The music softened into a lingering, graceful melody—the dance was nearing its end.
Alsa completed her final turn. Her left hand rested lightly on Matthew's shoulder as she leaned backward into him.
Matthew raised his left hand, their fingers interlacing, while his right arm gently supported her slender, supple waist.
They froze in the final pose of the dance.
At that moment, they were extremely close. Matthew caught the faint fragrance drifting from her hair—it was the scent of red irises. Time itself seemed to slow.
---
In a corner of the hall stood a young man dressed in a purple formal suit.
His expression was strange—his lips still held a faint, forced smile, yet the veins on his forehead bulged with tension.
Lady Alsa was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
From the very first moment he laid eyes on her, he had fallen deeply infatuated.
Everything had been going smoothly at first.
He had learned that she liked red irises—flowers unavailable in White Stone Town—so he had arranged for seeds to be brought from the south, even hiring a wizard apprentice skilled in cultivation to grow them.
He had gained her favor.
She had even gifted him a bouquet of the red irises.
But then—
Everything fell apart.
His father, the former mayor, that damned old White—had seen her… and fallen in love as well.
Worse, he had gifted this manor, which had belonged to the White family for generations, to her.
That old fool had dared to try and take Alsa away from him.
She can only favor me.
Her beauty, her wealth, her status—everything she has should belong to me.
Our descendants will inherit her title.
A cold glint flickered in his eyes.
Fortunately, that old man was no longer an obstacle.
"Sir… sir… Sir…"
Someone called out to him several times before he snapped back to reality.
A young attendant stood beside him, holding a tray.
Glancing at his injured hand, the attendant asked softly,
"Sir, do you need assistance?"
The wine glass in Jack's hand had been crushed to pieces.
Fragments had cut into his palm, and blood dripped from the wound.
Jack took a deep breath, forcing a smile back onto his face.
"Lady Alsa's dance was so enchanting, it completely captivated me. I got a bit carried away. Please bring me another glass of wine, thank you."
Another one enchanted by Lady Alsa, the attendant thought, smiling as he replaced the drink.
...
When the music ended, applause erupted like a wave.
The guests all clapped enthusiastically.
Jack downed his fresh glass in one gulp, handed it back to the attendant, and joined in the applause.
---
Matthew applied slight pressure with his right hand and helped Alsa upright.
Once steady, she smiled.
"Mr. Matthew, I didn't expect our coordination to be so perfect."
Matthew replied gently,
"Lady Alsa, it is your skill that is exceptional. Look—the applause is all for you. While we were dancing, the gentlemen around us were practically wishing they could take my place."
Her smile deepened.
She leaned closer, whispering by his ear.
Matthew could even feel her breath.
"After the banquet…" she murmured softly,
"come find me in the back garden."
Her breath brushed against his ear like a breeze in early summer.
Then she pulled away as if nothing had happened, already turning to speak with other guests.
Matthew was left puzzled.
Chill woman. I'm just a kid.
That sounded… very easy to misunderstand.
I don't even have Veela blood, he thought dryly.
Still, her words were undeniably suggestive.
He took a slow breath.
Lady Alsa was indeed captivating—her charm rivaled that of a Veela.
Let's see what she's really after.
He wasn't worried about danger. Before arriving, he had already prepared a Portkey as a precaution.
Taking a glass of pale golden wine from a passing tray, he took a sip—it tasted somewhat like champagne.
He walked over to Link and Anna.
Link laughed heartily.
"Not bad. So, how is it? Felt Lady Alsa's charm?"
"She is indeed captivating," Matthew said with a smile. "Her dancing is exquisite."
Link clinked glasses with him and drained his drink in one go.
"You've got a lady coming for you. Tonight, you won't have a moment to rest."
Matthew followed his gaze.
A girl with light golden hair approached.
Lifting her skirt slightly, she gave a polite bow and smiled.
"Young wizard, may I have this dance?"
She carried no magical aura.
"Of course," Matthew replied warmly.
...
As the banquet neared its end, the band played the final piece.
At last, Matthew found a moment to himself.
Just as Link had said, he had been constantly invited to dance throughout the night.
As a new face, and such a young wizard—he had attracted considerable attention.
Several girls had even slipped him notes.
But they all shared one thing in common—
None of them were witches.
Matthew had no intention of responding to their enthusiasm.
He was still underage, and he preferred to devote his energy to growing stronger.
Ever since his parents in this life had been killed by his Death Eater aunt, he had lived with a constant sense of insecurity.
For over a decade, he had worked tirelessly to improve himself.
He knew—
The Dark Lord and his followers would one day return.
This new world offered him more possibilities.
When that day came, he intended at the very least to have the power to walk away unscathed.
When the final piece ended, the guests gradually departed.
Matthew asked the attendant who had been serving him all evening to lead him to the back garden.
Once again, he walked along the pebble path. The carved patterns on the stones now emitted a soft, warm glow.
---
The back garden revealed another elegant fountain, surrounded—once again—by red irises.
Behind the fountain stood a hanging swing chair woven from vines, with fresh green leaves still visible along its frame.
Alsa was seated upon it.
She had removed her ornate court gown, now dressed in a simple, elegant pale dress.
She exuded a completely different charm.
If she had been a dazzling, noble rose during the banquet—
then now,
she was like a fresh, delicate jasmine.
======================
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