Turning Chapter 1014

Chapter 1014

"It was not long after you were granted surname, right? Back then, we were betting on whether Yuder would come or not, and we were all excited about the fact that we had just become the Cavalry," Ever said with a smile on her face as she looked at Yuder.

"..."

"I bet that Yuder would come, but honestly, I thought it wouldn't be strange if he didn't. In the end, Gakane brought him, but... it felt like he wouldn't have come if Gakane hadn't gone. Ah, am I speculating too much?"

Yuder quietly shook his head as he gazed at Ever's smiling face.

"No, you're right. If Gakane hadn't come at that time, I probably wouldn't have gone."

"I knew it!"

Ever laughed and sat across from Yuder. As the time for eating and drinking became chaotic, many people who had been sitting in their original seats got up. Kanna and Gakane had already been pulled away by someone, leaving Yuder's side empty.

Just like in the old days, someone picked up an old instrument from the corner of the dining hall and freely played a fairly decent tune. Someone else clapped their hands, sang, or danced beside them. The difference was that the atmosphere was much more intimate than before, and even though everyone seemed to be acting freely in their own way, there was a strange sense of unity.

Free, yet feeling like one group.

Completely different, yet resembling each other like blood relatives.

If the cause of that strange feeling had to be expressed in simple words, it would probably be...

'A sense of belonging...'

"Yuder, remember when I asked you to dance with me back then, and you said no? What about now? Do you still not want to?" Ever asked another question. Yuder pondered for a moment before opening his mouth.

"It's not that I dislike dancing itself or that I don't feel like it as I did back then... but if it's a dance that requires a partner, I think I'll have to refuse."

The reason was simple. He had promised to always have his first dance with a partner with Kishiar, and he had made up his mind to do so. But Kishiar wasn't here now, so of course, he had no choice but to refuse.

Ever's eyes widened as if she had heard an unexpected answer.

"That's an unexpected response. Not being able to dance with a partner... is it because of the Commander?"

"..."

Not long after Kanna and Gakane had realized their relationship, now it was Ever's turn. As Yuder was thinking that, Ever covered her mouth with a serious expression and whispered softly.

“...I see. Yuder and the Commander are truly acting sincerely for the sake of the second gender Awakeners. Never losing sight of your purpose, no matter where you are…”

The speculation was off the mark. Ever seemed to firmly believe that Yuder and the Commander were still acting for reasons similar to what they had said at the Imperial Palace party. Yuder felt a bit of the bewilderment he hadn't even felt when Meghna had launched an unexpected attack during the spar earlier today.

"Since Yuder is this kind of person, it's no wonder the Commander cherishes you so much. I understand. I know very well how much you can move without regard for yourself for the sake of your goal."

That had never been the case. At least at the party for Myra's succession, Yuder Aile would have been the person most faithful to his own desires than anyone else. However, Ever continued to speak with a furrowed face, not giving Yuder a chance to say anything.

"I want to ask if it's okay since I'm an Alpha, but... I've realized something through the parties I've attended so far and the experience of dancing with Elle this time. When I dance, people prioritize my status and first gender, and they don't even show curiosity about my position or second gender. Even if they know, they don't try to mention it much. That's what you and the Commander have been trying to change, right?"

'...It's hard to say anything because it's correct in a broad sense.'

Yuder spotted Pruelle not far away, holding a glass of alcohol and glancing sideways at them. He seemed quite curious about what Ever was talking about so enthusiastically.

"At the party in the Imperial Palace, I only vaguely felt that part, but not anymore. So, as the Deputy Commander, and as a colleague who likes and respects Yuder, I won't prioritize my personal desires. But... it's okay as long as there's no partner, right?"

Ever, who had reached a conclusion on her own, put down her glass and smiled brightly.

And a moment later...

"Wow!"

"Is Yuder really coming out to dance? Seriously?"

Yuder was led by Ever towards the people who were dancing. The musicians who spotted Yuder were puzzled, wondering if he was really going to dance, and Ever shouted loudly without minding them.

"'The Day Spring Comes'! Play that for us!"

'The Day Spring Comes' was one of the most famous folk songs that everyone knew. It was a song that was often sung around the time when winter passed and spring arrived. Due to its fast and lively melody and lyrics, it was frequently used as a dance song. However, rather than being a complicated dance song that required a partner, it was a folk song wishing for abundance and happiness, so it only required very simple movements that many people could harmonize together.

As if overwhelmed by Ever's voice, those holding old string instruments and small drums immediately changed the music. As the high-pitched sound resonated with the hand movements that became several times faster in an instant, the members of the Cavalry cheered again in unison.

As if responding to the cheers, Ever raised her arm, placed one hand on her waist, and began to spin around while making a specific hand sign with the other hand.

"Ever! Ever! Ever!"

"Ah! In our region, we didn't do the hand sign like that! It's time for me to step up!"

A few excited members stepped on chairs, jumped up, landed next to Ever, and started dancing similarly. Some held both sides of their waists and danced with more complicated footwork, while others waved both hands as they spun. Although they seemed different, they repeated the same movement of turning to the right and then to the left, creating a strangely joyful sense of unity.

"Yuder!"

Yuder saw Ever smiling and calling his name. Her hand twitched softly as if beckoning Yuder. Yuder finally sighed and squeezed in next to her, raising one hand.

'...Anyway, I know what this is.'

In the Town near where Yuder lived, they also held a small festival around the end of winter and always played this folk song on the last night. His grandfather had told him that it meant celebrating the safe passing of winter and welcoming the upcoming spring. The sound of laughter that flowed as everyone danced around the biggest tree together existed here as well.

"Wow, I'm seeing so many amazing things today!"

The members who saw Yuder spinning around laughed their heads off and cheered his name. Some quickly joined in and danced alongside Yuder.

"I can't miss this opportunity!"

Kanna jumped in with shining eyes, and...

"So that's how they danced where Yuder lived. When I was young, I only secretly watched others do it, but in our Ulan…"

Gakane also appeared with a grin, crossing his arms and showing off his cool moves.

"I... I too!"

Elpkins, who had been sitting hunched over for fear of bumping into others due to the large wings on his back, also sneaked out, overwhelmed by the desire to dance next to Yuder.

"The last time I danced this dance was with my younger brother. I thought I would never dance this dance again... Well, if it's a day like today, Mikey would say it's okay for his sister to have some fun."

Marin, who had been spinning around, whispered with a half-drunk face and a smile so that only Yuder could hear.

"Ah, Yuder. When we went into the sea... Do you remember? At that time, I actually had very low confidence, but you know what you said to me? You said..."

Steiber, who was pleasantly inebriated, unusually talked about memories of the day when the waves came in instead of repeating his habit of saying he needed to go home.

"It's a pity. It would have been nice if the Commander had come here too! Don't you think so? Will he dance this dance in the Imperial Palace too? Have you ever heard about it?"

Yergin Schiller, who inwardly regretted the Commander's absence, secretly wrinkled the tip of her nose and whispered her secret thoughts as if Yuder would surely sympathize with her regret.

"Commander’s Assistant. Priest Lusan keeps asking me to teach him card games, even if it's through a letter... What should I do? What? You're telling me to teach him? Is that really okay...?!"

Gloe, who had briefly shared her concerns with Yuder with a very serious face, was surprised by the unexpected answer and blinked her eyes, getting pushed far away by other people.

Each turn of the body brought continual shoulder bumps and stepping on toes. The discordant sounds from the haphazardly played instruments were, to put it kindly, difficult to praise as good.

Yet none of it felt unpleasant.

The brief conversations with the people he encountered were incomparably lighter than serious conversations, but they clearly contained sincerity and were so intense that they would be remembered for a very long time because they disappeared quickly.

As Yuder made a big turn and returned to his original spot, he recalled the moment when Kishiar had told him to take time to talk with his colleagues.

'I see... Is that why he said that, to let me experience this feeling?'

It was definitely different from the moments he had spent with Kishiar.

But the sense of comfort was similar.