Chapter 26
Why, you ask?
Honestly, I didn’t have a good answer. I’d just blurted it out in embarrassment.
Cerulean looked at me quietly for a moment, then reached out his hand and said in a lighter tone:
“Then, how about we dance the Pattycake Polka first, to loosen up a little?”
I blinked at him.
“Huh? You know how to dance that? You looked like you didn’t even know the name earlier.”
“That’s only because I didn’t recognize the dance by its name. I’ve seen children dance it before.”
“Oh.”
Right—no one in this country wouldn’t know it.
Cerulean adjusted the dial on the music box and wound the spring. A tune began to play—different from the ones you hear on the streets, but with a familiar, cheerful rhythm.
“Shall we try it, then?”
I faced Cerulean, feeling much more at ease than when we’d tried the waltz earlier.
I reached out my hands, and he gently took them. I’d held his hand several times before for his escorts, but this time it felt different—like my hand fit perfectly into his large, warm palm.
“Slowly—toe, heel, toe, heel.”
Since the steps for men and women were reversed, I called out the rhythm, worried we’d mess it up. But my concern was needless; Cerulean lightly hopped in perfect time, nailing even the four-beat jumps.
‘It’s been such a long time since I danced like this.’
After my mother passed away, I’d never gone to any of the street festivals again. Being surrounded by people had felt lonelier than staying home alone.
But now, after years, I was hopping around again—and it felt… exhilarating.
‘This is fun.’
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt like this.
‘Come to think of it, ever since I met Cerulean, I’ve been feeling this light all the time.’
Like I was walking above reality, on clouds. Maybe it was because I kept seeing and doing things I’d never experienced before—meeting people I’d never imagined.
‘Or maybe I’m just foolishly drunk on a dream.’
As I gazed at his fine golden lashes and delicate blue eyes—
—the music box suddenly stopped, as if by magic, and we both let go of each other’s hands.
“Um…”
My fingertips tingled. I rubbed them awkwardly and forced a smile.
“You’re quite good at this.”
“I’m generally skilled at most things that require physical coordination.”
For some reason, standing there facing him felt embarrassingly intimate.
Cerulean spoke gently.
“See? In the end, this is also a face-to-face dance. The waltz isn’t so different.”
“I guess not.”
“So, shall we try it again?”
“Ugh.”
The moment I had to stand close to him again, all my nerves tensed up. Cerulean calmly instructed me, seeing how stiff I was.
“Place your hand here. Good. Now—left foot first, then right.”
“The dress is long, so even if your steps aren’t perfect, no one will notice. Don’t worry, take your step with confidence.”
Encouraged by his words, I stepped forward—only to crunch down right on his foot.
He didn’t flinch, but my face crumpled.
“Ugh, waltzes really are hard. It’s not just me imagining it.”
“With a little more slow practice…”
I wanted to drop his hands and bolt out of the room, but looking at Cerulean’s calm face made me hesitate. I was stuck—wanting to quit but too guilty to do it. I was just about to suggest practicing alone until I memorized the steps when—
A deep, commanding voice echoed through the room.
“Seems the teacher isn’t very competent.”
“……!”
Even from afar, that voice was unmistakable. Cerulean and I froze and turned our heads.
It was none other than Duke Luke, standing against the doorframe.
“G-Greetings, Your Grace.”
I hurried to bow, only to trip on my own skirt and stumble. Cerulean caught my arm effortlessly and greeted him with perfect composure.
“You’re here.”
‘Wow. He’s seriously a master of emotional control.’
How could anyone be that expressionless?
But then again, the Duke was just the same. His face, blank but intense, made him look as if he were perpetually angry as he strode toward us.
‘How long had he been standing there? Did he see everything?’
The closer he came, the faster my heart pounded with unease.
‘He probably thinks I’m not fit for this household.’
I quickly lowered my head.
“I’m sorry. I was clumsy.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for,” he said flatly.
“Huh?”
The Duke, who had appeared so suddenly, turned and left just as abruptly. I let out a shaky breath of relief.
“Goodness, I thought my heart was going to stop.”
Cerulean glanced over my shoulder.
“He hasn’t left yet.”
“Eek!”
I whipped around like a startled cat—and sure enough, the Duke was still there.
“Continue,” he said curtly.
“Wh-What?!”
Flustered, I nodded before even understanding what he meant. The Duke then went and sat down near the music box, as if to watch.
‘What on earth? Why is he doing this?’
I whispered nervously to Cerulean, “Do you think he’s testing me on purpose?”
“I doubt it.”
He answered immediately, though I wasn’t convinced.
‘Then why else would he stay and watch us practice dancing?’
Knowing someone was watching only made my shoulders stiffen and my legs heavy. Like a rusty bicycle, I creaked through the motions, following Cerulean’s lead awkwardly—and of course, stepped on his feet repeatedly.
“I’m so sorry!”
“There’s no need to apologize every time.”
For someone so graceful, he sure was being mercilessly trampled today.
‘There’s only one thing I want now—that this song ends as soon as possible.’
But apparently, he had wound the music box too much, because the song just kept going and going. All I could do was spin and stumble endlessly.
When I thought it couldn’t get any worse—click—the music finally stopped.
Cerulean and I released each other, bowed, and took a step back. Honestly, that closing bow was probably the best part of our entire waltz.
‘The Duke must agree, right?’
I turned—
“…He’s gone?”
The Duke had vanished!
“What in the world…”
I frowned and looked at Cerulean, who calmly replied,
“He left a while ago.”
“What? Then why did he even come?”
“Perhaps he heard the music.”
“And once he knew what it was, he just… left again?”
“That would be in character for him.”
“Ugh.”
I ruffled my hair in frustration.
‘He could’ve just ignored it from the start! Why come in, scare me half to death, and then leave without a word?’
The more I thought about it, the more annoyed I became—until I heard a tiny, odd sound by my ear.
A faint rustling, like a little mouse nibbling on a cookie.
I snapped my head up.
“You just laughed, didn’t you?”
Cerulean tilted his blank face slightly.
“I did not.”
“You did.”
“Impossible.”
But I heard it—clear as day, a suppressed laugh!
Yet looking at his utterly expressionless face, I began to doubt my own ears. I sighed again.
“Everything’s been weird today.”
“You must be tired. How about a cup of tea before we continue?”
The timing of that suggestion was way too convenient. Narrowing my eyes, I looked at him suspiciously. Cerulean added calmly:
“I’ve also prepared your favorite—grapefruit chiffon cake.”
“…All right.”
No one can resist grapefruit chiffon. I nodded.
I followed behind Cerulean like a little sparrow, and sure enough, a large table was already set in the garden with tea and desserts.
‘Wow, that looks amazing.’
Grapefruit chiffon cake, lemon cake, apple tart—beautiful slices of fruit-based desserts neatly arranged.
My eyes sparkled.
“Wow, they’re all my favorites! How did you know?”
“It’s easy enough to notice if you pay attention.”
“Huh?”
I still didn’t understand him at all.
Feeling a bit flustered, I looked away—and then spotted something soft and golden, like a little ball of yarn.
“Huh?”
When I made a curious noise, Cerulean followed my gaze. There stood none other than Vanerinne’s son, Charles.
“B-Brother! And, um…”
His fair, round face flushed pink, and sweat gathered on his forehead. Charles fidgeted, glancing up at me with big, glassy blue eyes. Cerulean spoke firmly.
“You should call her Sister-in-law.”
“…It’s nice to meet you, Sister-in-law.”
Even his polite voice was adorable. I covered my mouth in delight.
‘Oh my gosh, he’s too cute!’
That round face, those blue eyes, the chubby hands, the sweet little voice—
‘He’s like a teddy bear come to life!’
He was everything I loved rolled into one. I softened my voice as much as I could.
“What time is it? Are you on your way to study?”
“N-no, not really…”
Charles fidgeted, but my gentle tone seemed to calm him, and his face relaxed. I smiled warmly.
“If you’re free, why not sit down? There’s far too much cake here for me to eat alone.”
“Cake…”
Conveniently, there were three chairs—and three of us.
When I patted the empty seat beside me, Charles’s eyes darted between the cakes on the table and Cerulean’s face.
“……”
At last, he couldn’t resist and trotted over to the empty chair to sit down.
