You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 420

’If I refuse, not only will he feel humiliated but the dances might take longer to start...’ — I understood, before accepting the offered hand of the New Duke of Noverrne.

"... Has my invitation been welcomed?" — He then asked, lifting his head that had lowered respectfully in wait for our reply.

My nod came graceful and certain in affirmation to his inquiry and I looked back at Marianne’s Father to bow in a temporary goodbye since I was to leave him behind so the dance could begin.

"Go on, I am to watch from here." — Showing a scary smile the mister said, taking my glass of wine. Seemingly gentle to any other who didn’t know what was truly going on in his protective father’s head.

’I bet he’s thinking something like... "even I haven’t danced with my daughter" or something along those lines, haha...’ — I told Marianne... nervously but to laugh it off.

There were some concerns clouding our head as we walked beside the new Duke to the centre of the Hall.

To start with... I was concerned about the eyes that could see us, in particular a pair that more than once has made clear he wants our every dance to be granted to him.

’~Ngh... I hope he won’t get mad about this... I-It’s not like he has the right to yet... s-so if he tries to reproach us w-we should make that bit clear!...’ — Slightly more nervous about the possibility, I tried to shake off the worry, because even if that was to be the case... — ’This second male lead is certainly making an effort.’

I could remember that in the original book, Clemente had told the female lead how every dance he was to dance before meeting her was a hazard... although he was being a little passionate while telling that because his dislike to touch was kind of being probed senseless when it came to Karina.

Either way, his hand was holding mine as he elegantly escorted us to start a dance. And knowing of this dislike, I know this invitation wasn’t to be taken lightly by ourselves.

The soft music that had been playing to set the Ball’s ambience, swiftly started to get louder, changing its pacific melody to suddenly end once we had arrived at the centre of the Hall and was to begin a new and much more energetic tuning than the ones played until this moment.

"Lady Marianne, I appreciate greatly your acceptance to this piece." — The proper second male lead told us after placing himself in front of us, making a deep reverence in concordance with his statement. Straightening timely to unfold his hand towards us, letting me notice the light lift of a smile as he gently conveyed further compliments. — "For your person to accept me as a dance partner, is the main honour I could be granted tonight. Let us enjoy this one dance, my lady."

My hand went to take him without restraint for his gentlemanliness was one that grew trust within ourselves. Probably, a similar smile was returned as we did since his ways were ones Marianne and I felt respected and comfortable with even if his manners were strict.

’Haha~ What a gentleman he is~’ — I thought, pleased by his politeness. Deciding to lose concern on what this could provoke in any who was watching since I could feel how pure an invitation the current Duke of Noverrne had made to us.

A delicate piece was played for us, truly timely... prepared as his ways provided.

Marianne’s knowledge of the dance moves came into action once more in our aid, and different to the dances we had previously danced with the crown prince, this one was a piece where the distance between the partners took most of the choreography.

His hand would sometimes lift my hand so I could swirl to his lead, and it was at such times that the touch between us would be greater. However, it all felt so sweetly innocent, I couldn’t help but enjoy the piece as if it was friends playing around in the garden... playing catch and run in an elegant manner.

Somehow, the piece felt insanely brief because of how enjoyable it was. The reverence we gave to those applauding our performance felt surprising since it was over before we noticed and not many seconds passed before a new piece of music started to be played by the talented musicians.

"What graceful moves the Ninth possesses. Thank you for joining me in this piece, Lady Marianne. It has been a delight for myself."

’... You’re so nice~ I could say the same about you, haha! I thought you would be stiffer than I am~’ — Chuckling inside to the compliment and jokes I inwardly answered him with, I took the arm Clemente offered us to walk us back to the awaiting mister.

Leaving us to Marianne’s Father’s care, the Dukes exchanged some little courtesies before Clemente decided to part from us.

"I do not wish to interfere any longer with your night, Your Grace and Honourable Lady. Enjoy the Ball, I am to meet the other guests if you kindly allow me."

A kind goodbye was returned by the duke and I, and once Clemente had taken some distance, Marianne’s Father turned to us stating the fact our good mood conveyed. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"You seem to be enjoying yourself tonight. I am glad you have become more accustomed to these events."

’I wouldn’t go as far as to say accustomed~’ — Playfully I thought as a reply, tilting my head as I said more. — ’But I cannot deny, mister~ I am indeed enjoying myself~’

We had said nothing as usual, and yet his smile continued to look at us as fondly as if understanding our thoughts.

"However... I hope you solely become accustomed to the peacefulness of them. I have this sensation you have experienced their hazards mostly, haha..."

Within myself I chuckled at the funny truth he told, after all, it was because of that very reason I wasn’t completely agreeing.

The Mister and us talked as usual, paced around and greeted some nobles that came to meet us... us in Marianne and I. The duke was probably a common person in their eyes when compared to what our title meant... somehow... but it was nice that Marianne’s father made it so the conversations would be brief with them.