43. The Moment a Star Fell into the Earl's House (4)
I stood in the middle of the hall, my body stiff with tension. Lucas wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me toward him. As we got closer, he smiled at my surprise and lifted my right hand with his other hand. My head, flustered, shook from side to side.
"Look up."
"Wh-what? Ah, yes."
As I nodded, Lucas smiled again.
"Relax and follow me."
"Yes."
Soon, a new classical piece began to play.
My body tensed even more. He whispered to me to relax and slowly took a step. I tentatively followed his lead, taking small steps. Gradually, I started to follow him a bit more.
He adjusted his steps to match my pace, and although I was a beat behind, I tried my best to follow him. After a few steps, I realized that dancing wasn't as difficult as I had thought.
My skirt flared and then settled as I moved. I went to the right, then to the left, and then made a full circle. Seeing that I was doing well, Lucas smiled and winked at me. I smiled back, pulling the corners of my mouth, and followed his movements.
But then, the floor felt soft.
"Ugh."
"Ah!"
I ended up stepping on his foot.
"Sorry, sorry."
"It's okay."
But his face didn't look okay. I could see him rubbing his injured foot against his other leg, and he really seemed to be in pain. I bowed my head in shame, feeling very embarrassed. My steps became more cautious after that.
I stepped on his foot a few more times. Each time, my head drooped lower. To make matters worse, the music was quite long. At that moment, I resented the gentle classical music.
"Pola, you're doing really well."
"I just want it to end quickly."
Then, he whispered in my ear, "Shall we end it then?"
I nodded quickly, and I heard a laugh.
At that moment.
"Ah!"
He bent me backward sharply. At the same time, one of my legs was lifted. I grabbed his shoulder, fearing I would fall backward, but my vision flipped. Fortunately, I didn't fall. Lucas supported my body with one arm and held my lifted leg with the other.
What is this situation? My body was almost lying backward, and my right leg was lifted. For a moment, I didn't realize what position I was in. I just blinked and looked at the beautiful chandelier on the ceiling, and then Lucas suddenly appeared in my field of vision. Unlike my flustered state, he looked calm and smiled as usual.
"Isn't this a decent way to end it?"
"..."
I don't know about that, but I thought my heart was going to drop out.
I tried to calm my racing heart. My frown, visible through my disheveled hair, must have been noticeable to him. Lucas laughed mischievously. This was clearly intentional. It was definitely his revenge for stepping on his foot and kicking his calf.
Fortunately, the music ended at that moment. Applause filled the quiet room. Turning my head toward the source of the sound, I saw Ethan standing up and clapping. It would have been better if he hadn't had food in his mouth.
Lucas let me go as I struggled. Once both feet were safely on the ground, Violet also clapped.
"That was beautiful, Pola."
"Thank you."
I smiled awkwardly and looked at Vincent. He was looking elsewhere.
Suddenly, a hand appeared in my field of vision. Turning my head to the waving hand, I saw Lucas with a somewhat stiff face. When our eyes met, his face softened and he smiled. Then he extended his hand again.
"Would you like to dance again?"
"I will decline."
This time, I firmly shook my head. He must want his feet to swell. If he really wanted to, I could dance with him, but I was already exhausted from trying not to step on his feet.
I looked forward again. Vincent and Violet were talking to each other, like a couple whispering sweet nothings.
As I was captivated by their beautiful scene, Lucas spoke in a small voice that only I could hear.
"Pola."
"Yes."
"Let Pola dance with the person she wants to this time."
Surprised by his unexpected words, I looked at Lucas. He pointed to the front. I turned my head forward again, looking at the affectionate couple, and then back at Lucas. He was still smiling, but his expression seemed somewhat bitter. Was it that hurtful not to dance again?
"Is that really okay?"
"Of course. It's just us, after all. We're the only ones here. It doesn't matter who you dance with."
If that's the case. I nodded and walked forward. The hem of my dress rustled, and my shoes clicked softly on the floor. The two of them turned to look at me as the sound approached. I scanned their faces and stood next to the person I was most grateful to.
He opened his eyes wide. I placed one hand behind my back and extended the other forward, slightly bowing. I imitated the gesture Lucas had made when he asked me to dance. It was my first time doing this, but it was much easier than lifting my skirt to curtsy.
"Miss Violet."
"Hmm?"
"Would you like to dance with me?"
She blinked. I wiggled my hand, waiting for her answer. After a moment of silence, a loud burst of laughter erupted behind me. Vincent, who had been listening to our conversation, also covered his mouth and turned his head, but he couldn't hide his laughter.
Is there a rule that only men and women can dance together? Even if there is, I decided to be bold since I had already said it. As Lucas said, it's just us. There was no need to adhere to formalities or etiquette.
A moment later, amidst the boisterous laughter, Violet took my hand and smiled brightly. We stood facing each other in the middle of the hall. The hall was filled with fast-paced classical music and the sound of clapping that matched the rhythm, creating a lively atmosphere. Joyful laughter, bright smiles, and us dancing without caring about our skirts flaring or our tuxedos wrinkling. Even Isabella, who had been so stiff, was laughing with us.
We laughed happily, abandoning all formality, etiquette, and class distinctions.
When I opened my eyes, darkness enveloped me. The boisterous laughter and music had all disappeared, and silence filled the air. The events of the afternoon seemed like a distant dream. My heart was still pounding with excitement.
I couldn't fall asleep.
I just want to remember this feeling a little longer.
I got up, moving carefully so as not to wake the sleeping Violet. I walked out of bed, trying to minimize the sound of my steps, and found a shawl in the dark to drape over myself. I intended to take a short walk to savor this feeling.
I left the room with a lamp in hand, being careful even when closing the door. I looked out the window at the bright moon and placed the lamp on the windowsill. As I was lighting it, the door suddenly burst open. I turned in surprise to see Vincent standing there.
"Master?"
His pale face caught my attention first. Sweat beads were forming on his forehead. Seeing that he wasn't in good condition, I approached him, and his distant eyes focused on me.
"Is it you?"
He sometimes asked me this. And I knew when he would ask.
"Yes, it's me."
"Is it really you?"
"Yes, it's really me."
His hand reached out and grabbed mine. His fingertips, caressing my wrist, were trembling. Then he pulled me closer and buried his face in my shoulder. I could hear his ragged breathing.
"Did you have a nightmare?"
He nodded. His golden hair tickled my cheek.
"Why did you come out?"
"I heard a noise."
"What would you have done if it wasn't me?"
"I thought it would be you."
I thought it would be you, so I came out.
I didn't ask any more and closed my mouth. His ragged breathing gradually steadied. The hand that had been caressing my wrist came down and intertwined with my fingers. The trembling from his hand gradually subsided.
I flexed and relaxed the fingers intertwined with his.
"Would you like to take a walk?"
He nodded again.
Holding his hand, I walked down the corridor with the lit lamp in my other hand. Two sets of footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor.
"I want to feel the wind."
"Shall we go outside then?"
I nodded and led him out of the mansion. The night air was quite cool. Outside, it was naturally quiet, and there was no sign of anyone. It was too late to go far, so we walked toward the garden. Everyone would be asleep, so there was no worry about encountering anyone.
The dark sky was dotted with stars. They were more visible tonight because the sky was clear. They are beautiful. I took in the twinkling stars with my eyes. A star traced a path across the sky and fell. As I watched, we walked for a while and came upon a fountain. Even at night, water continued to spray from the fountain.