Chapter 46

In dancing, the distinction between the leading and non-leading roles was clear. The man led, and thus the movements for the woman’s dance and the man’s dance were different.

However, Rael didn’t know how to dance, so if they were to even pretend to dance, Catherine had to perform the male movements.

There was also the option of stepping off the floor, but she wanted to preserve at least a little of Rael’s dignity.

She didn’t want Rael to be remembered as someone who just ran around the floor like a madman in people’s memories.

If things continued this way, he would clearly never be invited to a ball again.

It didn’t seem like following Catherine’s lead would change much, but if it could slightly alter people’s perception of Rael, it was worth the challenge.

So Catherine took a big step forward.

“Put your hand on my shoulder, Rael.”

I would lead.

So Rael, please follow quietly.

***

Countess Bedwig was conversing with ladies she was acquainted with.

On the floor, Catherine and Rael were making fools of themselves.

“Our Catherine… made a mistake. I want to help, but I can’t intervene.”

Countess Bedwig pretended to be very concerned about Catherine and Rael while enjoying their predicament.

“You are such a good mother, Countess Bedwig. If my daughter were like that, I would be too embarrassed to show my face, but you are worried instead.”

“I should have taught her better, but Catherine dislikes things like dancing and etiquette.”

“Oh dear…”

The surrounding ladies looked at Countess Bedwig sympathetically. Countess Bedwig enjoyed that as well.

People were busy comforting Countess Bedwig, not knowing that Catherine’s predicament started with her.

If left alone, Catherine seemed destined to become a Duchess soon. Countess Bedwig’s mind was in a hurry.

• Shouldn’t we arrange for Catherine and Rael to meet as soon as possible? Seeing each other often is how affection grows.

So she went directly to the Tigris family and requested to bring Rael to the capital.

Earl Tigris didn’t want his lacking son to become a laughingstock in the capital’s social circles.

However, at Countess Bedwig’s earnest request, and the thought of gaining a pretty daughter-in-law like Catherine, he sent Rael to the capital.

Earl Tigris trusted Countess Bedwig, who promised to take good care of Rael.

But unfortunately, that trust was betrayed.

Rael was being utterly ruined. And with Catherine!

If anyone had been Rael’s guardian, they would have tried to prevent this situation or at least clean it up afterward, but Countess Bedwig, who posed as Rael’s guardian, wanted the commotion to grow.

No matter how pure Rael’s mind was like a child’s, his appearance was that of a grown man, and the scene of that man tightly hugging Catherine and jumping around was perfect fodder for scandalous gossip.

“Oh my, what are those two doing?”

A woman wearing a hat like a rooster’s comb raised her voice, wondering if Rael had accidentally kissed Catherine in his excitement.

Countess Bedwig feigned a troubled expression and turned her head toward the floor.

Countess Bedwig’s eyebrows sharply furrowed upon confirming Rael and Catherine on the floor.

Their appearance was entirely different from what Countess Bedwig had expected.

The large Rael was dancing while holding Catherine!

Not jumping, not running like a colt, but actually dancing!

She couldn’t believe what she saw.

‘He said he hadn’t taught him to dance!’

For someone who supposedly hadn’t been taught, Rael and Catherine’s dancing was fairly decent.

Countess Bedwig knew a lot about Rael.

What he couldn’t do and what Earl Tigris could provide instead.

The more he couldn’t do compared to others, the more there was to gain.

So Countess Bedwig vividly remembered the things Rael couldn’t do.

One of them was dancing. But now Rael was dancing.

“Is Lady Catherine leading?”

“The roles are reversed. Oh! Lady Catherine and Lord Rael’s feet tangled. It seems she stepped on his foot.”

People’s gazes toward Catherine and Rael changed.

They, who had been objects of ridicule, became a fresh topic of conversation.

Whenever Catherine’s foot was stepped on, others let out groans on her behalf.

“They’re interesting, those two.”

People who talked about others were like dust floating on water.

They easily drift with the flow of the water. They don’t go against the grain of the water.

So all you need to do is change the flow of the water.

Catherine was someone who was good at doing that. She used the fact that anything looked good after showing the worst.

Eventually, the atmosphere turned favorable toward Catherine and Rael.

Countess Bedwig bit the inside of her cheek.

***

“Ouch, Rael.”

“S-sorry, Leader. No, Catherine. Sorry.”

When Rael stepped on Catherine’s foot for the third time, Catherine called out to Rael resentfully.

She shouldn’t have done that to Rael, who was being used by Countess Bedwig without knowing anything, but the pain was so intense that resentment slipped out.

Catherine reproached herself and composed her mind.

“No, Rael. It’s because I’m not skilled enough.”

Catherine vowed that when she returned to Catherine House, she would definitely learn the male dance steps as well.

In fact, there wasn’t much difference in the movements between the male and female dances.

What changed was having to think one step ahead of the music and the direction.

It was easy if you said it was easy, but for someone who had never danced from a man’s perspective, it wasn’t easy to pull off convincingly right away.

In that regard, Catherine was performing her role excellently. Of course, she stumbled occasionally.

‘Left or right? Was it a turn? Or a two-step?’

At such times, Rael inevitably stepped on her foot.

‘Ugh.’

Catherine screamed internally.

It was already the fourth time.

The soles of men’s shoes were very hard, and Catherine wore shoes that exposed her instep.

Her white lace socks had turned black, and the condition of the instep underneath was likely no different.

However, Catherine gritted her teeth and smiled. Countess Bedwig and others were watching her and Rael.

To protect the dignity of Rael, who had become a laughingstock because of her, she willingly accepted the sacrifice of her instep.

‘But is the next move to the left or right?’

“Turn to the right, Catherine.”

If Rael stepped on her one more time, she might have given up on his dignity and everything, but a voice of salvation came.

Catherine turned her head in surprise to see Hugo’s profile.

“Hugo!”

When Catherine momentarily lost focus, Rael’s hand inevitably dropped.

“Rael, focus! Hold my shoulder properly.”

Catherine quickly turned her head back and called to Rael.

“Y, yes, leader.”

Rael reluctantly answered. He was bored with the repetitive dance moves. The tightly tied tie was uncomfortable too.

He just wanted to go outside and play, but the Leader showed no sign of allowing it.

Rael lowered his eyebrows and spun as Catherine led.

“Whoa.”

Even when focused, the first time is always difficult. With his concentration disrupted, Rael inevitably lost his balance and staggered.

Rael reflexively pulled Catherine’s shoulder with force to avoid falling.

Countess Bedwig watched the staggering Rael with anticipation!

She thought she might witness a passionate kiss between Catherine and Rael on the floor!

However, unfortunately for Countess Bedwig, her expectations were shattered.

Hugo supported the staggering Rael’s back, as if someone were lifting him up.

Rael and Catherine escaped the crisis.

Rael looked around to find the person who had helped him.

As Catherine called Rael as if scolding him, Rael, who failed to find his benefactor, muttered.

“Thank you, I should say thank you.”

When you receive help, you say thank you.

It was a lesson Rael had heard countless times.

“Thank you, Hugo! But your leg…?”

“Catherine, focus. Two steps back next.”

Rael repeated the words, ‘Thank you, Mr. Hugo.’

When the dance ends, I must say thank you. But when will this dance end?

Rael didn’t want to upset Leader Catherine, but he was too restless to continue dancing.

Rael fidgeted with the hand he had placed on Catherine’s shoulder.

“Rael, are you bored? But you can’t leave. I’m the Leader. The game lasts until the music ends.”

Rael made a face.

Catherine hoped that Rael wouldn’t abandon her and leave in the middle.

Fortunately, her wish came true.

The moment Rael removed his hand from Catherine’s shoulder and twisted his body, the music ended.

Although they couldn’t finish with a proper bow, they managed to finish the dance somehow. So Catherine was pleased.

“Rael, that was fun!”

Catherine beamed with a bright smile.