SHC_C53:CHAPTER 53. Even Without Praise, the Pig Will Dance

 

53. Even Without Praise, the Pig Will Dance

After that little discussion, both Viktor and Lala ended up staying at the mansion.

According to Rottenmeier-san, the Kikunoi estate used to be such a prominent noble household that it always had guests coming and going. So there are plenty of guest rooms, and at least two are kept ready at all times for unexpected visitors.

Viktor’s room had already been prepared according to his preferences. As for Lala, they were given one of the guest-ready rooms without any fuss.

The only exception was Viktor’s piano—it couldn’t be moved into his room, so we ended up cleaning out a small hall that used to host parties back in the estate’s more prosperous days. The piano was set up there, and that’s where singing lessons would also be held.

Lala’s lessons, too, would be held in that hall. But their curriculum wasn’t limited to just dance; it spanned everything from posture and walking to how noblewomen use fans to communicate secret messages in high society.

“For example… if you touch the tip of your fan with your finger, it means ‘I’d like to talk with you.’ If you don’t understand these signals or respond appropriately, you’re seen as dull and thoughtless. And forget being considered a suitable fiancé.”

“Aah… I see…”

Hearing that, Viktor's expression darkened—his eyes so lifeless it was as if he’d turned into a dead fish. Perhaps it triggered a deep emotional response.

But still, if you don’t have a fiancée, isn’t that kind of irrelevant? Or so I thought. Apparently, I was mistaken, as both Viktor and Lala shook their heads in perfect sync.

“Aa-tan, high society is where people find potential fiancés. Among nobles, marriage isn’t about love—it’s about family politics. Smaller houses want ties with bigger ones. Poor houses want to connect with wealthy ones.”

“Noble children polish themselves, using those qualities as weapons to rise above the competition. Not only do they strive for their own happiness, but also for the happiness of their families and those who serve their houses. It’s a noble’s duty. The more responsible the child, the more serious they are about it.”

“By aligning with a powerful house, you protect your people from conflict, strengthen economic ties, and bring prosperity to your entire territory… right?”

“There’s more to it, but that’s the general idea.”

It’s harsh.

Even as children, they’re expected to think about all that when looking for a spouse? That’s… seriously harsh.

Well, that’s not my concern. I mean, what girl would want to marry a pig? My future’s already set anyway. I have my promise to Rottenmeier-san, my goals… I just want to stay healthy until then.

“Anyway,” I said, “why are Viktor and Lala working together exactly?”

“Oh, that. You see, Lala’s curriculum includes posture and dance, right? So I thought, why not try combining that with singing?”

“Dance always needs music, and I heard from Viitya that Marumaruchan wants to train people who can sing and dance—musicals, right? Then we have to try recreating it somehow. But the only one who really knows what that’s like—other than the gods—is you.”

“Waaah…”

Singing and dancing… So, like an idol? Well, I’m just a pig. This might be more than I can handle…

Still, singing and dancing at the same time was obviously not going to happen right away, so we decided to postpone that part for later. For now, I’d try digging up a suitable song from the corner of my memory while reporting all this to the Princess.

“...And so, the prince who had been cursed and transformed into a beast regained his true form thanks to the pure and kind love of a beautiful girl. The end.”

“Yes. That’s the story, and the song I’m thinking of comes from the musical adaptation of it. It plays when the main couple dances.”

Taking Regulus-kun’s hand, I awkwardly twirled while singing. In the musical version, the song had originally been sung by a lady turned into a teapot, but in the newest movie, I think the main couple sang new lines too.

My dance was far from elegant, but the Princess seemed entertained by it and nodded with amusement.

“If this helps you lose weight and recreate the musical, then it is indeed killing two birds with one stone. Do your best—for my sake as well.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best…”

“Ree—I mean, I will too! Do my best!”

Regulus-kun raised his hand like a good little boy, though his “Hai!” still sounded like “Ai!” But he’s three—he’s allowed to be a little unclear.

He might’ve been too clumsy even for a folk dance, but Regulus-kun seemed to love it, spinning and tugging on my hand to twirl me around. The Princess watched us with eyes gently narrowed and a smile so soft and beautiful that it warmed me just to see it.

Then, as we danced, the Princess suddenly spoke.

“That elf, Viktor—has he started transcribing the sheet music as I requested?”

“Yes, I’ve been singing what I remember of the melody from the prelude onward, and he’s been writing it down as he listens.”

“Good. Then I must pay him accordingly.”

With a graceful wave of her silken fan, a branch-like object appeared in the air. She waved again, and it drifted gently down in front of me. With a gentle plop, it fell into my palm as I extended my hand.

On closer inspection, it was a wooden flute, with evenly spaced finger holes just large enough to cover with a fingertip.

“What is this?”

“This is the original flute once offered to me by the first elf—ancestor to all elves. There could be no greater gift for an elf who lives among humans and loves music.”

According to the Princess, the elf who once played this flute lived among humans and always had a human friend who played a drum-like instrument by his side.

The elf had offered this flute to the Princess when that friend passed away, unable to bear continuing alone.

“Even if hearts connect, humans depart far earlier than elves. It was too painful for him, so he entrusted the flute to me and left.”

“Wait… but I thought elves looked down on humans…”

“At first, the elf ancestor distanced himself from humans for that very reason. But over time, the reason for that separation was forgotten, and only baseless prejudice remained. Were he to see the elves now, he would surely grieve.”

And so, without meaning to, I had glimpsed a small part of the long history between humans and elves.

EunieTL: THANKS FOR READING!!

I'll update the rest later. I have a nasty headache so I plan to take some medicine and sleep it off. 😵

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