“You could go to the ball just like this, couldn’t you?”

Miss Veronica said admiringly. With Miss constantly praising me, I started to think that maybe it really would be okay.

“With a week left… It might be a bit tight to learn dancing too, huh?”

“What? I’m learning to dance too?”

When I blinked in surprise, Miss Veronica tilted her head, puzzled.

“Were you planning to go to the ball and not dance?”

“No, that’s… Of course dancing at a ball is natural, but is it really okay for me to dance there?”

Just participating in a ball where nobles go was an honor for me. But to even dance there…

It was something I had never imagined, so I felt a bit dazed.

“Of course. If you’re attending a ball, you should at least be able to dance.”

“But I’ve never learned to dance before.”

“That’s why we need to learn quickly. You’ll be busy from today, won’t you?”

Miss Veronica already seemed excited about the idea of teaching me to dance.

“Now try on the other dresses too.”

“Yes, please wait a moment!”

People were saying I looked pretty, and I was quite satisfied with how I looked in the dress. Eager to try on the other dresses, I headed back to the dressing room.

***

But unfortunately, I only managed to try on about half of the dresses that arrived this time.

I wanted to try them all on while I was at it, but it took longer than expected to change clothes, and I also needed time to learn dancing from Miss Veronica, so I had no choice but to postpone trying on the remaining half of the dresses.

I was less disappointed knowing that I would probably have a chance to wear them at least once during my stay here.

After the fashion show for me ended like that, I had to digest yet another newly added schedule.

In addition to learning etiquette from Miss, dancing was now added to the list.

As soon as the fashion show ended, the others dispersed, and Miss Veronica and I entered the education room within the mansion, guided by Avina.

Since it was an education room for dancing or playing instruments, there was no furniture or decorations placed around.

Miss Veronica stood in the center of the education room and turned to look at me.

“Now, pay close attention to my foot movements. I’ll do it slowly.”

“Yes.”

Miss Veronica muttered, “One, two, three,” in time with her steps.

I too counted the beats internally while observing Miss Veronica’s steps.

“There, did you see?”

“Yes. But it seems harder than I thought.”

“Everyone feels that way. Once you start practicing, it won’t be that difficult. Try it.”

“Okay. One, two…”

I slowly moved my feet, recalling what I had just seen in my mind.

Even though Miss Veronica had demonstrated slowly, it was strangely difficult to follow.

“Again.”

As soon as my steps got tangled, my feet moved on their own. Seeing this, Miss Veronica instructed me to start over in a short and firm tone.

“One, two…”

I started stepping from the beginning again.

However, I had to keep repeating the same movements over and over.

“Wow… I feel like I’m going to collapse from exhaustion.”

I muttered as I collapsed into a chair.

Watching this, Miss Veronica laughed softly.

“I think I pushed you too hard because we’re pressed for time. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, Miss, what do you have to be sorry for? You’re the one having a hard time teaching me.”

“What hard time am I having? You’re the one having a hard time learning. Let’s rest and practice once more before bed after dinner.”

“After dinner too?”

When I asked back in surprise, Miss Veronica nodded as if it was obvious.

“We only have a week left and we haven’t even finished learning the steps yet. It’s tough, but let’s endure and practice for just a week.”

“Yes…”

I answered weakly, drooping my shoulders.

If I had known it would be like this, I should have strongly insisted on not doing it when Alex mentioned the ball.

When I first decided to follow Alex, I thought I would come to the Berzel ducal mansion and comfortably enjoy myself for three months.

I had considered turning Alex’s heart as a must, but thought, since I’m going to the capital anyway, why not enjoy everything I can?

But contrary to what I had thought, I was spending my days busily every day.

I wake up in the morning, spend the day with etiquette and dancing, and fall asleep with a tired body.

This daily routine just kept repeating endlessly.

Still, I believed this would end after a week passed.

It had to, please.

***

Thanks to practicing hard with Miss Veronica for five days, I became somewhat accustomed to stepping.

Fortunately, the steps weren’t too difficult. If they had been, I might not have been able to even attempt them.

“You worked hard today, Claire.”

Miss Veronica said, clapping her hands.

“Ugh! It’s so tiring!”

As soon as she finished speaking, I sat down on the floor.

Normally, Miss Veronica would have hinted at me to correct my posture, but perhaps because I really worked hard today, she didn’t point it out this time.

“From tomorrow, we should start learning how to coordinate with a partner…”

Miss Veronica muttered in a small voice after checking on me, who was exhausted and collapsed on the floor.

“It might be a bit difficult if I play the partner’s role, right? I’ve never done the male part either.”

Miss Veronica cupped her cheek worriedly and looked around.

There were still a few men around us.

Derrick, Sir Grain, Sir Zyle and Sir Faby from the Rose Knight Order.

“Sir Grain.”

The first person Miss Veronica called was Sir Grain.

“Yes, Miss.”

“Do you know how to dance by any chance?”

“No, I’m afraid I’m a novice when it comes to dancing, so I don’t think I can be of help.”

Sir Grain answered, showing reluctance to Miss Veronica’s question.

I couldn’t tell if he disliked dancing with me or if he really didn’t know how to dance.

After all, Sir Grain was also expected to have learned social etiquette and dancing as a quasi-noble.

I narrowed my eyes and looked at Sir Grain for no reason.

Sir Grain laughed awkwardly in response.

“It’s true. I’m not good at keeping rhythm, so I avoid places like ballrooms.”

“But Sir, you’re good with a sword, aren’t you? Swordsmanship also involves using your body.”

When I grumbled, Sir Grain immediately replied.

“Using a sword and dancing are different things. I’m sorry.”

Sir Grain apologized to me, seemingly genuinely unable to dance.

“No, you don’t need to apologize for that.”

I hadn’t expected to receive an apology, so I hurriedly waved my hands and answered.

Seeing this, Miss Veronica shifted her gaze to Sir Zyle and Sir Faby.

Sir Zyle, perhaps afraid of being asked, waved both hands to indicate his refusal. Following him, Sir Faby scratched his cheek and then opened his mouth, looking troubled.

“Haha, I’m sorry. I’m not quite ready for dancing yet either…”

In the end, all the men in the education room refused to dance with me.

There was still one person, Derrick, but I didn’t think Derrick would know a dance that I didn’t know.

“What should we do then? Should I do it?”

Miss Veronica muttered, looking troubled.

“The Captain might be able to. I think I’ve seen him dance with a baron’s daughter before…”

Just then, Sir Zyle mumbled in a small voice.

I turned to look at him.

“You mean Sir Kruger?”

“That’s right. The Captain or the Duke should be able to do it.”

Sir Faby chimed in.

“But it would be a bit much to ask the Duke to practice dancing…”

Miss Veronica muttered softly after hearing Sir Faby’s words.

“But isn’t Sir Kruger busy? He seems to be escorting Alex every day, would he have time?”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Sir Zyle thumped his chest.

“I can alternate with the Captain for a week.”

“Is that okay?”

When I asked with wide eyes, Sir Zyle burst into hearty laughter.

“We’ll just ask first. Don’t worry about that part. Faby and I will talk to the Captain.”

“Thank you.”

I answered with a broad smile.

But practice partner or not, I was too tired right now.

“Can I go rest now?”

I asked for permission from Miss Veronica, who was directly in charge of my education.

“Ah, yes. Let’s go rest. We’ll be busy again tomorrow.”

“Yes…”

I got up from my seat, stumbling.

As soon as I stood up, my legs gave way and I staggered, but Avina quickly came to support me.

After a few days, I had gotten used to this kind of help from Avina.

“Oh, and tomorrow we’ll be dancing in full dress. Avina, could you pay extra attention to Claire’s outfit tomorrow?”

Suddenly remembering tomorrow’s schedule, Miss Veronica gave instructions to Avina.

“Yes, I will do so.”

“Wait a minute, Miss! I’m not mentally prepared for that yet!”

I belatedly interjected at Miss Veronica’s words.

Until now, I had been dancing in comfortable clothes, but dancing in proper attire would surely be twice as hard.

The dress was heavier than expected and it limited my stride.

Of course, I was aware in my head that with little time left until the ball, I should start getting used to dancing in a dress.

Miss Veronica opened her eyes wide as if she couldn’t understand what I was saying. Her innocent, squirrel-like expression struck my heart painfully.

“Did that require mental preparation?”

“Ah… No, it’s not that… It just seems like it will be hard.”

“The dress will be a bit heavy and uncomfortable, so it will be hard. Even so, we only have tomorrow morning and the day after, so please bear with it a little, Claire. I’m sure you’ll get used to it quickly.”

I couldn’t argue further with the kind Miss’s words and just opened and closed my mouth.

“Yes.”