(A/N: Allyrwhitney, not gonna lie, the '24 day week' comment was based off the return scene in the 1997 film adaptation. But it's something that never ceases to crack me up. The whole return scene in the 1997 adaptation is hilarious. It's one of my favorite adaptation scenes to watch.)

Sofia watched as Calista focused very intently on her sums. In a show of very impressive behavior, the child had been very well behaved over the past four days since the governess had returned. Sofia was very surprised by how well Calista had been behaving. Normally, there were anywhere from two to four incidents a day. But since returning to her post, Sofia had had only one very small incident with Calista. There had been no issues with Calista running away from lessons because she wanted to show her uncle something, no problems with running in the halls, and no complaints about mathematics or history. Sofia wasn't about to complain though.

Also as shocking as the behavior was Calista's report that Mr. Sebara hadn't been drinking excessively for a week and that he had been in a much better mood. It almost made Sofia wonder if Calista had made that story up to try and encourage her governess to come home faster. But realistically, Sofia knew Calista wasn't capable of creating such a tall tale. And even if she could, it wasn't in her nature to do such a vindictive thing. So Sofia had no reason to not believe that her employer had done exactly as her pupil had told her.

Calista finished the last sum on her paper and calmly handed it to Sofia to look over. Sofia smiled as she looked the work over.

"Very good, Calista. You are getting much better."

Calista beamed at the praise before looking at Sofia hopefully.

"Miss Balthazar, can you show me how to dance?"

Sofia felt her eyes widen a bit at the request. It seemed normal that the child should ask about the things that would help her become a refined young lady one day. But she was only nine. She had a couple years before she needed to be worried about dancing. And there was one other little problem.

"I don't know how to dance," Sofia admitted. "It wasn't part of my instruction at school."

Calista's eyes were as wide as they could get and her jaw was all but on the floor.

"What? You never learned?"

Sofia shook her head. "The headmaster at my school believed dancing was an expression of vanity and very thoroughly discouraged it. One of the teachers secretly taught some basics. I had two lessons as a twelve year old but that was it."

Calista continued to look thoroughly stunned.

"Did you want to keep learning to dance? Why did you stop learning?"

"I wanted to learn how to dance. But after those lessons, I was practicing and my headmaster caught me. It didn't end well and I was never brave enough to try again."

Calista sighed. "He sounds rotten. Did you dislike your headmaster?"

Sofia nodded. "Everyone disliked him. How he remains at the school, I don't know."

Calista nodded solemnly. "So if you can't teach me how to dance, how will I learn?"

"I imagine when the time is right, your uncle will get a tutor for you who can teach you. I'm sorry I can't teach you. Your governess I may be but even I am limited in what I can teach."

"Now don't sell yourself short now, Sofia."

Calista and Sofia both jumped at the unexpected voice of Mr. Sebara. When he had gotten to the schoolroom and how long he had been listening in on the conversation, Sofia wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"Uncle Ceddy!" Calista exclaimed excitedly as she ran to him and threw her arms around his waist.

Mr. Sebara smiled at his enthusiastic niece as he returned her embrace.

"Now what is this I hear about someone wanting a dance lesson?"

'Blast, he heard my comment about Mr. Grimtrix, didn't he?' Sofia thought to herself.

"I want to learn about dancing but Miss Balthazar says she doesn't know how to dance," Calista explained. "Someday, will you make sure I get a tutor to teach me?"

"Of course," Mr. Sebara said. "In the meantime, I think I can help you out some. I believe I know a dance simple enough that I can show you with the help of Miss Balthazar."

Calista jumped up and down excitedly.

"Oh will you, Uncle Ceddy? I'd love to start learning about dancing!"

Sofia felt her breath catch as she realized what was happening. She was going to dance? With her employer, of all people? Before Sofia could think of a single protest, Calista had grabbed her hands and was pulling her over to Mr. Sebara. Sofia was certain her cheeks were turning red as Mr. Sebara gave her instructions on the beginning stance and moves. As she placed a hand in his and her other hand on his shoulder and he placed his other hand on her waist, Sofia realized which dance Mr. Sebara was about to show off. Sofia felt her cheeks warm even further.

None the less, and to Calista's delight, Mr. Sebara led Sofia through the waltz. In her lack of experience with dancing, she found herself stepping on Mr. Sebara's toes quite frequently or stumbling altogether. Each time she fumbled the steps, he simply gave her gentle encouragement to get her back on track.

After several minutes, Sofia noticed she was starting to make sense of the intimate dance and stepping less and less on Mr. Sebara's feet. And meeting his gaze was even more challenging as she continued to blush furiously. Instead, she directed her gaze down towards the ground.

'What is happening with me?' Sofia wondered.

She didn't remember it being this hard to be in her employer's presence.

"Wow, you really don't know how to dance, Miss Balthazar," Calista said ponderously.

Sofia turned to her pupil, ultimately ending the dance.

"I told you I have my limits."

"That headmaster of yours stinks for not letting you learn how to dance," Calista said sourly.

"It is what it is," Sofia said. "I can't change it. So I won't worry about it. And I believe it is time for you to return to your normal lessons."

Calista nodded slowly.

"Can we have another dance lesson with Uncle Ceddy?"

"We will see," Sofia said.

Even as she said those words, Sofia decided to avoid it if possible. Hard as it was to admit, she had enjoyed the dance lesson a lot and she was far beneath the notice of her employer. Far beneath the notice of a gentleman of wealth who wanted to get married.

As Mr. Sebara stepped out of the school room so he wouldn't disturb the lessons, Sofia felt her cheeks warm as her rebellious mind flittered to how nice it had felt being in his arms.

'I'm in trouble.'