Side Story 1: The Duchess Is On The Balcony (Part 2)

“I have invited tutors for you.”

Tutors who had taught etiquette and academics at the royal palace were invited. The tutors Bieren had called for Lizbeth were full of knowledge.

Under Bieren’s guidance, they focused more on teaching academic knowledge rather than the skills she would need to be a Duchess.

“Your learning speed is remarkably fast.”

The tutors were amazed by Lizbeth’s quick grasp of the subjects. It wasn’t just admiration for a former maid. It’s not easy for a grown woman to learn something that even children who are quicker learners than adults find difficult.

Before moving on to the next chapter, they would review the previous one with Lizbeth, and she would effortlessly answer. The history teacher was particularly impressed.

“Do you review separately?”

“Yes, I review before bed sometimes.”

Lizbeth replied with a smile. She was enjoying her studies. She would read books multiple times and read to her child when he woke up.

Often, she’d read the book in Bieren’s presence and ask him questions. Then, Bieren would brush her hair and patiently explain.

Lizbeth loved listening to his explanations, feeling his eyes filled with affection. She also enjoyed widening her horizons and engaging in various discussions with him. The history teacher chuckled kindly in front of Lizbeth, who had reviewed and prepared diligently.

“With such passion, you could become a scholar and still have more to offer.”

Lizbeth blushed with embarrassment at the teacher’s compliment. She realized how much patience Bieren had shown her when she was learning etiquette.

Lizbeth had no knowledge of etiquette at all. As she learned, she realized how poorly she had treated Bieren all this time.

She had only known how to imitate the manners of other maids, but she knew nothing about how to hold her skirts, curtsy, or use cutlery.

“Etiquette is like a social contract.”

Lizbeth was closer to being a barbarian who knew nothing about social conventions. Perhaps she was the epitome of rudeness.

Yet Bieren insisted she didn’t need to learn anything more; she was already a complete person. Oddly enough, those words made Lizbeth feel fulfilled. She wanted to show a better side of herself to Bieren.

“I received an invitation to the royal ball. I wanted to ask if you’d like to accompany me.”

Bieren showed Lizbeth the royal ball invitation, and she froze at the mention of the royal ball. Seeing Lizbeth’s tense expression, Bieren chuckled and said.

“I’m not asking to pressure you. I just want to hide you away instead of having everyone stare at you.”

Bieren knew how much Lizbeth would shine at the ball. Unlike when she was in the ducal residence, she wouldn’t be able to escape the whispers and judgments of others now.

Yet, he didn’t want to keep her hidden forever. He knew that restricting Lizbeth’s freedom would be no different from imprisoning her. 

He didn’t want to confine her again. He wanted her to be free. He simply hoped she would stay by his side willingly.

“But I just want to know if you want to go. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

Bieren didn’t want to burden Lizbeth. He just wanted to prioritize her feelings. Lizbeth clutched at the hem of her skirt as she listened to Bieren reassure her over and over again. She opened her mouth hesitantly.

“…I want to go.”

Lizbeth had learned from her etiquette teacher. It was quite natural for couples to attend formal events together, and leaving the seat empty would invite unwanted inquiries.

Lizbeth did not want Bieren to attend the imperial ball alone, even though he had a wife.

“I want to go, I want to be by your side.”

Bieren couldn’t help but laugh at Lizbeth’s words because they were so endearing. She seemed blindly devoted, ignoring anything else but him.

Lizbeth hadn’t changed from the way she’d been when she’d spilled the basket of flowers and cowered, and she worried, even though she knew the man before her was stronger than she was.

Being with her made Bieren forget about his own status, feeling like he was just one person loving Lizbeth.

“Then perhaps we should learn to dance together.”

“Together?”

Lizbeth blinked as she watched Bieren reach out his hand. Remembering what the etiquette teacher had taught her, she slowly placed her hand on top of his. Bieren gently pulled her hand and naturally embraced her waist.

As Lizbeth nestled into his embrace, memories of Bieren roughhousing on the bed flashed through her mind, causing her face to flush.

“One step back.”

Bieren extended his foot forward as he spoke. Lizbeth instinctively moved her body backward in response to his gesture. She felt her hands sweating in his grip.

It was strange. Holding hands and intertwining their bodies with him was a daily occurrence.

But as they began practicing for dancing at the ball, a sense of tension arose. It felt as though they were displaying intimate gestures that were only suitable for the privacy of their bedroom in a public setting.

“Forward again.”

Bieren gently guided Lizbeth backward. However, as she tried to follow his lead, her body wobbled, and she collapsed against Bieren’s solid chest.

He chuckled softly. With her face buried against his chest, Lizbeth could feel his body slightly trembling, which made her lift her face from his chest and speak up.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s my fault for being too hasty.”

Bieren reassured her, saying it wasn’t her fault. He was just afraid that someone might take advantage of Lizbeth’s adorable appearance at the ball.

Rumors of Lizbeth’s background as a maid had already spread. There were even rumors about her exceptional skill in bed activities. 

So, even though her husband was present, Bieren was afraid that someone might approach Lizbeth too easily. Instead of voicing these worries to Lizbeth, Bieren spoke kindly.

“I’ll follow wherever you want to go. Just relax your body.”

Lizbeth felt even more nervous when she heard Bieren offer for her to take the lead. However, they had to continue practicing, so she cautiously moved her feet, mimicking Bieren’s movements. He was just afraid that someone at the ball might misinterpret Elizabeth’s adorable behavior and harbor ill intentions.

“You’re doing great.” 

Bieren admired Lizbeth’s dancing, smiling.

It was amazing how well she danced when she was relaxed, and he could see why her teachers were so impressed. Lizbeth had a remarkable talent for learning.

“Is this okay?”

Lizbeth smiled sheepishly. She seemed to laugh as if Bieren had exaggerated his praise.

But Bieren wasn’t exaggerating. If Lizbeth hadn’t been born a commoner, she would have undoubtedly been a renowned noblelady. 

“It’s not just okay. You’re doing amazingly well.” 

Bieren praised Lizbeth, but he also felt afraid. Lizbeth was such an outstanding person, yet she stayed by his side. He didn’t want to break her passion, seeing how hard she worked.

Bieren realized that if it hadn’t been for the terrifying incident where he almost lost Lizbeth, he might have tried to suppress her passion. He might have been afraid that she would become so outstanding that she would leave him. 

The same feeling arose when Lizbeth tried on the fitted dress.

“What do you think?”

Lizbeth laughed nervously as she wore the dress. Adorned in a more extravagant dress than usual, with her hair done up, she looked exceptionally beautiful. She was so stunning that Bieren felt like he wanted to keep her hidden away and admire her all to himself.

If Lizbeth had been born into nobility, she would have undoubtedly dominated the social scene and gained a reputation as the most beautiful lady in the empire.

Bieren couldn’t help but wonder if he would have had a chance with Lizbeth if she had garnered such fame. He would have had to fend off countless suitors seeking her hand in marriage.

The situation now was different from when he had power over her just because she was his maid.

“You look stunning.”

Bieren replied as if enchanted by her, yet he still struggled with an unresolved thirst within him.

Despite Lizbeth now being his wife, Bieren couldn’t shake off his lingering unease.

But now, instead of constantly projecting his insecurities onto Lizbeth and being violent and coercive, he simply kept these ugly feelings a secret beneath the surface.