Chapter 89
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 89
A tall stature.
Long, straight, lithe limbs.
Silver hair like a cozy winter.
Yet, his eyes were the same as Leon’s—a jewel-like green tinged with blue.
Of course, the twins’ auras were as polar opposite as the density of the warmth held in their gazes.
If God had created an angel specifically for the task of scattering the first snowfall, wouldn't it look like Lisian?
An angel in white.
An angel of pure heart.
Sigh.
“Tulia.”
Dressed in a white formal uniform adorned with gold tassels, Lisian smiled.
“Wh-who are you w-waiting for?”
“No one. I’m just a wall lamp.”
“A lamp? Ah.”
Lisian caught my meaning and asked back.
“A wall crystal?”
“Yep, exactly.”
Lisian looked around and let out a soft laugh.
“Should I st-st-stand here with you?”
“Was being a wall lamp your dream too, Brother? It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Despite my protest, Lisian stood tall right beside me. Perhaps it was because of his height and straight posture, but his presence was enough to cast a slight shadow over me.
He really is a male lead. Height and physique are a given.
This was true even though he had a leaner build than Leon.
“Let’s st-stand together for a l-little while.”
“Just a little while?”
Are you going somewhere else?
“The m-music will change soon.”
Lisian looked at me and smiled.
“I have to r-request a dance.”
“A dance? From whom?”
Lisian scanned the hall once and chuckled.
“Who else?”
I blinked, and then a beat late, I asked back.
“……Me?”
“Yes. Tulia.”
His smile tickled the heart like a breeze on a spring night.
“I came here to ask the c-crystal of this place for a d-dance.”
“Whoa.”
I immediately turned around and checked my reflection in the mirror on the wall.
A dance with Lisian.
Every noble’s eyes would be on me; I couldn't afford even a single hair out of place.
My eyes were practically blazing with determination.
“……Hmm.”
Lisian, who had been watching me intently, turned his body as well. Just like me, he checked his appearance in the wall mirror.
Our eyes met in the reflection, and we burst into laughter at the same time.
See, Tulia?
Lisian is so kind.
Your brothers are actually quite decent.
If only you had opened your heart a little.
Then you wouldn't have spent every banquet glaring at people and picking fights.
Specifically, the ones Tulia glared at the most were, naturally, Sandra and Sophia, who were dancing with the twins.
The twins only ever danced with Sandra Frezier and Sophia Frezier, never requesting a dance from any other lady.
At least, that was the case until Corico appeared.
Right. That is a basic requirement for a male lead.
Male leads are at their best when they are modest and devoted.
They only dance with the female lead, and if they must dance with others, it’s only out of obligation.
Isn't it the hallmark of a male lead to treat other women with just enough courtesy before disappearing in a flash?
Well, Tulia is their own flesh and blood, so it’s a bit ridiculous and nonsensical to count her as just another ‘woman.’
To be honest, I actually liked the illustrations of Tulia looking haughty and arrogant while glaring at the twins.
She looked beautiful, confident, and temperamental, which was quite charming in its own way.
She was the epitome of a villainess who would never be intimidated by anyone.
But…….
“Shall we dance?”
Lisian held out his hand.
“I’d love to.”
I smiled brightly as I took Lisian’s hand.
If this isn't a game illustration but reality—if this is the world I have to live in—then I liked this version of Tulia much better.
Tens of thousands of times better.
No, millions of times more.
* * *
Spin.
Crunch.
Spin.
Crunch.
“Tulia.”
Lisian, whose foot had just been stepped on for the seventh time, spoke with a voice that mixed amusement and pain.
“You r-really are b-bad at dancing.”
He seemed to find it funny even while his feet were being crushed.
To be honest, I found the situation hilarious too.
“I know, right?”
Spin.
“I’m really terrible.”
Crunch.
“Lisian…… does it…… hurt?”
“A l-little.”
In the end, we both burst out laughing while dancing.
It was silly, but honestly, I felt a little happy.
The dance song ended quickly.
Only then did we step apart.
I held my skirt while Lisian placed one hand over his left chest, and we bowed to each other.
Clap, clap, clap.
The applause of the nobles rang out cheerfully.
Despite having his feet trampled, Lisian escorted me off the floor with a perfectly steady gait.
“Lisian, Lisian.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think people noticed I can’t dance?”
“I l-led you, so they pr-probably won’t know.”
“That’s a relief.”
I was worried no one would ever ask me to dance again.
Then, a sudden thought occurred to me.
Wait, is this why Tulia always stood by the wall like a lamp?
In The Milk Bread, it’s mentioned that Tulia only danced occasionally even in the Imperial Capital’s social circles.
I thought it was because her hobby was glaring at people due to her foul personality.
But maybe it was because she lacked confidence in her dancing…….
Well, it makes sense. She never received proper dance lessons.
This was a fact I learned through Tulia’s memories flowing into me.
It was a story that never appeared in The Milk Bread.
While she had perfected her etiquette through stubborn self-study in the library, she had never learned dancing in any depth.
Was it intentional?
Aubrey, who held the power over internal affairs, must have done it on purpose.
The Grand Ducal House of Frezier had more than enough budget to hire dance instructors and partners.
And yet, in the world of The Milk Bread, dancing was an essential skill for the noble social circle.
I suddenly felt annoyed.
That Aubrey Frezier.
It’s no wonder she raised a son like Tedric.
Her character is truly bottom-tier.
“Should I b-be your d-dance practice partner?”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Will your feet be okay?”
Lisian rolled his eyes once and shrugged.
“There are sh-shoes I wear for pr-practice.”
“The ones you used before?”
“Yes.”
“Will they still fit?”
When I pointed out the important detail, Lisian let out a chuckle.
“I can j-just order n-new ones.”
I didn't know exactly what they were, but apparently, there were special men’s shoes made with extra-thick tops.
Well, I suppose everyone starts out clumsy at dancing.
How many times must people step on each other?
I sat down with Lisian to discuss when to schedule our dance practice, and I raised my hand to a servant to get two glasses of juice for us to share.
“It’s a b-bit hot.”
Perhaps due to the aftermath of me stepping on him so much, Lisian’s cheeks were slightly flushed with heat.
Watching his profile, I suddenly felt curious and asked.
“Lisian.”
“Yes?”
“Aren't you going?”
“Wh-where?”
“You should dance with other ladies too.”
For example…….
Sandra Frezier, who was staring intensely in this direction.
Or Sophia Frezier, who was glancing over here every chance she got while talking to her followers.
Right on cue.
“Um, Young Master Lisian. Lady Sandra sent me.”
A servant sent directly by Sandra approached.
But surprisingly, Lisian responded with a refusal.
“Are you really not going to dance anymore, Lisian?”
“A g-gentleman only needs to d-dance once, right?”
He didn't seem to be joking.
Lisian looked like he had absolutely no intention of going.
I followed the servant with my eyes as he retreated with a pale face.
Naturally, the servant’s destination was Sandra Frezier.
Hmm.
Come to think of it, there was a monologue by Corico in The Milk Bread.
—Uncle Nigella is a kind man who cherishes even Sandra, who isn't blood-related, like his own daughter.
But he ignores Tulia, who actually shares his blood, like she’s dog food?
Sandra, who received plenty of love from Nigella, naturally had a bad relationship with Tulia.
—The wall here is quite bright with pink crystals, isn't it?
A sharp criticism delivered with a snickering sneer.
I vividly recalled an illustration of Sandra Frezier getting her hair grabbed and yanked after mocking Tulia for always standing alone.
Well, I think it might be even worse now than it was then.
Her eyes widened as she saw the servant return after being rejected by Lisian.
She looked completely unable to accept it, but she seemed unable to come over herself due to her dignity and the eyes of others.
Well, I can overlook a reasonable amount of jealousy as being cute.
As long as she doesn't cross the line like the Lilius family did.
It was right as I looked away from Sandra.
Ding!
Colorful text appeared in the air.
Sub Quest: Ruler of the Banquet
You are trash!
You have no money, bad luck, and everyone hates you!
(Except for one person) No one loves you!
Sub-Mission: Dance with ‘Lisian Frezier’ and ‘Leon Frezier’ at the ‘Banquet’
Success Reward: ???
Failure Penalty: -10,000 Coins
[System] Partial Success: Dancing with Lisian Frezier
Oh?
Come to think of it, I still had one more thing left to do!