"Saint Casrot requires every one of us to learn to dance."
"He said that if we perform well enough, we will eventually be allowed to return home."
"So, from today onward, I'll be the one teaching you."
Angelina smiled warmly as the iron cage was finally opened.
Seeing the shackles removed from Hancock and her sisters reminded her of her own arrival several years ago.
Back then, she had also been dragged into this villa inside an iron cage.
An older slave girl had welcomed her, removed her restraints, and patiently taught her how to dance.
That girl had eventually disappeared.
Everyone said she had finally been allowed to return home.
Angelina had never seen her again.
"Thank you, Angelina."
Hancock lowered her head politely.
Ever since she and her sisters had been captured, everyone they met had treated them as nothing more than merchandise.
Only the gentle young woman standing before them spoke with genuine kindness.
Her soft voice seemed capable of melting away some of the fear in their hearts.
"It's nothing."
Angelina waved both hands in embarrassment.
She wasn't accustomed to being thanked.
"By the way…"
Her expression suddenly became serious.
"Be careful around the elderly women who manage this estate."
"They're all extremely strict."
"So don't anger them."
Angelina whispered into Hancock's ear.
This luxurious villa was managed by more than a dozen elderly female attendants.
To every slave living here…
Those women were the very definition of fear.
"You must be Hancock."
"Well done, Angelina."
An elderly woman approached with measured steps.
She wore an elegant maid's uniform, and although her face appeared calm, years of authority surrounded her.
Her name was Gika.
She had personally instructed Angelina to receive the newest arrivals.
Now that she finally saw Hancock in person…
She immediately understood why Saint Casrot had specifically ordered special care for this girl.
Even though Hancock had not yet reached adulthood…
Her extraordinary beauty was already impossible to hide.
Hancock quietly observed the old woman.
Compared to the slave traders…
Gika appeared much kinder.
Her resistance eased ever so slightly.
"She'll be your caretaker."
Angelina quietly whispered another explanation.
"I must admit…"
"You three truly are beautiful children."
"It's no wonder Saint Casrot took such an interest in you."
Gika smiled faintly.
"Since Saint Casrot purchased you, you will naturally obey the rules of this estate."
"The rules here are simple."
"Work hard."
"Practice diligently."
"If your performance attracts Saint Casrot's attention during one of his banquets…"
"He may allow you to return home."
Hancock remained silent.
She didn't believe a single word.
Everything sounded far too convenient.
Far too perfect.
"Angelina."
"You will continue looking after the three sisters."
"Help them become familiar with life here."
Gika calmly gave her instructions.
Although she had been ordered to supervise Hancock personally…
She had no intention of growing emotionally attached.
She had lived here long enough to understand one cruel truth.
Every slave eventually met the same fate.
"Yes, Granny Gika."
Angelina nodded respectfully.
She glanced toward the large grandfather clock standing nearby.
The hour hand had nearly reached dinner time.
"You must all be hungry."
"I'll take you to the dining hall."
She gently led the three sisters deeper into the estate.
As they walked, she continued explaining.
"The dining hall has three floors."
"New arrivals always eat on the first floor."
The spacious hall was brightly illuminated.
Everything was spotless.
Despite being a slave residence…
The surroundings appeared surprisingly luxurious.
"The meals here are carefully prepared."
"The chefs control everyone's diet."
"They say dancers need to maintain elegant figures."
Angelina smiled apologetically.
There were only three meal options each day.
No matter how delicious they appeared…
There was never much variety.
Hancock nodded thoughtfully.
"That makes sense."
"A professional dancer probably shouldn't overeat."
Believing Saint Casrot genuinely intended to train performers for lavish banquets…
She naturally accepted the explanation.
"So…"
"What would you like to eat?"
Angelina turned toward the three sisters.
Marigold and Sandersonia quietly shook their heads.
Hancock answered on behalf of everyone.
"Whatever you recommend is fine."
After everything they had endured while imprisoned by slave traders…
Food was simply food.
They had long since abandoned the luxury of being picky.
Angelina thought carefully before smiling.
"Then…"
"Four servings of mashed potatoes, please."
She spoke to one of the kitchen attendants.
Soon afterward…
Several steaming bowls of mashed potatoes were placed upon the table.
Hancock slowly took a bite.
Her expression softened ever so slightly.
"…It's delicious."
She silently admitted it to herself.
"Eat as much as you like."
"But never waste food."
Angelina smiled brightly while watching the three sisters eat.
She had lived here for over three years.
This estate had gradually become her second home.
Because of her gentle personality…
Nearly every slave girl liked her.
Only a handful envied the affection she received from others.
…
Several days later…
The dance lessons officially began.
"After you jump…"
"Spread your legs as far as possible."
"Then immediately bring them back together."
"Your front kick shouldn't be too strong or too weak."
"Yes!"
"That's perfect!"
Angelina enthusiastically corrected every movement.
Hancock, Marigold, and Sandersonia learned astonishingly quickly.
As daughters of Amazon Lily…
Their physical flexibility far surpassed that of ordinary girls.
Many movements that required months of practice came naturally to them.
While guiding the sisters…
Angelina also practiced alongside them.
She refused to neglect her own training.
"Angelina…"
"Are you still practicing?"
Hancock asked curiously.
Sweat continuously dripped from Angelina's forehead.
Yet she showed no intention of stopping.
"Of course."
Angelina smiled.
"If I want to shine during Saint Casrot's banquet…"
"I have to keep improving."
"I want to repay his kindness."
Even while speaking…
She never stopped practicing.
"I see…"
Hancock hesitated before asking another question.
"Is Saint Casrot…"
"A good person?"
From Angelina's tone…
It sounded almost as though she admired him.
But Hancock couldn't understand why.
She had personally seen the greed and filth in that Celestial Dragon's eyes.
"No…"
Angelina hurriedly shook her head.
"You misunderstood."
"Saint Casrot isn't exactly kind."
"I've seen his temper."
"It can be frightening."
She lowered her eyes slightly.
"But…"
"He bought me from the slave traders."
"He took me away from that horrible auction house."
"I survived because of that."
"So…"
"I want to repay him."
Her voice carried genuine gratitude.
Even now…
She couldn't understand why Saint Casrot insisted they master dance before supposedly allowing them to leave.
She had never figured out his true intentions.
So…
She chose to believe the kindest explanation she could imagine.
Perhaps…
He simply loved beautiful dancing.
Just as she loved the endless blue sea of her homeland in the North Blue…
A sea as brilliant as a sapphire beneath the summer sky.
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