5. The Night of the Ball (Part 2)

Following Alexander to the dance floor, Eirin couldn’t hold back her laughter. Moving her feet nimbly to the sweet music of the string ensemble, Eirin’s shoulders shook with suppressed giggles. Seeing her unable to contain her amus*ment, Alexander inquired.

“What’s so funny?”

“Thank you.”

Eirin said lightly, stepping briskly. Alexander raised an eyebrow, questioning.

“Thank you for what?”

“For saving me.”

As he pushed her away with the music, Eirin paused briefly before returning to stand in front of him, murmuring softly.

“As a lady, I shouldn’t openly say this in such a place, but I dislike Sofia.”

With that angelic face, Sofia had spewed venom. She would act as gentle as a lamb, but whenever someone became an obstacle in her way, she would bare her claws and inflict deep wounds.

But Eirin regretted her words as soon as she spoke them. 

What if it came across as jealousy? 

But contrary to Eirin’s thoughts, Alexander laughed softly.

“I didn’t know you’d concern yourself with such trivialities.”

Hearing that, Eirin burst out laughing again.

She was almost as glad that Alexander had asked her to dance first as she was that he had dismissively called Sofia trivial.

“Ah, I’m so hot.”

After dancing with Alexander, Eirin had danced with a few others as well. Attending a ball always made her feel tense, and today her nerves were particularly frazzled. But contrary to her worries, tonight was not a bad night at all.

Sofia’s mocking was unpleasant, but after that, enjoyable moments followed. Her dance partners were not quite at the level of marriage prospects that Stefan desired, but they were not bad for a brief dance.

It’s been a quite pleasant evening.

However, the continuous dancing had drained her energy. Today’s dress was heavier than usual. Her small feet in the shoes were now aching.

Time for some fresh air. 

After several dances, Eirin went out to the balcony, her skin glistening with sweat and her breath short. That’s the best way to refresh.

It was springtime now. Even at night, the warm breeze caressed her exposed shoulders.

“How refreshing.”

Finally, her stuffy breath cleared. The rose-filled garden, though a familiar sight, looked different under the night’s magic. The rose petals swayed and danced in the wind.

How beautiful.

How peaceful.

While spending time enjoying herself with others was not bad, Eirin still preferred being alone. Her shoulders stiffened, nervous about what people would think of her. As she let out a deep sigh, the curtain behind her rustled. A man appeared, grabbing Eirin’s elbow as she stood alone.

“Eirin.”

“Ah, you startled me!” 

Eirin jumped in surprise. Turning around, she saw a man with dark hair – it was her brother Stefan.

“Oh, it’s you, brother. You startled me.”

Seeing Eirin’s wide-eyed surprise, Stefan furrowed his brow and spoke.

“Were you up to no good?”

“No, of course not.”

Eirin had sometimes hidden from her brother to do mischievous things, but not tonight.

“Tonight, I’ve been well-behaved just as you said. I bought a new dress, came to the ball, and danced.”

“Yeah, I saw you dance.”

Stefan replied to Eirin’s sulking in a heavy tone, suppressing his words.

Though known for his carefree image outside, Stefan was strict at home. When their father passed away, Stefan was only a teenager. He bore the weight of the title at a young age and had to take care of his sick younger sister and manage the estate. The harsh experiences he had in the recent war had only strengthened his resolute nature.

“You only danced with men who were not fit for marriage.”

“That’s not true, they were all respectable.” 

At Eirin’s protest, Stefan’s brow furrowed deeper.

“What do you mean ‘not true’? The Viscount Willington is already married.”

“But the Viscount Somerset is——.”

“Somerset is already a widowed father of three. Did you truly think I’d marry you off to such a man?”

Eirin understood Stefan’s worries, since he had doted on her. At twenty-four, she was past the typical marriageable age, so he must be worried. But even as her brother, he couldn’t force her into a marriage.

Unaware of Eirin’s thoughts, Stefan’s scolding continued.

“And what about dancing the first dance with Alexander?”

“But Alexander is unmarried, so there’s no issue with that.”

Eirin’s sharp retort made Stefan’s grip on her elbow tighten slightly.

“Alexander is absolutely unacceptable. Eirin, surely you aren’t harboring some foolish dream of marrying him?”

At Stefan’s words, Eirin shook her head.

“Of course not.”

Even as she said that, her heart sank.

“I’ve noticed you’ve been getting rather close to Alexander lately, speaking Spanish and whatnot. Let me be clear – he has no illusions about marriage, any more than I do. Alexander is just as disillusioned about marriage as I am. Don’t mistake his kindness towards you as a romantic interest.”

Stefan’s words were all correct. 

Alexander had said it himself.

‘Eirin, you’re like a little sister I’ve known for a long time.’

That sentence echoed in her mind.

Eirin pouted, thinking of Alexander. Of course, she enjoyed being with him. It was fun and made her heart flutter.

But…that’s because she’s like a sister to him.

Trying to manage her heart, doubts would still arise when she recalled the intimate moments they had shared just days ago.

No, could he really do that with a mere sister?

Eirin was lost in her conflicted thoughts, forgetting that her brother was in front of her, until Stefan spoke again.

“Eirin, I was greeted by VisViscount Fitzwilliam a little while ago. You haven’t met him yet, have you?”

With so many guests invited today, Eirin had not yet had the chance to greet VisViscount Fitzwilliam. She nodded, still distracted, and Stefan continued.

“He seems like a decent fellow, if a bit dull. I’ll introduce you. Come along.”

* * *

As Stefan had said, Viscount Fitzwilliam, Grace’s brother, was better than expected. He was a beautiful young man, rather than handsome – the type one would describe as pretty rather than rugged.

Like Eirin, Viscount Fitzwilliam had a pale complexion, unlike the sun-kissed Alexander who enjoyed hunting and battle.

Why am I thinking of Alexander again?

It hadn’t been long since Stefan scolded me about him.

This won’t do.

Eirin sighed and turned her attention back to Viscount Fitzwilliam in front of her, giving him a polite smile.

“Is this your first time in this area?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m originally from the north, where my estate is.”

“I see. The north has a rather chilly image. Is it really that cold there?”

Eirin asked, recalling something she had read in a book. Viscount Edward Fitzwilliam smiled slightly.

“More so than here, I suppose. But I don’t venture out much, so I’m not very knowledgeable about the weather.”

“If you don’t go out often, what do you usually do?”

“I enjoy reading novels.”

At Edward’s words, Eirin tilted her head slightly.

That was unexpected. The men around Eirin usually preferred activities like hunting, riding, or boxing – outdoor pursuits. So she had grown up thinking that was typical for men.

“What kinds of novels do you read?”

“I read all sorts, whatever I can get my hands on. It’s an easy way to observe the world from home, you see.”

“Me too! I feel the same way.”

Hearing Eirin’s enthusiastic response, a small smile spread across Edward’s face.

“I’m grateful you view my novel-reading hobby so positively.”

Eirin shook her head firmly at his words.

If only you knew I’m the one writing those “novels”.

She gulped down the words and shook her head

“Not at all.”

“I’ve been too weak to go outside since I was a kid, so it’s been hard for me to go out. That’s how I picked up this hobby.”

Hearing their similar origins, Eirin’s eyes widened and she raised her voice.

“You too? I also started reading novels a lot when I was young because my health was poor. I’m so grateful they’ve helped me understand emotions I couldn’t experience myself.”

“Really?” 

There was joy in the viscount’s voice, who had previously felt sheepish about his hobby.

“Yes. I’ve asked my brother to collect novels from all over the world.”

And some I can’t even speak of.

She swallowed hard, unable to say the words.

Seeing the smile spread across Edward’s face, Eirin knew her words had pleased him. Just as their conversation was deepening, Stefan spoke to Eirin.

“Eirin, how about you show him the study’s collection in our home?”

“Oh, would that be alright?”

At the siblings’ words, Edward beamed.

“I would be very grateful if you would do that, I have heard many times that the study here is wonderful, and I would be honored.”