– Remember, Mama….

Wendy recalled what Liri had earnestly told her.

– Until midnight…. After midnight, I’ll return to my original form…. I must come back before then.

I could never stay an adult forever.

But just for today….

For the remaining day, I could meet him as an adult.

It was truly a thrilling moment.

Thanks to my sponsor, Liri, who specially added a coin, Wendy was able to become an adult as she wished.

Well, not exactly an adult, but a form where the Hero’s Power was unleashed….

After transforming, the first thing I noticed was my increased height.

As my vision rose, I began to see more than before.

Plus, wearing high heels made the world look different. Though my feet hurt a bit….

Also, my hair had grown too long to tie into pigtails.

With my curly hair, it took time to comb it neatly. If Liri hadn’t helped, I might not have finished.

– You’ve become pretty…. Mama….

– Hehe…. Really?

– Mhm…. Pretty…. Really….

The dress Liri prepared fit Wendy’s adult body perfectly.

A luxurious, bright yellow dress with golden embroidery. The chest area was particularly emphasized, which would have been loose before the transformation, but not now. It even felt a bit tight.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Wendy felt nothing but awkward.

Honestly, I don’t know if I look pretty…. Liri kept saying I looked beautiful, seemingly satisfied…. But Wendy had only one thought.

Would Tristan like this appearance?

She wasn’t sure. There were many beautiful people around him. No matter how pretty I became, I couldn’t tell if I’d catch Tristan’s eye.

But as Wendy looked into the mirror, she felt a little courage.

Even if he doesn’t know, he’ll surely be surprised to see me like this. Or maybe he won’t recognize me.

With a fluttering heart, Wendy waited for Tristan.

But strangely, even after 9 o’clock, he showed no sign of appearing.

Did something happen? Or did he forget the promise?

After much deliberation, Wendy decided to leave the office and look for Tristan herself. And finally….

‘Oh no, I spoke….’

Wendy tried to calm her pounding heart.

With so many people at the ball, it was overwhelming, but she found him quicker than expected.

Tristan always had an unapproachable aura. It was the same this time.

He was sitting on a bench in a dark corner, away from the crowd.

Wendy, afraid he might recognize her, even wore an eye mask and approached him.

She even dared to invite him to dance, pretending to be a stranger.

“……”

But Tristan just silently looked her over. With cold eyes that revealed nothing.

Unable to bear the silence, Wendy finally waved her hand.

“Ah, um, if it was too sudden, I’m sorry. Please forget what I said.”

“Alright.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll dance with you.”

Tristan stood up and took Wendy’s hand. Then he kissed the back of her hand.

“…!”

“Nice to meet you, shy lady.”

Tristan said with a smile, amused.

The eye mask couldn’t hide the blush on her face. All she could do was force an awkward smile.

The leaves of the fragrant flowers were falling.

Wendy, led by Tristan’s hand, began to step lightly.

Oh. Come to think of it….

“Is this your first time dancing?”

“Ah….”

It must be obvious.

Wendy blamed herself.

If I planned to attend the ball, I should have practiced dancing….

For Wendy, a commoner, balls and dances were cultures she had no connection with. She never had the chance to learn, nor was she raised in an environment where she could.

It was just a vague longing for the nobles’ culture.

Embarrassed, Wendy apologized.

“I’m sorry…. Maybe you shouldn’t dance with me….”

“I’ll teach you.”

“Huh?”

“How to dance. I’ll teach you.”

With that, Tristan gently wrapped his arm around Wendy’s waist.

“Dancing has a flow from start to finish. If you can embody that flow, you’re halfway to success.”

“Yes….”

“Don’t worry about the steps for now, just move with my body.”

Tristan pressed close to Wendy. His neck was almost at her nose level.

She felt like burying her face there. His neck was so tempting.

“…Don’t be nervous.”

“Yes, yes!”

Snapping back to attention, Wendy started dancing as Tristan instructed.

Clumsily but following Tristan’s movements carefully. Then….

“Ah…. I can follow a little now.”

“Mhm.”

Stumbling at first, Wendy gradually matched the rhythm and stepped in sync.

Amazingly, her body began to move naturally.

“Then I’ll speed up a bit. Is that okay?”

“Yes!”

Wendy danced hard with Tristan. At first, she worried about messing up the steps, but as she got used to the flow, her feet moved almost on their own.

It was truly magical.

Wendy, who had never danced before, was now confidently stepping.

‘This is fun….’

Unknowingly, a smile formed on Wendy’s lips.

It felt like a dream come true, something she had longed for.

How wonderful it would be to dance with him forever….

“You seem to be doing well now.”

“Yes…. Thanks to you.”

“You’re the first to invite me to dance without knowing how.”

“Ah, that’s really….”

“Enough. Don’t apologize. I’m not blaming you.”

With that, Tristan started stepping again. Wendy followed his steps.

Amazingly, her body moved as if she had been dancing for years.

By now, Wendy realized.

If she hadn’t danced with Tristan, she would never have danced like this. In fact, Tristan was adjusting to her.

Every time she lifted her foot, he was ready to naturally and swiftly accommodate her next move.

“Count. Did you already know…?”

“Know what?”

“Ah, nothing…. It must be my imagination.”

Wendy glanced at Tristan’s expression. But no matter how much she looked, she couldn’t tell if he recognized her.

“Bel…. Ah, no…. Where is your partner?”

“How did you know I have a partner?”

“…!”

Tristan asked, feigning interest.

“Well…. Someone like you must have a partner….”

“Someone like me…?”

“Well…. Kind…. Nice voice…. Handsome and….”

Wendy rambled on.

Seeing this, Tristan chuckled.

“You speak as if you know me well.”

“Ah, no….”

Embarrassed, Wendy bowed her head deeply.

Through the falling flower petals, she suddenly felt gazes.

Looking around, people dancing nearby were watching Tristan and her.

‘Eek! Is, is everyone looking?!’

Is there something strange about how I look?

Wendy cautiously opened her mouth.

“Um….”

“What’s wrong?”

“Is there something strange about how I look…?”

Tristan narrowed his eyes and looked Wendy over.

“No problem at all.”

“Then why are people staring…?”

“Because you’re beautiful.”

“…Me? Me?”

“Yes.”

Wendy unconsciously held her breath.

“Count. Do you really…. Really think I’m beautiful…?”

“? Yes.”

“…Hehe. Thank you….”

Her face relaxed.

I shouldn’t, but I kept smiling.

Not because he called me cute, but because he called me beautiful.

I achieved my goal.

Now it’s time to tell the truth.

“Um….”

Wendy slowly stopped stepping.

She swallowed and continued.

“Count. Actually, I have a confession. I am actually….”

As she reached to remove her eye mask, Tristan interrupted.

“Sadly, let’s stop here.”

“Huh, huh?”

“It was short, but enjoyable. Nameless lady.”

“Bu, but I….”

“Don’t be disappointed.”

Tristan quietly kissed her hand and added.

“If you’re an adult now, you should know when to step back.”

“What?! Ah, did you know?!”

Startled, Wendy pressed, and Tristan smiled slyly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. But….”

He gently stroked Wendy’s bandaged hand.

“Even as an adult, these hands remain the same. Cute.”

“Th, these are from before I became an adult….”

“Proof you’re still a child.”

“Heeing….”

“I’ll ask why this happened later. Now go back. It’s not time for kids to be out.”

At Tristan’s firm reply, Wendy shook her head.

“No. I want to…. Dance with you more….”

“…….”

Was it because she was an adult?

Normally, she wouldn’t defy his orders, but an unknown courage surged within her.

After silently looking down at Wendy, Tristan sighed.

“Sadly, the ball is over.”

“Huh?”

Listening, the music had stopped. People around were slowly leaving.

The festival’s final event had ended.

“Plus…. My haughty partner seems to be looking for me.”

“Ah….”

Indeed, Bella’s voice calling for Tristan could be heard somewhere.

“It’s late. You should go back.”

“Yes….”

It was very disappointing, but there was no choice.

Why does time always end when it’s most disappointing….

“Count. Today was truly enjoyable. I’ll never forget today…. Well then….”

Having fulfilled her long-cherished wish, insisting further would only be a nuisance to Tristan. Convincing herself, Wendy turned to leave.

“Come to think of it, I had a promise with you.”

“Huh?”

“I failed to keep my promise with you, so it’s natural you’re disappointed. So…. If you want to dance more, go back to the promised place.”

“Count…?”

“So don’t look so disappointed.”

Tristan coughed and added.

“The festival isn’t over yet.”