In the name of the true god

So soon someone asked me to dance?

Although this aloof woman possessed a sharp and assertive aura, which didn't quite match Jude's original preference for an approachable dance partner, he couldn't simply refuse the invitation as a 'gentleman': "It's my pleasure."

"This is my first time here, I'm not very good at dancing, do you mind?"

"This is my first time here too, I've never danced before." Jude looked around at the people, "How about I learn from them?"

"Okay." The aloof woman naturally placed a hand on Jude's shoulder.

Jude also extended his left hand to shake hands with her, while his right hand gently wrapped around her waist.

The two of them took turns jumping, one step forward and the other step back, then the other took another step back, jumping awkwardly like this.

"Do you know why I asked you to dance with me?" The aloof woman stared into Jude's eyes, her tone languid.

This was Jude's first time being so close to a woman. After catching a whiff of her faint fragrance, he looked away somewhat shyly: "Why?"

The aloof woman said, "I saw you give alms to a beggar when you entered the hotel."

Oh?

A casual act of kindness became a plus in her eyes?

Indeed, who doesn't like a kind-hearted person?

Jude reassuredly turned his gaze back to the other person, meeting their deep blue eyes: "It was nothing."

The aloof woman's gaze held a mixture of indifference and mockery as she directly questioned, "I'd like to know, are you doing this to deliberately show off to the ladies passing by in order to win their favor?"

"Showing off?" Jude paused for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile. "Heh, I just see my past reflected in them."

"Were you once a beggar?"

"No, but he's not much different from a beggar."

"I can't tell."

Jude shrugged, offering no further explanation: "So you suspect I have ulterior motives, which is why you came to ask me to dance?"

"I enjoy exposing everyone's pretense," the aloof woman said.

"So, detective lady, do you think I'm faking it?" Jude asked again in a teasing tone.

"you--"

Before the aloof woman could reply, Jude stepped forward and accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt, which was slightly touching the ground.

Just as the other person was about to retreat along with Jude's advance, this step caused her center of gravity to suddenly shift backward.

"Watch out!" Jude reacted quickly, taking a big step forward and firmly supporting her with his arm.

The man supports the woman, while she leans back from the waist up.

It was an accident, but it allowed the aloof woman to showcase the graceful lines of her body, and she performed the "check" move of the waltz quite accurately, attracting the attention of other men and women nearby.

One minute later.

The two found an empty round table and sat down to rest.

The aloof woman bent down to look at the torn hem of her skirt, and asked incredulously, "You really don't know how to ballroom dance?"

"It's my first time here, how could I possibly jump..." Jude said apologetically, reaching for his wallet. "How much is this dress? I'll pay you back."

"No need." The aloof woman casually lowered her skirt, picked up her champagne glass, and took a sip.

"It's due." Jude didn't know the price of the dress, but judging from its quality, it wasn't cheap. He then took out all the banknotes from his wallet. "I brought about sixty-five gold grams with me today. I spent ten gold grams on drinks at the ball, gave twenty gold grams to the beggars, and I have thirty... um, yes, thirty-five gold grams left. If that's not enough, I'll find a way to make up the difference tomorrow."

The aloof woman glanced at the wad of banknotes that Jude had carefully counted and handed over: "I already said, no need."

"Take it, take it." Jude forced it on, "I don't take advantage of others, nor do I let others suffer losses."

"Heh." The aloof woman stubbornly tossed the money back to Jude. "This dress was a gift from someone else. I already felt awkward about it, so it's good to throw it away now that it's broken."

"You don't like it, yet you still wear it..." Jude muttered softly.

"Because this is the only dress in my wardrobe that's suitable for a ball."

Jude raised an eyebrow: "Is this really your first time here?"

"Hmm." The aloof woman turned her head, narrowing her eyes. "Don't believe me?"

"It's because you don't believe me." Jude spread his hands, his face full of innocence.

"I believe you now." The aloof woman turned her gaze back to the group of dancers. "Why did you decide to attend the ball?"

"Change your mood, broaden your horizons. What about you?" Jude was a little thirsty, so he poured himself a glass of champagne and sipped it slowly.

"A friend asked me to find a marriage partner."

"Marriage partner?" Jude was only slightly surprised.

Many people attend social dances to broaden their social circles and then select marriage partners who are suitable for them in terms of family background, appearance, and personality.

The aloof and beautiful woman in front of me has a rather unique personality, and her age is not considered young by the general standards of this other world. It's not surprising that she came here with the intention of finding a marriage partner.

only……

Why is she eyeing me when she's looking for a marriage partner?

"It's just that I'm getting older, and things can't go on like this." The aloof woman briefly explained her situation, then a teasing smile suddenly appeared on her face. "How old are you?"

"Me?" Jude felt a sudden tension. "Twenty-one years old."

"Just turned 18..."

In this alternate world, regardless of gender, one is considered an adult under the law and acquires full civil rights only when they are 21 years of age or older.

Simultaneously.

The only requirement for wizards and resonance sorcerers to 'pass on' their contact law and similarity law to others is that the other party must be at least twenty-one years old.

"And you?" Jude asked in return.

"How old do you think I am?" The cold, beautiful woman's gaze sharpened.

Even though Jude didn't have many opportunities to interact with mature women in his previous life or this one, it didn't stop him from being very clear that this was an extremely dangerous problem.

After careful consideration, he said without hesitation, "He looks a little older than me."

"Heh..." The aloof woman raised the corners of her lips, raised her glass, and said, "Want a drink?"

"it is good."

"Smack."

The crisp sound of glasses clinking together.

The aloof woman downed her drink in one gulp, and Jude, who had only intended to take a small sip, had no choice but to follow suit and gulp it down as well: "Cough cough..."

"Is this your first time drinking alcohol too?"

"Anyway, I don't drink it often..." Jude wiped his mouth, looking slightly disheveled.

"You really are like a child, I'm almost embarrassed to tease you." The aloof woman lifted her skirt and stood up. "It's no fun here, how about we go out for a drink?"

"Never mind," Jude declined. "I have a few friends waiting for me, and I need to go back with them later."

The aloof woman asked meaningfully, "Afraid of me?"

Jude didn't really have the guts to drink with a strange woman in private, but he still used the same excuse: "No, I really have to wait for a few friends."

The aloof woman gave a soft snort and left alone.

Jude breathed a sigh of relief and rearranged the banknotes in his hand, putting them back into his wallet.

"Jude!" At this moment, Allen and Anders, who had been watching from a distance, crept over furtively. Both of them stared wide-eyed, as if they had witnessed something terrifying. "You, you and..."

"Oh, that lady just asked me to dance," Jude explained casually. "You two haven't found dance partners yet?"

"That's not important!" Allen looked towards the entrance of the dance hall. "Do you know who you were dancing with just now?"

"Who? Do you know them?" Jude asked curiously.

He had been chatting with the aloof woman for quite a while, but he had forgotten to introduce himself.

Allen lowered his voice and said, enunciating each word clearly, "That's Melanie Gilbert, the First-Class Ward Ward Supervisor of our prison!"