Chapter 19
After a short while, Grace, having taken the medicine Arthur brought from the carriage, rested on the sofa.
By the time Grace had regained some strength, the Emperor, seated on the throne drinking and conversing with the nobles, suddenly called over his steward and whispered something in his ear.
A moment later, the steward bowed respectfully and immediately walked toward Grace, speaking:
“Duchess of Felix, His Majesty inquires about your condition.”
“Oh, I see. Please convey that I apologize for causing concern and that I am fine now.”
“Your complexion is still pale. Are you sure you are well? His Majesty has commanded that the ball resume immediately if you are capable.”
“Yes. I feel much better now.”
“Understood. I will convey your response to His Majesty.”
The steward briefly kissed the back of Grace’s hand in respect before returning to the Emperor.
He then leaned toward the Emperor and relayed Grace’s reply. The Emperor smiled and clapped his hands toward the orchestra as a signal.
The conductor at the front raised his baton, and the orchestra began playing a lively waltz.
With the music starting, the nobles and royals, who had been chatting and eating with friends, paired off and moved to the center of the ballroom.
The men and women lined up across from each other, waiting for the main guests, Arthur and Grace, to step into the center and begin dancing. Arthur glanced at them briefly before extending his hand toward Grace.
“If it’s acceptable to you, may I have the honor of this dance, Lady?”
Grace hesitated at his polite gesture, unsure whether to take his hand. Arthur’s expression grew tense, but finally, with the resolve of someone who had made a decision, Grace grasped his hand.
Moving close to him, she leaned in slightly and whispered softly:
“…Duke, I should apologize in advance.”
“Pardon? What for…?”
“This is actually my first time attending a ball… and, um, I only learned the waltz by sneaking glances when my sister practiced, so my steps will be all over the place.”
“And?”
“…Please watch your step. I’m probably going to step on your feet countless times.”
Blushing slightly as she admitted her poor dancing skills, Grace continued.
Hearing this, Arthur, who had been watching her with a stern expression, laughed softly like the air had been let out of a balloon. He then held her hand tightly and said:
“In that case, you need not worry at all.”
Arthur led Grace to the center of the ballroom, placing her in the space cleared by the guests. Standing opposite her, he bowed politely—a signal that the “first” dance was beginning.
The orchestra began a lively waltz, and the other guests started dancing in rhythm.
Grace, flustered, tried to follow the movements of the more experienced ladies around her. Never having danced in a group like this before, she kept tripping over her steps. Embarrassed, she kept her head down and focused on her own feet.
Eventually, she accidentally stepped on Arthur’s foot, letting out a startled scream:
“Ah! I’m sorry!”
“Lady, look at me,” Arthur said, gently restraining her hand and guiding her with a soft whisper.
As she followed his gaze, Arthur lightly turned her around, placing a hand on her shoulder, and said:
“Don’t worry about anyone else. Focus only on me and my movements.”
“…Yes? But what if I step on your foot again?”
“I told you earlier—you need not worry. Now, come.”
“Oh!”
Hesitant to step again, Grace allowed Arthur to lead her hand gently. Matching her slower rhythm, he moved in sync, guiding her as if imprinting the steps in her memory.
Grace followed his movements with her eyes, initially struggling to keep up, but gradually, she became more adept at dancing in time with the music.
Arthur, watching her increasingly confident expression, spoke warmly:
“You’ve become quite skilled now.”
“Indeed! Oh, I’m sorry again… Did I step on your foot?”
“It’s fine. Keep dancing as you are.”
“…I promise I won’t step on your foot again. Just watch.”
Grace answered cheerfully, completing a turn around him.
At first, I was so tense I could barely follow along.
Now, she enjoyed the music, letting her body move in harmony with Arthur’s careful guidance. Dancing felt surprisingly fun. She surrendered herself to the music and the hand Arthur offered.
As the waltz ended, the first dance was complete. Grace, like the other ladies by her side, lifted the hem of her dress slightly to curtsy toward Arthur.
She smiled brightly at him, conveying her gratitude for successfully completing the dance.
“Now, shall we dance another? Perhaps the same waltz as before!”
Just then, the Emperor, dancing nearby with the Empress, called out cheerfully.
The orchestra resumed playing, this time a slightly different but still lively waltz.
Once again, the ballroom filled with music, and the nobles and royals resumed dancing. Grace quietly stepped back with Arthur, slipping out of the crowd.
Though still enjoying the lingering thrill, she felt relief at surviving the first challenge and wished to take a short rest.
Walking toward the edge of the ballroom, Grace followed Arthur with her eyes.
However, she noticed he wasn’t where she expected—he was missing from the group of dancers. Puzzled, she glanced around.
Strange… where did he go?
In the confusion of moving between those taking a break and those still dancing, she had lost sight of him.
Perhaps he was looking for her elsewhere. Grace separated from the people she leaned on and walked through the crowd.
“Ah!”
While scanning for Arthur, she accidentally bumped into a gentleman head-on.
Grace stumbled back, exclaiming, and bowed toward the man:
“I-I’m so sorry! I was looking for someone and wasn’t paying attention.”
“It’s quite all right.”
But the voice sounded oddly familiar.
In the ballroom, the only people she knew were from the Alberton family or Arthur. Tilting her head in curiosity, she looked up at the man standing before her.
“…Ah, it’s you from earlier…”
It was the man she had bumped into when leaving after the quarrel with Marianne. He adjusted his slightly askew wide-brimmed hat and spoke:
“Fancy meeting you again.”
“Yes… indeed,” Grace replied timidly. She thought, if she had known she’d bump into him twice in this vast ballroom, she wouldn’t have spoken so tersely the first time.
Watching his expression hidden under the wide-brimmed hat, Grace politely apologized:
“I sincerely apologize. I wasn’t paying attention while looking for someone and caused offense twice.”
“That’s fine. It happens.”
Grace, relieved by his gracious acceptance, lightly held her dress and bowed.
“Thank you for understanding… um, Mr…?”
“Owen, Lady.”
“…Mr. Owen, I must take my leave now. I’m looking for someone.”
After expressing her apologies again, Grace bid him farewell.
Just as she turned to walk away, he called out:
“Who are you searching for in such a hurry?”
“Pardon?”
“Are you perhaps looking for Duke Arthur Felix?”
“…!”
Startled, Grace turned to face him as he continued, lifting the brim of his hat to reveal most of his face.
