Chapter 18

Evelyn’s ankle healed quickly, just as the physician had said, and thanks to that, she was able to resume her dance practice immediately.

While she was unable to move due to her injury, she diligently read the social dance books she had borrowed on the bed. Thanks to that, she managed to learn the basic steps and the sequence of the dances.

So, when she practiced dancing with Dyffrin again, she was quite confident.

“If you’re ready, let’s start now.”

At Dyffrin’s words, Evelyn nodded with a determined face. As Dyffrin slowly moved his feet, Evelyn also lifted hers.

This time, she didn’t make any foolish mistakes like twisting her ankle right at the start.

Thanks to reading the book diligently, she was able to move smoothly along with Dyffrin.

Of course, that didn’t mean her movements were perfect.

Compared to Dyffrin’s graceful movements, she was at the level of a scarecrow that had suddenly gained a soul.

It was only natural. Memorizing the movements from the book and practicing alone was one thing, but dancing with a partner was another.

Evelyn could see that Dyffrin was noticing.

He must be looking at her struggling now with an incredulous look.

When she glanced up, she saw Dyffrin’s face. However, his face was as expressionless as usual, showing no signs of irritation.

Finally, one turn of the dance was over.

Stopping her steps, Evelyn took a deep breath.

‘Phew……. This is tough.’

As Evelyn’s breathing gradually calmed down, Dyffrin said,

“I didn’t know you were so clumsy.”

Oddly, it made her feel better that he thought so. Evelyn had shown her dancing skills perfectly, so she was relieved that she didn’t need to be conscious of it anymore.

“Surely, if you dance in front of people in this state, it would be embarrassing.”

……Although Dyffrin’s assessment of her dance skills was a bit annoying.

Still, he waited until she had rested enough before extending his hand again.

“Shall we start?”

“Yes.”

Evelyn took Dyffrin’s hand, and they slowly moved their feet.

Even to someone as inexperienced as Evelyn, Dyffrin’s dancing skills were exceptional. Despite being the male lead, he was so perfect in every aspect that he seemed almost otherworldly at times.

‘Ah…… except for his personality.’

He also managed the household terribly, so that was another exception.

While Evelyn was badmouthing him internally, Dyffrin pointed out her movements like a seasoned instructor.

“Too fast.”

“Relax your body.”

“Your steps should be lighter.”

With Dyffrin’s innate teaching ability, he pointed out issues at just the right moments, and Evelyn’s dance skills noticeably improved with each practice.

What was surprising was that Dyffrin didn’t show any signs of irritation or fatigue throughout the practice.

He calmly and calmly helped with the practice.

In fact, even someone with a less prickly personality than Dyffrin would raise their voice at least once while teaching someone.

During a short break, Evelyn drank the water brought by a maid and glanced at Dyffrin.

Despite moving quite a bit, he showed no signs of exhaustion.

“Isn’t it tiring?”

When Evelyn asked, Dyffrin sat down heavily on a chair and said,

“There’s no way this would tire me out.”

It could have sounded arrogant, but perhaps because of his tone devoid of emotion, it didn’t sound like that at all. Rather, it felt somewhat self-deprecating.

Evelyn thought she might understand why.

“I suppose so. You’ve been trained in various things since you were young.”

Under Amelia’s strict discipline and training as an heir, Dyffrin had learned everything from a young age.

Swordsmanship, horse riding, hunting were basic, and various studies such as political science, diplomacy, and theology were also included.

Evelyn clicked her tongue inwardly but spoke in a gentle voice outwardly.

“Thank you. It must be frustrating for someone as skilled in dance as you to watch me, but you kindly taught me well.”

Saying ‘kindly’ might have been a bit off, but considering Dyffrin’s usual personality, it wasn’t completely wrong either.

“Teaching with criticism doesn’t really help.”

Evelyn knew that Dyffrin was speaking based on his own experience.

Even in his childhood, he was more mature than his peers, and he never strongly resisted Amelia’s stern teachings.

Nevertheless, when he became an adult and looked back at the past, it seemed that he didn’t completely agree that her education style was very appropriate.

‘That’s quite admirable.’

Usually, people who grew up under strict discipline tend to demand the same from others.

Contrary to her silent admiration, Evelyn coughed at an unfortunate time.

“Cough, cough.”

Dyffrin’s gaze turned to Evelyn.

“Are you catching a cold?”

“…I think so.”

Evelyn had been coughing occasionally these days. She had been taking cold medicine lately, but since she didn’t seem to have a high fever, she didn’t think it was a cold.

However, as Evelyn’s body was generally weak, and since there were no symptoms other than coughing, she didn’t actively seek treatment.

So, there was no need to go into detail with Dyffrin.

“If you’re tired, we can stop for today.”

Evelyn blinked at Dyffrin’s words.

“Already?”

“You look tired.”

“But… the ball is next weekend. It’s a long way to go.”

“I don’t care about the ball. If we don’t go, it’s no big deal.

Although his tone wasn’t pretty, Dyffrin was clearly looking out for her.

She could tell because he was avoiding her gaze. When he said something kind, he often looked elsewhere, as if embarrassed.

It felt like she had become quite close to him through the dance practice. It was just a bit of consideration, but still.

Yet, Evelyn was both surprised and pleased by Dyffrin’s change. However, aside from being pleased, she couldn’t end the dance practice here.

She had to meet an important person at the ball and didn’t want to show her clumsy dance skills in front of them.

Evelyn walked briskly to Dyffrin and took his hand.

“No, let’s continue a little longer.”

But Dyffrin didn’t respond, only looking down at the hand she held.

Evelyn tilted her head.

“Are you too tired to continue?”

Dyffrin met her gaze.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course. I can do more.”

Dyffrin slowly stood up from his seat.

“Then let’s continue a little longer.”

Dyffrin and Evelyn resumed their dance practice.

As they continued to repeat the practice, they could now afford to talk about various things while dancing.

“How are your headaches these days?”

Dyffrin answered, looking away.

“It’s less frequent these days.”

“Have you ever thought it might be because of my massages?”

“……”

Dyffrin remained silent.

Whenever he received a disadvantageous question, he always exercised his right to remain silent.

But because Dyffrin was a conscientious person, he wouldn’t pretend to be unaware of this fact when it came to their divorce.

Evelyn gave up on getting an answer from Dyffrin and focused on the dance again.

However, this time, Dyffrin spoke first.

“Evelyn.”

“Yes?”

“You know that if you attend the ball, the looks you get won’t be kind.”

Evelyn swallowed her surprise. She was more surprised by Dyffrin’s attitude than his words.

In the original story, he never explained such detailed situations to Evelyn.

So, Evelyn always had to deal with her problems alone, crying in her room.

It was the same with this ball. Although it was an event not described in the original story and she couldn’t predict it precisely, she knew roughly what would happen because the original Evelyn had experienced something similar.

As Dyffrin said, Evelyn would receive sharp glances at her first social gathering after marriage. Just like what happened at the dress shop a few days ago.

People didn’t look kindly at Evelyn. There was envy and jealousy over her becoming the duchess overnight, and disapproving looks from those who supported Dyffrin.

In the original work, various negative emotions overwhelmed Evelyn at once, so it would probably be the same this time.

But Evelyn wasn’t afraid because she knew the future.

“It’s okay. I expected as much.”

Evelyn replied with a barely visible smile.

Dyffrin stared quietly at her. He even made a mistake in his steps, which was unlike him.

Evelyn chuckled softly.

His eyebrows furrowed quickly.

‘Ah, I inadvertently mocked him.’

Seeing him look annoyed, Evelyn belatedly apologized.

“Sorry. It’s just that it’s the first time you’ve made a mistake.”

“……It’s because of you.”

‘Why was he blaming me for his mistake?’

Evelyn chuckled weakly and asked.

“Is it my fault?”

“Well, it’s because you talk about what you’ll face so…….”

‘So?’

Dyffrin took a breath and then spoke.

“You talk about it as if it’s nothing, which surprised me.”

Evelyn shrugged.

“Well, worrying in advance won’t change anything, right?”

“…….”

Dyffrin still stared at Evelyn with an expression that revealed nothing of his thoughts.

Worried that he might think she was too different from the Evelyn he knew, she deliberately spoke playfully.

“Dyffrin, were you worried about me?”

He quickly furrowed his brows.

“Of course not.”

“Then why did you say that?”

“I just didn’t want you to run out of the hall crying.”

Evelyn enjoyed seeing Dyffrin’s wrinkled face. She felt a strange sense of satisfaction when she saw him flustered or upset.

She stopped her teasing when she noticed Dyffrin’s furrowed brow.

‘I guess I’m not quite normal either.’