You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 421

I wondered a little about why he wasn’t with the Duchess... but I didn’t ask because many reasons could be behind it. To start with, he hasn’t seen us in a while and that said Duchess is a little... annoyingly bitter to be around with... and that’s ONLY to start with.

Time passed and songs kept being played... and slowly I stopped paying attention to what people were saying because I was wondering where and when... a certain person would come.

’... I don’t see him... will we not dance in the end...?’ — Looking around to see if I was missing him perchance, I considered... actually forgetting the good mood I had because... well... — ’It’s not... like him to do that though...’

"Sweetie, I was thinking, we have not had the chance to dance together..." — Suddenly the duke said kind of secretly while the pair of nobles talking to us engaged in their own conversation. — "Many keep approaching us... should we use a dance as an excuse to separate from these people?"

"..." — Since I was too deep in thought... his suggestion made my thoughts freeze for a moment, and I stared at him... kind of flabbergasted... and without a clear reply. Although it was an easy one.

"Good sires, do excuse us, yet this song, I would like to enjoy it with my daughter."

"! Oh, please do not mind our presence, go ahead Duke Sylfinnier, Lady Pristina."

"..."

To my lack of reaction, the mister decided on his own.

I was not really processing what was going on since the concerns had me still figuring out why this suggestion had come, now of all times. At previous events, he had not done this and it was a first for us... joining a dance when the song had already started... which I didn’t know was legal.

"My child~" — He said after walking us to the dance floor, waiting for my hand to take his and start the dance. My slow movement did make it to his somehow... and thankfully, the song was a calm one and less jazzy when it came to dance moves.

I followed his lead, lost in thought, wondering what was this... why was I here, dancing again... yet feeling so low in spirits when the partner was one we should love to be with. And it was to expect from the mister that this low mood would not go untold.

"My daughter seems lost in thought, so I had to separate her from pestering nobles so her light could be as bright as a few minutes ago."

"!..." — ’Ah... so it was apparent...’

"I wonder what happened? Your light has yet to come back, dear feather."

"..."

"Hm? What is the matter, sweetie?" — Sweetly he said to the stop we placed on our dance.

Honestly speaking... It made me feel ashamed, not properly enjoying this dance with the mister... The two of us had our heads somewhere else completely and it wasn’t fair for either of us.

"... Whatever happened... nothing should lower your spirits." — The duke said, making us walk around with the hand he still held of us while kindly smiling at us. — "As beautiful and clever as you are, you must know it is not worth sacrificing a peaceful mind over sudden concerns."

"...."

"Or am I reading too much into this expression of yours? Is it only exhaustion that took possession of your attention?"

’... No... you’re right mister...’

"No matter what it is, whatever is making you wear this expression... you will solve it wonderfully." — Then he said, so confident it made me widen my eyes. — "Months ago, I could only tell by looking into your eyes... later, with a stack you commenced to express your words... Beautiful drawings your hands drew... I also heard your voice and now... the beauty of your visage allows perdition to anyone as even if with light smiles and frowns... even laughter can be showcased in it, my child."

"...."

"Whatever causes your concern... you will solve it like the many achievements your person has earned in this short time."

’Haaaah..... Feeling ashamed... how useless of us, haha...’ — There was no way I could stay low in spirits after that.

I smiled, understanding what he meant... nothing’s happened this time and compared to other issues, when something really concerning happens we’ve dealt with it just fine... not losing my crazy spirit.

There’s no need for overthinking, which is something I hadn’t thought I would fall into since I usually do as I feel in the moment most of the time.

"Haha! Were my words good for my child?"

’They were.’ — Giving more energy to the dance we resumed, I nodded, looking him in the eyes I unknowingly had been avoiding.

The rest of the dance felt precious.

A dance with Marianne’s father... it was probably something I had not thought of as much as Marianne did before I came here.

However, the song was to end quicker than any other we had danced since we joined in the middle of it. The wish to dance a whole piece properly did emerge within ourselves, but then again, this Ball was different in many ways from those we assisted before.

"Lady Marianne, Precious Ninth! Um... Good evening, Your Grace."

"Good evening, young ladies."

"... How elegant your motion is, Lady Pristina! Truly spectacular!" — Some ladies I could recognise from the Hunting competition came to meet us at the end of the piece. Within which the grandaughters of Lady Felicia, Erna and Estelle, if I’m not mistaken were in. — "We had been wondering if you would allow us to converse even if briefly with you. We would like to know about your days..."

"..."

"... Young ladies, you are so very kind. Why don’t you go with your friends, Marianne? We shall meet later."

’Huh??...But...’ — I wasn’t truly attracted by the idea.

While in those tea sessions, I had mostly nodded to some small talk and written a few thoughts that... I’m sure they will remember since I made those comments in revenge but... — ’They aren’t my friends...’

It was then that our gaze met the Duke’s since we were doubting about going with those girls but then... it was a must for me to agree.