The Second Dance Partner
As I stepped into the crowd, another miracle unfolded—Moshe’s miracle.
In my previous life, this situation would never have happened. But I had just danced with the Empress, so of course their reactions had shifted.
‘This is uncomfortable…’
As I walked down the path they cleared for me, stares brimming with curiosity, envy, and jealousy rained down from every direction.
My temples were practically throbbing.
Finally I reached the spot where Flora and Mullia were waiting.
“You’re surprisingly good at dancing.”
The moment I appeared, Flora flashed a bright smile. I couldn’t tell if she meant it sincerely or was teasing me.
“You’re not teasing me, are you?”
I asked cautiously, and she replied instantly.
“If I’d been teasing, I would have said it was ridiculous.”
Flora’s voice rang out cheerful and straightforward, as always.
I nodded, understanding her perfectly.
“…”
Mullia simply stared at me. I wished she would say something, anything.
“Fordward Count’s daughter?”
I tried breaking the silence. She blinked a few times, then parted her lips.
“No. Nothing at all.”
Mullia ended her short reply and turned her gaze toward somewhere else. Curious, I followed it. At the end of her line of sight sat Cecelia on her throne, expressionless, on the raised platform.
Several noble sons were also circling the throne, clearly trying to request a dance partner.
Well, at least she had enough tenacity to be praised for that.
Whether she would actually dance with them again was another question.
“Ah, are you worried about Her Majesty?”
Right beside me, Flora’s voice drew my attention. The instant our eyes met, she smirked.
“The Simonian Marquis’s daughter seems awfully cheerful whenever she sees only me.”
“Oh? Then should I start wearing a stern face from now on?”
“No, no need to go to such extremes…”
I waved my hands in panic, and Flora burst into laughter. Apparently, my clumsy flailing was amusing to her.
“Flora, there are many eyes watching us here.”
Mullia pointed out in her aristocratic tone. In other words, stay on your noble lady’s dignity because the audience is large.
“But you’re unusually meek.”
Flora answered without blinking an eye.
She was still my rival…
“Well, yes, but more than that—”
“I know, Mullia.”
No matter how I looked at it, Flora had no intention of changing her behavior. Mullia, sensing this, pressed her forehead and let out a short sigh.
Watching her, I recalled a famous line from a certain manga.
Giving up is easy.
Mullia shook her head, then closed her mouth again. She seemed to have decided to leave Flora to do as she pleased.
“Um, Miss Fordward.”
Suddenly a noble son appeared in front of Mullia. He had golden hair and an obviously well-built figure.
“Yes, what is it?”
Mullia looked at him like she didn’t know him. The man quickly introduced himself.
“I would be honored if you would grant me the privilege of dancing with you tonight, such a beautiful lady.”
He bowed slightly and offered his right hand.
Hmph. It looked like rejection was coming.
Mullia glanced at the hand, then spoke.
“Although I am grateful for your request, my condition today is not good. Please enjoy it with someone else.”
Her tone was polite yet businesslike.
The man looked embarrassed, scratched the back of his head, gave a light bow, and left.
“Didn’t feel like dancing?”
As the man melted into the crowd, Flora asked.
“I didn’t feel like dancing today.”
“Even if Luke asked you to be his dance partner?”
Wait, what?
I jumped into their conversation in surprise.
“Um, Marquis’s daughter? Why did you suddenly jump to me…”
“I was just asking for fun. No hidden meaning.”
Flora winked at me, then turned back to Mullia.
“…”
Mullia scanned me from head to toe. It felt like she was evaluating me.
“Yes. I won’t accept.”
I had expected rejection. Mullia clearly disliked me.
However, the lingering bitter aftertaste of my first confession was unavoidable.
“Luke, don’t be upset. Mullia has always been a bit prickly.”
“I won’t deny that.”
Surprisingly, Mullia agreed with Flora’s explanation.
“To be honest, I would have refused anyone else who asked today. I just wasn’t in the mood to dance.”
“No secret lover hidden away from me, right?”
Mullia gave me an incredulous look.
“I’m going to sit on a bench somewhere. If someone asks me to dance, I’d rather not be here. Excuse me.”
She bowed hurriedly and started walking toward a secluded bench.
Why is she leaving so abruptly?
As I looked around, I spotted several noble sons staring at Mullia’s retreating back.
So that was why she had fled without looking back.
“Was the request for a dance partner stressful for you?”
Flora fixed her gaze on Mullia’s back and told me.
“She can dance perfectly. She’s also very popular. She just doesn’t like that kind of attention.”
“I could tell.”
While we chatted, another noble son approached. His target was Flora.
“Simonian Marquis’s daughter, I request the honor of dancing with you, the second most beautiful lady after Her Majesty Cecelia.”
“Oh dear. What should I do? I already have a partner picked out.”
Flora smiled brightly and refused. Then she suddenly linked her arm with mine!
What? Why is she doing this all of a sudden?
Is it because she doesn’t like this man?
The man looked startled, alternating his gaze between me and Flora.
I was startled too.
“Ah… I’m sorry. My apologies.”
The man bowed politely and left.
“Hahaha. Thanks to you, Luke, it was easy to get rid of him.”
She looked like someone who had just exterminated a pest and felt relieved.
When are you going to let go of my arm?
The soft sensation of your chest is still pressing against my arm.
“Um, Marquis’s daughter. Could you please loosen your grip…”
“Ah! Sorry. I grabbed you without realizing it.”
Flora laughed awkwardly and let go of my arm.
My heart had been racing even during the dance with Cecelia, and this was no different.
Even after releasing my arm, Flora kept staring at me. Her eyes were like those of a puppy begging for something.
“Simonian Marquis’s daughter, is there something you want from me?”
“Ah, nothing really. I just wanted to dance one more song.”
This woman was being way too direct.
Her expression made me chuckle. Since she wanted it so badly, I might as well dance again.
I took the posture to request a partner from her.
“I request the honor of dancing with you, the Simonian Marquis’s daughter, who maintains your beauty while busy with daily secretarial work.”
“Not very romantic. A bit disappointing, but since you asked, I’ll accept.”
Flora placed her right hand lightly on top of mine.
At that moment, the orchestra finished and the dancers exited the center hall.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes, Luke.”
A bright smile bloomed on Flora’s face.
The center hall was thankfully filled with a few other couples besides us. It was much less pressure than dancing alone with Cecelia. If we made a mistake, no one would notice.
We took the dance position.
“I was really startled earlier.”
“If you’re the Marquis’s daughter, what would I have been like?”
“That’s true.”
Flora laughed lightly.
I glanced toward the throne. Cecelia was clearly watching us.
Hmm. I would have to do my best not to make mistakes this time too.
“Luke?”
“Ah, sorry. I was thinking about something.”
“I’m right here. What other thoughts could you have?”
Flora suddenly gave a sulky expression, making me swallow hard.
“I’m sorry for intruding on you, Marquis’s daughter.”
“Hey, it was just a joke. You’re taking it too seriously.”
“Your face looked really sincere. I got tricked.”
We laughed lightly with no clear winner.
By the way, it’s surprisingly comfortable.
Even while holding hands and standing close, my heart felt light. Her soft curves pressed against my body.
Of course, my racing heart was perfectly normal physiology.
Eventually the orchestra began playing, and we moved to the rhythm.
Dancing with Flora was definitely smoother and more enjoyable than with Cecelia.
* * *
“…”
Mullia stood from the bench and watched the center of the banquet hall. There, a familiar pair of pink-haired and black-haired lovers were dancing.
‘Flora and Secretary Luke are dancing together…’
The fact that Cecelia had chosen Luke as partner had been a shock to her. So their dance together didn’t carry as much weight.
But the complicated, subtle feeling from her childhood friends dancing with the same man was hard to put into words.
Mullia thought hard but couldn’t find the right term.
‘What is it?’
On Flora and Luke’s faces while dancing, joy was evident.
What on earth—
‘Did Cecelia and Flora develop feelings for that man?’
Mullia wanted to know the answer.
To find out—
She needed to learn more about Luke.
‘But he’s not a bad person.’
At that moment, she was also worried about Marquis Marlboro and Luke meeting separately. Even though Luke had told her the conversation details, she still suspected they might not be true.
Mullia resolved to seize any chance to talk alone with Luke.