The dance hall.

Never thought I’d find myselves back here so soon.

Why did Father tell us to hole up in this place, you ask? My guess was that it’s deep within the estate, behind the manor, and easier to defend. Within the dance hall, the mansion essentially became our fort’s wall.

And speaking of defense… we were currently surrounded by a ring of knights with their backs turned on us. The way their polished metal armor reflected light made me feel like I was encircled by hazy mirrors.

Leila had taken the initiative to rally a few active maids before we were led in, instructing them to prepare a table and refreshments. But once the teapots were set, they were swiftly ushered out. Now, the room was left with a few personnel:

My esteemed self, Carine Sareid.

My out-of-place self, Feyt.

My reliable maid, Leila.

And a couple of select knights encircling us three.

“Another cup, My Lady?” Leila asked, lifting the teapot gently.

How am I supposed to enjoy tea like this?

Still, there was really nothing for me to do, so I might as well. I gave a small nod. She poured the tea and then moved to stand beside my other self.

“Would you like some tea as well, Sir Feyt?”

“I-I’d be glad to, thank you,” I replied, nodding again as Feyt.

The soft trickle of tea filling the cup eased my nerves, if only a little. In a day like today, small comforts were more than welcome.

We drank at nearly the same time. Carine’s tongue savored the warmth and richness of Leila’s blend. It was fragrant, smooth, just the right touch of sweetness. Perfect as always. Feyt’s tongue, on the other hand, tasted it as something closer to… slightly bitter, slightly sweet water.

I had long stopped being baffled by how differently my bodies perceived the same thing, but it still caught my attention now and then.

Setting the cups down, my gazes drifted to the small tower of cookies neatly arranged on a porcelain plate.

They remained untouched, not for the sake of preserving Leila’s immaculate handiwork in arranging, no. But because I couldn’t bring myself to.

Mother was locked in the holding cell.

Father was marching through the street to confront the monster behind all this.

And here I was, sitting in the dance hall enjoying sweets and tea.

There was no way I could enjoy anything with a clear mind like that.

I couldn’t help but let out an exhausted sigh.

Then, Leila stepped closer to my side—Carine’s side. “Lady Carine, if I may?”

I glanced up. “What is it, Leila?”

Without a word, her hand came to rest gently on the top of my head.

“Wha—”

She began caressing my hair in slow, gentle strokes.

“Everything will be alright,” she said, her voice soothing.

Even more so with Feyt’s ears. Her words sounded so warm and soft. It didn’t match her expression at all. But I could tell her words carried deeper meaning than just trying to comfort.

A slight tremble in her voice, a small hitch at the end of her words. They were barely audible, but clear to me.

Leila was worried too. Perhaps just as much as me. She just hid it better than most.

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As Carine, I could only blink while her fingers gently patted my hair. The sensation wasn’t unpleasant, quite the opposite in fact, but it caught me so off guard, my mind was lagging.

Leila didn’t say anything else. She just kept patting softly, as if unaware.

Over tim,e though, I felt heat rushing up my cheeks.

From Feyt’s side, I could see myself—Carine—looking stunned, eyes widened from surprise. And… I could see the blush rising.

Not just on Carine, but on both of us.

What is this? Am I happy about being patted?

No, clearly this is just me being embarrassed for being treated like a kid.

But still… it was comforting.

When was the last time I was comforted like this?

I… didn’t mind enjoying this…

Maybe… just for a bit longer…

…And then Leila stopped. Her hand slipped away gently. She stepped back, assuming a proper posture once more.

“Apologies, My Lady,” she said, her tone back to the signature monotone. “I acted on my own. Please forgive the indiscretion.”

I couldn’t even respond.

At this point, both of my faces were beet red. A little bit more, and steam could rise up.

As I desperately tried to calm myselves, I noticed Leila’s eyes flickering between both of me.

“Lady Carine? Your face is red. Yours, too, Sir Feyt. Is everything alright?”

Both of me stiffened by instinct. In a desperate attempt to cover it up, I looked to the side as Feyt and took a sip of my tea as Carine.

“I-I’m fine,” I said as Carine, sipping my tea a bit too quickly.

“M-Me too,” I said as Feyt, slowly realizing the view out the window was blocked by the knights’ armor.

From its reflection, I noticed the tips of my ears were still blazing red.

I reluctantly took a peek back to Leila, and noticed her pausing herself, blinking, eyes flicking between me and me.

Welp, the damage was done.

I couldn’t even imagine what sort of scenario was going through her head now.

—

Time passed slowly in the dance hall.

The tea had cooled down, and the cookies remained untouched. The knights stood still and silent, with occasional coughs breaking the silence.

Leila said nothing for the duration, perhaps trying to give me a small, calm moment.

I wondered how much longer Father would take to bring that man to justice.

I heard him say something about bringing back the man’s head. Well, I for sure wanted him to suffer for what he did to Mother, but would I be alright if I saw a scene like that?

Father, returning home bloodied, with a severed head in his hand. The image flashed across my mind.

I shuddered heavily as Feyt, like a cold blade tip just grazed my back. Just from that reaction alone, I figured I might faint if I saw the real thing.

As Carine though, I barely even flinched. My body remained cold and still, like a statue.

Why though? The thought definitely scared me, or rather, disgusted me. Was Carine just naturally that much of an ice queen?

Then suddenly—

My ears twitched—Feyt’s, to be exact.

I stood up abruptly, alert for something I didn’t quite understand.

There was a sound. It was distant, small, barely audible even for me. It was the sound of metal clashing? Screams?

Leila turned to me. “Sir Feyt? What’s wrong?”

“Something is going on,” I said, tone sharp.

“What do you mean?”

I tilted my head, straining to get a better listen, but just as abruptly as the sound had come, it vanished.

“Sir Feyt? Are you alright?”

I took a breath and turned to her. Given everything happening today, it was best not to dismiss anything suspicious.

“There’s something wrong in the manor. I heard a scuffle and the sound of screaming.”

The atmosphere turned thick.

One of the knights in our circle shifted, his voice muffled through his armor.

“Kid, stop joking around,” he said. “We’re in the middle of the courtyard here. You wouldn’t even hear a siren sing through these walls.”

His expression was annoyed and dismissive. It was the kind of look you give someone wasting your time. I had a feeling that if I had Carine be the one to say it, he wouldn’t have even dared to turn his head.

I didn’t want to argue with him though. Whatever it was that caused that sound, I needed it investigated fast. Something inside me told me I’d regret not doing so.

Then, an idea popped into my head.

“I’m serious,” I said, lowering my tone.

The knight turned fully toward me, earning sharp glances from his comrades, as if silently asking what the hell he thought he was doing.

“Hey, just because you’re close to the Duke, doesn’t mean you can—”

“Stop.”

My voice froze the room instantly.

I—as Carine—carefully set down my teacup. I slowly stood up from my chair, mimicking the practiced elegance I always trained for. I shifted my gaze to the knight, sharp and piercing.

“Feyt does not speak without reason,” I said coldly, with a voice befitting of the heir of a ducal family. “If he says there’s something amiss, then it will be investigated.”

I folded my hands and raised my chin.

“Unless, of course, you’re willing to dismiss my words as well?”

I saw the change in attitude instantly.

Through the gaps of his helmet, I saw him clamping his mouth shut as small beads of sweat dropped down the side of his face.

He saluted stiffly. “Understood, Lady Carine!”

I sat back down gracefully, thankful that my expression was so cold it naturally suppressed the grin inside me.

For a moment, I was genuinely proud of myself. Once again, I learned that having two voices of my own had its advantages.

But this wasn’t the time for self-gloating.

“Travel in pairs and investigate the manor,” I ordered. “Report here if anything is amiss.”

“Y-Yes, My Lady!”

The knight gave a crisp nod, then turned and barked at one of his comrades before heading off at a brisk pace.

As the heavy doors creaked open and closed behind them, the knights encircling us let out a sigh of relief.

Did I… put too much pressure?

Anyway, the hall fell silent once more.

As for the scuffle I heard, I could only hope it had all been my imagination.

But knowing Feyt’s ears… I doubted that.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep