Holding each other’s hands, looking into each other’s eyes, Eirene moved as Clive led her. The beats she had been counting in her head to dance to the music disappeared at some point.
Even the music that had been ringing in her ears was no longer audible. It felt like they were dancing in a space where only she and Clive existed. The gazes of people and the conversations that could be heard whenever they brushed past were merely a distant hum.
Eirene was enveloped in a strange feeling each time the strong hand holding her waist slightly changed position. Though it was somewhat uncomfortable to feel him holding her firmly yet cautiously, she could accept it naturally because it was Clive’s consideration.
“You’re dancing well.”
At Clive’s words, Eirene returned to the real world and heard the music again. Hearing his comment, she realized she was indeed keeping the rhythm. How was this possible? She had truly never danced before.
The position of her hand on Clive’s shoulder, the moments when her feet moved forward, even the timing of turning while holding his hand were all perfect.
“I must be a natural.”
Her worries had vanished, replaced by growing confidence. The fact that she wasn’t stepping on Clive’s feet or missing the beat despite this being her first time could only be explained by innate talent.
“That’s not very convincing.”
Clive shook his head briefly with a disbelieving expression. She had danced quite terribly many times while reading books alone, so perhaps that was why?
Though doubtful, she thought her experiences in the basement might have helped, however slightly. Dancing was more enjoyable than she had expected. So much so that she would have felt cheated if she had lived without knowing it.
From across the room, Aishe approached while dancing with some man. She sent a sweet smile to her partner, but in the instant she passed by Eirene, she glared at her. Though she was clearly giving a warning, it had no effect on Eirene.
After Aishe had moved away, Eirene looked up at Clive and said:
“You may not believe me, but this really is my first time. I truly am a natural.”
“Then it must be a coincidence.”
Despite his words, Clive believed Eirene. Her unfamiliarity with her own performance was clearly evident. In truth, whether she was lying or not didn’t matter much. She wasn’t completely ignorant of dancing, but she wasn’t skilled either, awkwardly fitting into his arms and following along.
This mere dance, what did it matter whether she danced well or poorly?
Just moments ago, she had been someone who didn’t mind her body freezing in the cold. She had behaved like someone who rarely found interest in anything, but now there was a slight flush to her cheeks.
Was it from coming inside after being in the cold? No. She was enjoying the dance.
Consequently, Clive’s mood improved as well. The two danced for quite a long time without letting go of each other’s hands.
* * *
Eirene took a drink and went out to the terrace. Since Clive, who had been called away by a guest, had earnestly implored her not to go into the garden, the terrace was the only good place to be alone.
She planned to stay just for a moment. Having unintentionally spent a long time in the garden when she met Kailro, she had no desire to shiver in the cold again. She also felt a slight soreness in her throat, perhaps the beginning of a cold.
After slowly emptying one glass, she moved to pull the door open when Aishe pushed from inside and came out. In such a hurry that she started asking questions before fully emerging:
“Did the Grand Duke teach you?”
“What?”
“The ballroom dancing!”
“No.”
“Right? How could you learn that social dancing in just a few days? So when did you practice? Without a teacher?”
Knowing Aishe wouldn’t believe that her body had simply followed naturally, Eirene used books as an excuse.
“There were instructional books in the basement. I often practiced for exercise, and I think that helped.”
Unlike Clive, who hadn’t believed her, Aishe did. Or rather, she simply wasn’t interested.
“What have you been up to? I heard he gave you a separate annex.”
Curiosity and jealousy were visible in Aishe’s blue eyes.
“Yes. It’s nice. But don’t worry, I know it’s not really mine. I’ll just enjoy the comfort while I’m playing your role. That’s okay, right? I’m suffering too.”
“What suffering are you going through? If it weren’t for me, would you ever have had the chance to wear such a dress?”
“That’s true. Thanks to you.”
Eirene laughed hollowly, conveying that she wasn’t sincere at all. Wearing such a dress was supposed to be compensation for what she was doing.
“Sister, you seem to have gained some weight.”
Aishe looked Eirene up and down. Her sulky face transformed into a smile while examining Eirene. For unknown reasons, her satisfied expression while looking at Eirene sent chills down Eirene’s spine.
“Your face has become prettier too.”
It was a compliment Aishe had never given to Eirene before.
“Take care of your health. I’ll tell them at home to pay attention to you from now on.”
Aishe’s rapidly changing expressions and words were eerie.
“Come to think of it, it might be good for you to get close to the Grand Duke.”
What could this mean?
“Get close to the Grand Duke?”
“You know, casually.”
“You’ll eventually get to know each other anyway, so it might be good to become close now.”
“Then when exactly are you planning to reveal that you’re the real Aishe?”
“That’s not for you to worry about.”
Aishe moved closer and carefully stroked Eirene’s hair. She ran her fingers through it, then grabbed Eirene’s arm.
“Just don’t get caught until I reveal that you’re my stand-in.”
Though Aishe’s sudden friendliness was suspicious, Eirene couldn’t pinpoint why. She spoke with the familiar voice and smile from their childhood.
“Since you’re lovers, share some physical affection too.”
The person who had warned Eirene with fire in her eyes not to forget her role had changed.
“Why are you acting like this?”
Though Eirene had decided not to react strongly to Aishe’s words, this time she couldn’t remain calm. Hadn’t Aishe been jealous just moments ago? Despite the sharp tone in Eirene’s question, Aishe didn’t lose her smile.
“Because I’m grateful to you and also feel sorry for you. You never got to experience romance living in that underground room, so you should enjoy yourself a little.”
After patting Eirene’s shoulder, Aishe went back inside. With a blank expression, Eirene stared at the door through which her sister had disappeared, utterly different from her usual self.
* * *
Clive had planned for the ball to continue until dawn, but it ended much earlier. Everyone was conserving energy for the ball that would continue the next day. He finally managed to send Eirene, who stubbornly insisted on staying until the last guest left, back to the annex.
Madam Hannon repeatedly told her there was no need to stand on ceremony since she wasn’t yet the mistress of Dervel Palace, but when Eirene wouldn’t listen, they called the maids to forcibly take her to the annex.
When Clive returned after seeing off the last guest, Matilda told him that Eirene was waiting for him without going to sleep. He went straight to the annex.
“What’s this? I heard you were waiting.”
Clive smirked as he entered the reception room. Eirene had fallen asleep with her head resting on her arm on the sofa. She must be tired. After being tense in front of many people, dancing, and shivering in the cold because of Kailro, it was natural for her to be overcome with sleep.
The fact that she had fallen asleep on the sofa instead of going to her bedroom suggested she had truly been waiting. Clive sat in the wing chair right next to where Eirene was seated. Pulling the chair quietly so as not to make a sound, he positioned himself close to his fake fiancée.
He tilted his head sideways to face Eirene. He could hear her soft breathing. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and wrinkles formed between her brows as she twitched.
Was she dreaming? After frowning a few times, Eirene smiled. It was a much brighter smile than he had ever seen from her.
“You’re so pretty when you smile.”
Why was it so rare to see?
Just then, Matilda entered through the open door with tea she had prepared. Clive hurriedly gestured for her to leave and then propped his chin on his hand to get comfortable. He wanted to look at Eirene’s face more comfortably and for a longer time.
It seemed Ulik was right. This was love at first sight. Though he had no reaction to Eirene in the painting, he had undoubtedly fallen for the real Eirene. He had unconsciously given her a brief kiss at the café and invited her to Dervel Palace.
He had told her it was for secret discussions, but that was just an excuse. It was an invitation born from his desire to see her up close and his wish for her to stay comfortably here, even if just for a few days, rather than at the Phineas Mansion.
He regretted that he couldn’t bring her immediately from the Phineas Mansion because she had things to do there. If he could place someone inside, he would be somewhat reassured, but the Phineas Mansion didn’t hire servants carelessly.
There was no one among them who could be persuaded either. He couldn’t not send her back, but he worried about doing so. All he could do was hope she would manage well. None of this would have happened if he hadn’t fallen for her.
What about you made me fall for you and worry like this? When we first met recently, you were so thin and had no charm at all, so why did I fall for you?
Thinking deeply, he realized he had fallen for her cool eyes despite her fear, her wrists that looked ready to break, and her pale skin. He had fallen for her who spoke her mind without being intimidated even in front of him.
There was only one answer. Her eyes, wrists, skin, personality were just forced reasons; the truth was he had simply fallen for Eirene.
So why? Because he had seen her portrait often and was familiar with her?
No conclusion came to mind.
“I don’t know either.”
A strand of Eirene’s hair slipped down. Clive carefully lifted it with his index finger and tucked it back. What does the reason matter? What matters is that he cared about her. Only now did he fully acknowledge the change in his heart.
After lightly touching his fiancée’s nostril, Clive gently stroked her cheeks, which had gained a little weight. Sighing, he gazed at Eirene’s face for a long time before standing up. Things had become complicated. Having someone he cared for meant he had gained one more weakness.
* * *
Eirene opened her eyes and sat up in the sunlight coming through the window.
“Miss, you’re awake?”
Matilda greeted her while drawing the curtains. Judging by the sun visible through the window, the morning hours had long passed.
“What time is it now? Haven’t I slept too late?”
“You went to sleep at dawn. The Grand Duke ordered that you be allowed to sleep sufficiently.”
“You should have woken me earlier. Today is another ball day.”
Even at a glance, it was past noon. Though she couldn’t directly help with ball preparations, sleeping in until the sun was high was unseemly.
“You woke up early considering the time you went to bed. Shall I prepare a meal? You’ll need to be busy today as well.”
Eirene recalled the time spent on her appearance yesterday. Though it seemed overwhelming before it began, it was bearable with people helping her. When she thought about it, all Eirene had to do was stay still and do as the maids instructed.
“I remember falling asleep in the reception room yesterday, but I don’t know what happened after that. Did I walk to the bedroom myself?”
“Oh, the Grand Duke moved you last night. He carried you in his arms.”
Matilda imitated Clive by lowering and raising both arms.
“Clive did?”
“He said you were sleeping so soundly that he couldn’t wake you.”
She must have been very tired to not notice being carried. Yesterday, after Aishe had gone inside from the terrace and Eirene followed shortly after, she had spotted the Count and Countess watching her.
She had considered approaching them but waited for them to come to her, yet they hardly moved from their spot. While they were keeping their distance and observing each other warily, Eirene was startled by Siaran’s sudden appearance.
He wasn’t on the guest list and had probably come as the Count’s servant. With the Count, Countess, and Aishe already monitoring the situation, Siaran’s presence at the ball seemed somewhat inappropriate.
His appearance had left her feeling uneasy, which was why she had been in the reception room, but falling asleep suggested she had been more comfortable than she realized. Still, Siaran bothered her. Hadn’t Aishe even told Eirene to get close to Clive yesterday? What was going on?
Eirene, who had resolved to return to the Phineas household tomorrow and take more active measures, remembered the content she needed to fill in the covenant.
“Is His Highness in the main palace?”
“Yes. He’s in his office.”
“He’s already eaten, right?”
“Yes. He woke up at his usual time.”
“Then I should wash up and go see him. Please postpone my meal.”
“But it’s so late already?”
While Matilda repeatedly asked if she wasn’t hungry, Eirene just kept answering that she was fine and hurriedly got out of bed.