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Chapter 15
Blair was surprisingly serious. She felt a kind of responsibility—she was determined to guide this man, who probably had never danced with a woman in his life.
But why was this man looking straight at her with that faintly amused expression?
“Why do you keep looking at me like that?”
Cassel looked down at Blair’s sulking face, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“It’s nothing. Well then, try leading me.”
Every time the women spun in time with the music, it was as if flowers bloomed and then shyly folded back in. The tension of approaching and brushing past, then drifting apart again, made the main hall grow hotter and livelier.
And Blair’s face was heating up too—for an entirely different reason.
“Left—no, no, right. Oh! I’m sorry. This step is trickier than I thought.”
“Did you ask me to dance just to do this to me?”
“No, I swear it wasn’t on purpose! I did fine when I practiced!”
Maybe it was nerves from dancing in front of so many people, but within five minutes she had already stepped on his foot five times.
Her bold confidence was nowhere to be seen; she felt like a creaky marionette, and Blair was both embarrassed and sorry.
“If I keep trusting you, my feet are going to end up with holes in them.”
“Oh, don’t be dramatic. I’m remembering it little by little, so don’t worry. Now, two steps forward.”
“Isn’t this where we’re supposed to turn left?”
“Quiet for a second, you’re confusing me more! Two steps forward, and then… um, what was next?”
Before they knew it, the two were bickering again. Blair was frantic, her head a noisy mess, and his constant comments only made it worse. Her mouth felt dry from stress.
And finally, her overloaded steps tangled beneath her. Her body swayed backward dangerously. She squeezed her eyes shut—she was definitely going to fall—
“Don’t be startled.”
“…Huh?”
Blair’s eyes flew wide. Before she could even say “w-w-wait,” her body floated lightly like a butterfly and then descended softly.
Cassel had caught her by the waist and lifted her effortlessly.
A soft gasp rose from the crowd watching them. They had no way of knowing the circumstances; to them, the two looked like a perfect pair performing a romantic waltz straight out of a painting.
Cassel took her hand again and wrapped an arm firmly around her waist.
“Let me lead from here. Relax your body and focus only on me.”
“What? What do you—”
Before she could finish, he took her hand with a sure grip and began leading strongly. Left foot, right foot, apart, then close again.
But something was strange.
Why does the dance suddenly feel easy?
Cassel—who claimed he’d never danced with a woman before—was leading her with astounding skill.
Whenever it seemed like she might step on him again, he adjusted the angle naturally. Whenever her steps might tangle, he spun her confidently, guiding her into his rhythm.
Is this really his first time? Why is he so good?!
Her jaw nearly dropped. Blair stared at him, bewildered.
“You said this was your first time dancing at a ball?”
“It is.”
“Then why are you so good at it?”
“I said I’ve never danced at a ball, not that I can’t dance.”
Blair let out a soft, exasperated laugh. Of course. He was always like this—calm expression, acting like nothing, while teasing her to death.
“If you’re this good, you should’ve told me earlier! I was nervous for nothing.”
Blair pouted, and Cassel replied casually:
“You were so convinced I couldn’t dance. Besides, doesn’t dance rely on feeling the most?”
He smiled—soft and sly.
“Again! Stop teasing me!”
‘Smiling like that while teasing should be illegal!’
Blair shot him a halfhearted glare. But once her tension melted away, she finally took a breath and looked up at him.
Everything became vividly clear.
The faint scent brushing past her nose.
The focused look in his eyes, as if he saw only her.
His strong arm around her waist.
It feels completely different from dancing with villagers at the festival…
The music and the crowd blurred around her, fading to the background.
Only Cassel remained.
This really feels like dancing with a husband you love…
Blair’s green eyes trembled.
What an absurd thought. She quickly avoided Cassel’s gaze.
No, no. That’s ridiculous. He’s a client!
She shook her head lightly, trying to clear the thoughts. The atmosphere was too enchanting—a grand party, her prettiest appearance yet, and this perfect man in front of her. Anyone would feel like a protagonist in a romance novel.
Get it together, Blair. This ends after one year. Don’t make things bigger than they are.
This was far enough. A mild thrill was acceptable, but nothing more. She straightened her posture, gathering her straying thoughts.
But no matter how she tried, her fluttering heart refused to settle until the dance was finally over.
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“You danced wonderfully. Not nervous at all in front of so many people.”
After the dance with Cassel, Blair gulped down champagne in an attempt to cool her burning emotions.
Someone approached and spoke to her. Blair turned toward the voice, spotting a group of women walking up.
Oh great. Who now?
“Sorry, you are…?”
Blair put on her best capitalist smile.
“Oh, forgive me, I should’ve introduced myself first. I am Olivia, eldest daughter of the Count of Keif.”
The blonde woman in front introduced herself. The others behind her quickly did the same.
Ah. A queen bee and her little drones.
Olivia’s thin face, slightly upturned eyes, and neatly styled blonde hair all radiated a certain cold hostility.
Blair realized she had seen that face earlier.
Oh—when I went out to dance with Cassel!
Olivia had been one of the women who snapped her fan shut and turned away irritably the moment Blair and Cassel stepped onto the floor—and the one who glared at Blair with the iciest eyes.
“I see. Nice to meet you. I’m Blair. Thank you for the kind words.”
“It’s a pleasure, madam. May I ask—what’s your secret?”
Her smile was sweet, but Blair felt a chill crawl down her neck.
If someone didn’t know better, they might have been fooled.
“Haha, secret? Nothing special.”
“Ah, perhaps—it’s because you grew up in a lively, common neighborhood among lots of people?
I’ve always been a quiet lady who stayed home properly, so on my debutante day, I was terribly nervous.”
Her companions exchanged looks, then hid small laughs behind their fans.
Of course—she wasn’t making small talk.
She was calling Blair a commoner from a chaotic marketplace, just in a roundabout way.
Sure. Keep talking. Like that’s going to bother me.
Blair calmly decided not to let it touch her.
She looked at Olivia with a serene smile.
“I understand. Being cut off from society and staying at home all the time would certainly make anyone more timid. You must’ve looked forward to your debut so much—how upsetting that must’ve been for you.”
“Ahem… well, it wasn’t that bad. I endured it fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
See? That kind of trick doesn’t work on me.
Olivia, thrown off by the unexpected answer, exchanged quick glances with her entourage. Then she tried again.
“Well then, since we’ve become acquainted, would you care to join us for a drink and some conversation?”
