Chapter 213: Feelings Are Hard to Explain
Chapter 213: Feelings Are Hard to Explain
Unaware of what had transpired after he left, Steven mingled with the crowd below.
As the music played, more and more people made their way to the hastily repaired deck, indulging in a night of joyous dancing.
Among them, Steven unexpectedly spotted his daughter—and in her arms, as if they had been longtime dance partners, was Specter, gracefully moving in sync with her.
Even among this large gathering, these two Abyssal Hunters stood out like cranes among chickens. Their elegant and breathtaking dance captivated onlookers, making it nearly impossible to ignore them.
Steven couldn't help but chuckle.
It was almost unbelievable that such a mesmerizing performance was being delivered by a madwoman and an idiot.
With a light smile, he stepped toward the remaining Abyssal Hunter, who was also watching the performance in a daze.
"Instead of just standing here watching, why don't you try joining in? A three-person dance is totally possible, and judging by how much they're enjoying themselves, I bet they wouldn't mind," Steven casually suggested, picking up a glass of fruit wine from a nearby tray and sidling up beside Skadi.
He could clearly see the desire in her eyes—the longing to join in. But more than that, there was hesitation and regret.
"I can't dance," Skadi murmured, leaning against the railing and burying her face in her hands, looking utterly dejected.
"How would you know if you don't even try? You're all Abyssal Hunters—isn't dancing just another movement like fighting?"
Steven leaned on the railing just as she did, taking a relaxed sip of his drink before flashing her a teasing grin.
"Their dance moves seem almost instinctual. You've seen it yourself—even in their current states, they complement each other perfectly. If I suddenly jumped in, I'd just throw off their rhythm," Skadi muttered, her voice small and uncertain.
It was clear that she didn't actually not want to join in—she just didn't see an opportunity to do so.
After all, she was from the Third Company, while Gladiia and Specter belonged to the Second Company. Their interactions had always been limited.
"That's not necessarily true. At the very least, I can tell that—even now—they still consider you one of their own. People can lie about their words, but their eyes can't deceive anyone," Steven remarked, swirling the wine in his glass as he spoke.
After all, Gladiia was one thing—she was usually composed. But Specter? That woman was an absolute lunatic, someone who wouldn't even spare the gods when she went on a rampage.
And yet, even in her crazed state, she had never once harmed Skadi.
"Isn't it you Abyssal Hunters who always say you're bound by blood? Even if you set that aside, aren't you still comrades?"
Steven tilted his head and shot Skadi a sideways glance, trying to offer her a bit of reassurance.
Considering that Gladiia was technically his daughter, that would make Skadi something like his niece, wouldn't it?
"You make a good point, but… it doesn't change the fact that I really can't dance. I can accompany them musically, but if I step onto that floor, I'll trip over my own feet," Skadi finally admitted, sounding awkward and embarrassed.
For the first time, she was experiencing what it meant to feel self-conscious.
She didn't understand why.
She had excellent control over her body—especially in battle, where she could manipulate every single muscle with precision.
But the moment she tried to dance, her limbs would lose control, flailing about in an utterly disastrous mess.
Perhaps talent played a role in these things—just like how she believed she had a natural talent for music.
"Pfft— Sorry, that one's on me. I didn't consider that," Steven chuckled, barely holding back his laughter.
He shifted his gaze back to the two elegant figures in the center of the dance floor.
Gladiia, while dancing, seemed to return to her usual composed self—exuding a heroic grace while still maintaining the soft, alluring charm of a woman.
Her confidence and sensuality, two seemingly contradictory traits, blended together seamlessly, making it impossible to look away.
It was truly difficult to imagine that the moment she stepped off the dance floor, she would revert to that childish personality, constantly clinging to him and calling him Dad.
The contrast was just too extreme.
But then, Steven suddenly noticed a small detail. His smile froze for a brief moment before shifting into a more casual one.
Skadi, however, didn't notice his change in expression. Still gazing at the two dancers with admiration, she let out a sigh before turning her head toward Steven.
"Are you planning to leave Rhodes Island once we get to Kazimierz? What about the Second Company Captain? Are you going to just disappear on her again like last time?"
Her question was sharp and to the point, her expression unusually serious.
"How can you call it disappearing? I just don't see the point of staying in one place for too long. I can't just stay by her side forever, can I? Besides, she has things she needs to do too," Steven shrugged, not bothering to deny it.
At best, Rhodes Island was just a temporary stop for him, a place to rest his feet. Staying for an extended period? That wasn't really his style. He had never been one to settle down.
"Besides, you'll be here, right? Taking care of them shouldn't be a problem for you," he added.
"I'm also an operator of Rhodes Island," Skadi shook her head. "Even if I'm just a mercenary, I still have to take on missions. I need to, if I want to afford Specter's treatment."
The medical expenses for treating Specter were astronomical—there was no way Rhodes Island could cover them for free. Skadi had to take on bounty-hunting jobs on the side just to make ends meet, but she still needed to complete Rhodes Island assignments as well.
"That's why… Kal'tsit told me to go to Kazimierz with you."
Tilting her head slightly, Skadi observed Steven.
She didn't dislike the young man in front of her. In fact, considering everything he had done for both her and Gladiia, she had to admit she was somewhat grateful.
But what she couldn't understand was—why did Gladiia have such a strange attachment to him? That was odd enough, but even Laurentina seemed to feel the same way.
What was it about him that attracted Abyssal Hunters?
And if there really was something—why couldn't she feel it?
"Tch, that doesn't sound like a great deal for me," Steven clicked his tongue. "And… have you ever done missions with a partner before?"
It wasn't that he didn't trust Skadi—it was just that, with her somewhat naive and straightforward nature, she hardly seemed like the reliable type.
"No," Skadi shook her head bluntly. "The land-dwellers in Rhodes Island can't keep up with me."
She wasn't boasting. It was just the truth.
"Alright then," Steven sighed, rubbing his neck. "If you can keep up with me, I don't mind. Honestly, having a travel companion sounds nice—it'd be good to have someone to talk to on the road. Just gotta figure out who's gonna take care of Gladiia."
He paused for a moment, then shrugged indifferently.
"Actually… maybe we don't even need to."
Skadi simply stared at him, as if searching for something on his face.
"I don't get it," she muttered, shaking her head before taking a sip of her drink.
"What don't you understand?"
Steven scratched his head, puzzled by Skadi's sudden statement.
"Why… Do you care so much about the Second Company Captain?" Skadi hesitated for a moment before speaking bluntly. "Is it just because she sees you as her Dad? But didn't you say before that it was a huge hassle?"
Subtlety wasn't her strong suit—if she had a question, she asked it directly.
"That's true. There's nothing actually tying me to her. If anything, I'd say I've already repaid whatever I owed her."
Steven stroked his chin in thought.
At first, he had only taken responsibility because he had been the one who accidentally knocked her into this state.
But somehow, over time, he had simply come to accept his role as her "Dad."
And now, strangely enough… he even enjoyed it.
Why? He wasn't sure he could explain it himself.
But emotions were complicated things.
They grew the longer people spent together.
And at this point, if anyone so much as tried to lay a finger on Gladiia, Steven wouldn't stand for it.
That was part of the reason why he had struck so decisively against the Church of the Deep—his enemies just so happened to have a problem with the people he cared about.
"Feelings aren't always easy to put into words. Let's just say I have an excess of fatherly love, alright?"
Steven laughed, offering a deliberately vague answer.
But this only confused Skadi even more.
"That's exactly why I don't get it," she muttered, shaking her head before downing the rest of her drink.
A strange silence settled between them.
And at that moment, the very person they had been talking about suddenly appeared beside them.
Specter—for once—seemed to have burned through her energy. Instead of acting crazy, she casually hooked an arm around Skadi's shoulders and leaned on her while sipping fruit juice.
Gladiia, however, did not rush toward Steven, calling him Dad and throwing herself into his arms like she usually did.
Instead, she remained as graceful and composed as if she were still on the dance floor.
Then, extending her hand toward him, she gazed at him with a cool, elegant expression—the same one she had when he first met her.
"Dad.. Would you do me the honor of a dance?"
Gone was the playful, carefree child—in her place stood a regal, poised woman.
"If you don't mind that I can't dance and will probably step on your feet," Steven chuckled, "then I'd be more than happy to."
He took her cool, slender hand, accepting her invitation with a smile.
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