Chapter 147

It was about an hour of intense dance etiquette training, and it wasn’t easy at all.

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As expected, it’s quite a story.

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To learn dancing within this time frame is already pushing it, and to move according to the manners of nobility and to coordinate with a partner seamlessly, it’s no small feat.

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Moreover, to show movements that would satisfy socialite ladies, even a simple dance seemed out of reach. The tempo was so complex and difficult that they had to perform high-level dances, making their limbs twist and turn.

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One was a beginner, and the other was moving as if holding a mannequin, so they hadn’t actually danced together before.

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And with time pressing on them,

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In their desperate attempts to practice quickly, scenes of stumbling and collapsing happened frequently.

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However, there was a real reason why they weren’t making any progress.

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– *Stomp*.

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Someone stepped on another’s foot. It was likely Carsein stepping on Harnier’s foot since he was new to dancing.

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“Gyeh.”

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“No, I mean… Sorry!”

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Ironically, Carsein was the one who got stepped on, not Harnier. He stepped on his own teacher’s foot.

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“Hmm… Let’s try again.”

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“Okay…”

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Despite the difficulties, Carsein didn’t give up. Following him, Harnier started practicing again.

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But,

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– *Stomp*.

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“Harnier, you stepped on my left foot.”

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“I’m sorry!”

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– *Squeeze*.

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“Harnier? If you do that, I can’t move!”

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“Gasp…! I’m sorry!”

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– *Screech*!

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“Aaah?! This will cause us to collide…!”

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“Ah!”

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– *Bam*!

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Again and again, Carsein stepped on Harnier’s feet, hindering her movements. It got worse when she slipped and fell or twisted her posture, hitting her head. Meanwhile, Harnier struggled to focus.

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On the contrary, Carsein was concentrating and improving gradually.

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“It might be better to take a break for the remaining time.”

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Carsein suggested taking a break, arguing that trying harder here wouldn’t help much, and it could be dangerous if they made mistakes due to tension. Harnier silently nodded in agreement.

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“I’ll do my best. If anything, I’ll cover for myself by playing with my pride and making excuses.”

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The practice ended that way. Carsein went out first to make it look natural, leaving Harnier alone on the terrace.

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As soon as Carsein left, Harnier let out a sigh.

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“Haah… I need to get a grip. Why am I like this?”

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Honestly, Carsein improved faster than she imagined. She could tell just from a little guidance that his skills were growing.

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Yet, during the entire dance practice, she couldn’t concentrate.

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Already pressed for time, needing to perfect every detail, she found herself lost in thoughts. She couldn’t understand why she was thinking such things.

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Seeing Carsein surrounded by young ladies made her inexplicably unhappy, though there was no reason to feel that way. She just felt her brow furrow, and without much thought, dragged him away.

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She snatched his hand, glared at him, and brought him to the terrace, feeling pleased, even though logically, she shouldn’t have.

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Even when passing by, she felt irritated. Being held back felt annoying. Whenever a noble lady touched her arm or wrist, her eyes twitched involuntarily. Why was she reacting like this?

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She didn’t know.

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What she did know was that she was acting oddly.

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“Gyaah! Ugh… Why am I like this…?”

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Fuming over trivial things, she found herself questioning why she never mentioned the engagement.

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Not only that,

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When Carsein was pushed closer, her face flushed, and she abruptly turned away.

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Reflecting now, each moment felt embarrassing.

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Embarrassment burned her cheeks.

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Oddly enough, despite her tantrum, Carsein’s few words immediately eased her mood.

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“But I thought you might dislike it.”

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“Considering how you suffered from all the advances and flirtations from men, I thought it wouldn’t be right for me to say something like that.”

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Dislike it?

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It shouldn’t be said?

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It was the first time someone understood her so deeply.

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Usually, she received jealousy and envy from women and gave up on being understood by men.

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But in this ambiguous relationship bound by a contract, this man showed boundless care.

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That must have been when—

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A heart-pounding sensation filled her chest.

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Because of this, her breathing faltered and her rhythm went off during the dance.

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“…Why am I like this, Harnier?”

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It’s just a contract engagement.

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She couldn’t shake it off, so it wasn’t strange for her to sigh.

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But stranger still,

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She didn’t find the fluttering of her heart unpleasant.

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-Swipe.

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“No, I need to get a grip. What am I thinking?”

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Harnier shook her head and stood up immediately.

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Just a contract.

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They’re bound to part ways eventually.

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Like Carsein said,

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“One day, you’ll meet a good man and get married, won’t you?”

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They weren’t real fiancés.

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“Time to get up. I can’t keep daydreaming like this.”

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Now, the important thing was to prevent her lies from being exposed.

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She needed to focus on dancing naturally with him.

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But as soon as she stood up, her leg gave out, and she winced.

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“…Damn it.”

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Pain shot through her upper body and legs, causing her to wince.

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She managed to hold on until now, but practicing with Carsein made the pain intensify.

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The Marquis House prepared a tight dress, hoping Harnier would leave the party midway.

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Social circles spread rumors about Hellie’s gift, forcing her to wear it.

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Despite the pressure, Harnier persevered.

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“Just bear with it, Harnier. You’ve faced this before, so you should be used to it.”

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She had endured countless pressures from the Marquis House.

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She had suffered social circles’ torment, knowing no one would listen to her complaints.

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Either way, she was familiar with these situations.

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She couldn’t afford to ruin her position by causing trouble for Carsein.

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-Tap. Tap.

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Naturally.

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As if she felt no pain,

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Harnier approached Carsein with a smile.

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***

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When Harnier finished practicing and came outside,

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The Main Hall welcomed the Duke House.

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“Look over there! The Bargrand Duke House!”

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“Oh my…”

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With the arrival of the Bargrand Duke House, the party hall became bustling.

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Unwillingly admitting, such a reaction was typical among nobles.

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At the peak of nobility, each person exuded remarkable grace.

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“The Young Lady Flora is still as lively as ever.”

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“She’s lively, but she doesn’t neglect proper etiquette. That’s truly…”

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“Her noble essence shines through her petite form.”

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To her, Flora was just a troublesome brat.

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“Is she wearing this to promote a new product?”

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“Young Lady Claire mentioned launching a new brand…”

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“Amazing. How can she remain so fashionable?”

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Claire, who made snide remarks while holding her hand.

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“Here you are! The flawless successor of the Bargrand Duke House!”

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“Young Lady Ariana is a model of nobility in herself, isn’t she?”

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“The Bargrand Duke House has a worthy successor.”

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Ariana, who found nothing suitable for her in the Duke House.

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After all, they were nobles and descendants of the Bargrand Duke House.

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From their reactions, it was clear.

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‘In contrast… This side is treated like leftover food.’

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-Swish.

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“By the way, where’s one person?”

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“Maybe they left because they knew their place? If that’s the case, it makes sense.”

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“If they left, it means they have some sense. Hehe.”

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Between the murmurs, voices criticizing Carsein, completely different from the three who stepped on the carpet earlier, could be heard.

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“Let them talk.”

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As she shrugged, a hand gently covered hers.

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It was obvious whose hand it was.

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“Will it go well if we follow our practice?”

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She smiled and took his hand.

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“I don’t know. I made so many mistakes earlier that I’m not sure if I practiced enough…”

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Her condition didn’t seem to improve much.

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Dancing was unfamiliar to her, and her lack of skill was the problem.

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“I’ll do my best. Don’t worry, I’ll come up with an excuse if it doesn’t work out.”

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“There’s no need for you to do that for me…”

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“At most, it’ll just be more gossip.”

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Even worse things had happened to her. Gossip was just minor compared to those.

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Meanwhile, a group of young ladies approached us.

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“You two seem really close.”

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That girl.

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“Young Lady Hellie.”

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“I saw you last time too. You two seem very close. So, you’ll definitely dance perfectly, right, Young Lady Harnier?”

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Laughter echoed from the young ladies.

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“We’ll be looking forward to it, both of you.”

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Their brief words faded away.

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There was nothing left to say. It was pointless.

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“Esteemed nobles of the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting! Welcome. I am your host—”

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As the lights dimmed,

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A spotlight revealed the host.

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“Today’s ball features special guests! Please welcome them with applause!”

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Briefly announcing the start of the ball, he shone the spotlight on us.

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“Rude. He’s signaling us to come forward forcefully.”

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“There’s no choice. I’ll do what I can.”

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The entire Bargrand Duke House watched her.

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Even if she fails, it’ll affect her greatly.

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She couldn’t dance, but at least she wouldn’t trip Harnier.

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-Bing!

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‘Huh?’

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▶Emergency Mission Activated!◀

▶Timely afterimages will appear. Perform the correct pose each time for points!◀

▶Higher scores reduce mockery from nobles and avoid penalties.◀

▶You in the dance hall! Become the best dancer!◀

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‘Wait. Maybe…’

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It might be possible.

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To dance properly.

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