I can’t die before the novel even starts chapter 106

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Willow’s gaze drifted to the floor, then naturally returned to us.

It felt as if countless thoughts and emotions had passed by in that brief moment.

He lightly patted Madeline’s back and finally opened his mouth.

“Please excuse the rudeness. We will come back to greet you after your dance is finished.”

“Please excuse us.”

The father and daughter retreated but hadn’t completely given up.

Regret dripped from their retreating backs.

Perhaps they would rush back to us the moment the dance ended.

“Ahem.”

“……!”

Because our eyes were fixed on the backs of the two people, the man behind them took a step forward and cleared his throat.

It was an unexpected person: Neser.

The fact that he came all the way here when Fabian Hyung-nim was clearly visible over there suggested that he had deliberately sought us—no, me—out.

‘Surely, he didn’t come here to pick a fight, did he?’

Was he going to dispute the result of the last spar?

It was my clean and perfect victory in anyone’s eyes.

The people around us, who had already heard various rumors, were glancing at us with keen interest.

The eyes full of curiosity were bothersome.

Causing a commotion here wouldn’t be good for Fabian Hyung-nim either.

He looked straight at me, seemingly unconcerned with those gazes, and bowed at the waist.

“I apologize for my rudeness last time.”

My eyes widened involuntarily.

Come to think of it, he was supposed to apologize if I won the spar.

I missed it because I immediately went into my collapse act, and I hadn’t seen him due to the ban on going out.

I had forgotten about it myself.

But did he keep it in mind and deliberately come to apologize?

And in a place with so many people?

He was unexpectedly earnest.

He wasn’t like this before.

I lightly nodded my head.

“It’s fine. It’s something that can be fixed by being careful in the future.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

I forgave him in a way that respected his earnestness.

However, his reaction was once again different from what I expected.

It was surprising.

He admitted it so simply?

Neser bowed deeply once more and then straightened up.

On the face that was revealed, there was no sign of a scoff or humiliation.

If anything, he looked like a grave knight, the kind you would read about in books.

‘Who is this person?’

“Then, please excuse me.”

And he immediately headed toward Fabian Hyung-nim.

“It seems Neser has also reflected. That’s good.”

“I suppose so…”

It didn’t seem like he suddenly developed a liking for me, was deeply impressed, or felt respect.

But his attitude had completely changed.

He respected me, setting aside whether he disliked me or not.

That was the impression.

Was this what Klen had meant?

I turned my gaze to him, standing beside me.

“……”

“……”

But he didn’t say anything else.

He just smiled brightly, pretending to enjoy the ball.

The mere fact that we showed our faces at the ball led to curiosity following us, and many people came over.

Klen seemed tired already.

Whether he was too annoyed to keep up the act, or if this was also an act, the emotion was clearly reflected on his face.

“Are you tired?”

“It seems I might be frailer than my rumored weak wife.”

His body subtly leaned and touched me.

Was he leaning on his fragile wife right now?

As if voicing my thoughts, the eyes of the people around us shifted slightly.

But I had no intention of shielding him.

It couldn’t be helped.

That assessment was all Klen’s, and it was probably the direction he wanted.

I shifted my posture to make it easier for Klen to lean on me and looked around.

The eyes of the people watching us one by one turned toward the entrance.

And soon, a soft murmuring rose from everywhere.

“What is it?”

Cutting through the commotion and walking forward was the Healer.

She was wearing a newly made dress.

This was the dress that Klen and I had eventually finalized after discussing various options, despite initially saying I would choose it.

Of course, her preferences were reflected as much as possible.

The blue dress, resembling a clear sky, had white accents and just enough lace to not be excessive.

Peridots were woven around the chest area to add style.

The exposure was minimal, with only her neck and arms revealed.

The hem of the elegant dress gently swayed like flower petals with every movement.

Truly the skill of a master artisan. Befitting the Countess’s favorite shop.

Although her hair was styled similarly to usual, the addition of different accessories made her look more splendid.

She spotted us and offered a small smile.

The people around seemed surprised by her brighter-than-usual aura, their eyes wide.

And just as she was about to approach, she unfortunately ran out of time.

A low, smooth melody slowly began to flow, signaling the start of the dance time.

Only then did Klen’s body, which had been leaning on me, pull away and stand up straight.

“Then, let’s go show off the results of our practice.”

I returned my plate to the table and headed toward the center of the hall with Klen.

And I took the glass bead Ebony gave me out of my pocket and gripped it, so it would touch both of us.

This way, we could both confirm the mark.

Klen confirmed the bead with his hand and slowly tucked it between his fingers.

He smiled as he clasped my hand, with the bead inside.

“It seems you’re already determined not to focus on me. Are you confident you won’t step on my foot?”

“…Hmph. I will be as careful as possible.”

“Hehe.”

The new melody that began to flow drowned out Klen’s ominous laugh.

And finally, our feet struck the floor of the hall.

The start was good.

My foot, which tapped the ground and moved sideways, soon touched down next, and the soft music felt natural, flowing through my body.

Thanks to the rigorous lessons over the past few days, everything was smooth.

I guess I am the type who performs well in a real situation.

With a slight moment of ease, I could look around.

The eyes of those around us sparkled as if reflecting light, and my gaze met several people who were dancing.

Some had their heads fixed on us, moving their bodies mechanically, while others stumbled.

Thump.

‘…Huh?’

Then, Klen’s foot touched my shoe.

I was startled and almost looked down at my feet.

But just as my head tilted slightly, the warning not to look down flashed in my mind.

I immediately lifted my head and met Klen’s eyes out of habit.

He was smiling broadly, as if he had successfully pulled off a prank.

‘You’re joking around now?!’

My foot moved without a moment to consider if it was an act or genuine.

Tap.

I failed in my attempt to very lightly step on his foot, feigning an accident.

The reason for the failure was my caution not to hurt his foot, which must already be covered in wounds, and also Klen’s quick evasion.

“Isn’t it proper etiquette to focus on your partner when dancing?”

“…Right now, don’t we have an important task at hand?”

“Then, check occasionally.”

“?!”

And he spun around a little faster than the music.

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