Chapter 26
“You have to open the fan with a little more grace. Spread it to the left like this, then bring it up to cover your cheek.”
“L-like this?”
“Excellent. You have a good memory, so we’re making fast progress.”
“Then… shall we stop here for today?”
“I’m afraid not. You’ve only just learned how to use the fan. Now, it’s time to learn how to dance.”
Ugh.
It had already been four hours.
Bentha, the head lady-in-waiting, was correcting the way I opened my fan with an expression so stern it seemed she wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed.
For someone like me, who had only one maidservant barely above a housemaid’s level, to be assigned the chief of the Duke of Sephardi’s household—Bentha herself—was shocking.
Louisa, who loved gossip, had warned me multiple times that Bentha was the most trusted confidante of my stepmother, Lady Laura.
“Bentha, one moment!”
I lifted the black lace practice fan, lowering it slowly from my nose to my lips.
A small crease appeared at the corner of Bentha’s mouth.
“That means I’ve done it correctly, doesn’t it?”
Strict and fast-paced as she was, Bentha at least didn’t nag about my hair.
And whenever I managed to apply what she taught properly, her attitude softened noticeably.
“You expressed that beautifully with the fan. You seem to have learned how to hold it elegantly as well. However, you still need more lessons. The upcoming ball marks the beginning of Rocio Festival Week—it’s the grandest of them all.”
“Of course.”
“If the first lady of House Sephardi starts stepping on people’s feet, what would the nobles gathered here think of you, Lady Maribel?”
“There will be plenty of people more remarkable than me. Why would anyone even pay attention?”
“Please don’t say such things.”
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
To be honest, could I really master in just a few days of intense training what others spent years learning—social etiquette and dance?
Unlikely. But Bentha’s sharp voice echoed through the room.
“You are Lady Gabriella’s sister—soon to be a member of the Imperial Family. You can, and will, be flawless enough to avoid criticism.”
“I’ll do my best, then.”
Yes, if I made a fool of myself, it would be House Sephardi that was humiliated.
And while I didn’t care about that family, I didn’t want Gabriella to be criticized because of me.
“The lady may not ask for a dance first—you must wait and accept an invitation with your fan.”
“I can’t ask him?”
“Unless you wish to shock society, I won’t stop you.”
Her tone was so flat that I immediately lost confidence.
So, I couldn’t even ask Arius to dance?
What were the chances anyone would ask Maribel Sephardi, the half-Moro “dead pearl,” to dance?
Probably just that damned Pedro again.
“Straighten your back and rest your arms lightly around your partner’s waist and shoulder.”
My motivation for learning this evaporated. I swallowed a sigh.
“If you can memorize just this step, we’ll end today’s lesson.”
Even that didn’t make me feel better.
The Sephardi mansion was designed to block sunlight, keeping the rooms dim and cool.
Dancing in such a dark room, hands lifted to the air, must’ve looked like I was dancing with a ghost.
After several hours in the heat, I was drained.
As I sluggishly practiced the steps, Louisa called out to me.
“Lady Maribel.”
“What is it?”
Louisa glanced nervously at Bentha before whispering close to my ear.
“Lady, Manu has just returned. He said it was urgent and that you must be told immediately.”
“Really?”
Ah, Manu. He managed my network of fake jewelry dealers scattered across the country.
He must’ve brought word on whether that whole operation could be salvaged—or not.
I wanted to dash out right away, but Bentha was watching.
“Bentha, if I memorize this step now, do we finish early today?”
“You’ve been stumbling for a while now—are you sure you can memorize it immediately?”
“I’ll try.”
You need motivation to do well, after all. I focused.
Left foot, right foot, a few steps again.
Bentha shook her head in amazement at my suddenly improved movements.
“For someone who can do so well—”
“Then that means today’s lesson is over, right?”
I quickly lifted my fan and tapped it twice on my left shoulder.
That meant “see you next time.”
Bentha gave me a faint smile and nodded.
“Yes, until next time.”
I ran straight to my room, pulled open the drawer, and piled on the most expensive rings and bracelets I owned.
“Why are you wearing those just to meet Manu?”
“I have my reasons.”
It wasn’t just about the money—the cut of the gems mattered too.
If things went wrong, I might need to swap my real jewels for counterfeits on the spot.
The jewelry box hidden in my room was too large to carry without looking suspicious.
Better to be called vain for wearing eight rings than be accused of theft.
“Lady Maribel, please don’t run like that!”
Louisa’s voice rang through the corridor.
But I was in too much of a hurry, clutching my skirt as I rushed toward the basement.
I took the steps two at a time, then leapt over the last four—
only for my shoe to snag on the hem of my skirt.
“Ah—!”
Either my forehead or my nose was about to crack, I thought—
but instead of pain, I felt a large, warm force catch me.
When I looked up, I found myself staring into the troubled face of Arius.
“Ah… it’s been a while, Duke.”
“Are you alright?”
“Of course—yes, thanks to you.”
“There’s no need to thank me.”
He gently placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, then quickly withdrew it.
“Truly, are you unhurt?”
How gallant.
Maybe I should pretend I wasn’t fine—say my legs gave out from shock—
just to see how this chivalrous, stiff man would react if I leaned on him again.
“Well, who knows.”
“I’m glad you seem unharmed.”
Even as he averted his gaze desperately, his touch was light and hesitant.
I decided to let it go—this time.
Slowly, I stepped back.
“Thanks to you, I wasn’t hurt at all, Duke.”
“You seemed to be in a hurry. You should go ahead.”
“Ah…”
He was right—I was in a hurry.
I had to fix the mess that “Maribel” had caused with her earlier scam, before it got worse.
Manu had the latest results, and I needed them to plan the next move.
Still…
“Even so, surely I can spare a moment to talk with you, can’t I, Your Grace?”
After all, my current role was being a woman infatuated with him.
And truthfully, admiring his perfectly sculpted face was a designer’s delight.
“Lady, you don’t have to—”
“I insist.”
If I wanted to help Gabriella, I needed to get engaged to him quickly.
That meant building some human warmth between us.
I tilted my head slightly, as if genuinely curious, and stepped closer.
“Duke Romero, may I ask what brings you to my palace?”
Arius flinched and stepped back.
As expected.
He cleared his throat.
“I… simply lost my way. I’m still not familiar with the Duke of Sephardi’s estate.”
“It’s too large, isn’t it? I get lost sometimes too. Staying in my own wing all the time doesn’t help.”
If I stopped here, he’d probably excuse himself and disappear.
So I leaned in again, smiling with all the charm of a flirtatious scoundrel.
“Which way were you headed? I’ll guide you.”
“That won’t be necessary—”
His discomfort was obvious.
Right then, Manu appeared at the top of the basement stairs.
“Lady Maribel!”
“Manu!”
The moment Manu saw Arius, he froze in terror.
“You’re here. Wait just a moment, will you? I need to show the Duke around.”
“Of course, Lady! I’ll wait as long as you need. The matter you mentioned has mostly been resolved, so please don’t worry.”
“Good. Thank you.”
So far, it didn’t sound like anything had gone terribly wrong.
Manu bowed and withdrew, and before he disappeared completely, I turned back to Arius.
“Your Grace, where did you say you were headed again?”
“Ah.”
He tore his gaze away from Manu and looked at me.
“I was on my way to the Duke of Sephardi’s study.”
“Then allow me to escort you.”
Thankfully, I still remembered the way—it was where that whole “veil-lifting, tearful reunion” farce had happened.
I walked ahead quickly, and after a short pause, Arius quietly followed.
Naturally, I was about to think of a topic to lead the conversation when—
unexpectedly—it was Arius who spoke first.
