As the sky was dyed with the colors of sunset, the ballroom at Blissbury was already filled with the joyful laughter of people.

When the orchestra began preparing to play, everyone eagerly took their places on the dance floor.

If this were the capital, the ball would have started with a quadrille, men and women paired up in the latest fashion. But Feltham had yet to adopt the city’s trends, so the festivities began in a more traditional style.

Using the ballroom doors as a marker, women lined up on the left, men on the right, facing each other.

Normally, elders would have priority, but at this moment, anyone who had just turned eighteen could participate, starting with the youngest. And for the very first dance, the young people of Feltham took precedence.

The young ladies and gentlemen who had just turned eighteen this year were overwhelmed with emotion at finally being able to dance at Blissbury.

Everyone knew. To be this age, living in the countryside, and to dance in such a splendid manor—it was the kind of unbelievable good fortune that only happened in sentimental novels.

All the children waited eagerly to turn eighteen, saving up to buy their ball attire for the day. And on that day, they dreamed of dancing with someone they liked—or perhaps with an intriguing stranger.

Those who had always dreamed of this moment were filled with excitement, while the seventeen-year-olds watched with envy, knowing they would stand in that spot next year.

As the music began, the excitement was quickly replaced by nervousness, and everyone in line swallowed dryly.

The older guests watched from behind, laughing at the sight.

“I was just as stiff and awkward at my first dance,” one lady said.

“So was I. I can’t even remember how many toes I stepped on,” another replied.

Just as the ladies said, the young dancers’ movements were clumsy, but at this moment, even that awkwardness was charming.

When the first dance for the newly-of-age finished, a round of light applause broke out.

Fortunately, this year no one fell or collided. A few years ago, a couple had misjudged their turn and crashed into each other in the center of the floor, falling over. That incident led to their marriage, but even now, the couple blushed whenever the story was mentioned.

After the applause, the next age group lined up, waiting for the music to start again.

Those now at the age to seriously consider marriage had clearly put special care into their attire.

And now, Ryan was joining the second dance.

As the host of the ball, he had the privilege of joining the second dance regardless of age.

That’s why every year, the Surberton couple would dance together for the second round, joking with the guests to forgive them for being so sentimental.

When Ryan first heard about this, he’d grumbled inwardly about such a troublesome rule.

But now, seeing Eloise standing across from him, he silently thanked whoever had come up with it.

“A dance at the summer gala? I’ll dance once, but after that it’s impossible. There’s too much to do in the kitchen, and I’m needed everywhere. Honestly, that’s more comfortable for me. The competition for partners after the second dance is fierce, and since I can slip away, I don’t have to worry much about my outfit… Ah, Mr. Palmer! That goes over there, please.”

He remembered having that conversation while preparing for today.

Indeed, Eloise’s dress looked much simpler than those of others who had clearly put great effort into their appearance.

She probably hadn’t paid much attention, planning only to dance once for form’s sake.

Still…

Ryan’s eyes wandered over the other women’s dresses.

Most wore pure white muslin gowns, as was customary for such events.

At first glance, they all looked similar, but with a little attention, one could notice the different textures of the muslin and the delicate embroidery of white lions here and there.

Ryan, usually indifferent to women’s clothing, found himself noticing these details now.

Eloise’s dress was elegant. As the daughter of Feltham’s most distinguished family, it was only natural.

But he could see faint traces of age; it probably wasn’t new.

He recalled the dresses he’d seen in the capital before coming to Blissbury.

Perhaps because of the influx of foreign goods after the war, vibrant silk dresses were starting to trend in the city.

At the time, he thought them excessive, but now he imagined how well Eloise would look in such a dress—subtle, glossy pale orange silk, matching gloves, and a reticule decorated with beads.

Almost comically, the image of Eloise in a silk dress appeared vividly in his mind.

Just then, the music began. Ryan quickly collected himself and looked ahead.

First, he walked forward to greet his partner.

As he approached and bowed, Eloise whispered softly, “You’re better than I expected.”

They brushed past each other and turned lightly.

“It’s mandatory for junior officers to learn,” he replied.

They faced each other again and lightly took hands.

“I wondered if you were confident or had just given up, since you never practiced. Honestly, I thought it was the latter.”

“Sorry to disappoint your expectations.”

They exchanged their usual playful banter, but still focused on the dance.

Neither wanted to appear clumsy. Neither wanted to step on the other’s feet or bump into them. Of course, no one wanted to be laughed at, but more than that, neither wanted to seem lacking in front of the other.

At first, their bodies were tense, but soon the gentle melody had them moving lightly.

They brushed past each other, turned, took three steps together holding hands, then turned again. They parted while holding hands, then came together again.

Soon, smiles appeared on both their faces.

They had both been working tirelessly from morning to night for weeks to prepare for today.

Especially this year, with Mr. Surberton, who usually oversaw everything, absent, they’d worried something might go wrong.

But everything had gone smoothly, and everyone was enjoying the summer gala.

“We’ve succeeded with the summer gala,” Eloise said happily as they faced each other, holding hands.

“Yes. Well, with both of us working so passionately, it would be strange if we hadn’t.”

At the word “passionately,” Eloise couldn’t help but giggle.

Once, when they’d raised their voices while disagreeing, Mr. Palmer had come in from outside, worried something was wrong.

At the time, Ryan had run a hand through his hair and shouted out the window, “It’s fine! We just got a little loud because we’re so passionate in our opinions!”

After that, whenever one of them got worked up, the other would tease, “You’re being very passionate right now.”

Back then, Ryan had wanted to kick something in embarrassment, but now, perhaps because everything had gone well, the memory only made him laugh.

Ryan also smiled as he continued the steps.

It was their first time dancing together, yet their movements were as smooth as if they had practiced for years.

Soon, the partners changed and they faced new ones.

Eloise’s next partner was a young man from Camborne.

He was younger than Eloise and tried to be polite, but couldn’t quite hide his disappointment.

Seeing his expression, Eloise suppressed a bitter smile.

She had been so busy she’d almost forgotten.

She was someone long since passed over in the local marriage market.

Unless her dance partners wished to curry favor with the Surberton family, they only showed the bare minimum of courtesy when dancing with her.

Even as they danced with her, it was obvious they wanted to move on to their next partner as quickly as possible. At first, this had hurt.

But the next year, she grew numb to it, and by now, she even sympathized with them.

Of course they’d want to spend time talking to someone with whom they might actually have a chance at marriage, rather than dancing with her.

So every year, she’d used the excuse of helping in the kitchen to avoid dancing any more.

It was better for both her and her partners.

Every year, she had only wished for the dancing to end quickly.

But just now, dancing with Ryan, she’d truly enjoyed herself for the first time in ages, forgetting all those worries.

Knowing it was rude, Eloise nevertheless turned her head to look for Ryan.

At that moment, Ryan, who had moved to the next line, met her gaze.

It still felt as if the two of them were partners.