“Richard’s reading preferences are quite interesting.”
I accidentally discovered my man’s secret taste… well, at this level, it seems everyone would know.
But Richard himself was looking at the bookshelf as if it were something bizarre.
“This section originally had tactical books arranged here. Why are these things……”
“To commemorate the Lady’s visit, we specially placed recommended books at the front.”
The one who answered Richard’s bewildered question was the middle-aged librarian, Mrs. Boneville.
After solemnly greeting us when we entered earlier, she had been pretending not to notice, but now added in a composed voice.
“We’ve carefully selected only the most popular books on the market, so I recommend reading them.”
Giggling, I pulled out <100 Ways to Express Your Love>.
With a neatly organized table of contents, it looks worthy of becoming a bestseller.
“Let’s see…. Chapter 3 is ‘Actively Utilizing the Advantages of Space’. Oh, there’s also a ‘Bookstore/Library’ section here.”
Hiding notes between books, talking about books the other person likes, meeting in a quiet corner, and so on….
Reading these methods that were obvious but classic, I looked up at Richard and playfully asked.
“Now, where is the quietest place here?”
“……This way.”
The place he guided me to was a corner of the library where sunlight passing through a long glass window had warmed the wooden desk.
It seemed like there was no one in the library besides Mrs. Boneville originally, but as we went deeper, it became so quiet that if you listened carefully, you could hear each other’s breathing.
Feeling my ears getting hot for some reason, I blamed the unnecessary sunlight and casually said.
“This book suggests starting a conversation by pretending to meet by chance……”
Richard then made an expression suggesting I should continue. …Like an uncle playing along with a child’s game.
‘This makes me competitive again.’
I approached him, stood on my tiptoes.
Smooch-
I lightly kissed his cheek.
“I prefer this over childish games.”
“……”
Richard remained silent for a moment.
It wasn’t an embarrassed face, but, well, his expression wasn’t clear so I couldn’t tell.
‘He seems to be holding something back… Did I go too far with my teasing?’
Just as I thought that.
“Mrs. Boneville, please step outside for a moment.”
Richard said loudly, then suddenly lifted me up and sat me on the desk.
“It’s fine, ma’am! Just stay there!”
My face turned bright red, beyond blaming the sunlight, as I hit Richard’s chest.
He laughed softly and said.
“Why? I prefer this too.”
“……”
“You started it first.”
Then he began stamping his lips all over my face, and when I leaned my upper body back, he kept following until I finally covered my face with both hands.
“Enough…! Let’s stop here! Tell me about your favorite books instead.”
At my tearful effort to divert attention elsewhere, Richard nodded with an indulgent face.
“I mostly read practical books now, but when I was young, I liked adventure stories.”
“I also enjoyed reading such adventure novels when I was young.”
When I mentioned books like <Robinson Crusoe> or <The Fifteen Young Castaways>, he showed interest.
“Have your reading preferences changed now?”
“Hmm….. I read a lot of practical books, but I still enjoy novels and books that provide various knowledge.”
And then I got transmigrated here.
I suddenly thought it was fortunate that I didn’t enjoy horror novels or thrillers.
So Richard and I chatted comfortably as we left the library in a much more relaxed atmosphere.
…Which means we let our guard down.
“This is the grand ballroom. Large events like balls are usually held here.”
As Richard explained this and personally opened the magnificent large doors, the moment we stepped inside.
Dum, ta ta~ Dum, ta ta~
…A soft, romantic three-beat waltz began playing.
The orchestra, equipped with various string instruments, wind instruments, piano, and even double bass, was quite professional.
Seeing Richard’s pupils shake, it was clearly an unagreed-upon situation.
“The people of the ducal residence seem to like surprise events.”
“……”
“Hmm, it sounds nice.”
The orchestra seemed quite skilled.
As we had this untimely music appreciation time… no matter how long we listened, they kept playing dance music.
Without saying a word, it felt like the melody was blatantly demanding “Dance together right now.”
“Richard, are you good at dancing?”
I asked, meaning to suggest we dance one song since they were so enthusiastically setting the stage.
“I can’t promise anything. I haven’t danced since I was seven years old.”
…Of course. Since he had to pretend to have mysophobia, dancing would naturally have been difficult.
Feeling like I had brought up something unnecessary, I was inwardly regretting it when Richard hesitated a bit and then extended his hand.
“…If you can tolerate my lack of skill, would you dance one song with me?”
“Gladly.”
Actually, I haven’t danced since possessing Callia’s body either.
But remembering how different it felt when I grabbed Estra’s hair, I thought I might manage somehow.
‘Forget the uncoordinated Han Su-a. I am Callia, the dancing goddess who once swept through ballrooms.’
Well, she swept through them in several ways, but anyway.
Trying to recall the dancer’s memories engraved in this body, I headed to the floor with Richard.
Though they had eagerly set the stage, they must not have expected us to actually dance.
The orchestra’s performance was filled with excitement.
Richard and I simultaneously exhaled nervous breaths, then our eyes met and we burst into small laughter.
“So I’m your first partner since you became an adult?”
“To be precise, you’re my first since I was 7 years old.”
“I’m honored.”
We slightly bowed our upper bodies toward each other in greeting.
Richard placed his right hand on my back and held my hand with his left.
I also placed my left hand near his arm and firmly grasped his hand with my right.
Thanks to the orchestra quickly calming their excitement and playing a gentle melody, there was no great difficulty in dancing.
“You’re skilled at dancing.”
“I must have practiced a lot to dance well with Richard.”
I answered glibly while leading him with familiar steps.
“No, Richard… you’re dancing well already?”
And truly, after just a few minutes, he began to lead me smoothly.
The steps matched elegantly, and the experience of entrusting myself to a partner while dancing was a first for me.
I had never experienced it when I was Han Su-a, and I hadn’t danced since becoming Callia either.
When we spun in circles, it was a bit dizzying, but at the same time, laughter erupted.
“This is fun.”
When I expressed my impression with slightly breathless words, Richard also answered by curving his eyes.
We were so excited that we danced three songs in a row.
And on the fourth, after wandering around in a trance, we both became a little dizzy and decided to take a break.
As we sat in a resting area arranged in one corner, catching our breath, Richard discovered drinks prepared on a small table and brought two glasses.
“I don’t know who prepared this, but they’re thorough.”
As I gratefully accepted it and spoke, Richard nodded with a slightly subtle expression.
I drank a refreshing ade made by mixing honey and green grape juice with floating ice cubes.
Feeling the heat in my cheeks from dancing subsiding, I let out a languid sigh when suddenly I noticed the black leather gloves Richard was wearing.
“…Ah. Richard.”
Richard, who was sitting beside me and taking a sip of his drink, looked at me with an expression that questioned what was wrong.
After confirming we were quite far from the orchestra, I spoke softly.
“Do you remember the function of the artifact I’m wearing?”
“I remember. Affinity and communication ability with aquatic life, and…”
“The ability to be unaffected by magical energy.”
All three were good abilities, but the last one was particularly overpowered among them.
If this ability had gone to a holy knight like Anael, who fights magical beasts daily, or a soldier like Richard, it would certainly have been a great help.
‘But it was someone like me, whose future aspiration is to live leisurely, who was chosen.’
Since I had no intention of learning swordsmanship, it seemed like an excessively good defensive ability for me, though not quite “pearls before swine.”
But after recalling that Richard’s curse was based on magical energy, my thoughts changed.
I sat closer to him for security.
“Um, so Richard.”
This person looking at me with affectionate eyes isn’t showing it, but.
I haven’t forgotten that he wears gloves and confessed that concealing it is stifling.
In a small voice, but loud enough for only him to hear, I said.
“Would it be alright if I held your hand?”
“What do you mean……”
“Your bare hand, not the gloved one.”
Translator
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Nek0w0
Alright, the plot is locked in, now we’re just along for the ride. This Duke is insufferable, honestly so irritating. The Admiral is already whipped like a good ML should be, and the FL has that main character plot armor keeping her safe from everything. BUT I’m obsessed