How to Survive as That Villainess - Chapter 16

Chapter 3: A Well-Timed Day (2)

I alternated glances between the gentle-faced Countess Corsé and the scowling Huan, and I thought to myself, “This is doomed.”

I couldn’t disregard the Countess’s thoughtfulness in finding someone specifically for me. But my temperament isn’t so good as to willingly learn to dance from Huan Cresis, who is practically my enemy. It was obvious we’d end up fighting.

“Countess, I’ve never taught a woman before.”

“Oh, well, this is a perfect opportunity to try teaching one.”

Countess Corsé sipped her tea and continued with a smile.

“I trust in Huan’s skills. I’m sure he can teach you well.”

Countess Corsé was persuading Huan with a determined attitude. Perhaps because of her experience, she was quite good at convincing people. Huan still had a slight frown on his face, indicating his displeasure.

“Frankly, I don’t want to teach this lady.”

Oh my, who does he think is happy about this? It’s ridiculous. I glared at Huan, who was speaking bluntly. He must have felt my gaze because he glared back at me. As we engaged in a silent battle of wills, Countess Corsé clapped her hands to get our attention.

“Now, it seems you two don’t get along. But Radel, Huan is the best dance instructor I know. He’ll surely be of great help to you.”

Countess Corsé approached me, holding my hand tightly as she spoke. It was true that Huan was a person of great manners and sophistication, with the refined qualities of a noble. Therefore, there was no one better than him when it came to teaching something. I turned to look at Huan. Although I was not pleased, learning to dance from him was necessary for my own benefit.

“Alright. I’ll learn from Huan.”

“What?!”

“Hehe, good. Then, Huan, please take good care of Lady Radel.”

Once again, the conversation proceeded without the consent of those involved. The people in this novel are somewhat scary. Anyway, it’s Huan, not me, who’s affected by this, so it doesn’t matter to me.

“Then, nice to meet you, Huan.”

“I told you I don’t want to!”

Huan’s anger at my extended handshake was irritating. Still, since we were now connected, I decided to try to get along. I forced a handshake with the disgusted Huan.

“Wait, what are you doing…!”

Unexpectedly, Huan blushed as soon as we shook hands, looking flustered. Is he weak to physical contact? I wondered as I wrapped my hands around his.

“Oh, your face has turned into a tomato.”

“Let go of me..!”

Seeing Huan’s face turning red even to his ears only amplified my doubts. Seria had been fine with being held in Huan’s arms earlier, but now Huan was reacting like this. Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?

“What’s up with you? Seria didn’t mind at all.”

“Seria… she’s comfortable around me.”

Even though he stuttered, Huan answered the question properly. But it’s already a bit embarrassing that Seria has become such a presence in Huan’s life. It’s somewhat frustrating. I tightened my grip on Huan’s hand and said,

“I’ll try to be comfortable too…!”

“Stop with the nonsense and let go of my hand!”

Huan’s face was almost bursting from the embarrassment, so I released his hand and bowed to Countess Corse.

“Thank you for finding someone for me.”

“Hehe, if you need anything else, feel free to come anytime. Radel is special to me.”

Countess Corse said this while having a servant lead us to the practice room. Though it was kind of the Countess to arrange for dance lessons starting today, I wasn’t really looking forward to it. I couldn’t refuse, so I took Huan’s hand again and followed the servant.

“Why are you still holding my hand…?”

“Just in case you try to run away.”

Huan half-covered his face with his hand and spoke in a tired voice. It seemed like he was exhausted from being angry. I felt a tiny bit of guilt, but for my sake, Huan had to endure a bit of discomfort.

“How about it? With me holding on, aren’t you a bit more comfortable?”

“…Just be quiet and walk.”

Huan, having given up on letting go of my hand, was slumped over with a dejected look. I almost patted his back but held back, fearing he might get even more upset. Huan probably felt like he was being punished, like a child being made to hold the teacher’s hand after a fight. I felt a bit of satisfaction and quickened my pace, while Huan glared at me.

Oh dear, so scary.

***

Huan didn’t return after following the maid, and Seria walked down the hallway, puzzled. She soon found herself with her eyes wide open at an unexpected sight.

“So that’s why he wasn’t coming…”

She saw Huan Cresis, who she had been putting so much effort into, holding hands with Radel Karel. Seria tilted her head to the right, muttering with a hint of confusion in her voice.

“Why is Radel Karel with him…?”

Just a short while ago, or even moments ago, the two had been at odds, and now they were strolling down the corridor hand in hand. It seemed that Radel Karel was holding the hand unilaterally, but seeing Huan not pulling away raised questions. Was he being blackmailed? After all, Radel Karel was the kind of woman who could pull off such a feat. She had been acting a bit strange lately.

“This is annoying.”

Seria was deeply bothered. First, there was the peace offering, and now she was taking what was ‘hers.’ She recalled seeing Radel with Aren or Kailon occasionally. Each time, she wondered if they were discussing something about her, but their mood always seemed too pleasant.

Changes were gradually taking place in places she wasn’t aware of. Right now, it seemed like a small spark, but it might become a large fire later.

Would it be a threat to me? She pondered, but it was uncertain for now. Regardless of how big the fire might become, she was confident in her ability to extinguish it easily. After all, it was Radel Karel. A foolish woman who only knew how to harm others. She had always thought of her as beneath her, and that thought hadn’t changed. 

Instead, Seria found a twisted pleasure in the current defiance. If Radel Karel pushed further, she could crush her with all her might and end it decisively.

That was Seria’s conclusion. Her life had been perfect so far. Her performances always succeeded, and her plays always ended beautifully. She had a firm belief that this time would be no different. Seria, with a pitiable and delicate smile, watched Radel Karel’s retreating figure as it grew distant.

 “Just as before, let’s have some fun together, Lady Radel Karel.”

 Her softly whispered words went unheard by anyone.

***

The practice room that Countess Corse lent was quite spacious. I took a deep breath as I glanced around, then sighed again as I looked at Huan. After a couple of sighs, I managed to calm myself somewhat.

 “Do we really have to hold hands?”

“How else are you going to dance?” 

Huan still seemed reluctant about physical contact. He hesitantly extended his hand toward me, and I took it without hesitation. I could feel him flinch slightly, but I ignored it and placed my hand on his shoulder. 

“I’ll lead for now.”

With that, Huan began to lead me in the dance. In the small hall, we danced in rhythm, and it looked quite decent. The atmosphere was pretty good…

“Ah!”

“Oh, sorry.”

…until it was abruptly shattered. Huan cried out in pain after I accidentally stepped on his foot. It had been an accident this time, not deliberate. I acknowledged my mistake and apologized to Huan.

“Alright, get up and let’s try again!”

With a bright smile, I helped him up. He reluctantly resumed leading the dance, and I received several corrections from him. 

“Why is your body so stiff? You need to move smoothly here.”

Ugh, this is so frustrating. I tried to tolerate it, thinking of Huan as my teacher, but my patience isn’t that great. Eventually, my concentration broke, and I ended up stepping on Huan’s foot several times due to ‘mistakes.’

I said to Huan, who had collapsed again, “It doesn’t even seem like I stepped on it that hard.”

“…Fine, it’s war from now on.”

Huan’s expression turned grim after hearing my words. I wasn’t scared, just determined, so I started stretching my ankles to move my feet more deftly. Alright, bring it on!

From then on, it turned into a battle rather than a dance. Huan seemed to be putting even more effort into teaching than usual. Is it just my imagination?

 “Oh dear.”

 As Corse passed by, she took a quick look at us and shook her head. Then, with a resigned sigh, she said,

 “I told you to learn dancing…”

 In the end, both of us had to visit the physician that day. Ugh, my foot hurts.