They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 124 - 124 Preparing For The Forfeited Dance

Chapter 124: Preparing For The Forfeited Dance Chapter 124: Preparing For The Forfeited Dance Nnenna’s heart skipped a beat.

The opening dance?

Isn’t that the one I was told to forfeit?

She knew the importance of it.

It was always led by someone from the royal family, in this case, the birthday girl or girls, a way to introduce them to the people in a grand, elegant way.

“But,” Lady Rose continued, “I spoke with your father, and he said your sister would be leading it.” Nnenna’s heart sank.

Of course.

He had mentioned it before.

It made sense.

Even if she was announced at the ball, they wouldn’t let her take center stage.

“But,” Lady Rose added, a slight smirk on her lips, “I will still be training you for the special opening dance.” Nnenna’s head snapped up.

“What?” “Who knows,” Lady Rose said, crossing her arms, “you might end up performing after all.” Impossible.

The royal family would never allow it.

…Right?

Lady Rose didn’t give her time to dwell on it.

She turned slightly, motioning with her head.

“Get up.” Nnenna hesitated for a second before forcing her aching legs to move.

She stood.

Lady Rose watched her with sharp eyes.

“I know you are already good at dancing alone.” Nnenna frowned.

“What?” “I’ve noticed you.” The older woman’s tone was casual, but the words made Nnenna freeze.

“I saw you at the window when I was teaching your sister.

Ever since you were small.” Nnenna’s mind went blank.

She knew?

All those years of peeking through the window, watching from the shadows, trying to copy her sister’s movements Sometimes, Lady Rose would give corrections that didn’t make sense to her sister but made perfect sense to her, because they addressed exactly what she was doing wrong.

Had some of those corrections… actually been meant for her all along?

In those times, her sister would get things right, yet Lady Rose would still give corrections on those exact parts.

Nnenna had always wondered why.

Her sister would perform a move correctly twice, yet Lady Rose kept repeating the same correction.

Meanwhile, Nnenna, watching from the window, had been struggling with those exact mistakes.

Was it really possible… that those corrections had been meant for her all along?

Had Lady Rose been secretly teaching me through someone else?

She had learned so much just by observing, absorbing knowledge from Lady Rose’s instructions and books.

But now, it seemed that Lady Rose had been teaching her directly, in her own way, for years.

Nnenna’s heart swelled with unexpected gratitude.

She wanted to rush forward and hug the woman.

But before she could, Lady Rose shattered the moment.

“What are you waiting for?

Get into stance,” she ordered, her tone brisk.

Clearly, she had no intention of letting Nnenna dwell on what had just been revealed.

Not after nearly ten years of silent lessons.

Nnenna took a deep breath, planting her feet firmly on the training ground.

The dirt beneath her felt unfamiliar for a dance like this, an opening dance meant for grand royal balls, performed in extravagant halls with golden chandeliers and polished marble floors.

But this was where she would learn.

Lady Rose stood before her, as poised as ever, arms positioned with the grace of someone who had performed this dance a thousand times.

Her sharp gaze studied Nnenna, waiting for her to begin.

“The opening dance,” Lady Rose began, “isn’t just about moving to the music.

It is a statement.

A declaration of the royal family’s presence.

It is controlled, powerful, and above all, flawless.

If you fail, you embarrass yourself.

If you succeed, you captivate an entire kingdom and beyond.” No pressure.

Nnenna swallowed hard and got into position.

The moment Lady Rose nodded, Nnenna stepped forward, lifting her arms, and immediately tripped on her own foot.

Lady Rose didn’t react.

She simply stepped back and gestured for her to start again.

Nnenna exhaled sharply.

Alright.

Focus.

She tried again.

This time, she managed to take a proper step, moving into the next motion.

Lady Rose moved with her, leading her through the opening sequence.

Step.

Turn.

Glide A sharp pain.

Nnenna froze, realizing what had happened.

She had just stepped on Lady Rose’s foot.

Again.

Lady Rose didn’t even flinch.

She simply raised an eyebrow.

“Are you trying to break my toes?” Nnenna winced.

“Sorry.” “No apologies.

Just get it right.” The music continued in Lady Rose’s head, even though there was no orchestra here.

She stepped forward again, expecting Nnenna to follow.

Nnenna did, but with hesitation.

Wrong step.

Wrong balance.

Wrong foot again.

Lady Rose caught her before she could completely lose her footing.

“You are overthinking.” “How am I supposed to not overthink?” Nnenna muttered.

“I’m trying not to kill your feet.” Lady Rose sighed.

“You are not dancing alone now.

You are dancing with a partner.

Feel my movements, don’t fight them.

Follow.” Nnenna swallowed her frustration.

The next time, she tried to move with Lady Rose instead of ahead of her.

Step.

Turn.

Glide.

Better.

Lady Rose led her into a spin.

She almost lost balance, but recovered.

Still better.

They repeated the steps over and over.

Nnenna stepped on Lady Rose’s foot twice more before she finally stopped making that mistake.

She missed a few turns, got her foot placement wrong, and even almost tripped over nothing at one point.

But she was learning.

By the time Lady Rose finally stepped back and crossed her arms, Nnenna was drenched in sweat, panting slightly.

“I knew you had potential,” Lady Rose finally said.

Nnenna grinned.

That was the closest thing to a compliment she had ever gotten from her.

Then Lady Rose clapped her hands.

“Again.” Nnenna groaned.

But she got back into position.

She would master this.

Hour after hour, Nnenna danced.

Step.

Turn.

Glide.

Spin.

Recover.

Step.

Over.

And over.

And over.

Her legs ached.

Her arms burned from holding position for so long.

Sweat dripped down her face, soaking into her clothes, but Lady Rose didn’t let her stop.

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