Chapter 11

Knock, knock.

Celeste opened Rika's door, ready to head back with the cart, only to find Dryden. "You better not try anything with her." She pointed a stern finger at him. "This is our saint, so don't get frisky."

Dryden smirked. "I'm not looking to make a scandal, but what happens on the dance floor stays between the two of us and our musicians."

"Ugh, you're incorrigible." She pushed the cart towards him, and he moved out of the way. "At least try to be a good boy, for once," she muttered and walked away.

"Hey, little bunny, did you sleep well? Your escort to the ballroom is here." Dryden entered her room.

"I got some sleep." Not sure if you'd call it well with the nighttime visitor, but it is what it is. "Where's Wolfe?" Rika asked, certain he would've complained about Dryden's brazen attitude.

"Missing his sour face already? He was called away by His Highness."

"Is something going on? Is it serious?"

Dryden held his hands up. "Calm down, please. From what I was told, a demon got into town, and he was sent to quell it alongside his royal knights. I assured them I was enough to protect you, so you get me as a protector right now, too."

"I wasn't worried about a protector; I was wondering if my powers were needed. I know I'm a novice, but I'm sure with Ferran's instructions, I can purify them or something."

"Hold your horses. It's not something big—"

"But it was enough to send Wolfe."

"Yes, but that's part of his job. He's an expert at fighting demons, so he insists on going whenever they need to be dealt with. Now, how about you let me escort you to your next lesson?" Dryden held his arm out to her.

Should I really be learning to dance while there are demons attacking the town? Rika hesitated for a moment, thinking about how Kael suppressed her powers easily, and took his arm. Guess I need to learn more before I'm used like that. Might get in the way as I am now.

A screen appeared in front of her. 'Quest: Learn to Dance and Proper Etiquette.'

'Reward: Reputation Up, All Suitors' Affection Up.'

'Failure: Reputation Down, Affection Down, Hope Down.'

Wait, what?! What's with this janky system? All affection up, but unknown affection down? Is it all of them, too? And hope down? That doesn't sound good.

"Rika?" Dryden called out to her when she didn't respond.

Oops, too busy staring at the screen.

"I promise I only bite if you want me to."

Rika's jaw hung open for a second, and she resisted the urge to respond, taking his arm as she stared at the floor. Geez, all his flirtation is starting to get to me. Keep calm, Rika. Don't let all the handsome faces pull you into the otome romances...

"Are you avoiding looking at me or something?" Dryden asked as he escorted her to the ballroom. "Was the bite comment too much?"

Rika could feel the blush on her cheeks and continued to avoid his gaze, staying silent. You're an adult, Rika; act like it. "Just not sure how to respond."

"I think your response has been plenty." Dryden laughed and opened the door to the ballroom for her. "Ready for your lessons?"

"Ready for your feet to be stepped on?" So, this is the same place they used to summon me. I wonder what they did with the giant cage.

"As long as it's not your heel, I'll be fine. I can even teach you to dance while carrying you on my feet, if you want."

"Geez, that sounds hard. I'm not a little kid; I'm too heavy for that."

"Don't underestimate me, bunny; you're light for me."

"Oh!" she gasped as he picked her up and twirled her around.

"See, you're light."

"That's not the same, and you know it!"

Dryden laughed. "Fair enough." He set her down and waved towards the orchestra. "Our talented musicians will play music for us to dance to." He turned to her, bowed, and held his hand out. "You're supposed to curtsy here." She followed his instructions, then took his hand, and he pulled her in close, flush against his firm body.

Geez... They're just otome characters, Rika... Don't overreact. "Oh, are we supposed to be this close?"

"I prefer it this way, and it's easier to lead you through the dance. We are short on time, after all."

Prefer, meaning it's not normal otherwise.

"Your hand in mine here, my arm around your waist, and your other hand on my shoulder."

The musicians played a slow, flowing rhythm for them to dance to.

"One, two, three," Dryden whispered as he moved to the steps, leading her around the ballroom floor.

"Oh, it's like a waltz. I wasn't sure we'd have the same type of dances." Doubt they'd like a lot of modern ones.

"So you know how to dance?"

"I've seen the dance."

The pattern set in alongside Dryden's counting, making it easy for her to follow along.

"You're doing magnificently, little bunny. Some toe bumps, but you haven't stepped on me."

"Yet." Rika laughed.

"How about a spin?" Without waiting for a response, he took a step back, brought his arm up and spun her around. He pulled her back in close and dipped her.

"Oh." Wasn't expecting that... She stared into his deep brown eyes from up close and froze, her heart racing.

Dryden smiled at her. "As much as I'd love to kiss you right now, little bunny, I'm sure I'd get into trouble for it." He brought her back up. "Especially with the spectators watching our every move," he whispered and glanced over at the musicians, who averted their gazes. "Shall we give it another go?" He held his hand out to her.

She absentmindedly took his hand again as she took a deep breath. Calm down, Rika.

"Are you okay?" Dryden asked as they got back to dancing. "You're feeling quite hot. Do you need some rest? Or am I eliciting this reaction?"

"Quit teasing me, please," she mumbled, staring at his shoulder as a blush crept up her cheeks.

"That's a hard one for me. Much like a schoolyard boy, I have fun teasing girls I like."

He's a charmer. A playboy. It's all in his script, but damn is it effective. Rika swallowed hard.

"I should probably mention His Highness will probably be the one to dance with you, and someone appropriate like him, will keep a little bit of space between the two of you."

"Oh?" Makes sense. "Then we should practice like that."

"But I like this distance between us." Dryden pouted.

"What distance?"

"Exactly."

"Ha..." Rika failed to form a rebuttal. "You..."

Dryden smiled. "You're following along beautifully, especially considering how little attention you're paying to the dance itself. Flowing quite naturally. Even with the extra space with His Highness, you should be fine."

Oh, geez. I'm going to dance in front of a crowd with the prince? It finally hit her. And I thought making sure the orb didn't explode was going to be bad.

Knock, knock. The door to the ballroom opened, drawing their attention.

"It's time for lunch and the etiquette lesson," Celeste said. Her eyes went between Dryden and Rika, and they darkened. "What did I warn you about?" Celeste stomped up to them and pulled them apart. "No inappropriate behaviour with our saint."

Dryden held up his hands. "It's easier to teach this way, and besides, I didn't get any real complaints about it. And we should still have a bit of time; why are you interrupting?"

"Because the food is already ready." Celeste leaned in close to check on Rika. "Are you okay? Did he do anything to you? I can deal with him if he has; you only need to say the word."

"What?" Rika's eyes widened, and she looked at Dryden. "N-no, he didn't do anything to me." Just made my heart race, but that's not illegal, though maybe some of his moves should be.

"Are you sure? Don't be afraid to speak up."

"I'm sure."

"Hey! Why are you making me sound like a bad guy?" Dryden complained.

"Because I know your womanizing ways. You'll chase anything in a skirt, and Wolfe isn't here to keep you in check," Celeste replied.

"Ouch." Dryden held his hand over his heart. "You wound me, Celeste. My own cousin doesn't think highly of me." He sighed.

Oh, and he's got the puppy-dog-eyes look down. She stopped herself from reaching out to pat him.

"As if that matters." Celeste rolled her eyes. "I know it might not have been long enough, but I hope you can move on to your next lesson."

Rika nodded, not wanting to go against her. "Sure. The dance lesson was fun, but my feet could use a break." Heels are not my friends.

The red rose above Dryden's head glowed.

Wait, what was that? Why'd it glow? The quest window didn't pop up, so it's not that.

"Let's go." Celeste ushered her along with Dryden right behind them.