Outside the dance floor, The Shorekeeper had quietly sat down by the piano at some unknown point, silently playing the dance music for the two on the floor.
Watching the harmonious scene on the dance floor, a faint, imperceptible, complex smile played at the corners of her lips.
The soothing melody came to an end, yet Cartethyia's eyes were filled with the brilliance of excitement; she even seemed a bit unsatisfied, wanting more.
"You danced very well," Rover praised sincerely.
"It's... it's because the Righteous One is a good teacher," Cartethyia replied softly, blushing, her heart filled with joy.
At that moment, Camellya, who had been waiting on the sidelines for a while, immediately stepped forward. She unceremoniously snatched Rover away and made a gesture toward the band. The musicians, understanding perfectly, immediately struck up another passionate and uninhibited melody.
"Alright, teaching time is over!" Camellya's smile carried a slyness and a tone that brooked no refusal. "Now, it's time to dance to your heart's content with me!"
Without a word, she pulled Rover back into the center of the dance floor.
For this song, she went all out. Her dance steps became increasingly bold and alluring, as if she wanted to burn all her passion away in this very moment. Rover also smiled and cooperated with her; their dance was full of tension, pushing the atmosphere of the venue to another climax.
However, after two passionate dances, Rover suddenly stopped again.
Under the confused gazes of the crowd, he left an unsatisfied Camellya behind, nor did he respond to Cartethyia's expectant gaze. Instead, he walked straight across the dance floor and approached the massive white piano.
The Shorekeeper was sitting there quietly, her fingertips having just left the keys.
Under the gazes of all the onlookers, this mysterious masked man bowed deeply and solemnly toward the supreme administrator of the Black Shores—The Shorekeeper, who seemed forever tranquil and transcendent—and then extended his hand.
"I wonder if I might have the honor," his voice was clear and gentle, carrying immense sincerity, "of inviting the most beautiful pianist of the night for a dance?"
For a moment, the entire venue seemed to fall silent; even the band's music came to a halt.
Everyone present was stunned.
Camellya's eyes widened, and Cartethyia covered her mouth. Miss Shorekeeper... is going to dance with Rover?
As the person in question, The Shorekeeper was clearly taken aback, a rare hint of bewilderment flashing in her purple eyes.
She shook her head slightly, her voice even softer than usual: "I... am not good at dancing. I only need to provide accompaniment here."
"The music is certainly important," Rover did not withdraw his hand, his gaze firm, "but tonight, I hope even more that you can become a part of this magnificent movement, rather than just the performer behind the scenes."
His persistence seemed to break an invisible barrier. Under the focus of countless gazes filled with shock, curiosity, and expectation, The Shorekeeper finally, slowly, and somewhat hesitantly, placed her slightly cool hand into that warm and firm palm.
A suppressed, low gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd.
The music in the venue tactfully became incredibly soothing once again.
A black flower and a blue butterfly slowly drifted into the center of the dance floor together.
At first, The Shorekeeper's movements were indeed as she had said—a bit stiff and clumsy.
Her steps carried a sense of stagnation from sitting quietly year-round, and she even accidentally stepped on Rover's foot.
"Apologies," she said softly, a rare hint of embarrassment in her tone.
"No need to apologize." Rover's voice was exceedingly patient; he guided her movements as gently as if he were caring for a fragile treasure. "Follow my rhythm, it's very simple. One, two, three. One, two, three..."
He was practically teaching her the most basic dance steps hand-in-hand. Yet, astonishingly, The Shorekeeper's ability to learn was beyond imagination.
Her precise mind, which controlled the massive Tethys System, seemed to quickly analyze the rules of the dance. In just half a song, her movements transformed from stiff to fluid, from rigid to elegant.
They didn't dance anything complicated—no flashy spins or leaps—just the simplest slow steps. Yet, their posture exuded an indescribable sense of harmony and sacredness.
He guided her, like the moon guiding the tides; she followed him, like the seafoam chasing the ocean.
Beneath the mask, his gaze was focused, while she tilted her head up slightly to look at him, the initial bewilderment in her eyes melting into total trust and an unfathomable, deep tenderness.
The surrounding musicians had long since consciously taken over the accompaniment, playing a soft, romantic melody.
No one cheered, no one gossiped; the people simply watched in silence, smiles involuntarily appearing on their faces, their eyes filled with awe and heartfelt blessings.
Even Camellya, who loved causing trouble the most, was now leaning to the side with her arms crossed, watching the couple in the center of the dance floor with a complex smile on her face.
Cartethyia was completely entranced. She felt the scene before her was as beautiful as an eternal fresco.
The song ended.
Holding The Shorekeeper's waist, Rover gave a simple bow, and The Shorekeeper also curtsied slightly to her partner in return.
After a brief silence, an incredibly enthusiastic round of applause erupted from the perimeter of the venue, lingering for a long time amidst endless cheers.
A faint blush crept up The Shorekeeper's cheeks. She nodded slightly to acknowledge the crowd, gently squeezing the hand of the person beside her. She returned to her usual aloof demeanor, but the lingering glimmer deep in her eyes revealed that her heart was far from unperturbed.
...
The celebration drew to a close, and the crowd gradually dispersed.
Rover sat on a pier by the sea, enjoying the cool sea breeze and listening to the faint singing drifting from afar. His heart felt a long-absent peace and relaxation, and he had long since taken off his mask and set it aside.
At that moment, the terminal communicator at his waist vibrated. He took it out and saw the name "Lupa" prominently displayed on the screen.
A faint smile appeared on his face, and he answered the call.
"Partner!" Lupa's vibrant face immediately appeared on the screen, the background seemingly her room. "The moon in the Seven Hills is so bright tonight! What about your side? Is the Black Shores fun? Did you miss me?"
Looking at her bright smile, the smile on Rover's face deepened. "Mhm, the moon is very bright here too, and it's quite interesting. Of course, I also really missed..."
However, just as he spoke, a head with white twin tails suddenly squeezed into the frame from the side!
"Yo~ Little wolf cub, good evening!" Camellya wrapped her arms around Rover's neck with a cheeky grin, practically pressing her cheek against his, and waved at Lupa on the screen. "Your partner here just danced a suuuper passionate dance with me! It totally tired him out!"
The smile on Lupa's face on the other side of the screen instantly froze.
Her eyes went wide, her red hair looking as if it were about to stand on end, and a very clear sound—a mix of shock and fury—escaped her throat: "Hah?!?!"
Like a little she-wolf whose tail had been stepped on, she bared her teeth at the screen: "Who are you?! You bad woman! Stay away from my partner!"
"Oh my, so fierce," Camellya fake-cowered, shrinking back into Rover's embrace, though the smile on her face only grew more smug. "What a pity, he's on my side now My name's Camellya, remember that, little wolf cub"
"You're lying! Partner! Say something! Who is she?!" Lupa jumped up and down in sheer panic on the other side of the screen, looking as if she wanted to crawl through the monitor right then and there.
Looking at Lupa, whose fur was practically bristling with anger on the screen, and then at Camellya beside him, who was laughing triumphantly on his shoulder having pulled off her prank, Rover couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose and chuckle softly.
The sea breeze blew, and the lingering echoes of the celebration seemed to still resonate in the distance.
In the terminal was the roaring of a distant lover; by his side was a smugly giggling paramour; and a little further away, sitting quietly watching over him, was The Shorekeeper—with whom he had just shared a dance—along with Cartethyia, who sat holding a milkshake with a smile on her face.
The heavy burden of saving the world seemed to temporarily fade away.
This moment of chaotic sweetness and warmth was, perhaps, the most ideal life in his heart.
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