Chapter 8: The Sprout of a New Emotion

The hero approaching Aria carried Leni’s scent.

‘Why does she have Leni’s scent…?’

Aria was filled with questions but soon realized why Eren smelled like Leni.

“Hello, Princess.”

– Squeeze.

Hero Eren pulled Leni’s arm closer, greeting the princess.

The reason Eren carried Leni’s scent. How close had they been in Aria’s absence for their scents to mingle like this?

A whirlwind of indescribable emotions swirled in Princess Aria’s heart. It felt like catching a whiff of another woman’s perfume on an ex-boyfriend—an unsettling, repulsive feeling.

“Oh my, Princess. You don’t look well. Are you alright?”

Eren asked innocently. She knew Aria’s expression soured upon seeing her with Leni.

‘Getting praised by Teacher…? Even I never got that…?’

Even after defeating the demon king, Leni never praised her. It was only natural for Eren to feel jealous of Aria, who received his praise so casually.

Their situations were polar opposites, and they both realized it.

‘This girl and I really don’t get along.’

That thought crossed their minds as their eyes met.

“I’m fine. I was just thinking of a thief who stole something of mine.”

Aria smiled softly as she spoke.

‘Something… something’s happening…!’

Leni sensed the tension brewing between them.

But some things can’t be stopped, even when you’re aware of them. This was one of those moments. Leni lacked the power to halt this conflict.

“A thief in the palace? That’s quite a problem…”

At Aria’s words, Eren pulled Leni even closer, as if claiming him.

“Yes, a huge problem. A thief who doesn’t know their place sneaking into the palace? Unthinkable, right, Hero?”

“Have you looked carefully for the stolen item? It might just be lost. Maybe check your room.”

They were heatedly debating the stolen item. I didn’t fully understand, but I could tell Aria felt wronged for losing something.

‘That woman’s annoying.’

Aria was no match for Eren in this war of words. As the one who had something taken, she was bound to lose, no matter what she said. Aria vowed never to forget this humiliation.

“The music’s changed…?”

While Aria and the hero spoke, the banquet hall’s music shifted to a slow but lively tune.

That meant it was time to fulfill my promise with Eren.

“Leni, dance with me!”

Aria said excitedly, assuming she’d dance with me, as I was always her partner.

“I’m sorry, Princess.”

“He’s dancing with me. See you later, Princess~”

With an enchanting smile, Eren clung to me, pulling me toward the dance floor in the center.

“Wha…?”

Left alone, it took Aria dozens of seconds to process that she’d been abandoned.

Had she ever faced such humiliation? Her desire for revenge against the hero and her obsession with Leni intensified.

She’d take Leni back, no matter what.

That was Aria’s ultimate revenge and her path to happiness.

‘It doesn’t matter anymore.’

Aria resolved to stop at nothing to achieve her goal.

The banquet hall’s center was crowded. Some danced, while others didn’t.

Leisha, Siana, and Sera were among those not dancing.

‘It’s kind of embarrassing.’

Dancing in front of them felt awkward, but Eren’s reassuring expression quickly dispelled my embarrassment.

“Here we go, then.”

“Yes, Hero.”

With that, we began moving to the music.

– Tap, tap.

It had been a while since I danced. Even longer since it wasn’t with Aria. Eren was taller than Aria, so the dance felt subtly different, and adjusting wasn’t easy.

“You’re really bad at dancing.”

It was true. The height difference was just an excuse—I was naturally clumsy.

“Thanks for helping…”

I relied on Eren’s movements, merely following her steps.

As expected of a hero, Eren was talented in physical activities. Despite barely learning to dance as a non-noble, she outshone me, who’d had lessons.

Eren led, dominating the mood. It was as if the teacher and student roles had reversed.

“What are you doing! Step back there!”

Eren, enjoying herself, coached me, relishing the chance to teach.

The term “role reversal” perfectly described the situation.

“Eek!”

In her excitement, Eren stepped on my foot, nearly falling. Her heel dug into me, causing sharp pain, but that wasn’t the priority.

“Thank… thank you, Teacher…”

Flustered by her slip, she even called me Teacher.

– Woooo!

What?

Catching the stumbling hero, I looked around to see onlookers cheering and clapping.

I realized the music we’d been dancing to had stopped, and I thought about our current pose.

Holding Eren’s waist as she nearly fell, our faces close.

It aligned perfectly with the music’s climax.

People mistook it for a deliberate, romantic moment, and their reactions varied.

“So jealous… Someday, I want that too…!”

Envy for some.

“She chose a human man as her reward for love? That crazy woman…!?”

Anger for others.

“What emotion are they feeling…?”

Curiosity for some.

“That was supposed to be my place.”

Jealousy for another.

Their reactions differed, but one truth remained.

They were more beautiful than anyone here, and Eren looked happier than ever, as if she owned the world.

The dance heated up the banquet, drawing attention to us, so Eren and I escaped to a quiet terrace.

“Is your foot okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine now.”

It wasn’t fine at all. Her sharp heel left what felt like a bruise, but I couldn’t admit that and said I was okay.

“Your tone…?”

I couldn’t pretend anymore. Seeing her so happy while dancing, lying to her felt against my human decency.

“Sorry for making you wait, Eren.”

My escape plan faded, but I couldn’t keep her waiting any longer. She’d already figured it out anyway.

“…Teacher, you’re awful.”

Not the reaction I expected. She continued.

“Do you know how much I wanted to meet you? It’s been my wish for four years. I was so excited.”

Hearing how much she’d anticipated this made me feel like the worst person alive.

“And yet, you crushed and trampled my expectations. You’re really awful!”

– Tap, tap.

Eren clenched her fists and lightly hit my chest. The blows weren’t painful, but the hurt feelings behind them stung my heart.

“I’m sorry…”

“Is saying sorry enough?”

Her question left me speechless. What could I do to ease her feelings? My letters only gave information and guidance, so I had no idea what to do for her.

“Teacher, you taught me things I didn’t know and changed my life.”

“Take responsibility.”

At that moment, I felt the warmth of Eren’s lips on mine. It was brief, but her warmth was unmistakable.

“Wha… what…!”

“I told you clearly! You have to take responsibility!”

After her unilateral declaration, Eren fled the terrace, her face flushed. What just happened…?

I didn’t understand, but one thing was clear.

‘Never take in a black-haired beast…’

The old sages were never wrong. Eren, whom I raised, was planning to devour me.

Determined to escape the empire before being consumed, I left the terrace for the banquet hall.

At that moment, a woman secretly watching began to feel the sprout of a new emotion.