Pendlore turned back to Radilt and continued.

“I should naturally be the one to hold Lady Brill’s fingertips.”

Radilt looked at the man’s outstretched hand with hesitant eyes. Her heart beat softly but distinctly.

“Lady Brill.”

A gentle call with a hint of urgency reached Radilt’s ears as she remained motionless. Pendlore’s calmly settled eyes and gestures were thoroughly respectful and unwavering.

Had she met him for the first time now, she would have thought, “What a gentlemanly person,” and readily taken his hand. She might have even felt some flutter at his strikingly handsome face.

But having experienced all those moments with Pendlore, Radilt felt a sudden fear.

The very act of him enveloping her hand, gently pulling her close, embracing her waist, and matching their breath somehow frightened her. It felt like stepping into a sticky, bottomless swamp without any preparation. Being drawn in, entangled…… feeling as if she would sink right down.

“There’s no need to be afraid. I will move very slowly and gently.”

“Yes, Lady Brill. Lord Duston is a skilled gentleman, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Lady Roud also urged her. Radilt composed herself and extended her hand. Various points where their skin slowly touched seemed to burn coldly.

“Dance tunes are diverse, and there’s not enough time to learn all the dances for them.”

A large, firm hand slid over Radilt’s waist. Her lips involuntarily bit down gently.

“You and I will dance only the first song at the banquet. There will be a line of people wanting to speak with you, so one dance will be sufficient.”

Their bodies seemed about to brush against each other. Radilt reflexively turned her head to the side. She couldn’t face Pendlore at such close proximity.

Unlike her unsteadiness, the voice coming from above her head remained consistently low and calm.

“Though it varies slightly with fashion, the first song is usually somewhat fast and lively to elevate the mood. Let’s start by learning the rhythm. Lady Roud.”

At Pendlore’s instruction, Lady Roud began clapping: clap, clap, clap.

“Try to follow my footsteps, madam.”

“……Yes.”

Radilt lowered her gaze. Her mind became much more at ease now that she had an excuse not to meet Pendlore’s eyes.

His smooth black shoes began moving to the rhythm of the clapping. Radilt hurriedly followed the man’s feet as they moved away, then retreated as if avoiding his returning feet.

“Just like that, good.”

At first, they simply moved back and forth to the rhythm, then gradually began moving sideways as well. Though her eyes remained fixed on both pairs of feet, Radilt followed quite well for a beginner.

“You seem to have quite a talent for physical activities.”

At the voice suddenly whispering with an improper meaning, Radilt reflexively looked up. At the same time—

“……Ah!”

Pendlore pulled Radilt’s body close to his. Her waist lifted slightly as their chests touched. Their gazes met directly, and as Pendlore supported the stumbling Radilt, his feet elegantly rotated half a turn.

Flutter, like a flower petal in a gentle breeze, her dress swayed and then settled calmly again as the released Radilt stepped back a couple of paces.

Clap-clap-clap, Lady Roud’s applause sounded. Not to keep rhythm, but in admiration.

“With Lord Duston guiding so excellently, you’ll learn to dance quickly.”

“It’s because Lady Brill is a good student.”

“I was worried since there’s not much time left until the door of summer, but at this rate, there shouldn’t be any major flaws.”

As the two exchanged conversation, Radilt blankly looked down at her hands. Her palms seemed to burn faintly.

The touch that strongly pulled her, the arm firmly supporting her waist, the chests touching so closely their heartbeats mingled, the breaths that seemed about to meet—

Radilt clenched and unclenched her hands repeatedly, trying to shake off the sensations she had just felt.

‘This feels…… bad.’

How long would she have to be helplessly dragged along by that man? Like a worthless grain of sand repeatedly pushed by waves and then washed away again. Like a weak reed stem bending whichever way the wind blows.

Pendlore approached Radilt, who wanted to kick down the door and flee immediately. He extended his hand again with impeccable courtesy.

“Once we master the rhythm today, I’ll call in a small band next time. Clapping alone doesn’t create enough excitement.”

“……”

“Lord Duston is truly thoughtful. For a more perfect practice, at least three types of instruments should be prepared.”

Lady Roud smiled approvingly in place of the silent Radilt, praising Pendlore’s generosity. After hesitating, Radilt simply nodded slightly.

Clap—

The hand clapping began again. In the lengthening afternoon sunlight, Radilt lightly grasped the man’s hand. Trying to forget the warmth wrapping around her waist, she slid her toes to match the slightly faster rhythm.

The shadows of the two people spinning in circles intertwined so thoroughly it was difficult to distinguish between them.

* * *

Around the time when the edge of the sky took on a faint redness, refreshments were set up under an awning. Lady Roud also kindly explained the etiquette of tea time.

The arrangement when there are two or more tables, where the host should sit, seating according to status and social position. Also, even if employees were invited to tea time, they usually didn’t share the same table as their employer but had a sub-table placed beside them.

“While compassion toward those beneath you is praiseworthy, that line should not be easily crossed. People often lose respect for those who are too close.”

In reality, Radilt Brill didn’t need such education on handling people. But Lady Roud changed her mind somewhat. This was because Lord Duston’s attitude, as she observed, was much more affectionate than expected.

Might they last longer than the rumors suggested? Perhaps their relationship would continue even beyond the year. With this premonition, Lady Roud suggested to Pendlore, who sat across from Radilt, in an affectionate voice,

“For Lady Brill to continue social activities more comfortably, it would be good to learn a couple of suitable hobbies. How about piano, which is relatively easier to approach compared to other instruments? With your long, delicate fingers, it would suit you.”

At Lady Roud’s words, Pendlore’s gaze turned to Radilt’s hands. Radilt reflexively curled her fingers.

“Piano. That sounds good. Do you have a teacher to recommend? A female teacher, that is.”

“Yes, I know a suitable person. Besides that, other popular hobbies among noble ladies recently include bonsai, pottery, and composition. I especially recommend at least learning the basics of pottery.”

As it was the hobby of the highest lady in the imperial family, noble ladies who frequented the imperial palace learned enough to participate in conversations. The lover of Count Duston was also in a position where accessing the palace would not be difficult.

Pendlore quietly met Radilt’s gaze, who remained silent. The eyelashes above her green eyes trembled slightly, as if wanting to avoid his gaze.

“What hobby would you prefer, Lady Brill?”

“I will try whatever you recommend.”

What meaning could there be in luxurious hobbies that would end before summer was over? Radilt quietly drank her tea.

Noticing her somewhat less energetic appearance than usual, Pendlore’s lips stiffened imperceptibly. Though sitting at a distance where he could reach out and touch her, the woman’s eyes gazing into the distance seemed about to disappear, becoming hazy. Pendlore felt an inexplicable thirst as he lifted his teacup.

* * *

As the days grew warmer, rain became more frequent. Now, days without raindrops were rare. Pendlore gifted Radilt a raincoat to wear over her dress when riding horseback. It was a blue robe with a sheen like waterfowl feathers.

The spring flower harvest was also nearing its end. As rainfall increased, the condition of the flowers deteriorated. Thanks to purchasing plenty of the last high-quality spring flowers, work at the workshop became busier. Saldat was so exhausted from labor that he even forgot to pick quarrels with Radilt.

Radilt mainly took charge of trimming flowers, so her body wasn’t too tired. However, concentrating for long periods meant she occasionally dozed off during the social lessons she took briefly after work.

“It was amazing. Truly a splendid party!”

Meanwhile, her sister-in-law Erite had attended her first garden party. Though she failed to catch a decent husband, perhaps due to her connection with Pendlore Duston, she managed to secure an invitation to the next garden party.

This was fortunate for Radilt. It meant Erite would continue to prevent her mother’s reckless actions for the sake of her own marriage for a while longer.

However, Erite needed a new summer dress.

“Sister-in-law. Can I sell some of the things in your room? You won’t wear those spring clothes again anyway.”

The money was raised by selling some of the dresses and accessories Radilt had received from Pendlore. Hiding the regret swirling inside her chest, Radilt organized her wardrobe.

As Erite said, she wouldn’t have occasion to wear those dresses next year, and given Pendlore’s character, he wouldn’t ask for the secondhand dresses back. He probably wouldn’t care how they were disposed of.

Thus, following the changing seasons, Radilt’s bedroom also became somewhat emptier.

Tok-tok, tok, tok-tok-tok.

Raindrops tapped on the window from early morning. Today was a holiday, so she had to head straight to Count Duston’s mansion.

She had planned to practice dancing all day for the upcoming banquet, which was not far off. Moreover, it was a day when her tutor, Lady Roud, would not be coming.

That alone made it an uncomfortable enough day.

“Ah……”