Chapter 45: Their First Dance Together

“With three days until the ball, why don’t we start practicing today after you’re off work?”
Oddly, Althea kept seeing the blue-haired girl before her as Tina, showing her a rare tenderness.

Her personality, tone, and indulgence toward Althea felt so familiar, pulling her in just like before.
Althea began to wonder if there was magic that could bring someone back to life or change their body. How else could there be someone so identical to Tina inside?

“Ugh, fine. I’ll come find you after work, with Irene.”
“Great, I won’t disturb you then.” Althea beamed like a kid with a new toy at Tina’s agreement.

She needed to return to the inn, tidy the room, and prepare tonight’s dance lesson to turn Tina into a competent partner from scratch.
Time was short—she couldn’t expect Tina to master it like her, but basic steps without mistakes would suffice for the ball.

On her way back, Althea ran into Everett heading downstairs.
After a formal bow, he noticed her barely contained smile and asked thoughtfully, “Your Majesty’s in a good mood. Did you make up with that miss?”

“How’d you know?”
“It’s not hard to guess. Few things move you like this. She’s got a kind heart.”

Everett’s words carried a hint, making Althea curious. “Have you met her before?”
“Just once, briefly. I believe she’ll be a great friend to Your Majesty.”

“Oh, right.” Althea recalled an important question. “Everett, is there magic that can change someone’s appearance?”
“Oh? What’s Your Majesty getting at?”

“Just… curious.”
Her feelings were an open book, and Everett saw through her instantly.

“Of course. The world has countless magics, some beyond imagination. Even the dead might return, let alone a simple disguise.”
He paused, adding, “Instead of testing someone hiding with magic, look at details. Habits are hard to change.”

Everett felt he’d hinted enough without betraying either Tina or Althea. Navigating their feud was tricky. “Ultimately, your heart decides what’s true. Doubt often means something’s off.”
“I understand.”

Althea nodded, realizing that identity wasn’t just a shell but the soul and memories within.
If the essence was the same, no matter the exterior, it was still that person.

She began recalling Tina’s habits and reactions, planning to test them tonight.

…

Evening came, and the café sent off its last customer.
Tina stretched, waking Irene, who was slumped on a table, drooling and blowing bubbles.

“Mm, huh? Done?” Irene was out of it, drool covering her hands.
Tina sighed. “You’re here to keep me company, but don’t slack off in that outfit. What kind of staff sleeps better than the manager?”

“Hehe, at least the manager didn’t kick me out.”
The shy, stuttering, dreamy girl was adorable. If her sleeping wasn’t a sight itself, Irene would’ve been booted already.

“Let’s go. Time for business.”
Hearing their destination, Irene snapped awake, battle mode on. “Don’t worry, with me here, that woman won’t touch a hair on you.”

“No need to treat her like an enemy…”
Tina hoped they could get along, if possible.

Soon, in the inn’s room, Tina and Irene faced Althea, who’d been waiting.
The queen wore a stunning purple gown, her tied-up hair adding elegance.

She’d cleared space and time for uninterrupted dancing with Tina.
“No need to dress up like that, right? It’s just practice.” Tina thought it was overkill.

But Althea disagreed. “Dancing needs the right vibe. Casual clothes won’t cut it. I won’t force you, though—wear what’s comfortable, but don the gown for the actual day.”
Tina was fine with that.

“No time to waste. Let’s start.”
“Here’s what you do—”

Althea stepped forward, keeping a proper distance, standing side by side with Tina.
Her right hand lightly touched Tina’s waist, her left raised to chest level.

“Uh, what do I do?” It was Tina’s first partner dance, and she was lost.
“Put your hand on my shoulder. I step forward, you step back.”

Althea guided Tina’s left hand to her right shoulder, then stepped forward with her left foot, prompting Tina’s right to retreat.
“After the start, we move forward formally.”

Althea stepped with her right, shifting her weight, guiding Tina with her left hand.
But Tina didn’t react in time, got stepped on, and yelped, “Ow, ow, ow!”

“Pay attention. I move left foot, then right.” Althea explained her sequence.
On the second try, Tina kept up, matching her steps.

“Now you step back with your right foot and push lightly with your left hand.”
Tina did so, maintaining distance. Althea followed with her left foot, staying aligned.

“Good. Now spin.”
Althea’s right hand applied force, leading Tina into a turn. Tina followed but spun too much, getting dizzy and tripping over her own feet.

“Whoa!”
Tina’s world spun, her head careening toward the floor.

But before impact, Althea caught her firmly, a strange sense of safety washing away the fear of falling.
“Uh, thanks.”

“How’s that? Pretty simple, right? Just repeat forward, backward, and spin.” Althea asked from behind.
“Not bad, but… can you let go now?”

Tina noticed Althea’s hands getting bold again.
Althea coughed awkwardly, pretending nothing happened. “If you master this and want more, I can teach you—lifts, carries, anything.”

“In your dreams!”
This dance alone was already handsy. Anything more, and they’d end up dancing into bed.

“This is enough for me.”
“Alright, let’s keep going.”

Irene watched them practice, their coordination growing seamless, and sank into thought.
What am I even here for?

Suddenly, she didn’t want to watch anymore.