Chapter 51: Dance Lessons — 1
On the second morning of waking up at the Cruz residence, I sat up in bed and recalled the dream I had just seen.
In that dream, there was a young woman who resembled me, and a charming, somewhat masculine man.
He had glossy reddish-brown hair tied back in a single knot.
They talked and laughed together happily.
It was obvious at a glance that they loved each other deeply.
The two of them seemed to be in the small forest just behind the Cruz estate.
It was a familiar place where we used to play as children, and even now occasionally go for picnics.
A little distance away stood a woman who looked like a maid and a man who looked like an attendant.
Those two also seemed to get along well.
While keeping an eye on their surroundings, they chatted happily.
That was all the dream was.
Unlike the ones I had seen before, there was nothing ominous about it—just a peaceful, happy dream.
Could this have been my grandmother and the newly crowned King of Belsia?
If so, this peaceful and happy scene made my chest ache.
Because shortly after, tragedy must have followed.
I stayed still for a while, waiting for the bubbling emotions in my chest to settle.
I should go visit Great-Aunt as well.
There are things I need to know—everything.
Including why I am still seeing dreams like this even though the stone is no longer with me.
When I rang the bell by my bedside, Bell came in.
“Good morning. Brian-sama has sent word that he would like you to try dancing today. Let us dress you in something light.”
My shoulders jumped.
“So suddenly? I’m not mentally prepared.”
“There is no time to indulge yourself. Your mental preparation is key to this battle. To achieve that, you must gain confidence in dancing and conversation. Everyone agrees. Of course, I do as well.”
Bell left no room for argument and briskly began preparing me.
She neatly braided my hair and dressed me in a slightly shorter, easy-to-move-in dress.
After finishing breakfast in my room, she led me to a small hall for practice.
Seeing that no one was there, I felt relieved and walked around the room.
This was where I used to take dance lessons.
Back then, I hated seeing my stiff reflection in the large mirrored wall.
I stood before the mirror and looked at myself.
I felt like I looked a little cuter than before.
Maybe my hair had taken on a slightly golden hue.
If I insisted, I might even call it blonde… perhaps.
Hearing footsteps at the door, I turned to see my brother entering.
…Still light brown. Not gold.
I looked at his hair and felt disappointed.
“What’s with that strange face?”
My brother strode over and suddenly extended his hand.
“Let’s start with the easiest one.”
“You’re my practice partner? What about Brian-sama?”
“He’ll come later. I want to check you first. Let’s start with the contredanse.”
He led me to the center of the room and stood facing me.
When I took his hand and turned, I ended up facing the wrong direction.
No, that’s not right… I think I was supposed to turn once and then move sideways…
“This way,” my brother corrected me, adjusting my position.
For the next step, I should move in the opposite direction…
“No, this way. Come on, let’s go over the basic steps again.”
After repeating it several times, my brother called Bell.
“I’ll dance the basic steps with Bell. Watch carefully.”
The two of them began to dance beautifully.
Both my brother and Bell were very skilled.
So I’m the only one who’s bad?
Feeling a bit pathetic, I watched them closely and reviewed the steps.
I had learned them before, so they were slowly coming back to me.
“Alright, Maria. Got it?”
My brother extended his hand.
I placed mine on top of it.
“I think so.”
“Then let’s try. Bell, assist her.”
This time, though clumsy, I managed to follow the steps.
I was moving correctly—that alone made me feel overjoyed.
My brother began dancing with both Bell and me, alternating partners effortlessly.
It seemed he hadn’t been exaggerating when he said he was good.
As I crossed paths with Bell, I smiled.
I turned and stepped while laughing.
When I spun around, Brian-sama was suddenly standing in front of me.
He joined in seamlessly, and the four of us continued dancing together.
“Let’s stop here. Maria, your instincts are coming back,” my brother said.
I let out a breath.
A light sweat had formed.
Bell immediately handed me a handkerchief, and I gently dabbed my forehead.
“You were dancing beautifully and seemed to be enjoying yourself. It didn’t look like something you dislike.”
Brian-sama took my hand and guided me to a chair by the wall, letting me sit.
It felt just like having a partner at a ball.
If balls were like this, they might actually be wonderful.
For the first time, I thought so.
Looking around the room, I saw several musicians preparing to play.
Among them was Madame Mont, my family’s tutor, seated at the piano with sheet music open.
“I invited three musicians from the ducal household. It’s easier with music.”
A small ensemble of violin, cello, flute, and piano was formed.
“Vice-Captain, may we review the contredanse?”
At Brian-sama’s instruction, lively and cheerful music began to play.
He extended his hand toward me.
I placed my gloved hand over his, just like the noble ladies I had seen at balls.
And yet, it felt completely natural.
Why had I been so stiff before?
Now, I wanted to dance.
Following my brother’s lead, the four of us began moving again.
With music, it was three times more enjoyable than before.
It felt as if both my body and heart were lifted lightly within the sound.
Before I knew it, I was smiling again.
The others were smiling too, clearly enjoying themselves.
After dancing two songs in a row, we took a break.
As I wiped away sweat, I was surprised at how fun dancing could be, and regretted having avoided it all this time.
“Shall we try a waltz next?”
Brian-sama said, and the music changed.
A graceful, flowing melody began.
The waltz…
I couldn’t remember the steps.
A hand was extended toward me, but I clutched my own hands to my chest and looked up at him.
“I’ve forgotten the steps. I might step on your feet.”
“If it’s you, Maria, I’ll let you step on them. Please, step as much as you like.”
“Lucky you, Maria. It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t mind being stepped on.”
I don’t want to step on anyone!
“Then please dance with me first, Brother. I’ll step on you as much as I like.”
I stood in front of him.
He looked displeased.
“Let’s see if your hold is alright.”
He placed one of my hands on his, put his other hand on my back, and gently drew me closer.
It felt a little embarrassing—and too close.
Was that on purpose?
“Hey, you look like you’ve got complaints, but this is the standard hold,” he said sarcastically, looking down at me.
Still, it was close.
If we moved, our chests might touch.
Because it was my brother, it felt both acceptable and uncomfortable—a strange feeling.
“Bell, fix her posture.”
Bell hurried over and adjusted my shoulders and back little by little.
Once she did, the awkwardness became less noticeable.
Standing slightly angled meant I didn’t have to face him directly.
“Alright, let’s go over the basic steps.”
As he guided me, I panicked, and my feet wouldn’t keep up at all.
I stumbled around clumsily like a flustered goose.
“Up you go,” he said, lifting me slightly and setting me back down straight, like one would with a child.
Annoyed, I pouted, but he simply said, “Let’s start with the steps,” and stopped the music.
We practiced the steps facing each other, and then he demonstrated again with Bell.
As I watched their dance intently, Brian-sama stepped in front of me.
“Let’s practice together.”
“Then… can we dance without getting too close, so I don’t step on you?”
“As you wish, my lady.”
With a gentle smile, he extended his hand toward me.