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At those words, Sylphie's entire body stiffened.
Every visible inch of her skin flushed pink.
The moment she heard "ball," her mind had indeed conjured up scenes straight out of a young girl's fantasies—
And Hilda had perfectly seized on that.
Or perhaps this had been her intention all along.
Sylphie's pupils trembled, but she quickly composed herself.
"E-Eris' birthday... Why would anyone else dance...?"
Hilda studied Sylphie's expression up close, then smiled and leaned back elegantly in her chair.
"Who said only the birthday girl gets to dance? What kind of ball would that be?"
"The banquet will indeed begin with Eris' dance, but after that, the floor opens to all guests."
"In the grand hall, under the glow of chandeliers, to the sound of music—everyone may dance."
"At Eris' fifth birthday, since she was so young, we skipped straight to the ball. Ah, I remember her fussing over cake... Back then, she was more adorable than willful. How nostalgic."
Sylphie nodded blankly. "I see..."
Then Hilda's next sentence sent her into shock again.
"So, nobles from across the territory will bring their children. And at that age, what better way to express affection than a dance? That's why my husband calls it a 'social occasion'—a chance to strengthen bonds between noble houses. Marriage alliances are, after all, the glue that holds nobility together."
"Boys and girls will invite each other to 'share a dance'..."
"It's a code."
"The most direct way to show interest."
She lifted her teacup.
Glanced at Sylphie.
Who was now petrified.
Hilda sipped her tea, turning the screws further.
"From what I've heard, the noble girls nearby are quite... enthusiastic. I wonder how many will ask Allen to dance? How exciting."
"G-Girls... asking him?!"
"Indeed. Noble girls often mature faster in certain ways than boys."
Hilda tapped her temple.
"And in my experience, they're far more likely to take the initiative."
She watched Sylphie's dizzy, spiraling expression with amusement.
"So the first dance invitation will be especially meaningful..."
The trap was sprung.
Hilda nodded to herself, satisfied, and took another sip.
The teacup hid her smirk as she observed Sylphie's face.
Sylphie's expression had shifted from flustered to utterly lost.
She thought of Allen.
Of whispered confessions.
And then—
Roxy.
Hilda's voice drifted over the rim of her cup.
"...Your teacher isn't here, is she? Allen might be in danger."
"What will you do, Sylphie?"
Sylphie's mouth opened and closed wordlessly. Adorably.
Hilda set her cup down and propped her chin on her hand, gazing out the window.
"Now that I think of it, there's an evening gown here somewhere—"
Sylphie, recalling the "revealing" dress Hilda once mentioned, jolted and blurted:
"E-Eris will ask Allen to dance, right?!"
Hilda blinked—then burst out laughing.
"Were you actually considering my joke earlier?"
"Ah! N-No! I meant Eris—I wasn't—!"
Hilda waved a hand.
"Relax, Sylphie. I was teasing. Watching them these past six months, there's not a hint of romance between them."
"When I see Allen and Eris training together..."
Her smile faded slightly.
"...I keep thinking they seem more like..."
"Siblings."
"Speaking of tenth birthdays... I wonder how they're celebrated in the capital now..."
"How curious..."
In just a few sentences, Sylphie's flustered, bashful expression melted away.
Her features steadied, her reddish-brown eyes focusing intently on Hilda—who was still staring at the trees outside.
Her gaze held neither sorrow nor joy.
What was missed was already set in stone.
And...
Over a year had passed.
She'd wondered too many times.
Allen, in the capital.
Her eldest son.
On his birthday—December 31st, a year and ten months ago.
How had he spent it?
Surrounded by James and his "family," laughing at a festive table?
At a ball just like Philip's vision, fielding dances from noble girls fluttering like butterflies?
Or—because he wasn't truly their child—left alone by James, staring at the moon in some quiet corner?
Just as...
She had done that night?
Hilda had wondered too much.
Dreamed too often.
No answers came.
In her dreams...
Allen's face was always blurred.
"...Your child must miss you too..."
Hilda started, turning to Sylphie. Her lips parted, but in the end, she only smiled wryly.
"He doesn't know he has a mother like me. But... thank you, Sylphie."
Sylphie lowered her eyes, avoiding Hilda's gaze—then deftly shifted topics.
"So you think Allen and Eris seem like... siblings?"
Hilda studied her.
"Yes. I've never once considered pairing them. Perhaps because Allen shares my son's name... I see echoes of him."
"Maybe..."
"It's just my imagination."
Silence lingered.
Then Sylphie looked up, smiling.
"Would you like to see for yourself, my lady? Allen and Eris in class are quite entertaining."
Hilda blinked. This wasn't the response she'd expected.
"Is that so? It's hard to picture... But wouldn't my presence make everyone nervous? Last time I observed swordsmanship, Ghyslaine, Allen, and Rudeus all tensed up. That's why I avoid your lessons..."
"They wouldn't tense up if you were the teacher."
"...The teacher?"
Hilda stared.
Sylphie sat primly, her eyes glinting.
"Recently, etiquette lessons covered Boreas noble customs."
"Who better to teach that than you, my lady?"
In that brief teatime exchange, the air between Hilda and Sylphie thrummed with—
Guidance.
And anticipation.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 235 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 35 power stones I will publish the next chapter.