If Opheliaâs heart wasnât set on dancing but instead fluttered to misguided whims, what was the point of teaching such a student?
The teachers wouldnât find any sense of achievement, and such a student would only distract the others, stopping them from focusing on their practice.
On the way back, Balfour clutched Ivyâs hand, tracing patterns on the back of it, eyes staring out the window, lost in thought.
Ivy wiggled her fingers, scratching lightly in his palm.
âWhatâs on your mind? Still worried about Grandma?â
Balfour let out a sigh, gazing at Ivy before suddenly pulling her into an embrace. âIâm worried about Grandma, and Iâm worried about you too.â
âMe? Whatâs there to worry about me?â
Ivy looked up at him, puzzled from within his arms.
âYouâre just too kind-hearted, and thatâs why people push you around. If I hadnât shown up today, would you really have kept on competing with that girl?â
Ivy shrugged nonchalantly. âShe was just sore about losing, thatâs all. I won the first round, and I could beat her in another. Sheâs no match for me, and she knows it.â
Ivy oversimplified things. Sometimes, itâs not as simple as âwhoâs right and whoâs done what.
Take Ophelia today; she had no beef with them, but a few words on the internet, plus Balfourâs daily attentions, had sparked jealousy in her heart.
No matter how many dance-offs Ivy won, Ophelia wouldnât let it go.
âDonât think too badly of everyone. I mean, weâve been through a lot since my debut, but it all turned out okay in the end. And youâll always be there to watch over me, right?â
Under Ivyâs hopeful gaze, how could Balfour say no?
âSure, but Iâm afraid of being too late one day and you get bullied again. Next time, donât \just stand there; turn down the challenge, okay? Or better yet, ignore them altogether. Let them talk, and when I get there, you can tell me everything, and Iâll take care of it.â
Balfour spoke earnestly, but Ivy couldnât help but laugh. âBalfour, do you still see me as a kid? Iâm an adult now, I can handle my own problems.â
But Balfour still looked worried. âI know youâre an adult, but some people arenât as simple as they seem. Iâm just glad you donât have to go to that dance studio anymore. Iâd worry about what they might do to you after I left.â
His voice was laden with concern, a genuine fear for Ivyâs well-being.
Alyssaâs fall down the stairs had already given him a heart-wrenching pain. He didnât want Ivy to experience anything like that.
But she was new to fame and not yet accustomed to having an entourage wherever she went.
And Balfour didnât want to confine her, allowing only a couple of bodyguards to follow her when she was out.
Even so, Ivy sometimes resented the restriction, but seeing the dark circles under Balfourâs eyes, sheâd nod in agreement.
âDonât think so poorly of her. After all, sheâs just a kid whoâs come of age, younger than me by a few years. She might be a bit rash over small things. Maybe she just doesnât like me? Lately, Iâve been good, following your advice, letting the bodyguards come with me when I go out. You donât need to worry so much.â