Chapter 10
“I won’t show all my cards.”
Luke nodded, seemingly convinced by her words.
“I understand, Lady.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Luke signed the contract.
Alteferia, receiving it, signed right after him.
The paper—specially issued by the temple for official contracts—briefly glowed before the light vanished.
It had probably been transmitted to the temple’s archive.
If any disputes arose between the two of them in the future, they could simply go to the temple for verification.
“Let’s get along until the wedding.”
“Of course. So, what are we practicing today?”
“Until the victory parade, you’re supposed to have no other duties. So, until then, let’s practice acting like a loving couple who can deceive even the Emperor.”
“Since there will be a ball, I suppose we should start with dancing.”
“Exactly.”
Luke wasn’t good at etiquette.
It was expected, but Alteferia still asked to confirm.
“How far have you learned to dance?”
“To be honest, not once.”
Luke had been treated poorly by the Duke of Grandhilde’s family because he was born illegitimate.
Having gone off to war without ever learning the basic etiquette essential to social life, he had probably never even seen a dance properly performed.
Still, judging by his posture and way of speaking, he wasn’t entirely hopeless.
‘Well, he was close friends with the Second Prince.’
Being around royalty, he’d likely learned a few manners by observation.
The social graces he lacked could be taught.
And there was a fine teacher standing right here.
“It’s all right. I’m good at this, so I’ll teach you step by step. Think you can keep up?”
Alan had often dragged Alteferia to events, treating her like a trophy.
Because of that, she’d been invited to many parties and had grown used to dancing.
“I’m a fast learner when it comes to physical things.”
“Confidence suits you. I’ll look forward to it.”
When Alteferia stood and pulled the bell cord, Seirun appeared.
He approached politely and bowed.
“Yes, my lady. You called?”
“The hall’s ready, right? Escort the young lord there.”
“Everything is prepared. This way, please.”
And so, Alteferia led Luke toward the ballroom for their dance practice.
Before Luke’s arrival, Alteferia had ordered the hall to be readied.
Thanks to that, the ballroom was clean and perfectly arranged, with everything needed for practice set in place.
Dancing required music—
—but since they hadn’t hired any musicians, she had brought a metronome like the one used for piano practice.
The triangular device ticked back and forth, clicking each time it moved.
“There are many kinds of dances at balls, but you don’t need to learn them all. We won’t be dancing long anyway.”
“May I ask a question?”
“I like your enthusiasm. Go ahead.”
“Why won’t we be dancing long?”
“Because we’ll be acting like a loving couple. Intimate pairs usually finish their dance quickly so they can leave the floor for some private time.”
“When you say private time, you mean…?”
“Doing things one shouldn’t in front of others. Like kissing, for example…”
“I’ll just learn the dance first.”
He cut her off immediately.
The last time, he’d blushed at the slightest touch—clearly, he wasn’t used to anything involving men and women.
Well, in the original story too, Luke had never been in a relationship.
Alteferia chuckled softly.
“We’ll focus on the waltz. Seirun, start it.”
At her order, Seirun wound the metronome.
Tick, tock, tick, tock.
The steady rhythm of a waltz filled the room.
Alteferia raised her hand toward Luke.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
As he looked down at her, Luke took her hand and—
—pressed his lips gently to the back of it.
His lips lingered there, warm and deliberate, almost like sealing a stamp.
Alteferia felt the soft warmth on her skin and the faint pressure of his fingers holding her hand.
‘Huh?’
Her face flushed bright red. Her heart thudded loudly.
‘W–what is he doing?!’
When she raised her startled eyes, she found Luke gazing steadily at her. His crimson eyes looked almost like smoldering embers.
Then his lips lifted from her hand.
“Was that correct?”
The warmth faded from her skin, but the heat seemed to remain.
Alteferia froze, speechless.
He asked carefully,
“I followed what you taught me. Was it wrong?”
Only then did she realize what he meant.
Yesterday, when she had raised her hand to him, Luke had just stood there awkwardly.
“At times like that, you’re supposed to kiss the lady’s hand,” she’d explained— even demonstrating it for him.
And now, he’d remembered her lesson perfectly… and done it exactly as shown.
His lips were gone, but his hand still held her fingertips.
Feeling an inexplicable warmth, Alteferia tried to steady herself.
‘Don’t get flustered. You’re his etiquette teacher!’
Everyone makes mistakes!
She clasped both his hands gently and said,
“That was for farewells. Before a dance, you just hold hands—gently, without pressure.”
“…”
“Like this, we walk slowly into the hall together.”
Luke followed quietly but didn’t speak.
His ears were faintly red—he must have realized his mistake.
‘He’s just a beginner!’
Encouraging him was part of her job as his teacher.
Lifting her chin, Alteferia smiled brightly.
“Still, your hand-kiss was perfect. I’m impressed—learning so quickly in just one day.”
Then she added a bit of encouragement.
“So I’m sure you’ll master dancing just as fast.”
Determined to make up for his blunder, Luke nodded seriously.
“Yes, please teach me.”
But his resolve was immediately tested.
“Now, wrap your arm naturally around my waist.”
Luke slowly reached out and did so—stiff as a statue.
Alteferia stepped closer, closing the space between them.
Their bodies touched naturally.
‘Whoa…’
She hadn’t realized before, but up close, his broad chest and shoulders stood out even more.
His clothes weren’t tailored, which was a shame—properly dressed, he’d look stunning.
To adjust their posture, she rested her hand lightly on his chest.
‘Good heavens, is this a human body or marble?’
She’d danced with Alan before, but Luke’s physique was something else entirely.
“Wow…”
She gasped without meaning to, and Luke blinked.
“Yes?”
“No, nothing.”
She quickly looked away and fixed her stance.
To prevent him from asking more, she called to Seirun by the metronome.
“How’s our posture?”
“Hmm… looks like two siblings forced to dance together. Maybe a bit more affection would help.”
That was… not a flattering review.
“You heard her. Hold me a bit tighter—enough to keep me from falling.”
“Even if you were to fall right now, I’d make sure you never touched the floor.”
So he was confident in his strength and reflexes.
‘But dancing isn’t just about strength.’
Better to show him directly.
Alteferia moved her hand from his chest to his shoulder and leaned in, nestling lightly against him.
“Ugh…”
Luke exhaled sharply, tense as a board.
Standing so close, Alteferia could hear his heart pounding and his uneven breathing.
He really was struggling with physical closeness.
“Breathe slowly. Now, wrap your arm around my waist.”
He obeyed, circling her waist with his strong arm.
Oh—his arm was firm too.
Seirun commented,
“Looks good now. You can start.”
Their basic posture was set.
Now they just needed to move in rhythm.
To keep him calm, Alteferia spoke gently.
“Just follow the beat.”
She began to move slowly.
Luke watched her steps carefully, following a beat behind—clumsy, but earnest.
He could tell his dancing was terrible.
Fighting and swordplay might both use the body, but this was a completely different skill.
Luke focused intently on Alteferia’s movements, memorizing every shift.
Her motions were smooth and graceful, like flowing water.
Even as a beginner, Luke could tell—Alteferia was an excellent dancer.
Then, suddenly, a message from the constellations appeared before his eyes.
[“The Ruler of the Underworld” exclaims that Luke being bad at dancing completely breaks character!]
