just… it's just that it'll b-b-b-be too embarrassing!

Yes, this is the same person who was shouting with such fervor that she made the entire crowd stop in silence just minutes ago.

It's different, okay?!

In the dance, I'll be in such close proximity to Lancera!

Besides, what dance would we dance anyway?

If we dance, then we gotta be the most spectacular dancers of the night!

But…

What if I mess up my part?!

How will we decide on our roles? The grander dances are usually performed with male and female counterparts, and I only know the female parts! And the Hall brat probably doesn't know the male parts either!

ARGHHHHHHH! WHAT SHOULD I DO?!

You see, this is why I didn't want to go dancing.

Even as I was so reluctant to dance, I found myself walking with her, staring, dazed at her violet eyes that were twinkling and reflected the colorful, magical lights that floated around in the darkness of the night.

Leading me to the square, where loud and jazzy music was being played, she pulled me into the crowd of people who were dancing, twirling around in her lavender gown.