“I didn’t see you dance. Why didn’t you?” Sipping her juice, Asina questioned him.

“I’m not a skillful dancer, so I prefer watching other people dance.”

“It’s all the more reason why you should dance. Dancing is very simple. You’ll get the hang of it soon.”

Blinking, Asina said hopefully, “If you want to learn, I can teach you.”

Finding it inappropriate to reject the offer, Liszt could only stand up and extend his hand. “May I dance with you?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Asina offered her hand to Liszt and stood up with his help.

Just like that, Liszt led Asina to the dancing floor. He held her waist and danced with her to the slow song. The social dance of nobles was very simple. Although Liszt had never done it, his former self had plenty of experience.

“You are not awkward at all. It seems that you were lying,” Asina said with a smile as she danced.

“Maybe this is not my usual performance.”

“Is that so? I believe you.”

After a brief silence, Asina asked again, “I’ve never been to Coral Island. As a matter of fact, I’ve never been outside of Red Crab Island. Are they far away from each other?”

“Not exactly. It’s only a trip of half a day, if the wind is favorable.”

“What does Tulip Castle look like?”

“It’s built on the cliff next to the coastline. It’s smaller than Taro Castle, but the tulips around the castle are colorful.”

“That must be beautiful. I would love to visit Tulip Castle if I had the chance.”

“There will certainly be chances.”

“Do you live in Tulip Castle?”

“I grew up there, but I’m living in my own town now.”

“Right, Sir Mayop told me that you are the Baron of Flower Town now, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“There must be a lot of beautiful flowers around your castle.”

“This may be disappointing, but I have only a dozen acres of tulips. The other lands are occupied by wheat. As for the castle, well, I’m planning to plant grass and build a horsefield around it.” Liszt had the feeling that Asina was prying into him.

Maybe the girl was attracted to him and intended to become Baron Liszt’s wife?

He’d better cut her fantasy short as soon as possible. Pausing for a moment, he went on, “The town is too remote. There’s not enough wheat, milk, or vegetables. We can hardly buy meat even though we have coins, because we’re isolated by a ridge overrun with monsters.”

Asina opened her mouth in surprise. “Are you an earth knight?”

“I made the breakthrough recently, and I’m still familiarizing myself with the techniques.”

Liszt, who was more than 1.8 meters tall, could see that Asina’s face stiffened as she lowered her head.

She was probably bothered by the chasm between dream and reality.

Every woman would grow fond of Liszt when they saw him, but they would back off after learning Liszt’s background. A baron of a poor, remote town without a gift in combat aura probably would have to sell his fief and work for other lords later.

It was not easy to run a fief. Many small nobles had gone bankrupt and were forced to work as teachers or captains.

Goltai was one of them.

Even a grand noble might lose their fief due to poor management.

She will probably let go of my hand and end the dance, Liszt thought.

However, Asina did not let go of his hand, and her stiff expression recovered its previous smile. “I’m sure your father didn’t turn a blind eye to Flower Town.”

“My father and I are not really close. Maybe it’s because my brother and my sister are too excellent.”

“But I feel that you are more impressive. You and Sir Mayop are like blood brothers.”

“I take after my mother more.”

“Your mother must be a graceful and gorgeous lady.”

“Actually, I don’t quite remember her appearance. She passed away when I was two.”

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

“It’s all right.”

Then, they finished the rest of the dance in silence. He returned to his seat during the pause. Defying his expectations, Asina followed him.

She sat next to him and found another topic. “My family is based in White Fish City. Our castle doesn’t have a name. I have a brother who is married to Lydia, Viscount Xavier’s daughter. They met in a ball in Taro Castle last year.”

“Well, that explains why your brother is not here today.” Liszt was not very interested.

“He and Lydia love each other very much.” Asina blinked. “My father is famous for his hospitality. Liszt, you should drop by if you have time.”

“I’m afraid I can’t. Since Grandpa is getting well, I’ll return to Coral Island tomorrow.”

“When will you come again?”

“The New Year.”

“Okay.”

Liszt and Asina had another dance when another song started. Then, he refused Asina’s request for more dances with the excuse that the dancing floor was too stuffy.

He roamed around the castle. When he returned, the ball had reached its end.

As the music stopped, Mayop announced the end of the ball. The nobles whose homes were nearby returned on wagons, and those far away went to the guest rooms under the lead of servants. Liszt was also ready to go back to his room.

But Asina came to him again and said, “Good night, Liszt.”

“Good night, Asina.”

Before he left, Mayop approached him. “Liszt, did you have a good time with Asina?”

“We only had two dances.”

“I can tell that Asina is interested in you. What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

Realizing that Liszt was not joking, Mayop nodded. “All right, got it. Have a good rest. Right, Grandfather said that he would give you a gift for your coming of age. He’s always regretful that he didn’t attend the ceremony, and he hopes that a gift can make up for it.”

“Grandfather is too generous.”

“Good night.”

“Good night.”

…

The hour was late, but Liszt couldn’t go to sleep. He wondered what the marquis’s gift could be. It couldn’t be anything cheap.

Maybe a magic sword?

The gifts from seniors to juniors were mostly weapons, an implication that knights must earn their glory with blades and spears.

The marquis’s gift, should it be a weapon, must be a magic one.

Magic weapons were very rare. He had never used any yet. So, the more he thought about it, the more excited he became. His excitement was also partly due to Asina, who apparently hinted that she liked him and wanted to be a baron’s wife.

It’s always a delightful thing to be liked by a beautiful lady.