Amelia couldn’t turn her head away at such a close distance, as if they were about to kiss. It seemed like their lips might collide at any moment. It was not right to ask him for a favor. No matter the help, she should have avoided Raphael…

“I think we are… close enough…”

Even now, they were too close for comfort. Was this the same person who avoided her not so long ago because she ‘smelled’? She had no idea how much that had bothered her. If there really was a smell coming from her, she had to find the cause.

“I’m still not good enough.”

She couldn’t understand what he meant by that. They already completed the three hours of dance practice, and dancing more would be stealing his time. Unless he suddenly got caught by a sudden urge to dance, he wouldn’t want to continue practicing.

“Do you like dancing that much?”

“What…?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the strength to dance anymore.”

He could plead all he wanted, but she was so drained she couldn’t lift a finger.

“I can’t keep up with you, you should find someone…”

She should tell him to find someone else, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. This man needed to dance many times more than others to be satisfied.

“Are you suggesting… I dance with another woman now?”

She had no choice but to say that since she said she couldn’t keep up with him. It wasn’t something she enjoyed saying.

“I’m sorry if I upset you.”

“…”

She didn’t know how to match his rhythm, so apologizing was the only option. But Raphael’s expression remained stern, despite her apology. Could it be… she had to keep pace with him, even if it was difficult?

“But I really… am out of energy.”

If he hadn’t been supporting her waist, she would have collapsed on the sofa by now. It was that hard to move even a finger. Only someone who has danced with this man would understand. It wasn’t just dancing; it was almost like performing stunts. No woman could handle him alone.

“And outside, the madam is waiting.”

There was much to prepare with the madam once her dance lesson with him was over. She didn’t come into consideration for their dignity, but she couldn’t guarantee more delays.

“Your Grace?”

Despite her words, Raphael kept silent, only tightening his grip on her waist. It seemed like he was determined to never let her go. His forearm wrapped around her like shackles, making her worry that she might suffocate.

“This is a bit…”

“My wife is always ready to leave me, huh.”

***

She was always ready to leave him? That didn’t sound like something Raphael would say. If anything, it was the opposite. In their marriage, Raphael held the power in making the decisions. He was always in a dominant position in any situation.

“…”

“Your Highness? What happened with His Grace the Grand Duke?”

The confusion caused by Raphael’s abrupt departure was overwhelming. He always shook people up and then disappeared. He must have wanted to leave her… That’s why she struggled not to be abandoned.

“No, nothing happened. Just feeling a bit tired.”

It wasn’t entirely false. Her muscles still felt sore, almost like she was going to get muscle pain. She needed to rest immediately.

“At least it’s good that His Grace dances well.”

She hadn’t realized how worried Emila was about her dancing skills. Emila’s comforting gesture made her awkwardly smile. That’s right, Raphael was skilled, leading her smoothly and making it look effortless. To others, it appeared quite natural.

“That man, he’s good at everything physical.”

“What?”

Is there anything Raphael Lloyd Siegfried can’t do? He has selfish genes in many ways. Even his son, Leonel, showed talent in swordsmanship from a young age.

“Just by looking at him, you can tell, can’t you?”

“Yes…? I wouldn’t know…”

“He’s much bigger than other guys!”

Even compared to professionally trained knights, Raphael’s physique was more imposing. Of course, he trained daily, but…

“That’s why it’s so hard…”

When I look up at him and he’s looking down from his height, it’s intimidating. And since he’s very toned, every time is very challenging.

“Hmm… I see.”

“Today too, while dancing…”

She had never been able to talk about this with anyone before. Not with the maids… Nor would she discuss it with the Master or Leonel. Amelia was elated at the thought of finally having someone to talk to. Someone understood her struggles.

“He lifts people off their feet.”

“…”

“It’s too overwhelming to follow.”

It’s unbelievable that this had to continue for three more days.

“I can’t even move a finger right now.”

“By now, you must understand how great His Grace is.”

After coughing a few times, Amelia pouted at Emila’s serious comment. She wasn’t trying to praise his greatness but wanted her efforts acknowledged…

“It seems you get along well.”

How could you interpret my words as us getting along? But she couldn’t say they were on bad terms either.

“Today we’ll talk about attire and makeup.”

“Like dresses?”

There were plenty of dresses in the dress room. The previous Amelia spent money like water, mainly on jewels and dresses, changing several times a day without wearing them all out.

“If it’s a dress… in the dress room…”

Anyway, since there are new ones she still hasn’t worn, why not pick one that looks pretty and go out.

“Do I need to wear something fashionable?”

She may not know what fashion is… But every time we went to the merchantry, Howard did his best to sell. This month’s trend in the social circle was the dress worn by someone recently. It wasn’t much different than the dresses she’d seen before, but who knows.

“There’s no need for that. Following trends is something only the lower nobles do.”

“Ah…”

The madam’s remark that only the lower nobles follow trends was terribly arrogant. It made her realize once again. She was helping her at Raphael’s request, but Emila was also among the high nobility, someone who wields significant influence in the social circle.

“Fashion trends are the domain created by the upper class. They want to follow what the high nobles wear.”

It wasn’t wrong. People have an instinct to admire and emulate those they perceive as better than themselves.

“Whatever you wear, Your Highness, will set the trend for this founding festival.”

“I haven’t paid much attention to it… I didn’t even bother buying a new dress.”

Was she wrong? Amelia had tried not to indulge in luxury with Raphael’s money, to avoid being blamed later.

“The important thing is to match outfits with your partner.”

“Match outfits?”

“Usually, by matching the concept or color.”

In other words, she was suggesting they wear couple outfits. She hadn’t realized how important Raphael’s cooperation was from beginning to end.

“These are what I’ve thought of.”

Amelia was surprised by the design book the madam handed her. She saw several familiar dresses.

“I had the maids research Your Highness’s dresses in advance.”

“Do you usually decide on all the outfits?”

“It’s the first time since my daughter. Usually… a mother would step in.”

Amelia had no adult to care for her in this way.

“With Your Highness’s neat silver hair, any color would seem to suit well.”

Raphael was excessively handsome. Amelia’s appearance was also exceptional. Even if she did something terrible, no one would criticize her based on her looks.

“I’ll discuss it with His Grace…”

“It’s good that you two have a good relationship.”

A good relationship? She slightly frowned at that. This was the first time she heard such a thing.

“Perhaps there will be news of a second child in the grand ducal family soon.”

She ended up spitting out her tea.