Chapter 5 – Part 5

“Is this your second gift?”

“Yes.”

“I picked it because.”

Liese fiddled with her ear, which seemed to be a little red.

“Actually, I learned ballroom dancing to this song when I was younger, so….”

“Did you have to learn with such an outdated piece?”

His tone suddenly became sharp. Thinking it might be his usual grumbling, Liese answered.

“It’s the way it is in the countryside. Rather than short-lived trends, we consider long-standing classics more important. Even back then, the nobles in big cities probably didn’t dance to the ‘Waltz of Porneff’ anymore, but I had to learn this piece until I mastered it.”

“I see. Are you saying that social dancing is the only thing you’re good at? “

“I didn’t say I was good at it.”

Liese corrected. Her cold hands fidgeted incessantly.

“I don’t think it’s bad to appreciate the classics once in a while.”

Liese had been to his office, his study, his parlor, and then his bedroom, and she had always seen the phonograph that occupied a corner of the room. That’s why it was a gift she was able to decide on.

“Perhaps you also enjoy classical music. Besides, there are many phonographs in the mansion, so you can enjoy it anywhere. I thought it would be a good gift.”

“…….”

“…Do you like it?”

“Do I like it?”

Marcus drummed his fingers slowly over the album. He wanted to burst out laughing, but it didn’t come out.

Does she realize that a vinyl record of Waltz of Porneff is a gift worse than rotten candy to him? She’ll never know. Until he tells her.

Marcus ran his tongue around the inside of his mouth, wondering how to take this sudden turn of events.

It had all been a joke when he’d counter-threatened to bring a gift, just so he could tease her. Whatever gift he brought, he intended to tease her just enough.

Even if the unlikely chance of a gift he liked came, he would have caught onto something and if the discouraged woman finally gave in, so be it. In any case, he planned to continue meeting with her until the end of the summer.

Marcus looked at the record he wanted to burn and reconsidered his decision. He couldn’t refuse an interesting girl like this, but he couldn’t stop the rapid sinking of his spirits.

He didn’t even feel like throwing the farmyard. He was definitely in a low mood until he heard a voice break through the heavy silence.

“Do you want to dance?”

Liese’s soft voice snapped him out of his reverie.

“If the Duke would like.”

Marcus lifted his eyes. Liese, who had asked such a blunt question, wore a cautious expression. There was no fear or other implication.

“Is that your gift, too?”

He laughed, and she gave him a faint smile.

“I wouldn’t dare consider the time you spend dancing with me a gift.”

“…….”

“It’s just a suggestion.”

His voice was clear and unadorned. His half-lidded, misty eyes scanned her face. Then a low, husky note slipped from between his lips.

“You said you learned the waltz all the way through.”

“I did.”

“It seems that the conservative countryside didn’t teach you properly. If you’re making the offer…”

…What does that mean? Tilting her head, Liese quickly denied it.

“No, no. I was taught properly, from start to finish, without fail.”

Her emphasized voice was quite firm. She was confident because, even though it was during childhood, she had repeated learning it hundreds of times. Madame Orelline, who had been her tutor, may have been old, but her teaching was perfect.

“Without fail?”

Marcus questioned, the corners of his mouth slowly lifting.

“Yes. I have a good memory.”

“May I check?”

Liese was silent for a moment, then nodded her chin with determination. It had been her suggestion from the beginning.

“As much as you want.”

****

The largest ballroom in the ducal residence was located in the second annex.

It was used for entertaining, and unlike the main building, it was filled with ornate decorations. It was Liese’s workplace, so she knew it well.

This characteristic of the annex was in full bloom in the ballroom. The moment she stepped inside, she realized it was a temple of all things golden.

Oil paintings of dazzling expanses hung from the high ceilings, and the smooth floor was a geometric pattern of four-colored wood.

The walls were engraved with vine-shaped golden ornaments. In between were several windows without curtains, boasting excellent lighting.

The sunset glow happened to spill into the room. Shadows of square window frames rippled on the floor. The red aura reminiscent of the cover of the Waltz album colored the entire space.

Liese strode across the ballroom, feeling like she was dreaming.

“Are you ready?”

A man’s hand reached out in front of her. Marcus, who had just returned from placing a record on the phonograph, smiled wryly.

“Yeah.”

Glancing up at him, Liese placed her fingertips on his large palm. Marcus took her slender hand in his, trapping it in his body heat. A throbbing pulse radiated from their joined hands.

They stood in the center of the grand room, facing each other, and a familiar tune began to play. It was the introduction to a waltz.

The man always made the first move. Leaning in, Marcus kissed the back of her hand without breaking eye contact. Observing his rigid spine, Liese swallowed dryly.

‘The proposal was almost impulsive, but…’

She didn’t know why she had asked the duke to dance. Was it because she remembered the way he had looked down at the record and froze? Yes, but that still didn’t explain it.

Either way, this was her chance to prove to him that she was not only skilled at social dancing but also useful as a partner.

It had been a long time since she’d danced, but Liese hadn’t forgotten what she’d learned. Despite Marcus’s disapproval, she was surprisingly good at physical activities.

In response to his greeting, Liese bent her knees in the manner of a lady. Turning around and standing with his back to her, Marcus placed his hand on her pelvis. His hand slid up and cupped her just below her br*ast. One thigh was barely touching the other.

In the opening, the man and woman don’t look at each other. They move in the same direction for a while, then only briefly glance at each other when they change positions by turning half a circle.

Madame Orelline, who taught the dance, emphasized not to hurry at the beginning. The partner across the shoulder should not show any impatience with their gaze. Slowly moving to arouse passion was the characteristic of the beginning.

Liese gently brushed the back of Marcus’s hand while facing forward. His breathing was heavy in her ear.

The two of them slowly shifted their steps. They moved in a large circle, facing in the same direction. With the flow of the song, they gradually expanded their footprint.

As they took a couple steps backward, Liese leaned into Marcus’s broad arms. The rich scent of sandalwood and his body heat enveloped her. His light breath tickled her earlobe once more.

Then their clasped hands floated in the air.

Taking that as his cue, Marcus spun Liese’s body around. With just the right amount of gentle pressure, Liese didn’t miss a beat. It was a perfect turn.

After the introduction, the man and woman never break eye contact.

Liese looked up into Marcus’s face, bathed in the light of the setting sun. His reddish-blonde hair, glittering lashes, and delicate shadows in the ethereal walls of the room. Despite everything that had happened between them, she couldn’t shake the impression that he was still handsome.

For some reason, it tickled in the center of her chest.

“Your hand.”

“…Ah.”

Liese hastily moved her hand from the duke’s chest palm to grab his shoulder blade. Her posture was always disoriented after such dynamic movements. This couldn’t be bad.

“I thought you were good.”

However, she was immediately rebuked by the mean man. Liese pouted.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“You touched my chest inappropriately.”

It was embarrassing. Liese bit her lip as laughter threatened to spill out. Now she could distinguish his jokes.

“I just put my hand on it; I didn’t touch it.”

“I’ll forgive you once. I won’t tolerate the same mistake again.”

“Do you think it was a mistake?”

Marcus fell silent as Liese asked in a soft voice. A glint flashed in his eyes as he stared at her intently.

The tempo quickens slightly. Liese raised her hands in the air and spun in place on her pivot. Her bright linen dress puffed up like a cloud.

Facing Marcus again, Liese lifted her other hand and rested it on his shoulder. She could feel his muscular frame through the fabric of his shirt. She steadied her breathing and locked eyes with him. This time, her posture was flawless.

Suddenly, there was tension in the air surrounding them. Liese was the first to speak.