Chapter 6 – Part 4

As time passed at the reception hall, Liese felt her smile stiffen more and more.

She had followed Marcus and greeted nobles from all over the kingdom, and it seemed like she was dealing with dozens of Lady Witrock. Whether it was due to repeatedly forcing false laughter or not, instead of relaxing, her whole body tensed up.

Even when she met the prince and princess, she was surprised to see royalty she thought existed only in a distant corner of the world greeting her face-to-face. She is even more surprised to see Marcus talking to the prince as if they had known each other for years.

Liese couldn’t help but feel that she had stepped into a much bigger game than she had expected. It was also hard to believe that Marcus had dismissed it all as a joke.

‘…I wonder what exactly he means by saying he’ll take it seriously now.’

She glanced up at the Duke, who was still gently caressing her waist.

Marcus was a very skilled man at dealing with people. For a nobleman so accustomed to socializing, it was amazing that he could hide so much cruelty and smile with such a straight face. This was completely unlike Liese, who could show any emotion on her face.

As Marcus bid farewell to Lord Mo, who had been conversing with them, he glanced over and looked down at Liese. He had a neat smile on his lips.

“Tired? Having to greet all those people who keep popping up like parrots.”

“No, no. I find it fascinating.”

Liese lied mechanically. Smiling, Marcus tilted his shoulders at an angle and pressed his cheek against the crown of her head. It was an incredibly sweet gesture of affection.

“It’s the first day. You’ll get used to it in a few days. Did I mention there’s a soiree on board?”

“Miss Claudia told me that the Duke, no… you bought the cruise ship for the summer event.”

I corrected myself, realizing that I had been ordered to omit honorifics when within earshot of others. Maintaining his smiling face, Marcus spoke again, his voice smooth.

“Have you ever been on a ship before?”

“Never, and I never thought I’d get to go on a cruise ship in my life.”

“Sounds exciting.”

She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t looking forward to it. But Liese, finding it difficult to positively affirm, settled for a vague smile. Marcus made eye contact with passersby and continued.

“This will be your debut ball, won’t it?”

“Come to think of it… yes, it is, although it’s a bit too big and flashy for a debut.”

“Why didn’t you think about it? You have every right to step into society.”

“I thought debutantes were reserved for those who would remain in aristocratic society forever, so I didn’t think anything of it.”

There was no response. Worried that she had been too honest, Liese lied again.

“I can’t tell you how much I enjoy it, and I’m sure my grandfather would be proud of me because he always felt bad that I didn’t make it into society when I was old enough to debut.”

“Does Viscount Brennan know you’re here now?”

“Uh, no. He still… doesn’t know.”

The conversation quickly returned to reality. Viscount Brennan had barely known anyone in this foreign land, so his granddaughter’s sudden entrance into the social scene was unlikely to be reported to anyone.

It was a good thing her dealings with the duke had never reached her grandfather’s ears in the first place.

“I wonder what kind of person he is.”

Liese’s ears perked up as Marcus’s muttering brought her out of her reverie. Her voice naturally brightened.

“Grandpa would probably like you.”

“You’re flattering me, Liese.”

The Duke laughed out loud. She tried to look serious.

“It’s true. He has a fondness for soldiers, especially heroes who have earned military honors. It’s a great honor for him, as much as he likes to recount war stories when he’s even slightly intoxicated.”

“It’s fortunate we have something in common. Does he like wine too?”

“Yes. Just enough to make me wish he’d cut back a bit.”

“Perhaps we should get him a bottle of Stone Ridge wine.”

Liese’s lifted her head in surprise.

“You’re giving my grandfather a gift?”

“Can’t I do that?”

“No, but….”

“He’s someone I’m grateful to, having allowed his cherished granddaughter to stay by my side.”

“…….”

“Of course, he’s also a precious family member to my lover.”

Marcus slipped a hand around her waist and pinched Liese’s cheek lightly. It was an affectionate gesture. Her heart, which had fluttered for a moment at the mention of giving alcohol as a gift to her grandfather, sank like a stone hit by lightning.

A man who knows how to wear a social mask perfectly. He could play the part of a lover in love perfectly in front of others. Liese lifted her stiff lips. It was her turn to lie again.

“Thank you, and I’ll invite you over to my place for dinner later, and I’ll introduce you to Charlie and the nanny.”

“You’re welcome.”

Marcus said it without hesitation. Liese turned her gaze squarely back. Facing hundreds of Lady Witrocks might have been preferable to this.

She followed the Duke’s lead and realized that they had arrived at the ballroom. The ladies and gentlemen who had already taken their seats were staring at the two of them, leaving only a round space empty.

Liese’s heart sank as she realized that the ballroom was so large and filled with colorfully dressed guests.

“I suppose it’s time for us all to start dancing.”

“Usually.”

Marcus said it meaningfully. Liese sighed as she met curious eyes.

No way.

“We’re supposed to dance first?”

“Are you worried?”

“I can’t say I’m not.”

“I thought you said you were confident in social dancing.”

“Yes, but there are so many eyes on me, I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake… No, I’m confident.”

Liese quickly changed the subject, insisting that she would be able to do her job. Marcus smiled wryly as he led her to the center of the ballroom. He didn’t seem to care that so many eyes were on them.

“Don’t worry, your partner won’t make any mistakes.”

Liese nodded at the reassuring words. She knew from previous experience how well he handled his partners in the dance.

“It’s a good thing we’re both familiar with the song.”

He turned to face her and took her hand, and the band began to play. As they entered the lyrical introduction, Marcus stepped forward and took his place behind Liese’s back.

It was a Porneff waltz.

Liese’s mouth fell open, half-stunned. The murmur of the crowd seemed to carry all the way to here.

It was an old waltz, no longer danced by the fashionable city aristocracy. Some didn’t even know the Porneff at all. But that wasn’t the reason for the ballroom’s excitement.

Liese drew a shuddering breath as she remembered a fact she’d never forgotten: the waltz had been the favorite of the old Duke and his wife, who loved him so much that she took her own life.

It is a dance that has never been performed at a ball held by Marcus. And nobles would know that this song remained a terribly haunting memory for Marcus.

What the hell was he thinking?

She wanted to ask him, but they couldn’t face each other at the beginning, so she held back. She pushed away the questions lingering in her mind and focused on the movements. She tried to convince herself that it was fortunate that it was a familiar song.

Amidst the hushed breaths of everyone, the two danced to the melody. Liese, with her somewhat clumsy body, stretched her legs gracefully, and Marcus skillfully turned her and pulled her close, spinning her around.

The ladies blushed as they watched the duke manipulate Liese with little effort. Even the gentlemen with partners gulped as they watched Liese’s cheeks flush as the action intensified.

“Liese.”

Marcus called to her quietly, recognizing the ghostly look in her eyes.

“Yes.”

“I see a fearless, impure bastard, and you’d better be careful. If any bugs approach you while I’m away, use my name to avoid them.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“But if they persist, grab a knife and threaten them. You’re no different from me, so feel free to do whatever it takes if you feel insulted. Got it?”

She nodded meekly at the unhelpful advice. The duke’s prestige was certainly something to take to heart.

Liese took his hand and twirled once. Even in that moment, Marcus’s eyes never left her.

By the time the waltz reached its midpoint, all onlookers had fallen into a similar state of appreciation.

It was a bizarre sight, reminiscent of the cover of a waltz album. The Duke and his lover danced, staring at each other with expressions that were neither frowning nor smiling.

As if they didn’t care about the crowd, as if they were the only ones in the room, as if they were mesmerized by each other.

A couple was so deeply in love that they couldn’t tell the difference between a dance and a song. It perfectly captures the secret meaning of Porneff’s waltz.

However, Liese, preoccupied with the fear of making a mistake, simply focused on the dance.

“It’s the finale, Liese.”

Marcus whispered in her ear as he pulled her into a deep embrace. Liese, who had been concentrating with all her might, snapped out of it. The sudden embrace was not a move she remembered from her waltz lessons, but it still felt oddly familiar.

The finale. Something she had experienced only once before.

“Don’t forget that a beautiful fenale is the key to the Porneff.”

“…….”

“Don’t let me down.”

The laughing bass tickled her ears again. Cradled in his tight embrace, Liese blinked to steady her breathing. Her heart thudded in her chest as she closed the gap between their beats.

Marcus once again sought a kiss.

… No. But you have to do it. Just close your eyes. It’s just a dance. But there are so many eyes… . So you have to do it. Where should I kiss?

A dozen voices spoke all at once in Liese’s mind. Just then, the bell signaling the end rang.

Marcus nudged Liese, who buried her cheek against his chest, and they locked eyes.

A bright red face, breath leaking between parted lips, and light green eyes staring straight at him.

She stood before him, looking like she’d only existed in his imagination. Marcus licked his lower lip, his eyes darting from one to the other. A truly dangerous sense of greed welled up in him.

The moment Liese gave him a look of determination, Marcus leaned in first, twisting his head to kiss her full lips.

He cupped her face in his hands as she flinched in surprise and kissed her very lightly, but long enough to taste the mucous membrane on the inside of her lips.

For him, it was an extremely monotonous contact. It wasn’t to the point where he touched it and took it away right away, but he didn’t even touch her tongue. It was no different from a fresh kiss.

But the mere fact that their lips touched caused Liese to panic, and she floundered silently. She pressed her two balled fists against his toned chest and gasped. He was ready to punch him if he stuck his tongue in, whether anyone was watching or not.

The audience, who had been holding their breath, erupted into cheers. Applause thundered like a storm. It was truly a perfect waltz, deserving of praise.

Liese’s face flushed as she looked up at Marcus, the membrane peeling away. Only at close range did Marcus realize that he was dying to kiss her, even though it was the most sensual kiss he’d ever had.

‘If I were to get involved, she would cry all night long.’

At that thought, Marcus burst out laughing. He lifted one hand and rubbed his saliva-soaked lips across Liese’s. He felt a surge of desire as he pressed his lips against her plump lips.

Marcus thought that and burst into laughter. He raised one hand and rubbed Liese’s wet lips with his saliva. He pressed her plump lips and felt an overwhelming desire.

“I’ll have to pay you twice as much as I promised.”

Liese sucked in a breath of embarrassment, then stiffened as if she’d been slapped with cold water. The way her expression changed at his words was adorable. Marcus smiled sweetly and ordered.

“Smile.”

The pause returned, but only for a moment. Liese pulled up the corners of her mouth like a doll.

“Brighter. Don’t force your smile as if you’re being threatened.”

“…….”

“Pretty.”

Her pale eyes flashed with disgust at his blunt compliment. It didn’t matter to Marcus if she protested with her eyes or not. For this moment, she was his.