Chapter 7: Well Done, Bruce

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Well Done, Bruce

Bruce was sprawled comfortably on the soft carpet, his fluffy tail patting the floor now and then. His doggy face beamed with utter contentment.

He had just performed a great service!

While Hesia and Cyril were taking their sweet time getting changed, Bruce had already explored every corner of the ballroom.

He felt that his sleek fur and unique canine charm had already conquered everyone here.

Of course, the reality was that the servants simply recognized him as the dog Young Master Cyril had brought along.

He had successfully milled around the feet of several waiters carrying trays, reaping a bountiful harvest of delicious meat bones and pastry crumbs.

Munching on fragrant roasted beef while gently swaying his head to the rhythm of the music, his life as a dog had reached its absolute peak.

However, this pleasant moment was shattered by a discordant note.

Just as he was taking a leisurely stroll to explore the next area that might hold food scraps, a brightly polished boot kicked him squarely in the rear without any warning!

"Tsk! The countryside is still the countryside!" a voice full of contempt rang out. "Even a dog can run wild at a ball! It’s truly defiled this place!"

Bruce turned his head and saw the lecherous-looking William.

He was about to find an opportunity to leave his "artistic signature" on the man’s expensive trousers, but then he followed the man’s gaze and spotted Isha by the dance floor.

The man’s eyes were glued to Isha, who was in a corner not far away!

Even with his dog brain, Bruce knew what sort of filthy ideas he was having.

He hurriedly found Hesia, who had just finished changing.

He got his master to intercept him.

At this moment, William’s furious gaze was fixed on the pair on the dance floor.

For a dog, waiting even ten minutes for revenge is too long.

He slipped silently behind the man.

He sniffed the expensive fabric and lifted his hind leg...

...

Isha kept her head slightly lowered, watching the tips of their shoes occasionally bump into each other.

Her previous confusion had turned into a burning heat, like a sunset blush.

Her hand was held gently by Hesia, but she couldn’t stop herself from wanting to touch the hair tie at the back of her head.

’Oh gods... this is so awkward...’

’Why did he suddenly show up? Did he hear what I said at the end this morning?’

’I’ve learned courtly dances before! Why am I dancing worse than Aunt Martha from town...?’

’Did he see the hair tie? Does he think it’s weird for me to wear it like this?’

’What possessed me to agree to his invitation just now...?’

’This dress... is it a bit too... too much?’

’This guy who always gives up halfway... could he... be a little interested in me?’

’But... in this outfit... he does... hmm... look quite good...’

As for Hesia, his attention was completely captivated by the system notifications constantly refreshing before his eyes.

[Human · Isha’s Affinity for you has increased. Decryption Points +3]

[Human · Isha’s Affinity for you has increased. Decryption Points +2]

[Human · Isha’s Affinity for you has increased. Decryption Points +1]

[Human · Isha’s Affinity for you has increased. Decryption Points +1]

’Dancing is this effective?!’

He was ecstatic. He felt like he’d discovered the secret to farming Points!

At some point, the surrounding townspeople had gradually stopped dancing.

Their gazes were drawn to the captivating pair in the center of the dance floor.

Watching them go from initially stumbling to gradually finding their rhythm, their steps becoming fluid and graceful, someone in the crowd was the first to start clapping.

CLAP... CLAP CLAP CLAP...

Soon, the scattered applause swelled into a unified ovation.

However, amidst this harmonious atmosphere, a small storm was brewing in a corner.

A stout woman was viciously twisting her husband’s ear with her thick fingers.

"Are your eyeballs about to fall into that little fairy’s collar? What’s on your neck, a goblin’s dung ball? Can you burn that tiny waist for firewood? Ptooey!"

The man grimaced in pain and shook her hand off. But his gaze remained fixed as if drawn by a magnet to Isha’s slender, beautiful legs under her twirling skirt. His Adam’s apple bobbed unconsciously as he let out a dry, awkward chuckle.

"Who are you to criticize me? Who was it drooling more than that old goblin at the mine entrance? Staring at that pretty boy the whole time."

The woman’s face instantly flushed a deep crimson.

"So what if I was staring? It’s your fault for looking like a humanoid Giant!"

His sore spot struck, the man grew furious from embarrassment and raised his fist to strike her.

"Ahem!" A few coughs came from nearby.

His movement froze. He caught sight of a few nearby townspeople watching the spectacle with mocking gazes.

His raised fist hung in mid-air, and in the end, all he could do was spit viciously on the ground.

After a moment, the woman seemed to have calmed down a bit. She nudged her husband with her elbow and asked with a hint of curiosity, "Hey, that young man... I don’t think I’ve seen him before? Is he from our town? He’s quite handsome."

The man grunted irritably. "Knew you couldn’t resist asking! Lives on the far west side of town, next to that wretched forest. Seems he just moved in not long ago. Name’s something like... Hesia Atte..."

The woman’s eyes widened instantly. "He has a surname? Is he a noble lord? No wonder..."

"Noble, my ass! What noble lord would live in a godforsaken dump like that?"

"Well, at the very least... his ancestors must have been nobles!" the woman said with conviction, a trace of regret even appearing on her face, as if the title of "Lady" had just slipped through her fingers.

"Hmph, ancestors? No matter how wealthy his ancestors were, isn’t he now just..."

"Pardon me," a slightly arrogant voice interjected, "but was the surname you just mentioned Atmesia?"

The man was already fuming. "And who the hell are..."

The words caught in his throat.

The question came from a well-dressed young noble, whose most striking feature was an omega-shaped cleft chin. He was currently covering his nose with a silk handkerchief, his eyes filled with disgust.

"My lord, I believe it was Atmesia. How perceptive of you."

William had gotten the answer he wanted, but he just waved his hand as if shooing away a fly and turned to leave, not even deigning to give them a second look lest it stain his eyes.

’Vulgar peasants!’

He kept smelling a foul stench of urine, which seemed to be wafting from that couple.

The smell was so strong he could still catch a whiff of it from a distance.

He hastily pulled out a bottle of perfume.

PFFT, PFFT, PFFT. He sprayed it several times.

Although the strange odor seemed to linger, it was masked by the rich fragrance, which was a definite improvement.

’Atmesia...’

The corner of William’s mouth curled into a smirk.

He’d thought it was someone from a powerful background.

Just a fallen family that had long been swept into the trash heap of history.

A sickly weakling who wasn’t even a Professional, who might not even live to see tomorrow, actually dared to compete with him for a woman?!

He stared at the smiling man on the dance floor, the one holding Isha’s delicate little hand.

He decided the man’s smile was fake; he must have deceived this simple country girl.