Translator: Nox

Chapter 43

43

43. The Moment a Star Fell on the Baron family (4)

Hesitantly standing in the middle of the hall, my body stiffened with tension. Lucas wrapped his hand around my waist, pulling me closer. As the distance narrowed, he smiled at my surprise, and with his other hand, he raised my right hand. My head shook from side to side in embarrassment.

"Look up."

"Yes? Ah, yes."

As I nodded, Lucas smiled again.

"Relax your body and follow me."

"Yes."

Soon, a new classic melody resonated.

My body became even more rigid. He whispered to me to relax and slowly took a step. As he led, I also took hesitant steps. Gradually, I began to follow him.

He moved slowly to match my pace, and although I was a beat behind, I diligently followed him. After moving with him a few times, I realized that dancing wasn't as difficult as I had thought.

The hem of my skirt flared and contracted in response to my movements. To the right, then to the left, and then a turn. When I followed well, Lucas curved his eyes, praising me. I also smiled, pulling up the corners of my mouth, and stepped in time with his movements.

But then, suddenly, the floor felt soft.

"Ugh."

"Gasp."

I had stepped on his foot.

"I'm, I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

I quickly moved my shoe. Lucas, wincing, forced a smile and regained his posture. The momentarily faltering movements regained stability and began to move naturally again.

But this time, my feet tangled, and I kicked his shin.

"Ugh!"

Lucas couldn't hide his pain and groaned.

"……."

I squeezed my eyes shut. Even if I didn't know anything else, I knew I had kicked him properly. The sensation of digging into flesh was quite deep.

Lucas staggered for a moment before quickly regaining his posture.

"I'm sorry. I'm not used to it……."

"I-It's okay."

But his face didn't look okay. He seemed to be in real pain, subtly rubbing his kicked shin against his other leg. I was mortified and hung my head. The aftermath of the kick made my steps more cautious.

After that, I stepped on his foot several more times. Each time, my head lowered further. To make matters worse, the music was quite long. At this moment, I resented the gentle classic melody.

"Paula. You're doing really well."

"……I hope it ends soon."

Then, he whispered in my ear, "Shall we end it, then?" I quickly nodded, and I heard a chuckle.

At that moment.

"Ugh!"

He bent my back sharply backward. At the same time, one of my legs was lifted. I grabbed his shoulders, afraid of falling backward, but my vision flipped even more. Fortunately, I didn't fall. Lucas supported my body with one arm and gripped my leg, which was floating in the air, with his other hand.

What was going on? My body was bent backward almost as if I were lying down, and my right leg was also lifted. For a moment, I didn't realize what position I was in. I just blinked and looked at the beautiful Chandelier on the ceiling, and Lucas suddenly popped into view. Unlike my flustered self, he smiled as always with a calm face.

"Didn't that end quite plausibly?"

"……."

I don't know about that, but I thought my heart was going to drop.

I barely calmed my pounding heart. I frowned, hoping he could see it through my disheveled hair, telling him to give me some warning. Lucas grinned mischievously. He did this on purpose. It was definitely revenge for stepping on his foot and kicking his shin.

Just in time, the music ended. Applause echoed in the silent room. I turned my head toward the sound, and Ethan was standing up and clapping. It would have been better if he didn't have meat dangling from his mouth.

As I struggled, Lucas let me go. As soon as both feet landed safely on the floor, Violet also applauded.

"You were so beautiful, Paula."

"Thank you."

I smiled awkwardly and looked at Vincent. He was looking elsewhere.

Suddenly, a palm blocked my view. As I turned my head at the waving hand, I saw Lucas with a somewhat stiff face. As our eyes met, his face was tinged with a gentle expression as if nothing had happened. Then he held out his hand again.

"Shall we dance again?"

"I refuse."

This time, I shook my head firmly in refusal. Did he want my feet to swell up? I could dance if he wanted, but I was already exhausted from focusing so hard on not stepping on his feet.

My eyes turned forward again. Vincent was talking to Violet. They looked like lovers whispering sweet nothings.

I was captivated by their beautiful appearance when Lucas said in a small voice that only I could hear.

"Paula."

"Yes."

"This time, let's have Paula dance with the person she wants to dance with."

Surprised by the unexpected words, I looked at Lucas. He pointed forward with his hand. I turned my head forward again, looked at the affectionate couple, and then turned back to Lucas. He was still smiling, but he looked somewhat bitter. Was it so hurtful that I didn't want to dance again?

"Is that okay?"

"Of course. We're the only ones here anyway. And we're the only ones to dance with. It wouldn't be strange to dance with anyone."

If that's the case. I nodded and walked forward. The rustling of the dress hem and the distinct sound of shoes hitting the floor created noise. The two of them turned their gaze toward me, following the sound. I scanned the two faces in front of me one by one and stood next to the person I was most grateful to.

The other person's eyes widened. I put one hand behind my back and extended the other forward, bowing slightly. I imitated Lucas's gesture when he had asked me to dance. It was my first time doing it, but it was much easier than lifting the hem of my skirt and bowing.

"Violet."

"Huh?"

"Would you like to dance with me?"

She blinked. I gestured with my hand, waiting for her answer. After a moment of silence, a loud burst of laughter erupted from behind me. Vincent, who had been listening to the conversation right next to me, covered his mouth and subtly turned his head. But he couldn't hide the laughter that squeezed through his teeth.

No, is there even a law that says only men and women have to dance? Maybe there is, but I decided to be brazen since I had already said it. As Lucas said, we were the only ones here. There was no need to be formal or follow formalities.

After a while, amidst the noisy laughter, Violet smiled brightly and took my hand. And so, we stood facing each other in the middle of the hall. A slightly fast-paced piece of music filled the hall.

"Hehe, so you see."

"Yes."

Her lively voice, which hadn't tired even after whispering all night, continued. The light from the lamp, the only one illuminating the darkness, shone on Violet. I talked with her, who was laughing happily, without stopping. Sometimes about small daily life, sometimes reminiscing about past memories, sharing each other's experiences.

As Violet was talking, she rubbed her eyes. I told her she should sleep and pulled the sheet further to cover her. Violet whined that she was sad, but she couldn't overcome the pouring sleepiness.

In the quiet silence, only the moon revealed its presence. I turned off the lamp and lay down on the bed. I looked at the sleeping Violet before closing my eyes.

In the darkness, a ray of light stretched out. The light gradually spread, and a splendid hall with a sparkling Chandelier hanging from it unfolded. Inside the hall, the sound of fast-tempo classical music and applause in time with the beat filled the atmosphere. Joyful laughter, bright smiling faces, us dancing without worrying about skirts fluttering and Tailcoats wrinkling. Even Isabella, who had been stiff, was laughing with us.

We threw away formality, etiquette, and class, pursuing only pure joy, and we laughed so happily.

When I opened my eyes, darkness rushed in. The noisy laughter and music had all disappeared, and silence filled the surroundings. The events of the afternoon felt as distant as a dream. It felt heavy. The excited emotions were still bubbling inside my heart.

In the end, I couldn't fall asleep.

Just a little more, I want to remember this feeling.

I got up. I moved carefully so as not to wake the sleeping Violet. I got out of bed and walked, trying to keep my footsteps as quiet as possible. I groped in the darkness for a shawl and put it on. I was thinking of taking a simple walk while savoring this feeling.

I picked up the lamp and left the room. I was careful even when closing the door. I looked at the brightly rising moon outside the hallway window and placed the lamp on the windowsill. I was lighting the lamp when I suddenly heard the sound of the door bursting open. Surprised, I turned around and saw Vincent standing there.

"Master?"

His pale complexion was the first thing that caught my eye. There were beads of sweat on his forehead. He looked unwell, so I approached him, and his vacant eyes were fixed on me.

"……Is it you?"

He sometimes asked me that. And I know when he asks that.

"Yes. It's me."

"Is it really you?"

"Yes. It's me."

His hand reached out and grabbed my hand. The fingertips caressing my wrist were trembling. Then he pulled me in and buried his face in my shoulder. I could hear him breathing heavily.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

He nodded. His golden hair brushed against my cheek, tickling me.

"But why did you come out?"

"I heard a sound."

"What if it wasn't me?"

"I thought it would be you."

I thought it would be you, so I came out.

I didn't ask any more questions and closed my mouth. His rough breathing gradually calmed down. The hand that had been caressing my wrist came down and intertwined with my fingers. The trembling that was transmitted through our clasped hands gradually subsided.

I folded and unfolded the fingers I was holding with him.

"Would you like to take a walk?"

He nodded again.

Holding his hand, I walked down the hallway with the lit lamp in my other hand. Two sets of footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway.

"I want to get some air."

"Shall we go outside, then?"

I took him, who was nodding, outside the mansion. The night air was quite chilly. The outside was naturally quiet, and I couldn't feel any signs of life. It was too late to go far, so we walked toward the garden. Everyone must be asleep, so there was no need to worry about running into anyone.

The dark sky was studded with stars. The sky was clear today, so they were even more visible. Beautiful. I captured the sparkling stars in my eyes. A star streaked across the sky. As I watched it, we walked for a while until we came to the fountain. Even at night, water was still gushing from the fountain.