Episode 21. I'm a Dancing Queen
The imperial party was held in the Grand Banquet Hall of the Imperial Palace. As Martha stood at the entrance, she surveyed the space. It was spacious. The ceiling was high. There were dozens of chandeliers. Long dining tables stretched along both walls, and an orchestra was positioned on one side. Nobles were gathered in small groups, chatting
Watching the scene, Martha thought to herself. It had been a long time. The Imperial Banquet Hall. How often she had entered this space when she worked as a head lady-in-waiting. Back then, she was always at the back. Behind the Princess, behind the Countess, behind Her Majesty the Empress.
She knew every corner of this hall like the palm of her hand. From which pillar was a blind spot, to which dining tables would empty first, to even when the orchestra took a break. But today, she had to go inside. Edward spoke beside Martha.
"Are you nervous?"
"No."
"Your face looks that way."
"It's a thoughtful look."
Edward looked at Martha, nodded, and walked in first. As she stepped into the banquet hall, Martha naturally drifted her gaze toward the dining tables. She wondered what was served today. She stood at the food table, looking at what to eat, when she heard cautious footsteps beside her.
"Princess."
Martha turned around. It was Lily. She was wearing a light ivory dress. It was a dress Martha had picked out for her at the dressmaking shop. It was just as expected. It suited Lily's skin tone well. Her hair was tied up halfway, and the nervousness typical of a young lady unaccustomed to high society was clearly visible on her face.
Martha looked at Lily, then at the dress, then back at Lily.
"It suits you well."
Lily said, lightly grasping the hem of the dress.
"You picked it out for me, Princess. "
"Typical taste of yours."
Lily said, moving closer to Martha.
"Princess, I don't know many people around here."
"I know. That's why I told you to stay by my side."
"But it doesn't seem like you're welcome here either, Princess."
Martha looked at Lily. She really reads the atmosphere well. Lily glanced around. She could see several nearby nobles whispering and looking in Martha's direction. Serena Valois, who had been isolated from society since the broken engagement. That label had not yet completely fallen off. Martha looked at her and said.
"I'm fine, but are you okay, Princess?"
"I'm fine. If I can't eat because I'm worried about the whispering people, I'll be the one losing out."
Lily looked at Martha and let out a smirk. Martha picked up a plate from the food table. Two tarts, a little cheese, and fruit. Then she held the plate out to Lily. Lily looked at the plate.
"Me? I'm not that hungry."
"Even so, eat."
Lily looked at Martha, took the plate, and returned to the table to pick up another one. This time, two sandwiches, a piece of grilled meat, cheese, fruit, and a tart.
She took it to Lily. Lily looked at her already full plate, then at Martha.
"I already have some."
"Eat this too."
"All of this?"
"Yes."
Lily said, looking at the two plates.
"Princess, I feel suffocated."
Martha looked at Lily.
"If you want to marry into a good family later and have children one after another, you can't do that with a body this gaunt."
Lily looked down at her body.
"I'm not gaunt."
"You are."
"You are even gaunter, Princess."
"My age. I have a sturdy frame, so it's fine."
Lily fell silent. Martha placed another finger sandwich on Lily's plate and said.
"You have to eat well to be healthy, and you need to be healthy to do anything."
Then Martha stopped. Oh, wait. Why was she even bringing up marriage and things like that? Surely, a life as someone's wife after marriage isn't everything to this child. Martha looked at Lily.
"No, I'm not talking about marriage or anything like that."
Lily looked at Martha.
"Live the way you want to live. Whether you get married or not, whatever you do. It's your life."
Lily blinked. Martha stroked Lily's head once. Naturally. As if nothing were wrong. Lily froze. After performing that action, Martha thought to herself. 'If I were married and had a granddaughter, I would have done exactly this.' The moment that thought crossed her mind, a lump rose up and then subsided. Martha said to Lily.
"I'm going to pave a smooth path for you in this Empire."
Lily looked at Martha.
"The Princess?"
"Me."
Just then, a voice came from behind.
"I don't think Princess Serena holds the status to pave the way for you in this social circle yet."
Martha turned around. It was Bianca. Her dress was magnificent. Jewels sparkled. It was the look of a queen of society attending an imperial party. Her face held that characteristic venomous glint. Yet, those eyes were looking at Lily. They were scrutinizing eyes. Eyes trying to figure out who this child was. Martha offered a greeting.
"Young Lady Bianca, you're here."
"Of course I'd come. It's my stage."
Bianca said, fixing her gaze on Lily.
"And this is Lily, the young lady of the Viscount Muller."
"Muller."
Bianca said, rolling the name. It was a face she had never seen before. Lily looked at Bianca. Bianca scanned Lily up and down. It was the look of a queen of society. The look of evaluating a new young lady. Lily's face became slightly tense. Martha said,
"Lily. This is Bianca, the young lady of the Marquisate of Drua."
Lily greeted Bianca.
"Nice to meet you."
Bianca nodded slightly and said to Martha.
"Serena, where did you get this child?"
"I met her at the dressmaking shop."
"At the dressmaking shop."
Bianca looked at Martha.
"You've suddenly gained a new friend."
Martha said.
"It's nice to have a good younger sister."
Bianca looked at Martha for a moment, then at Lily. Her gaze had changed subtly. It was too faint to be called jealousy, yet too concerned to simply ignore.
Bianca said.
"And me."
Martha looked at Bianca.
"I'm two years younger than you, too."
Martha blinked. Bianca lifted her chin slightly and said.
"I heard that for this Lady Lily, you pat her head, bring her mountains of food, and pave the way for her future."
"What about me?"
Martha looked at Bianca. Bianca said, slightly averting her gaze.
"Shouldn't you show me some affection too, Princess?"
Martha glanced at Bianca for a moment and let out a smirk.
"Your future looks much smoother than mine, so why would I worry about you?"
Bianca's face looked full of hurt feelings; ugh, I'd rather die than suffer. Martha rose from her chair and seated Bianca in her own seat. Bianca looked at Martha. Martha walked over to the food table and picked up a plate. Tart, cheese, fruit. Martha piled the plate high like a small tower, stuffing it full of food, and placed it in front of Bianca. Bianca looked at the plate.
"What is this?"
"My love...?"
"I don't really eat much."
"You eat some now, too."
Bianca looked at Martha, then took the plate. Martha stroked Bianca's head once. Just as she had done with Lily. Naturally. Bianca. She stood stiff like a stone, her back held high.
"Serena."
"What is it?"
"You just stroked my head."
"Yes."
Bianca looked at Martha. Her expression was peculiar. It was flustered, yet not unpleasant. Bianca averted her gaze and picked up a tart to eat. Lily watched the scene, then quietly approached Martha and spoke.
"Princess, you stroked my head too."
"Yes."
"I'm not special, am I?"
Martha looked at Lily.
"Lily is special, too."
Bianca muttered while eating her tart.
"This tart is delicious."
Watching them, Martha thought to herself. You young ladies. The banquet was past its halfway point. The orchestra changed the music, and the dance time began. Martha stood beside the food table, eating her tart. She could see Lily and Bianca talking, surrounded by several people. Lily was talking awkwardly, Bianca naturally. Martha watched them for a moment, then lowered her gaze back to the tart. Since Bianca had introduced Lily on her own initiative. Nice. It was the moment she thought that.
"Princess Serena."
A voice was heard. When Martha looked up, Crown Prince Pierre was standing there. A gentle smile. An upright posture. And then, he was extending his hand in front of Martha.
"Would you like to dance?"
The surroundings fell silent. The Crown Prince had extended his hand first. Refusing would be a breach of etiquette toward the Imperial Family. Accepting would make her a Princess dancing with the Crown Prince.
Either way, all eyes were on her. Martha calculated this and thought to herself. Ugh, this milk-smelling bastard. He is the Crown Prince, so I can't refuse.
Martha looked at Pierre. She knew what lay behind that gentle smile. It was a calculation. You want to screw me over, don't you? A calculation to gain something by dancing with the Princess of Valois right here.
Fine, I'll show you what I can do with my past skills teaching dance to nobles. Martha smiled brightly with a wicked look in her eyes and placed her hand on top of Pierre's.
"It would be an honor."
The dance began. Pierre... Martha. She led. On the first beat, Martha figured out how Pierre was leading. It was a dance meant to look flashy. It was a dance conscious of his surroundings. Pierre had the basics, but he wasn't someone who truly enjoyed dancing. It wasn't a dance that was considerate of his partner.
As she realized this, Martha thought to herself, 'This old lady will guide you into the world of dance.'
On the next beat, Martha made a move. When Pierre tried to be led to the right, Martha drifted to the left. Then, she guided him into a turn that sent him far away. When Pierre, having spun around a few times and returned to Martha, tried to take the lead, Martha turned in the opposite direction this time. When Pierre tried to look straight ahead, Martha turned. Naturally. Elegantly. But exactly as Martha wanted. Pierre blinked. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.
Watching that expression, Martha thought to herself.
'Consider it an honor to learn from this old lady, the top disciple of the Imperial Palace dance teacher.'
During her time as a head lady-in-waiting, Martha watched the children of nobles receiving lessons dozens of times next to the imperial palace dance instructor. How to catch the beat, how to lead and follow, how to move a partner all of it was ingrained in her body.
Pierre tried to take the lead again. Martha spun a beat ahead. Pierre followed. In doing so, he stepped on Martha's foot. Martha continued to move without changing a single expression. A second time, Pierre took the wrong direction and stepped on her foot again. Still, Martha remained expressionless.
The crowd watching this ball around them grew one by one. It was a dance between the Crown Prince and the Princess of Valois. But something was off. It seemed as though the Princess was leading, not the Crown Prince. Every time the Crown Prince tried to move, the Princess moved first. Pierre stepped on her foot for the third time. Martha stopped. Pierre stopped, too. The music played one more measure before finishing, and applause erupted.
Pierre caught his breath and said.
"Huff huff, (catching his breath) Princess Serena, I didn't know you could dance this well."
Martha looked at Pierre.
"Thank you."
And she added.
"Your Highness, I think you are still a little... lacking."
Pierre froze.
"You know you stepped on my foot three times, right?"
Pierre couldn't speak. Sounds of people trying to suppress laughter could be heard from nearby. Martha looked at Pierre. Pierre, unable to control his expression.
This little brat! Martha reached out her hand to Pierre again.
"Shall we go for another song?"
Pierre looked at Martha. Those soulless eyes wavered greatly for the first time.
"Next time."
And she moved to another spot. Naturally. Wrapping it up so it wouldn't feel awkward. Yet, it was clearly a slipping away. Watching Pierre's retreating figure, Martha walked briskly toward the tart she hadn't finished earlier.
In one corner of the banquet hall, Leon watched the two dance from beginning to end. He had tried not to watch. He was conversing with another noble regarding Imperial Palace affairs. However, he felt a shift in the atmosphere from the dance floor, and his gaze drifted in that direction.
But he kept seeing it. And he just stared at it openly. Serena was dancing with Pierre. No, to be precise. Pierre was trying to lead Serena, but she wasn't being led. Rather, it looked as if Pierre was following Serena. And then, Pierre stepped on her foot. Once, twice, three times. Watching that scene, Leon felt something strange. It was something that could only be described as strange.
Pierre was dancing with that woman. That made him uncomfortable. It was strange that he felt uncomfortable. Why should he be uncomfortable? Serena Valois was his ex-fiancée. Dancing with the Crown Prince had nothing to do with Leon. But...
Leon's hand clenched involuntarily. He saw Pierre saying something to Serena, and Serena responding. Then Pierre moved to another spot, trying his best to conceal his stunned expression. Serena walked toward the food table. She picked up a tart. She ate it.
Leon watched this and opened his hand. That woman, eating a tart so nonchalantly. Why did she catch his eye like that? Leon tried to look away. He couldn't.
Beside a pillar on one side of the banquet hall. Lucy was opening her notebook. Siegfried stood beside her. The two looked at the dance floor.
Lucy said, writing in her notebook.
"The Princess made the Crown Prince step on her foot three times."
Siegfried said.
"The Young Master watched it from beginning to end."
Lucy looked at Siegfried.
"From the beginning?"
"Yes. Even while talking to someone else, his gaze kept on that side."
Lucy said, taking notes in her notebook.
"And now?"
Siegfried asked.
"Even now."
Lucy looked at Siegfried. Lucy realized it even without Siegfried pointing in the direction of Leon. Leon was likely watching Serena eat her tart, clenching and unclenching his hands. Lucy said.
"The Princess is probably eating her tart without knowing anything."
"I suppose so."
Lucy stopped writing in her notebook. She looked in the direction of Leon. Leon was looking at Serena. His expression was blank. But beneath that expression, there was something. Lucy felt she knew what it was. He was trembling.
Lucy thought to herself. Prince Leon Ashford was trembling. The heir to the Empire's most powerful ducal family was trembling quietly all alone. Was it because his ex-fiancée had danced with the Crown Prince? Lucy closed her notebook and looked at Siegfried.
Siegfried was looking in the same direction. Their eyes met. A dimple appeared at the corner of Siegfried's mouth. Lucy felt a smile well up in her face, too. They both smiled. And at the same time, she opened her notebook and started taking notes.
Martha was eating a tart on one side of the banquet hall. Leon was watching her. It seemed like no one knew, but Lucy and Siegfried did.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal - Episode 21]
There was an Imperial party today.
Shock No. 1: The Princess piled food up like a mountain for Lady Lily. And she stroked her head. Lady Lily froze. Later, Lady Lily asked me if she was always like that, and I didn't know how to answer.
Shock No. 2: Lady Bianca whined, asking if she shouldn't be doted on too. The Princess stroked Lady Bianca's head as well. Lady Bianca froze. And then she ate her tart.
Shock No. 3: The Crown Prince asked to dance, but the Princess spun him around this way and that. The Crown Prince stepped on her foot three times. After the dance ended, the Princess said, "Shall we go for another song?" The Crown Prince was dumbfounded.
Shock No. 4. Mr. Siegfried told me that Prince Leon watched the two of them dance from beginning to end. And that he is still watching the Princess eat her tart.
Shock No. 5: I made eye contact with Mr Siegfried. We both smiled. We opened our notebooks at the same time.
Prince Leon was trembling today. Quietly. Alone. In a corner of the banquet hall. The Princess ate her tart, unaware of what was happening.
I don't know why this situation is so funny.
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