Antagonist Protection Service-Chapter 76: Cold (11)

Flicking my gaze towards the initiator of the sudden interruption, my eyes widened.

"Though he may only be an attendant, all servants belonging under the Archducal household are taught to value class and refinement."

Rising from her seat and folding her arms, Lucretia took bold steps toward the Protagonist, a warped expression on her face that displayed plainly just how repulsed she seemed.

"Enki, in particular, is the attendant of none other than myself, the household's Young Mistress. He wishes naught to take the hand of one born from filth, and especially not one so terribly, awfully, ludicrously, irredeemably and irrevocably shameless such as yourself."

Halting her feet inches in front of the other, Lucretia unfolded her delicate arms, veiled behind the long, silken opera gloves that matched hues with her hair.

And, with a single, slender finger, she poked the Protagonist's forehead.

"Are you truly so blind you can't see that? Or is it that your brain is simply so dysfunctional you cannot realise it? Mongrel woman."

Watching those words and actions had broken the Protagonist's ability to think, like an EMP to a computer, she whipped her head to face me.

"...!"

Grabbing my hand without concern as to how painful her grip might have been, she abruptly pulled me away as if roughly tugging the leash of a hound. Only when we arrived at the communal dance floor, countless eyes enwreathing us, did she finally stop.

Then, confused why she was still acting like this even when there was no need for it, I asked.

"Hey, what was that about? Is everything okay?"

"Quiet. We're dancing."

"What? But I d--"

"Enki. Shall I repeat myself?"

My mouth opened to say something, but I quickly stopped myself.

'Did something happen while I was gone...? The hell...'

To be honest, I have no idea what could have happened for her to be like this out of nowhere, but regardless, it was obvious that she was furious underneath that cool facade; more so than I had ever seen, perhaps.

'...I guess this is how it will go...'

Without saying a word, I did as she said and got into position for the same dance we had been practising every Sunday until now―holding her right hand with my left and placing my other on her waist.

I wasn't entirely sure how it turned out that I'd be dancing with her for real instead of just for practice, especially since I expected to have to dance with the Protagonist if anyone, but I chose not to think too deeply into it.

Maybe this would even turn out to actually be more effective in pushing through that final bit of resistance than dancing with her would be. If the Protagonist were to get upset or jealous that I danced with another girl instead of her, that created room to comfort and soothe her afterwards.

Could it be the key to breaking through the relationship stage barrier I was struggling with?

"Enki. Concentrate. Let me remind you that this is not mere practice. You will put your full effort in, and no less than your full effort. Do you understand?"

Lucretia's exceedingly sharp tone pierced my ears. I guess she really wanted me to try this time. It's not something I had ever done during any of the practice sessions, but if it would cheer her up, I really should probably do my best.

"Of course. I don't want to be fired even earlier, do I?"

"Don't forget the middle part; when we break apart and extend our arms, we must maintain contact at just the fingertips before resuming for the second half. Do not release fully, and do not bend the knee unnecessarily like you have done so in the past."

"Yes, I know."

"And for the closing sequence―"

As if plainly ignoring everything I was saying, Lucretia continued explaining every little detail of the dance to me until the current song ended.

Following a brief moment of respite where all the new couples entered the dance floor, the musicians I didn't even know existed in the room until now would soon start playing the next song.

Perhaps they had been informed beforehand which song she would dance to, as it turned out to be the very same piece we had practised with all those times.

Feeling a slight pull on my hand, I turned my eyes back to her, catching her quiet gaze staring at me rather intensely.

She said nothing, but I understood clearly what she wanted.

~~♫

At the same time the music started, our bodies spurred into a slow action: 'adagietto', she once mentioned.

―Left side this way, together.

It was a partner dance, so there was no lead. Instead, to make it work, both participants had to perform perfectly and synchronously as one, and with no less elegance than the other.

―Right side that way, together.

Moving ourselves precisely in tune with the beat, matching it with every step of our mingling footwork, there could be no mistakes.

―Close the gap between us, shuffle.

At times, we stuck close and moved our bodies as if we were not two but one.

―Disconnect one arm, spin together, reconnect.

At times, we broke our contact, performing brief solo acts before joining back together.

―Extend partner outwards; she twirls.

As we neared the end of the dance, the pace of our movements increased alongside the ramping tempo: 'accelerando', I remember hearing.

―Match our footwork, spin together.

Immersed thoroughly in the dance down to the core, I couldn't see anything but the mirrored movements of my partner throughout its entire duration.

―Disconnect one arm, extend both partner and self outwards.

Eventually, unbeknownst to the two of us, we reached the end of the dance, emphasising our final moves with particular stress: 'accentuato', just as we had practised.

―Still connected by a single intertwined hand, he bows, she curtsies.

It wasn't until the moment I bowed my head that I was finally let go from that ethereal reverie.

―Fin.

At that moment, a thunderous applause resounded.

❖─────★★★☆☆─────❖

Slowly, we raised our heads following the standing ovation delivered to us by the surrounding audience.

'Huh... Ah, it's over...?'

In addition to these nobles, however, there was one other individual who burst out in resounding praise.

An acclamation that only I could hear.

[Oooh, wow! What a splendid performance! Good job, Enki! Yay!]

'Uh... thanks...?'

Standing beside Lucretia and utterly swamped by the applause that drowned us, I thought the current moment was truly surreal. Not only had it all passed in the blink of an eye, but honestly, everything that had just happened felt like I was watching someone else act within my body.

'Was that... also Professionalism? I never felt like that in any of the practice sessions...'

If my guess was right, then that damn Trait was way too versatile.

Only now had I regained primary control of myself, but more than that, I felt stunned by just how extreme the attention being poured on us was.

We definitely weren't the only pair on the dance floor at the beginning, but it seems that must have changed at some point as no one but the two of us stood even close to the centre of the hall.

'Crazy...'

Swearing internally at just how unbelievable the situation felt, I cast a sideways glance at Lucretia, just to catch her coincidentally looking my way at the same time.

Her face was tinged pink, her breathing slightly rough at the exertion, and feeling the same consequences of physical activity affecting my own lungs and heart rate, I wondered if I appeared similarly on the outside.

"That went better than expected, huh...?"

"...You served to be a finer partner than you made yourself out to be, I suppose."

She responded in such an aloof manner that one might think it rude, but noticing the tiny force that tugged ever-so-slightly at the ends of her previously stiff lips, I couldn't help but give a smirk.

Was that the most I've ever seen her smile? I honestly couldn't remember.

"Well, I can't let down my boss on her birthday, can I?"

There wasn't a single practice session in which I had actually put my full effort into the dance, so truthfully, I was worried if I would be able to perform well enough. Fortunately, it somehow worked out, probably only thanks to Professionalism.

Most actions within the dance involved swiftness and flexibility, which was one thing, but on top of that there was a minimum level of required, how do you call it... finesse? That had to be maintained throughout every manoeuvre.

Even I wasn't aware that my body was capable of such elegant movements.

Rather, I was certain that I would fail even if I tried to replicate it again right away, but it didn't even feel possible in my imagination.

I was under the impression my joints would snap and my bones would bend if I even tried.

Despite that, it happened. It's also fortunate that I had to store the Holy Sword away while we were in the Imperial Palace, or else things might've been awkward.

"Sir! W-would you be willing to dance with me...?"

"My Lady...! May I take your hand for a song...!?"

From the instant the celebration ceased, many young nobles, male and female alike, approached the two of us. Needless to say, I politely declined for us and gradually made my way to the edge of the hall with Lucretia in tow.

"Sir Enki..."

Even there, however, it was apparent that one person didn't get the memo.

"Miss Ayla."

Meeting her shy, downtrodden gaze, I called the Protagonist's name, watching her shuffle her feet before me.

"...Um... that is, can I... or rather... rould you perhaps be... be willing to..."

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Seeing the awkward hesitation on her face as she repeatedly flicked her gaze between Lucretia's face, my face, and the floor, I recalled the merciless rebuking she received during the previous encounter. Considering that, she must really want to talk to me badly.

That puppy-like look on her face really was such that it almost―very very almost―made me feel bad.

Of course, it wasn't quite to that degree.

"My Lady. May I?"

Giving Lucretia a glance, I said only that.

She very obviously didn't want to let me go, but at the same time, I suppose she also knew it was necessary.

This was, after all, the very last opportunity. The last day.

"...You may."

Like that, albeit with a heavy scent of reluctance, I gained her "permission".

Turning back to the Protagonist, who seemed to exhale deeply in relief, I offered my hand.

"Shall we?"

"Ah-- Y-yes...!"

Right before we were about to walk away, however―

"Enki."

Lucretia called me.

"Yes."

I faced her.

The world seemed to give a transient moment of respite during that pause, but it was ever-so-brief.

Before long, her eyes turning downcast, the Antagonist gave a low mutter.

"...Be quick about it."

In response, I could only give her my best smile.

"Certainly. I'll make sure to take care of everything, My Lady. Don't worry."

Subsequently, I and the Protagonist moved to exit the hall together.

In the back of my mind, I felt like I heard a distant mutter as I passed through the doors. I couldn't tell if it was an illusion or reality, but I could've sworn I heard it.

"You truly are... a terrible attendant..."

Thus, from tomorrow onwards, I would no longer be serving the archduchess.