156: First Dance
A week later, the main mansion on the Duchy of Lancester was having its most glamorous night in years.
In the great hall facing the courtyard, a ball was being held to introduce and welcome the Duke of Lancester’s fiancée, Avril Allingham.
There were no guests from outside. Everyone in the great hall was employed at the main mansion.
Actually, Alexandra, who had just returned to the capital, wanted to attend. However, the Crown Prince said, “If Alexandra goes, then I will go too. I’ll take a break form my official duties for a while.” As such, she decided not to attend.
The relationship between Lady Alexandra and Lord Lawrence is very interesting.
While thinking a such thing to distract herself, Avril sat in the chair of the host.
Apart from the masquerade and the party on the Victoria the other day, this was Avril’s first time attending an evening party.
Moreover, for some reason, she was seated next to Dylan, drawing everyone’s attention. Avril knew the situation, but found it hard to accept and stare off into the distance.
“A-am I really going to dance here…?”
“You must’ve practiced to perfection, right? I heard that the lady you hired as a dance tutor begged for you to become her apprentice.”
“That’s a different story. It has nothing to do with right now…”
She was worried about whether she’d be able to dance well. Above all, Avril, who hadn’t even finished her debutante, couldn’t believe that her first dance would take place in such a fancy ball.
Not even the debutante party that Corinna attended was this prestigious. No matter how much of a private event this is, to me, it just seems like a fancy ball hosted by the duke’s family!
As she was thinking about this, the noisy hall naturally quieted down. The piano started to play, and the melody of stringed instruments was added to it.
Dylan, who stood up without anyone noticing, firmly extended his hand toward Avril.
“Lady Avril Allingham. May I have the honor of being your first dance?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Having prepared herself, Avril smiled and took his hand. Dylan helped her to her feet and led her to the center of the great hall.
At the edge of the hall, they could see Chris and Grace, dressed in formal attire, smiling as they watched over them.
The lemon-yellow dress that Avril wore was a gift from Dylan, just like the dress she wore on the Victoria.
The maids praised the dress, saying that the pretty design, with sleeves that puffed out softly at the shoulders, suited Avril well.
As Avril and Dylan stood facing each other in the center of the great hall, the music stopped for a moment. After a short pause, the melody of a waltz echoed through the hall.
Almost everyone who worked at the duke’s household was supposed to be gathered here. Yet strangely, there was no sound other than the music. It felt as if someone was watching over the two of them.
She placed her left hand on Dylan’s shoulder and drew closer. Even though she was used to being held, it felt somehow embarrassing.
Avril had been very worried about her first dance, but once she started dancing, her body seemed to remember the steps, which was a relief. Her moves came smoothly, without stepping on Dylan’s feet.
I practiced with my tutor until the sun set every day…!
At that time, she was undergoing intensive training for the masquerade, never had she imagined that she’d be able to dance her first dance properly like this. Avril was so moved that she even had the time to chat with Dylan.
“Lord Dylan, everyone who works at the mansion complimented me on this dress.”
“I can see why. It really suits you.”
“…Sienna, who works in the main house, and Jessenia, who works in the annex, all complimented me.”
“Does their praise make you happier than mine?”
Dylan’s sulky voice, heard in-between the beats of the waltz, almost made her burst out with laughter.
“No, I’m the happiest when you praise me, Lord Dylan. But on my first day here, I was mistaken for a maid. I experienced firsthand how bad the relationship between the servants in the two buildings was. I’m sure this mansion will become nicer in the future.”
“…Yes, I agree.”
She was startled when he whispered in her ear. But she was in the middle of a dance. Despite her surprise, she couldn’t simply leave. Hence, Avril continued.
“I love the Duchy of Lancester, Myrtle Town, and this mansion.”
“…Avril willingly came along, but to be honest, I was a bit worried.”
“Lord Dylan…?”
Avril tilted her head at his unexpected words. She knew that Dylan was against her entering the territory. Avril thought that the reason was because he didn’t want her to meddle in his relationship with the former duke. Moreover, her reputation as Avril, the villainess still hadn’t been completely wiped away. But it seemed that wasn’t the case.
“I hate him, but I care about the people and the territory. I was worried that Avril might dislike me for that.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I didn’t have any good memories here. So, I couldn’t say with confidence that I loved this place, even though it was precious to me. Yet Avril said she’d be happy to come to here.”
The waltz came to an end, and only Dylan’s voice rang in Avril’s ears.
“Now for the first time, I truly feel that I love this place.”
“Lord Dylan…”
Avril was saved by Dylan when she married into the Duke of Lancester in place of her sister, Corinna. She learned what it meant to be loved by someone, and how to love in return.
It was a special emotion that Avril, who wasn’t blessed with a kind family, didn’t understand and was struggling to develop. Her heart ached when she learned of the struggles this person who gave her something so irreplaceable had been facing until now.
—Lord Dylan must be the same as me.
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