Chapter 71
Even though they’re supposedly not on good terms, when the two stick together, if someone talks badly about me in the social scene, they team up and confront them… In times like that, they’re a perfect match.
‘Why am I stuck here between two women like Polyus?’
Anyway, the days continued, busy and chaotic, surrounded by people.
“Thanks to the video messages, my life has really become more fulfilling.”
“I also want to try running a business like you, my lady. It gave me courage.”
“Would you consider joining our circle? If it’s Lady Clotilde, we can make an exception for you. Just pay a thousand Elbanya first, and you can become the highest-ranking member…”
Well, sometimes strange people approached me with unreasonable demands, but…
“What are you saying to Lady Clotilde?”
“Don’t say weird things and ruin the mood.”
Other people stepped in to handle it.
The number of people who favored me increased thanks to Scarlet and Clara talking about me here and there. I was truly grateful.
It was comfortable and pleasant, not having to speak unnecessarily.
‘And now, there are no more men pestering me.’
The men who had been blatantly flirting before were nowhere to be seen.
I suddenly realized again that I had become the fiancée of Damian, the Margrave.
‘Well, after all, he openly flaunted our relationship in front of everyone.’
“I wonder if you would grant me the honor of standing by your side, my lady?”
He even said it publicly, right in front of everyone. Hmm.
I recalled that he had once proposed to me, and I glanced subtly at Damian, the Margrave.
Even he, who was working with me, wasn’t exempt from drawing attention.
Since leaving the Veldert estate, he had lived far from the social scene, and, being someone who didn’t particularly enjoy meeting people… he now looked rather gloomy.
“I asked them to deliver a message to Count Veldert, but there’s been no reply…”
“I left my family a long time ago. Don’t think of me as someone from the Veldert house.”
“Ah… my apologies.”
Wow, look at that clear boundary. The conversation topic didn’t help either.
Having said that, those trying to contact the Veldert house for dealings with the Black Moon would likely disappear.
‘But… who is that person?’
There was one person circling us, unable to approach.
Even though she’s a duchess, she didn’t attend social gatherings often, but all the nobles who could attend such banquets knew her.
Her gaze was strangely different from others.
While most people looked favorably, sparkling with admiration, or approached Damian for their own desires, this person looked gloomy and haggard.
‘It’s not the same as being nervous about talking to someone…’
But I didn’t dwell on it. The commotion around me was growing.
‘Ah, it must be time to start dancing.’
I felt stiffness in my neck and took a deep breath.
The atmosphere was distinctly different from earlier—exciting and lively.
I looked around and met someone’s eyes, and the lady smiled brightly.
The young man, embarrassed that his request had been accepted, looked shy.
Despite their evident nervousness, the atmosphere softened when their eyes met. It wasn’t my affair, but it was pleasant to watch.
Watching the two debutantes, I couldn’t help but smile quietly.
Ah, that reminds me—I now have a partner too. Someone to dance with.
‘Since he’s my fiancé, it makes sense to dance together.’
Until now, I often excused myself due to feeling unwell, but I couldn’t do that anymore.
At that moment, Damian, who had been keeping his distance while I socialized with the ladies, approached.
The music was romantic and lively, perfect for a couple dancing for the first time.
“Would you grant me the honor of dancing with you, my lady?”
“I would be delighted.”
And so, we stepped lightly onto the dance floor.
But Damian’s hand felt strangely stiff in mine.
“Margrave, are you nervous?”
“…Is it that obvious?”
“No, I don’t think anyone else would notice.”
Damian exhaled lightly, as if relieved.
“Actually, it’s been a long time since I last danced, since I was a child learning it.”
Hearing that, I recalled that Damian hadn’t been particularly active in the social scene before meeting me.
‘Has any lady danced with Damian before?’
I couldn’t think of anyone. With a half-hoping heart, I asked,
“Am I your first dance partner, Margrave?”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“No, there’s no problem, but…”
I took a small breath. My goodness, I really am his first dance partner.
The first dance always carried meaning.
‘Usually, the first dance is with family, relatives, or if not, with the person you will marry.’
In fact, I had almost danced with Polyus for my first debutante dance.
“Polyus? Where are you going?”
“Melanie, wait! I think I need to go help now!”
If only Polyus hadn’t left to help another lady whose dress was stained with wine…
But he didn’t return in time, and I ended up unable to dance with anyone at the debutante ball.
“Melanie, it seems unlikely I can have my first dance with Polyus.”
“Father…”
I couldn’t prevent the ball from ending because of me.
Ultimately, to avoid rumors and complications with my fiancé, I chose to dance with my father.
Had my father not been there, it would have been a bigger problem—
I could have become the first debutante to not dance with anyone, or scandalously danced with another man despite having a fiancé.
I didn’t want to start a scandal while debuting into society.
“I’m sorry, Melanie. She was crying so much, I had to take her to the lounge to comfort her. I hope you understand.”
“Yes… of course.”
Yet the next day, Polyus, unaware of the whispers and sympathetic looks I received, just smiled kindly at me.
Looking back, how foolish I had been.
He didn’t get angry that I almost ruined the debutante ball and simply said it was okay.
At least he could’ve withheld saying it was okay…
And now, because of the trauma, I can barely dance properly without my father.
‘Until now, I always used being unwell as an excuse to avoid it.’
Just moments ago, the fear of him leaving me overwhelmed me…
Still, I couldn’t run away when my fiancé was present.
I clenched my teeth. No matter how nervous I was, I’d dance with Damian, my first-time partner.
“But you didn’t attend balls often either, right, Director?”
“No, it’s fine. You must be nervous too, Margrave, so I’ll stay with you!”
Knowing how nerve-wracking dancing could be, I wanted to stay by his side.
‘I’ll have to lead. After all, I practiced dancing steadily at the Duke’s residence.’
I squeezed Damian’s hand.
“Just trust me, Margrave.”
Even though it was my first time dancing at a ball with anyone else!
‘If I tell him it’s my first time, he’ll definitely be flustered.’
I quickly blinked and focused my mind.
Even with the nerves from what happened with Polyus, if I could make Damian a little more comfortable, this was nothing.
‘It might hurt if Damian steps on my foot, though.’
But luckily, my heels weren’t very high.
“Yes, I’ll trust only you, my lady.”
Damian smiled faintly at my determined expression.
‘It seems he’s less nervous than before, thank goodness.’
Seeing him smile, I smiled naturally in return.
Yet, on the dance floor, Damian hesitated, just watching me, unable to move first.
I quietly chuckled and pulled his hand, placing it on my waist.
He flinched slightly, but I deliberately raised my voice cheerfully.
“Now, let’s begin.”
