Chapter 37: A Solo Dance

On the way home, Vanessa, the noblewoman, shared her ordeal with Tina, visibly relieved.
She’d been inexplicably kidnapped by strangers, taken to the suburbs, and told she’d be useful, her life spared for now.

Certain she was doomed to be a bargaining chip, she never imagined the person she’d been hoping for would recover, brave danger, and rescue her.
Such a dashing, powerful figure—who could resist that charm?

But Vanessa saw herself as exceptional. Though she lacked skills in hospitality, cooking, or combat, her feminine allure was enough.
“Um, Miss Tina, who’s this?” Vanessa frowned at the timid girl trailing Tina.

Damn it, I was gone a few days, and suddenly there’s a rival?
“Oh, my new knight.” Tina replied casually, already used to Irene’s presence.

“Is that so?” Vanessa stayed confident. She saw nothing special in this sword-clutching girl.
In terms of background or grace, she had the edge. “Miss Irene, what do you do besides being a hired fighter?”

Her question dripped with pointed intent, obvious to anyone.
But Irene was too naive. “I’m… not a fighter. I… eat, bathe, sleep… with Tina.”

“What?!” Vanessa’s jaw dropped, her brain nearly short-circuiting.
Eat, bathe, sleep? That covered everything! What kind of progress was that in just a few days?

“Haha, Irene means I’m taking care of her. She struggles with self-care.” Tina clarified.
“Oh, I see.” Vanessa exhaled in relief.

“But I’m not looking for a partner—not until my ultimate goal is met.”
Tina’s words were aimed at Vanessa.

To be a success, stay sigma—keep all romance at bay.
Unless the romance is too strong to resist… then join it.

Tina had Irene escort Vanessa home while she headed to the investigation bureau’s second floor to confront the mastermind.
“You two play nice, especially you, Vanessa—don’t bully Irene.”

“…Fine.” With that said, Vanessa couldn’t act out.

After parting on the main road, Tina used the cover of night to climb to the second-floor window of the bureau, ready to sneak in.
She’d make that scheming man pay for thinking he could toy with just anyone.

But slipping inside, she found only an unfamiliar man working under lamplight, eyes heavy with exhaustion.
“Who are you?” Startled, he moved to call the guards.

“Shh, quiet. Answer a few questions, and I’m gone.”
Tina sealed his mouth with magic. “Scream, and you’ll never scream again.”

“Mmph!” He shook his head, complying.
“Where’s the last guy who worked here?” Tina pressed.

“The last guy? You mean Galen? He quit.”
“Quit? Know where he went?” Tina frowned—didn’t expect that coward to vanish in an afternoon.

“No idea. He was here just half a month, said he was done, and left. Did nothing, dumped all the work on me.”
The overworked man was bitter. “If not for him, I wouldn’t be stuck here late.”

“Fine. Got any records on him? I want to see.”
“There are some, but they’re normal.”

He handed over spare files from the shelf.
Tina scanned them—basic info: name, age, skills, medical history. Too ordinary, almost suspiciously so, like a fake identity for cover.

“Ugh, he got away.”
From what she knew, Galen was tied to the Empire, involved in kidnappings and a deeper plot.

What could it be?
Given recent events, the auction—drawing multiple factions—seemed the likeliest target.

If her hunch was right, what was the Empire after?
Too many unanswered questions. She’d have to take it step by step.

Worst case, it might involve Althea. Tina didn’t obsess over her, but she felt a twinge of guilt. If something happened, helping her would settle the debt.
“Achoo!” Far in Kellivir, Althea sneezed.

The weather had turned cold, and her late nights likely gave her a chill.
A farewell banquet was underway in the kingdom, blessing her upcoming departure.

That’s what they said, but the nobles were busy drinking and chatting in the castle, none noticing her alone on the balcony, leaning against the railing, lost in thought.
“Your Majesty, not joining for a dance?” The Great Sage approached with a wine glass, a maid trailing him.

“I don’t have a partner like you do. Plus, I can’t drink. This banquet’s for you all to enjoy.” Althea seemed indifferent, but everyone knew better.
“Alright, take care, Your Majesty.” Everett had only meant to check on her; if she wasn’t receptive, so be it.

Someone was waiting for him to dance.
“…”

As they left, Althea glanced back.
The castle buzzed with festivity—a rare occasion for all. Even the famously tactless Great Sage had a partner, which irked the lonely Althea.

But anger changed nothing. She wasn’t bad at dancing; as a princess, she’d mastered royal etiquette long ago.
Sadly, the partner she wanted wasn’t here—just the moon above and her shadow below.

Raising her left hand to the sky, she placed the other on her “partner’s” waist, imagining a dance under the moonlight with her beloved.
A solo dance, steeped in longing and regret.

“If only I could find you sooner,” she murmured.