As a Villain I Really Don’t Want To Be Pursued by the Heroine

56

As days passed, Roy, who started off clumsy, gradually became a skilled dancer, now able to lead the dance to the rhythm.

Alice, rather than teaching, found herself more immersed in the dance with Roy.

At the end of the dance, the master and servant bowed to each other.

Alice looked up, clapping her hands, and praised frankly, “There’s nothing left for Alice to teach the master.”

The master’s progress pleased her, but it also meant that Roy no longer needed her guidance.

As a maid, she feared she would rarely have the chance to dance with Roy again.

At some point, it became a routine for Roy to massage the girl’s feet after their special training.

Although Roy no longer dirtied the girl’s little leather shoes, they both understood without saying, and the little maid only symbolically struggled before letting her master do as he pleased.

Yet today, both were somewhat silent.

Not just Alice, Roy too regretted the impending end of their dance training.

Of course, Alice would never refuse his requests. But Roy didn’t want to overburden her.

Despite the girl’s expressionless face not showing signs of fatigue, Roy still noticed the dark circles under her eyes and had seen Alice dozing off while doing chores several times.

“You’ve really worked hard during this time, Alice. Without you, I would surely embarrass myself in front of Charlotte,” Roy sighed, his movements becoming even gentler.

“It’s good that Alice could help,” the little maid’s gaze was slightly vacant: “Master, you must be looking forward to dancing with the princess.”

“What can I say, after all, she is the Lionheart Princess, it would be strange not to look forward to it,” Roy chuckled.

Almost no young man would not want to dance with Charlotte, and even if Roy didn’t have such a burning desire, he didn’t want to waste the opportunity.

“Besides, I owe her this dance.”

“…Indeed.”

Alice lowered her gaze, responding softly, her thoughts gradually becoming gloomy.

In reality, she knew.

She was just an ordinary maid, while Charlotte was a noble and elegant princess.

Dancing with Charlotte would undoubtedly bring the master a unforgettable experience at the grand ball, under the gaze of the multitude.

The master would naturally favor the princess over her.

That was only natural.

But as soon as she thought of Roy’s joyful expression as he approached Charlotte, Alice’s heart felt a pang of melancholy.

Her delicate feet also involuntarily curled up, as if a small animal was getting restless.

“Master, couldn’t we dance earlier?”

“Compared to me, master is indeed more suitable for someone as noble as the princess.”

“Alice?” Roy’s hand trembled slightly in hers, and he finally detected the acidity and loneliness in the maid’s words, looking up at her.

Conscious of her mistake, Alice hastily composed herself, her face expressionless as usual: “I’m just telling the truth.”

“And besides, master has already done better than me, and our training is…”

The maid tried to use a casual tone to hide her past, but she forgot that her tightly curled up feet were still in Roy’s hand.

“Eh!”

Roy’s finger hooked, causing the maid’s slender body to shudder, and she suddenly let out a clear and endearing little cry.

“Master?” Alice was both ashamed and indignant, unconsciously trying to pull back her legs, but Roy’s grip was too strong.

“This is punishment for not speaking from the heart.”

Roy raised an eyebrow and smiled playfully.

He had been understanding Alice better and better over the past few days.

Even if her face remained expressionless, her body was still honest.

Trembling feet represented shyness and unease, while relaxed feet represented relaxation and enjoyment. The earlier curl-up meant she was deliberately hiding her true feelings.

“You clearly don’t mean to say that,” Roy said, his tone tinged with playfulness, staring at the maid.

He lightly drew his finger down, and the maid immediately shuddered again.

“Master, you’re not me, how can you be so sure?” Alice’s mouth hardened in response.

Roy raised an eyebrow in surprise: “Can’t I?”

He applied a bit more pressure, and the maid’s foot bottom began to feel tender.

This also made the maid shudder again, and a thin layer of mist appeared in her blue eyes, looking both pitiful and adorable.

It seemed he had gone too far.

“Alice, you clearly have something to say to me. If you don’t say it, I’ll never understand.”

The words fell silent, and Roy quietly waited for the maid’s response.

Just like the little maid, he too was restless.

Anticipation, reluctance, unease, that’s why he longed to hear the answer from her own lips, to confirm that this warm feeling wasn’t just wishful thinking.

Roy ceased his teasing, simply cradling the girl’s feet in his hands, full of care.

Alice was immersed in what she couldn’t tell was the afternoon sun or the warmth from Roy’s palms. Facing her master’s concerned gaze, she finally relaxed, mustering up all her courage.

Her courage turned into a resounding call, echoing in the room meant for just the two of them.

“Even after the special training ends, Alice still wants to dance with the master!”

“Even if Alice is not of noble birth, without a fancy dress or a grand ball, Alice still wants to dance with the master!”

Having said all this in one breath, she timidly lowered her head again, whispering softly, “…may I?”

The response she received was a smile softer than sunlight.

“Alice, you’ve misunderstood.”

“Birth, dresses, balls, those don’t matter. What’s important is the feeling,” Roy said, bending down as usual, carefully wrapping the girl’s delicate bare feet in cotton socks and leather shoes.

“Feeling…” Alice murmured, half understanding.

“Even without noble birth, a dress, or a ball, the joy of dancing with Alice is genuine.”

Roy stood up, then slightly bowed, extending his hand in a perfect gentleman’s gesture, inviting the little maid.

“Miss Alice, even after the training ends, may I have the pleasure of continuing to dance with you?”

His elegant figure, under the warm sunlight and gentle breeze, seemed soft and dazzling.

Like the most radiant scene in this world, it was deeply etched in Alice’s eyes.

“I would love to.”

Alice took Roy’s hand, her steps light, her skirt fluttering, as she eagerly entered his embrace.

The magic phonograph’s music played once again.

Their figures intertwined, dancing gracefully amidst the warm breeze and the dust of light.

Alice was gradually enchanted.

Just as Roy said, it didn’t matter if she wasn’t of noble birth, without a beautiful gown or a grand ball, even if she wasn’t the one to dance with Roy under everyone’s watchful eyes.

At least for this moment, at least for this dance, it belonged only to them, and that was enough.

Under the soft music, their dance continued to sway, as if time had frozen in this moment.