Ch#73
Spoils of War
Duchess
By Lemon Frog
Episode 73
"Oh, right! There's a party at House Creaser in a few days. Did you get an invitation?"
"Yes, I did."
"Me too."
Everyone present had received an invitation to the House Creaser party, but no one found it odd that only invitees had gathered. Angela quickly changed the subject.
"I'm really looking forward to it."
Camille chimed in from the side to help.
"Hmm. It's not the party you're looking forward to, but seeing a certain someone's face, right?"
"Kyaa, Camille! I said it was a secret!"
"What's wrong with that? It's not like we're committing a crime. Why not ask these ladies for help?"
At the mention of asking for help, curiosity sparkled in everyone's eyes.
Waiting for the peak of attention, Angela blushed deeply and confessed as if reluctant.
"T-Truly, I have feelings for Count Creaser. Oh, what do I do!"
Before finishing her words, she covered her cheeks with both hands and burst into a shy laugh. Even to another woman, Angela's appearance was utterly lovable.
Realizing it was a romance story, the guests' expressions began to sparkle rapidly.
"Oh my, oh my!"
"Well, at the House Bliss party last time, Count Creaser did look surprisingly handsome."
"Yes. He's got the looks, the title, and the wealth... His background is a bit iffy, but he's a count now, so no issue there."
A favorable atmosphere formed quickly.
Angela shrugged her shoulders slightly and looked up at the guests.
.
"So, could you... perhaps help me a little? So that Count Creaser might feel even a bit of fondness for me... Oh, it's so embarrassing just talking about it."
The guests fondly watched Angela fan her flushed face with her hand.
"Aww, romance is our specialty!"
"Exactly. Do we even need to help? Any man would fall for you, Miss Angela."
If only it were that easy, but Angela knew Laslo was no pushover. After all, he had returned her portrait.
"No way. And Count Creaser seems a bit oblivious in these matters..."
"He does seem like that. Don't worry. We'll help."
"Thank you! Oh, and as thanks for attending my tea party despite your busy schedules, I've prepared small gifts."
Angela handed out tins of expensive, renowned black tea to each guest.
As the conversation shifted to the tea, they didn't fully realize it was payment for their help. But on the day of the party, no one would be able to pretend they forgot Angela's request.
*I'll be the first woman to dance with Laslo Creaser. Just watch.*
A sly smile spread across Angela's lips.
"Dance practice?"
"Yes. You need to practice."
Laslo tilted his head at Edel, who had called him and Linia to the empty hall.
"I know the basics. I even danced with her at the House Bliss party last time."
"Good that you're not completely clueless. Shall we try once?"
"Now? Here?"
"Yes!"
Her brisk response left Laslo speechless.
Dancing with his sister was something he never wanted to do again, but defying Edel, who stood rigidly like an instructor, was even harder.
As Laslo and Linia faced each other and took position, the musician Edel had brought began playing the piano.
Laslo missed the first beat but managed to follow the steps awkwardly.
*This should be enough.*
Having executed the memorized steps perfectly, he gave himself a passing grade and glanced at Edel, only to freeze.
Edel's expression as she watched their dance was gravely serious.
"Why that face?"
Instead of answering, Edel shook her head and approached the pianist.
"You'll be playing quite a few times today. I'll pay extra, so please bear with us."
She then strode toward Laslo and Linia, who were still frozen, hands not yet released.
Honestly, Laslo was certain even an assassin approaching wouldn't be this scary.
"From now until the day before the party, we'll practice dancing for two hours daily. Please make time, and from two days before, we'll practice in full attire with clothes and shoes. Don't forget."
"Why go that far?"
"Noble socializing starts and ends with dance, my lord. If they find fault in your dancing, you can't make a proper impression."
"It's Linia that's the problem, right? I was pretty good, wasn't I?"
Laslo watched Edel amusingly as she clenched her jaw, holding back words.
She swallowed some emotion and spoke calmly in her usual poised, elegant manner.
"It's fortunate you memorized the steps and have a sense of rhythm, but everything else is a mess."
"I thought you'd go easy, but no."
"I am going easy. Now, shall we start again?"
Edel became a strict teacher and began overseeing their dance.
Only then did Laslo realize how much she had held back. Her critiques were endless.
"Dance is an act of communion with your partner through the music. Just stepping to memorized steps on beat is more like calisthenics than dance."
"The leading man must prioritize accommodating his partner. Be a firm support so she can trust and entrust her body to you. Yes, like that!"
"Turn in a full circle. Move swiftly but not frivolously when stepping—lift your heels slightly, put weight on the balls of your feet, and go off-beat for a better look. Focus, focus!"
*It's uncomfortable for my pride, but... it's been ages since someone drove me like this.*
Perhaps with his innate physical talent, a good teacher was all he needed.
But Linia was different.
"Don't panic, one step forward...! No, let's try again."
"Trust your partner so you won't fall. Lean more—it's more beautiful that way. Relax your hands!"
"This won't do. Miss, try alone first? From the beginning."
"Beat! Don't forget the beat! One, two, three, four! One, two, miss...!"
Linia, trying to follow Edel's instructions frantically, tangled her steps and nearly fell. Edel caught her just in time, but Linia sighed with a deflated expression.
Edel pondered deeply, then approached Laslo. As expected of siblings, he was clutching his stomach laughing at Linia's near-fall.
"Ah, it's been a while since I laughed like this."
"My lord, will you help me?"
"Huh? Me?"
Wiping tears, Laslo followed Edel's lead back to the hall, flustered.
"It seems the miss is struggling because she's never seriously watched proper dancing. So from now, watch closely."
"Uh, okay!"
As Linia sat, Edel took Laslo's hand and placed it on her waist, then grasped his other hand in position.
"Waltz, starting. Just do as before."
Caught off guard, Laslo stiffened. With Edel's waist close to his, he instinctively wanted to pull back.
But Linia was watching. Having mocked her earlier, any mistake now would earn double the finger-pointing and ridicule.
He nodded, Edel signaled the pianist, and a soft waltz melody flowed.
Before he knew it, his feet moved with the melody.
*It's different from dancing with Linia.*
After just a few steps, Laslo realized dance changes completely with the partner.
With Linia, he had to tense up to support her stiffness and flailing, but Edel was light as down feathers, flowing like water.
Thus, Laslo relaxed, and their dance became far more natural and fluid than practice.
"You're doing well."
Her whisper made his heart race; he turned to her unwittingly. Sensing it, her emerald eyes met his.
Laslo felt his breath catch at the beautifully sparkling gaze, like calm summer seawater.
