Chapter Title: The Lily of the Ballroom
"..."
Adelaide kept her mouth shut, trying to steady her rough breathing. She felt a bit of regret. She must be red. She glanced at Cesare, but he looked immaculate. His white shirt was as pristine as ever, without a drop of sweat. Noticing her gaze, he gave a playful smirk.
"You shouldn't set your standards too high after dancing with me. There's no man in Fornatie who can dance as well as I do."
"...Indeed."
Adelaide replied weakly, too exhausted to argue. Even with just one dance, she knew. Cesare truly was an exceptional dancer. And she felt she understood a bit why, despite his debauchery, everyone desired him. Cesare's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected compliment, then he smiled delightedly.
"It would be a disaster if you started throwing tantrums about not wanting to go to Ezra."
Adelaide, having finally caught her breath, shook her head.
"There's no chance of that happening, so rest assured."
"Don't be so sure. You never know what might happen."
"No, Brother. It will never happen. You can be sure."
Cesare raised an eyebrow and smiled silently. It was his usual smile, but somehow it seemed his pride was hurt. Why? Shouldn't he be pleased that the shoe shiner understands her place...? Adelaide also fell silent, and for a moment, the surroundings were quiet. After a while, Cesare spoke calmly.
"It wasn't bad just now, so let's continue."
"Yes."
"Let your body follow my lead. I won't drop you."
"Yes."
"And..."
Cesare placed his thumb and forefinger in front of his lips and spread them apart.
"Smile while you dance."
He spoke with a smiling face but without a hint of jest. It was a serious piece of advice. Adelaide nodded.
"Then let's start again with the waltz."
"Yes."
When Cesare touched the phonograph, the waltz began to flow out again. He slowly walked into the ballroom, raising his arms gracefully like a large bird spreading its wings. Adelaide mirrored his movements like a reflection. She slid over to Cesare, holding him, as if a leaf being swept by the wind. The dance began again.
At that moment, the door to the Hall of Aria opened.
"Oh my."
A delicate voice caused Adelaide's body to stiffen. If Cesare hadn't led her to the next step immediately, she would have stopped.
"Goddess's peace, Miss Epony. Sir Aegir, have you been well?"
"Madam, Miss Lucrezia."
"..."
"Madam suggested we come see Marquis Cesare and Miss Adelaide. Isn't that right?"
The newcomers to the ballroom were Eva Bonaparte and Lucrezia Della Valle.
*Why are they here?*
Adelaide looked up at Cesare, wondering if this was planned. But Cesare, too, was gazing sharply at Eva like a raptor. His smile briefly vanished, leaving his face cold and dry. It seemed this wasn't part of his plan either. Cesare soon looked back at Adelaide.
"Forget about them and focus on me."
"..."
Easier said than done. Adelaide avoided his gaze and looked near his ear, her mouth firmly shut. Since Eva and Lucrezia appeared, her center had wavered several times. Unlike the first dance, everything was slightly off. The timing of her steps, the rhythm of her turns. She could tell she was clumsy, so what would a natural-born lady like Lucrezia think?
"You still seem inexperienced. Were there no balls where you were staying?"
Lucrezia's gentle voice echoed clearly in her ears.
"Oh dear. Has the Elder Marquis heard nothing about it either? How strange."
"But as it is, it might be difficult in high society. What should we do..."
"The Elder Marquis is right. More people gather at Bonaparte's balls. You'll need to withstand the pressure..."
"In truth, it's not an easy task. Unless you were born with it. I hope Miss Adelaide doesn't get too disheartened."
Every word seemed to suggest that she didn't belong. Even Cesare's magic couldn't help. Lucrezia, with her kind words, was subtly cutting through Adelaide's mental defenses. Adelaide finished her second dance far worse than her first. By the end, she couldn't even look Cesare in the eye.
*Sigh.*
A low sigh was heard from above her head. Adelaide endured the shame and bowed in greeting.
"Follow me."
Cesare said coldly. Like a doll, Adelaide silently followed him. Cesare first kissed Eva on both cheeks.
"Madam Eva. I didn't expect you to come without notice."
His flirtatious but slightly chilly demeanor was the same as before.
*You're busy.*
Eva received his kiss with a delighted face, and Cesare's gaze turned to Lucrezia next.
"And Miss Della Valle. How have you been?"
Despite his slightly disdainful look, Lucrezia blushed deeply.
"Ma-Marquis Cesare!"
She stammered, her voice high-pitched.
"Pe-Peaceful! So, please, just call me Lucrezia..."
"We'll see."
Cesare cut off Lucrezia's request and turned affectionately to Eva.
"So what brings our dear Madam Eva here today?"
Eva took out a notebook. The neat cursive writing indicated it was pre-written.
*I thought of Adelaide. I thought it would be helpful for her to become acquainted with other young ladies before her debut.*
She moved her pen to the next page, as if she had forgotten something.
*You plan to debut her, right?*
"Of course."
Everyone's eyes turned to Adelaide, as if on cue. Adelaide bowed to no one in particular.
"Goddess's peace."
There was no response. Adelaide hadn't expected one. Everyone here knew by some means that she wasn't from high society. It was more comfortable to be blatantly excluded like this. After the formal greeting, Eva moved her pen.
*There's no one to help Adelaide, right? I was thinking about it when Miss Lucrezia kindly offered to help.*
Cesare frowned deeply, smiling wryly as if it were ridiculous.
*And while looking after Adelaide, it would be nice if you young people could talk.*
"Madam Eva."
Cesare paused for a moment before smiling gracefully.
"Your grandson prefers physical communication over words. You should know that by now."
Adelaide, standing quietly beside him, was slightly impressed. He says such things even in front of his grandmother. However, Eva didn't seem too offended, possibly due to Fornatie's lenient attitude towards physical relationships.
*Then get married or something.*
Cesare didn't respond. Even without seeing, Adelaide could guess his smile had deepened. In words, it would be something like, "Our dear Madam Eva is talking nonsense." Eva, seemingly unwilling to continue this conversation in front of outsiders, changed the subject.
*How about the two of you dance? Miss Lucrezia is an excellent dancer. Adelaide can learn a lot from watching.*
"You're too kind, Elder Madam."
Lucrezia, who could maintain her composure with anyone but Cesare, smiled shyly.
"But if it can help Miss Adelaide, I'd be happy to..."
"..."
Adelaide met Lucrezia's smiling face. When their eyes met, Lucrezia's smile grew brighter. Adelaide suddenly remembered encountering Lucrezia in the Water Garden. The sensation of being pushed into the void came rushing back.
"..."
Just as Adelaide's breath began to quicken, Cesare reached out and covered her eyes.
"If Madam Eva asks, I must comply."
His dismissive gesture easily scattered Lucrezia and Adelaide's gaze. Cesare offered his hand to Lucrezia.
"Shall we?"
His demeanor was polite and faultless, yet somehow lukewarm. Perhaps it was because it lacked the usual charm.
"Of course!"
Nevertheless, Lucrezia blushed even more. She gave Adelaide a final, triumphant look before taking Cesare's hand and walking into the ballroom. Their hold was small due to Lucrezia's height. But Cesare adjusted his stride to match the petite lady, and Lucrezia showcased her maximum charm while dancing. They exchanged glances and whispered inaudibly.
Adelaide watched silently. The scene was distant, beautiful, and fantastical, like something out of reach. There was a radiant world that did not suit her.