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Chapter 17
The dry, cool dressing room was large enough for several people to change clothes at once.
Various types of dresses hung on hangers, and every time a servant brought one for me to try, the hangers clinked softly.
I walked across the smooth marble floor and stood in front of the mirror. The servants picked out all kinds of dresses and brought them to Marilyn.
She glanced back and forth between me and the dresses, then quickly selected three. One by one, she had me try them on.
“With your brown hair and fair, clear skin, yellow tones suit you well. But since you’ll be practicing dancing, I think a calm cream tone would be better.”
“Do that, then.”
“This set of dresses should be fine for today.”
Even to my eye, her choices were the best.
Afterward, Marilyn checked my posture and etiquette. It wasn’t terrible, so she didn’t scowl or push me as she had earlier.
“I wonder how your father practiced noble etiquette.”
“Well… some people are just born with it. He must have been that kind.”
Marilyn replied casually. It seemed such people did exist occasionally.
Next, she taught me the waltz steps again.
“Your bow is perfect. The problem is your outdated steps. Let’s practice together.”
She was strict but a good teacher.
“When your feet aren’t moving, keep them firmly on the floor. Balance your weight evenly on both legs. While dancing, tilt your shoulders back and keep your chest straight. Keep your head upright, and maintain a shoulder-to-foot distance when moving.”
Adjusting my posture while changing steps was difficult, but I picked it up quickly.
Marilyn said I was doing well, so I seemed to be a decent student.
When the lesson ended, she glanced at the clock.
“…It’s almost time for the master to arrive. I heard you’ll have your meal together after matching the dance and conversation.”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“…You’ve grown up.”
Those were Marilyn’s first words to Duke Schultz.
“What is it?”
The Duke gave a faint smile. It seemed habitual, but it leaned more toward sarcasm than anything else.
Marilyn looked like a different person. The sharp, strict demeanor she had with me was nowhere to be seen. She seemed flustered around him.
“I apologize for not greeting you first. You resemble—”
“Stop. This isn’t the place for that.”
The Duke’s face turned cold at Marilyn’s interruption. The atmosphere fell instantly.
Even I felt a chill.
“I summoned you solely for the sake of the woman who will become my wife.”
“….”
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
His blue eyes glanced at her, then moved to me.
“Miss Prim.”
I straightened my back consciously.
“Ah, Miss Prim… You have a good foundation, so I think you’ll learn anything quickly.”
“Good. You may leave now.”
His voice was indifferent.
Marilyn left the hall, bowing deeply, unable to hide a sad expression.
‘Did something happen between them…?’
A large shadow fell before me as I stared at the closed door. I turned to look up at Duke Schultz.
By now, his face was completely composed, with just a hint of softness.
“Did your practice go well?”
His voice was kind, fitting his appearance.
The Duke bowed, extending his hand. I bent my knees and grasped it.
“Yes, Marilyn taught me well. Was it alright just now?”
“Perfectly fine.”
He gave a faint, monotonous smile and lightly placed his other hand on my waist.
“Excuse me.”
Our upper bodies were close. I could feel his breath.
Startled by the sudden contact, I inhaled sharply.
It felt different from dancing with my father or Marilyn. More…
‘Embarrassing.’
Perhaps because there was no music.
The sound of my dress brushing his legs, his shoes on the floor, even our breathing—all were sharp and clear.
My face flamed. My palms and forehead were slick with cold sweat.
Looking straight ahead, I saw his chest under the thin shirt; looking up, I met his piercing blue gaze.
I couldn’t look down either, nor could I glance over my shoulder.
I had no idea what to do and could only roll my eyes nervously.
Even my shoes seemed a little large, slipping as I struggled to follow the steps. I hadn’t had this problem dancing with Marilyn!
I was pulled along like a wooden puppet, barely keeping up.
In contrast, Duke Schultz was graceful and natural. How ridiculous I must have looked.
“I’m sorry. I’m nervous…”
“It’s alright. You’ll get used to it.”
“…I hope so.”
Thankfully, I started getting used to dancing again.
“Have you thought about what we should call each other?”
Duke Schultz asked me.
“Oh, sorry. I was too distracted to think about it.”
We talked for a while about titles, something not too formal but close enough to feel intimate.
After considering several options, we agreed on using “you” or calling each other by name.
Johannes said I could call him however I felt comfortable, but due to the huge difference in social rank, I would likely use “you.” When alone, perhaps “Your Grace.”
“Wait.”
Just as I was about to leave the room after finishing the waltz practice, Johannes stopped me.
“Shall we walk? I have something to say. Not here, though.”
“Have you ever had a romantic relationship?”
It was an abrupt question.
If I said I had, would he throw me out now?
I stopped walking beside him.
If my suspicion was right, it was absurd. But I had no romantic experience, so I answered immediately.
“No.”
Contrary to my expectation of relief, Johannes narrowed his eyes.
“This is… difficult,” he muttered to himself.
“…Why are you asking that?”
“Do you have someone you love? Sorry for asking so late, but I need an answer.”
I couldn’t understand the point of the question and looked at him blankly. Johannes raised his eyebrows, hesitating. Seeing me frustrated, he spoke reluctantly.
“After marriage, we must share a room. It’s Schultz family custom. If we sleep in separate rooms, gossip may spread.”
“I see. That’s fine.”
“…We must appear as a passionate couple. Of course, nothing else will happen.”
“I understand.”
I nodded casually.
“You may need to kiss occasionally. We need to look like a believable couple. That could be at the upcoming ball or even at the wedding.”
All this fuss just for appearances? I replied calmly.
“Yes, I can handle that.”
“I don’t mean to just practice our words.”
“I understand. You mean the lips, right? I didn’t accept the proposal without being ready for that.”
Duke Schultz’s expression was peculiar, but his voice was firm.
Of course, I had no romantic notions about a first kiss. My only question was why people rubbed lips together.
Having disliked kissing since childhood, I could never understand it.
But if necessary, I could do it—just that.
“If you asked because you have another lover, I’ll respect your privacy. I won’t care who you meet.”
I spoke with eyes showing I had no objections.
“I don’t know if I have the right to say that, though.”
Johannes Schultz’s reputation was well known even among commoners. Many women wanted to marry him.
I wondered if, given the recent scandal, things had changed.
Regardless, if he had never had a lover, it would be hard to believe, given all the women who dreamed of him. Maybe he had met many women.
While I was thinking about his reputation, Johannes closed the distance between us.
“Miss Prim.”
His voice had a hint of a sigh. The lowered tone was soft at this closer distance.
“You seem to have a misunderstanding about me.”
His words hit the mark, but I forced a neutral expression. He added,
“I apologize that our beginning is unlike that of ordinary couples.”
He gently lifted my chin to meet my eyes. I instinctively held my breath when our blue eyes met in the dim light.
“But I intend to be a good husband. You have nothing to worry about.”
His voice was dry, but the meaning behind it was extremely gentle.
Still unable to speak, I just nodded.
Johannes tilted his head, apparently taking my nod as permission.
“This should be enough.”
His breath brushed my lips. I tried to remain calm.
“Yes, this should be fine. Can I close my eyes?”
I closed them tightly.
I could feel the distance between us decreasing. I had never been this close to anyone, so it was slightly embarrassing, but I tried to maintain a calm expression.
Just a little more.
As I held my breath, the light shifted—Johannes had withdrawn just before our lips met.
I had been prepared.
“…Why stop?”
I asked in a slightly disappointed, dry tone.
For the first time, his blue eyes trembled slightly. Then he spoke casually.
“I think practice is enough for now.”
I didn’t understand. Either now or later, it would happen. Practicing first might have reduced embarrassment.
“A first kiss at the wedding for a passionate couple is ridiculous. If it doesn’t feel natural, everyone will notice it’s acting.”
Still, Johannes didn’t move. I spoke firmly.
“Really, you can just do it. I don’t attach meaning to it.”
I pressed closer to him.
His forehead wrinkled faintly. After a moment’s thought, he lifted my chin again.
“Very well, then.”
Warm, soft lips pressed against mine. It happened in an instant.
I froze.
I had felt embarrassed dancing, but I hadn’t realized kissing would be even more so.
A late realization struck me: I didn’t dislike kissing; I was just embarrassed.
A winter night’s first kiss, overflowing with warmth.
The clearest memory in the whitened haze was that I didn’t dislike Johannes Schultz at all.
