It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 68

 Chapter 68 :

The sudden appearance of Christine causes the nobles gathered in the garden to wear expressions of bewilderment. Breaking the awkward atmosphere, Christine claps her hands lightly and calls out in a lively voice.  

“Hmm, I thought something was missing, and it must be the music! Indeed… with such an awkward atmosphere, how could anyone feel festive? Musicians! Play your instruments! Sing joyful songs! Create an ambiance worthy of Christine’s name!”  

“...!”  

At Christine’s command, the musicians, who had been idly standing by, hurriedly begin tuning their instruments.  

With the conductor’s clearing of the throat, music starts to flow once more.  

A cheerful melody rings out. The sound of strings accompanies the fast-paced rhythm. Humming along to the beat, Christine begins to move. Her infectious energy softens the stiff expressions of the kingdom’s nobles.  

Then, as if struck by a thought, Christine says,  

“Oh, isn’t this Baron Gairelf? I didn’t expect you to attend.”  

“...It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”  

“Hmm, indeed. Your letter mentioned pressing issues in your domain as a reason for declining. How did that turn out? Is everything resolved?”  

“I am humbled… I was foolish to cause Your Majesty concern. But rest assured, the urgent matters have been dealt with for now.”  

“I see. Then continue to serve diligently.”  

“...Yes, Your Majesty.”  

Christine’s blunt words elicit a wry smile from Diego as he bows and steps back.  

This is an unmistakable dismissal. (If you have nothing more to say, don’t linger.) That’s the message.  

If Diego were to persist, he’d likely be rebuffed with something like, “Is there something else you need to say?”  

Knowing this, Diego chooses to withdraw quietly for now.  

Confirming Diego’s retreat, Christine turns her head.  

“Ah, Lady Karen.”  

“...It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness Christine.”  

“Hmm. It is my honor to lay eyes on Lady Karen, who, as a White Knight, has elevated the kingdom’s prestige. Come to think of it, this is our first meeting since your return to the capital, isn’t it?”  

“My apologies… I failed to consider visiting you sooner. I beg your forgiveness.”  

“Haha, no need to blame yourself. Nor am I reprimanding you, so don’t worry. By the way, since we’re here, how about a dance?”  

“...Pardon?”  

Christine’s sudden proposal catches Karen off guard.  

At this, the young ladies around Karen let out delighted squeals.  

“Hehe, it’s a banquet, after all. As the queen, it’s my duty to liven things up. What do you say? Just one dance?”  

“...As you wish.”  

Karen nods, taking Christine’s outstretched hand. The sight of the two prompts cheers from the young ladies and quickens the fanning of the noblewomen.  

As the two take their place at the center of the garden, the music shifts. The bright, upbeat tune gives way to a more elegant melody suited for dancing.  

Hearing the prelude, Christine murmurs with a smile,  

“Hmm, the Rikita March? Not a bad choice.”  

She grips Karen’s hand and places her other hand on Karen’s shoulder. In this stance, Christine takes the lead. Though her tall frame makes the pairing slightly unbalanced, Christine holds firm, facing Karen’s midsection with confidence.  

Karen, yielding to Christine’s lead, follows suit.  

Having always been the one to lead, Karen finds the follower’s curve slightly awkward. Yet, thanks to her exceptional athleticism, it doesn’t show outwardly.  

Or rather, the onlookers are too captivated to notice.  

Both are dressed in banquet attire long tights that reveal the shape of their legs, draped in noble garments.  

The sight of two commanding figures, usually in the lead, now partnering is a rare spectacle. Few in the crowd could resist being intrigued.  

As the slightly dull prelude ends, the main piece begins.  

“—!”  

A grand melody bursts forth with the resounding trombone. Matching the rhythm, Christine starts with a promenade position, leading with lively basic steps. But this is merely the calm before the storm.  

Natural turns, spin turns. Steady steps flow with the beat.  

Karen, expecting a flashy amalgamation (a combination of multiple techniques) from the start, is slightly puzzled but follows Christine’s movements precisely.  

The attendees smile, watching the simple yet solid performance of the pair. But, inevitably, the excitement wanes slightly.  

Then, the steps halt.  

As the onlookers wonder, they catch Christine’s intent. Her hand is raised high.  

A high hover a pose showcasing the beauty of a balanced, prolonged stillness.  

“whoaa!”  

The young ladies squeal with delight.  

This pose is meant to flaunt the beauty of the partner, like a flower held in hand, showcasing their form and grace.  

In line with Christine’s intent, Karen, with her lithe figure and attire that subtly reveals her contours, displays her captivating curves to the audience.  

A follower’s role from someone accustomed to leading. The thrilling contrast sends shivers through the crowd a natural reaction for anyone familiar with Karen Steiner.  

But Christine’s intentions don’t end there.  

“Hmm, as expected, you follow well. Hard to believe it’s your first time as a partner.”  

“You flatter me…”  

“No, I’m not one to offer empty praise. Now, shall we get started?”  

“...Pardon?”  

“Hehe, the warm-up’s over. We’ve adjusted to each other’s movements, so it’s time to heat things up, don’t you think?”  

“...?”  

At that moment,  

The march’s performance stops abruptly. A brief silence follows. The young ladies, hearing the march, look at the musicians with puzzled expressions. But the noblewomen, familiar with the piece, smile leisurely, fanning themselves.  

Then,  

*Boom*—a rapid rhythm of percussion kicks in, accompanied by a complex ensemble of strings. Unlike the grand but slower melody before, this is a fast-paced tune.  

The young ladies widen their eyes in surprise at the sudden shift.  

But the noblewomen, knowing the flow, nod and smile.  

The flow of the Rikita March. Its prelude signifies the arrival of a herald. The grand melody that follows represents the march of victorious soldiers returning from war, reclaiming their homeland.  

The brief silence signifies a break in the formation. The subsequent fast-paced melody depicts the gallant cavalry, swiftly striking down enemies. It embodies the legendary cavalry that, with lightning speed, felled countless magical beasts to protect the people, expressing their bravery and boldness.  

Matching that boldness, Christine and Karen, who had been still, begin to move.  

“...!”  

From the start, a turn. A natural turn flows into a reverse turn, the pair weaving through the garden with swift, dazzling movements. Then, the steps resume, but never more than a couple at a time. A quick open reverse shifts the dance’s direction. Then spin, spin, spin, and a rondé.  

Cheers erupt as their vibrant movements bloom like flowers to the lively cavalry tune.  

Satisfied with the cheers, Christine smiles, scanning her next direction.  

But for Karen, keeping up is a struggle. The elaborate amalgamations are combinations she’s never attempted before.  

All she can do is focus on not tripping over the tangled steps.  

Amid this, an oversway follows the turn. Rising fully, their chests align, revealing their inner forms like the heart of a blooming flower. The crowd roars.  

Some young ladies even feel dizzy at the breathtaking sight.  

Then, pivot, spin, spin, spin, followed by a kick, jump, slide, jump. The movements, previously focused on spins, now vary. Karen responds a beat late, but only a few notice.  

Most are too captivated by the exquisite chemistry of the pair, applauding in response.  

But the dreamlike moment begins to draw to a close. The pair races through hops and chassés. Just before the music ends, Christine winks at Karen, signaling.  

And then,  

“...!”  

At the very end, the direction shifts again. A reverse turn. The flow, previously reversed, returns to normal. The finishing move follows. Karen, released from Christine’s hold, moves freely.  

Was the wink a signal for this? Karen begins spinning alone. The young ladies gasp, worried she might fall. But—*whoosh, whoosh*—Karen doesn’t stumble. Instead, her spins grow steadier, and with graceful ease, she returns to Christine’s side, striking a final pose.  

Matching her, Christine completes her pose. The music ends.  

“—!”  

Cheers and applause erupt. Christine waves in response, smiling. Karen, slightly exhausted but bowing, acknowledges the cheers.  

“Impressive. I didn’t expect you to keep up with those moves. I kept pushing, wondering how far you could go.”  

Christine smiles with satisfaction. Karen, with a wry smile, bows humbly.  

Patting Karen’s shoulder in praise, Christine continues,  

“With a performance like that, a reward is in order.”  

“No, I don’t need…”  

“Hehe, no need to worry. Hmm, how about visiting my chambers in the castle in about three hours?”  

“...!”  

Karen’s face flushes with panic at Christine’s words.  

But Christine, still whispering close to her ear, continues.  

“I’ll have someone wait near the castle entrance. Just follow them.”  

“Y-Your Majesty, I, um…”  

“Hehe, don’t refuse. This is an order from the queen.”  

“...”  

At the word “order,” Karen falls silent.  

Christine, satisfied, nods and moves forward.  

Karen tries to follow but is quickly surrounded by young ladies requesting dances, unable to proceed.  

Meanwhile, Christine leisurely engages with others, drifting further away.  

Karen, caught in conversation with the young ladies, watches Christine’s retreating figure with uneasy eyes.  

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Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id