I walked halfway around the mansion, looking for Laskan. I asked the maids and servants, but no one had any real information about his whereabouts.
I later found out from Lisa that it was forbidden to directly mention the Duke's whereabouts to 'unauthorized outsiders'. It was because of the assassins.
It seemed a bit unusual, but considering his status, it was understandable.
After a long wandering, I found Laskan in the garden. To be exact, I saw him in the hydrangea garden through the study window.
Even though it was the middle of winter, the flowers blooming profusely somehow felt unreal.
He was sitting at a long table in the garden, reading something. The papers were piled high, and his brow was somewhat furrowed. I don't know what it was, but he seemed to be doing something serious and difficult.
I hesitated for a moment before knocking on the window because he was so focused.
“Your Excellency?”
Laskan immediately raised his head. It was such a small sound that I didn't even expect to hear it right away.
A faint smile spread across his previously indifferent face as he looked at me. It was a very small change, but it was enough to shake my heart.
As Laskan opened the window, the refreshing scent of hydrangeas wafted toward me.
“What's going on?”
“Uh, well, Cesare told me to go see the Duke...”
I answered hesitantly, my cheeks reddening. I was embarrassed because even though I was just telling the truth, it sounded like an excuse.
My skirt was covered in soot from all the dirty work I had done in the mansion. I said, clutching at the hem of my skirt with my shaking hands.
“I want to learn how to dance, but he can’t teach it himself, so he said the Duke would teach me.”
“I see.”
He answered softly.
“Cesare hates dancing. He was famous for it since his days at the Academy.”
“Since his days at the Academy?”
I asked with my eyes wide open.
“Did you two graduate from the same academy? Branford, perhaps?”
"Yes."
This was another fact I didn't know. Every time Cesare kept saying things like Branford was good, Castle Rock was crap, and Rector was a place he wouldn't go to even if I paid him...
Now, I felt like I had a vague idea of the reason. I glanced at the piled-up documents and asked cautiously.
“Do you have time to teach me how to dance?”
“Yes.”
“Then, please wait a moment. I will turn around and go out into the garden.”
“Is it really necessary to do that?”
"Yes?"
He held out his hand to me. The window wasn't that high, but it wasn't high enough for me to jump out with my shoes on, even if he held on.
But I took courage when I saw his calm face. I took off my shoes first, placed them on the windowsill, and stretched my legs out the window. Then I put my hand over the Duke's palm.
The Duke's hands, calloused from long training, held me firmly.
“... You can’t miss it.”
"Yes."
He smiled wonderfully, his eyes narrowed as if dazzled by the sunlight.
I had always looked up at him, but this was the first time I looked down at him. His nose was straight, his lips were nicely closed, and his eyes were deep and blue, well-sculpted and shadowed.
I forgot that I had to jump, and lifted my free hand and touched his cheek.
I swear I had no other sloppy or dirty intentions. It was just the awe of this creature that must have been carved by God that made my right hand do what it wanted.
He closed his eyes as my fingers brushed his eyelashes.
I must have been too captivated by that face and leaned too far forward. The part that should have supported my buttocks tightly disappeared at some point.
I fell straight down. It happened so quickly that I couldn't even scream. I just closed my eyes tightly to brace myself for the impact.
“...!”
When I opened my eyes, I was suddenly in his arms.
There was a smile on his straight lips. His face looked as fresh as that of an eighteen-year-old boy.
“Got it.”
It was so close that it felt like he was whispering directly into my ear.
He set me down carefully, before I could just sit there dazed and start struggling too much.
The grass in the garden felt soft on my bare feet without any shoes on.
As I stood barefoot among the hydrangeas, holding his hand, I felt like a fairy, especially since I was wearing a white muslin dress like a Princess in a fairy tale.
“Where are you hurt?”
“There’s not a single one. What about you, Duke? Is your arm okay? What should I do? It must have been very heavy.”
Only then did my face burn, like an ordinary girl would when she saw an overly handsome guy.
"It's okay."
He answered softly.
The slum girls were right. Looks aren't everything in a guy, but they definitely are. Is this what it means to fall in love at first sight?
Of course, that doesn't mean I love him now. My heart was beating too fast, but that was simply the aftereffect of the fall.
I had to. He was too high up in the clouds for someone like me to like.
“And it wasn’t heavy at all.”
Maybe it was because we were in a space where there were only two people. His voice, which had always sounded stiff, seemed to have softened a little.
While I was hesitating, he bowed gracefully and extended his hand to me.
“Starting with the waltz?”
"...Yes."
“Then, hand.”
I put my hand back on his as if I was possessed. Our bodies naturally came together as our hands met. He put his hand on the hollow of my waist.
As I grabbed the base of his forearm, he adjusted his hand position. Because of the difference in our sizes, his arm was raised a little higher, and soon he began to move slowly.
As we moved, hydrangeas and lavender in delicate bloom swayed. Early summer seemed to have magically taken hold only in this garden.
He acted very gently and gracefully. His movements were leisurely and relaxed, as if he was taking into consideration me, a beginner. It was different from what Cesare had demonstrated from beginning to end.
Either this was what a waltz was all about, or Cesare was just plain terrible at dancing. If you could give something a name, it was literally a waltz.
When I first heard the word waltz, I thought it was too soft for a word to describe a dance.
But when I danced with Laskan, I knew it. It was something soft and ticklish like the flapping of a small bird's wings, yet passionate enough to make my breath tremble. That was the waltz.
That day, I danced a real waltz.
“Would you please straighten your back a little more?”
“I think I need to stretch the chest area a little and shorten the length by about half an inch from the last time I measured it.”
“How much fabric did you bring? This isn’t all.”
“Oh, I think navy suits you better than this fabric. Since Young Lady has white and clear skin, I think it would be good for you to boldly try out dark colors like this.”
The next day, early in the morning, Isabella and the seamstresses from the trendy clothing store Etoile barged in.
I was in my morning class and was dragged in without any explanation and was trying on all kinds of fabrics.
"Next."
Isabella snapped her fingers, and two apprentice seamstresses quickly pulled out new pieces of fabric and placed them on my body.
Isabella's eyes narrowed immediately. This fabric seemed to be a complete failure.
“That sky blue fabric you showed me last time, take that out and take a look. Young Lady, if it’s hard, should I pour you some water?”
“No... It’s okay.”
This work had been going on for two hours already, but the heat was so intense that it was embarrassing to ask for a break.
To my eyes, they all looked the same, but to Isabella and the head seamstress, they looked different.
Even though they had similar patterns and colors, some passed while others went back into the trunk.
“Please spread your arms a little.”
Just when I thought I had finally finished selecting the fabric, a tape measure appeared.
The length from shoulder to forearm, the ratio of the entire leg to the calf, the circumference of the waist, etc... Having the secrets of my body evaluated so mercilessly in front of so many people was an experience I never wanted to experience again.
Finally, the tailor spoke, wrapping the measuring tape around my arm.
“Your body is slender... The problem is that your skin is a bit rough. It seems that you don’t wear hats much, so you have quite a few freckles. You should mix Lithuania oil and beeswax in your wash water every day. Applying a cream made from Tonya grass in the morning and evening will also help.”
What, what should I mix with what, and what do I do it? I didn't understand, but Lisa nodded seriously.
“Then it’s time to try on a real dress.”
As the head seamstress clapped her hands, the seamstresses magically poured dresses out of large trunks.
Most of them were rejected by Isabella before it could even take them out, but a few were so responsive that they made her gasp. To me, they all looked like they were covered in the same lace...
As most of the trunk was empty, the head seamstress confidently came in carrying a dark green dress.
“Would you like to try this on for the last time? I made this based on an idea I had when I saw you from afar last time, thinking it would suit you...”
It was a dress with a pattern embroidered in fine gold thread on a dark green silk fabric.
Even I, who have always resisted tight dresses, was amazed by this dress. It was so beautiful that I wondered if I could wear it.
“Just hold your breath for a little bit.”
I obediently followed her advice. The dress was too pretty to refuse.
After I had tied my underwear, the dress was put on me, as if I was putting it over my head. After I had tied the last ribbon with great care, the maids skillfully touched up my hair and makeup.
Finally, Lisa put something red on her lips and stepped back. Sighs of admiration erupted here and there.
I later found out from Lisa that it was forbidden to directly mention the Duke's whereabouts to 'unauthorized outsiders'. It was because of the assassins.
It seemed a bit unusual, but considering his status, it was understandable.
After a long wandering, I found Laskan in the garden. To be exact, I saw him in the hydrangea garden through the study window.
Even though it was the middle of winter, the flowers blooming profusely somehow felt unreal.
He was sitting at a long table in the garden, reading something. The papers were piled high, and his brow was somewhat furrowed. I don't know what it was, but he seemed to be doing something serious and difficult.
I hesitated for a moment before knocking on the window because he was so focused.
“Your Excellency?”
Laskan immediately raised his head. It was such a small sound that I didn't even expect to hear it right away.
A faint smile spread across his previously indifferent face as he looked at me. It was a very small change, but it was enough to shake my heart.
As Laskan opened the window, the refreshing scent of hydrangeas wafted toward me.
“What's going on?”
“Uh, well, Cesare told me to go see the Duke...”
I answered hesitantly, my cheeks reddening. I was embarrassed because even though I was just telling the truth, it sounded like an excuse.
My skirt was covered in soot from all the dirty work I had done in the mansion. I said, clutching at the hem of my skirt with my shaking hands.
“I want to learn how to dance, but he can’t teach it himself, so he said the Duke would teach me.”
“I see.”
He answered softly.
“Cesare hates dancing. He was famous for it since his days at the Academy.”
“Since his days at the Academy?”
I asked with my eyes wide open.
“Did you two graduate from the same academy? Branford, perhaps?”
"Yes."
This was another fact I didn't know. Every time Cesare kept saying things like Branford was good, Castle Rock was crap, and Rector was a place he wouldn't go to even if I paid him...
Now, I felt like I had a vague idea of the reason. I glanced at the piled-up documents and asked cautiously.
“Do you have time to teach me how to dance?”
“Yes.”
“Then, please wait a moment. I will turn around and go out into the garden.”
“Is it really necessary to do that?”
"Yes?"
He held out his hand to me. The window wasn't that high, but it wasn't high enough for me to jump out with my shoes on, even if he held on.
But I took courage when I saw his calm face. I took off my shoes first, placed them on the windowsill, and stretched my legs out the window. Then I put my hand over the Duke's palm.
The Duke's hands, calloused from long training, held me firmly.
“... You can’t miss it.”
"Yes."
He smiled wonderfully, his eyes narrowed as if dazzled by the sunlight.
I had always looked up at him, but this was the first time I looked down at him. His nose was straight, his lips were nicely closed, and his eyes were deep and blue, well-sculpted and shadowed.
I forgot that I had to jump, and lifted my free hand and touched his cheek.
I swear I had no other sloppy or dirty intentions. It was just the awe of this creature that must have been carved by God that made my right hand do what it wanted.
He closed his eyes as my fingers brushed his eyelashes.
I must have been too captivated by that face and leaned too far forward. The part that should have supported my buttocks tightly disappeared at some point.
I fell straight down. It happened so quickly that I couldn't even scream. I just closed my eyes tightly to brace myself for the impact.
“...!”
When I opened my eyes, I was suddenly in his arms.
There was a smile on his straight lips. His face looked as fresh as that of an eighteen-year-old boy.
“Got it.”
It was so close that it felt like he was whispering directly into my ear.
He set me down carefully, before I could just sit there dazed and start struggling too much.
The grass in the garden felt soft on my bare feet without any shoes on.
As I stood barefoot among the hydrangeas, holding his hand, I felt like a fairy, especially since I was wearing a white muslin dress like a Princess in a fairy tale.
“Where are you hurt?”
“There’s not a single one. What about you, Duke? Is your arm okay? What should I do? It must have been very heavy.”
Only then did my face burn, like an ordinary girl would when she saw an overly handsome guy.
"It's okay."
He answered softly.
The slum girls were right. Looks aren't everything in a guy, but they definitely are. Is this what it means to fall in love at first sight?
Of course, that doesn't mean I love him now. My heart was beating too fast, but that was simply the aftereffect of the fall.
I had to. He was too high up in the clouds for someone like me to like.
“And it wasn’t heavy at all.”
Maybe it was because we were in a space where there were only two people. His voice, which had always sounded stiff, seemed to have softened a little.
While I was hesitating, he bowed gracefully and extended his hand to me.
“Starting with the waltz?”
"...Yes."
“Then, hand.”
I put my hand back on his as if I was possessed. Our bodies naturally came together as our hands met. He put his hand on the hollow of my waist.
As I grabbed the base of his forearm, he adjusted his hand position. Because of the difference in our sizes, his arm was raised a little higher, and soon he began to move slowly.
As we moved, hydrangeas and lavender in delicate bloom swayed. Early summer seemed to have magically taken hold only in this garden.
He acted very gently and gracefully. His movements were leisurely and relaxed, as if he was taking into consideration me, a beginner. It was different from what Cesare had demonstrated from beginning to end.
Either this was what a waltz was all about, or Cesare was just plain terrible at dancing. If you could give something a name, it was literally a waltz.
When I first heard the word waltz, I thought it was too soft for a word to describe a dance.
But when I danced with Laskan, I knew it. It was something soft and ticklish like the flapping of a small bird's wings, yet passionate enough to make my breath tremble. That was the waltz.
That day, I danced a real waltz.
***
“Would you please straighten your back a little more?”
“I think I need to stretch the chest area a little and shorten the length by about half an inch from the last time I measured it.”
“How much fabric did you bring? This isn’t all.”
“Oh, I think navy suits you better than this fabric. Since Young Lady has white and clear skin, I think it would be good for you to boldly try out dark colors like this.”
The next day, early in the morning, Isabella and the seamstresses from the trendy clothing store Etoile barged in.
I was in my morning class and was dragged in without any explanation and was trying on all kinds of fabrics.
"Next."
Isabella snapped her fingers, and two apprentice seamstresses quickly pulled out new pieces of fabric and placed them on my body.
Isabella's eyes narrowed immediately. This fabric seemed to be a complete failure.
“That sky blue fabric you showed me last time, take that out and take a look. Young Lady, if it’s hard, should I pour you some water?”
“No... It’s okay.”
This work had been going on for two hours already, but the heat was so intense that it was embarrassing to ask for a break.
To my eyes, they all looked the same, but to Isabella and the head seamstress, they looked different.
Even though they had similar patterns and colors, some passed while others went back into the trunk.
“Please spread your arms a little.”
Just when I thought I had finally finished selecting the fabric, a tape measure appeared.
The length from shoulder to forearm, the ratio of the entire leg to the calf, the circumference of the waist, etc... Having the secrets of my body evaluated so mercilessly in front of so many people was an experience I never wanted to experience again.
Finally, the tailor spoke, wrapping the measuring tape around my arm.
“Your body is slender... The problem is that your skin is a bit rough. It seems that you don’t wear hats much, so you have quite a few freckles. You should mix Lithuania oil and beeswax in your wash water every day. Applying a cream made from Tonya grass in the morning and evening will also help.”
What, what should I mix with what, and what do I do it? I didn't understand, but Lisa nodded seriously.
“Then it’s time to try on a real dress.”
As the head seamstress clapped her hands, the seamstresses magically poured dresses out of large trunks.
Most of them were rejected by Isabella before it could even take them out, but a few were so responsive that they made her gasp. To me, they all looked like they were covered in the same lace...
As most of the trunk was empty, the head seamstress confidently came in carrying a dark green dress.
“Would you like to try this on for the last time? I made this based on an idea I had when I saw you from afar last time, thinking it would suit you...”
It was a dress with a pattern embroidered in fine gold thread on a dark green silk fabric.
Even I, who have always resisted tight dresses, was amazed by this dress. It was so beautiful that I wondered if I could wear it.
“Just hold your breath for a little bit.”
I obediently followed her advice. The dress was too pretty to refuse.
After I had tied my underwear, the dress was put on me, as if I was putting it over my head. After I had tied the last ribbon with great care, the maids skillfully touched up my hair and makeup.
Finally, Lisa put something red on her lips and stepped back. Sighs of admiration erupted here and there.
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