[2]
Debutante Ball D -5
With the news of Andrew’s long-awaited visit to the manor today, I began my preparations at the crack of dawn, taking a long soak in a rose-filled bath and massaging myself with scented oils.
With the scent of roses drifting from my body and a simple white dress that was his favorite, I sat in the parlor, quietly replaying in my mind what I was going to do today.
In fact, the dress I was wearing was very modest at first glance, but when I tilted my upper body, it exposed my collarbone in a flattering way. It was a dress worn specifically to show him, who still treated me as a child, that I was already a mature woman.
I had barely calmed my nerves with a hot cup of tea when there was a knock at the door and Andrew entered the parlor, escorted by a servant. Dressed in a dapper black suit, he greeted me, his dazzlingly handsome face beaming as always.
“Glory, it’s been a while. You seem even more beautiful since we last met.”
“Your Grace, it’s been a while indeed. Have you been well at the estate?”
“Glory, you don’t have to be so formal between us. And calling me ‘Your Grace’… Just call me by my name as you used to, or even ‘brother’ if you prefer.”
As I bowed politely, he reached out and took my hand, leading me to the parlor couch.
“Still, how can I… be so rude to the Duke…..”
“I don’t mind, just relax and treat me like you used to. Okay?”
“Well..… if that’s what you’re comfortable with.”
“Come to think of it, this is the first time we’ve met since I was appointed as a Duke. I’ve been busy and didn’t get the opportunity to come.”
“I see. I’ve heard a lot about you from brother. He says you’re doing a great job, even though you took over the dukedom so suddenly.”
“James is exaggerating, I am riddled with shortcomings.”
“I’ve seen your talent since I was a child. You’re being too modest.”
“Haha, I’m so happy to hear you say that.”
I was momentarily mesmerized by the genuinely pleased smile on his face, and when our eyes locked, I took a deep breath, my cheeks were flushed.
“I’m so grateful that you’ve agreed to be my partner between your busy schedule.”
“No, I’m honored to be the partner for such a beautiful girl. I heard that the Crown Prince has been courting you as well, won’t you regret partnering with me?”
“What are you talking about… I’ve never thought of anyone but Lord Andrew in the first place. Oops!”
Having unwittingly revealed my true feelings, my face burned as red as the setting sun.
“I’m glad. Now let’s prepare to make the debutante an unforgettable day for Glory!”
I was so grateful for his casual way of changing the subject, so I wouldn’t be embarrassed. With a huge smile on my face, I accepted his escort to the hall with the piano.
“Now, don’t stress. Just make yourself comfortable.”
“Yes.”
After politely bowing to each other as if we were actually dancing at a banquet, Andrew and I began to dance to the piano played by my nanny, Sophia.
With his strong arm around my waist and our hands joined, this moment felt like a dream. At times intense, at times gentle, he skilfully led in sync with the music. I let myself be guided by him.
I was so happy throughout the dance that I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, and he had a joyful smile on his face as he watched me. Then, at one point, I made a move that caused my upper body to lean forward, and the smile on his face disappeared without a trace.
As he paused for a moment, I cheered inwardly, ‘Yes, this is it!’ but on the outside, I looked at him with a questioning look on my innocent face, as if I were clueless. Then, as if on cue, he started to lead the dance again.
I stifled a squeal of happiness as his gaze lingered on my breasts the entire time, and I repeated the flirtatious movements, rubbing my breasts against his body a little more boldly, tilting my upper body slightly to give him a better view of my cleavage.
As I watched his face stiffen, I couldn’t help but feel my heart pounding in my chest. As the tips of my breasts brushed up against his hard chest, I couldn’t help worrying that he might notice me getting wet.
However, I couldn’t stop myself from flirting with him because it was the first time I saw him reacting as ‘a man’.
When the music finally ended, we politely greeted each other, my heart was pounding like a drum, and I wondered if he could hear it.
“……I’m sorry, Glory, but I think we’ll have to call it a day. I have some business to take care of. I don’t think we would need to practise further…..”
“C-could spare some time before the banquet? I’m still not quite comfortable with the dance.”
I hadn’t succeeded in wooing him, but I couldn’t just back down. So I blushed shyly and asked him to give me another chance. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then nodded in agreement. He promised to come back in two days, and hurried out of the mansion.
“Sophia, what about you? Do you think that Andrew finally sees me as a woman?”
“Yes, Miss. It seemed that way to me, too.”
Sophia, who knew better than anyone my long-time crush on him, was genuinely happy for me.
“Sophia, I think we can make some progress on the next day. When Andrew comes, can you make an excuse and give us some alone time?”
“Uh, but miss.. if it’s only the two of you….”
“Oh, don’t worry, Sophia, it’ll be fine, it’s just that I want to tease the Duke a little more, okay?”
“Sigh.. Ok, Miss.”
With that firm promise from Sophia, I set to work on a new plan for enticing the Duke.
***
Debutante Ball D -3
The dress I prepared for today was a bold red dress. It especially emphasized my burgeoning breasts and outlined the curves nicely. I draped a modest bolero over the dress and waited for Duke Andrew to arrive.
When the servant announced that he had finally arrived, I did not wait in the parlor, but went straight down to the first floor hall to wait for him. A few moments later, as he entered the hall, escorted by a servant, I smiled and greeted him.
“Lord Andrew, welcome! Thank you for taking the time to visit.”
“It’s fine. I was just preoccupied with a few things. Now then, Glory, shall we get right to it?”
As if there were urgent matters to discuss, we exchanged greetings, and he promptly suggested we begin practicing the dance. I nodded in agreement, leaving the bolero I had been wearing on one side of the sofa.
At that moment, as his gaze swept over me from head to toe, especially lingering on my ample chest which seemed to burst. I unconsciously swallowed dryly and lowered my head slightly. Even though it was my intention all along, when I saw his intense gaze, I couldn’t bring myself to look him in the eye.
After a slightly tense silence that passed, he approached me step by step and extended his hand politely.
“Glory, you are so beautiful, will you do me the honor of dancing with you?”
“With pleasure.”
I gently placed one of my hands in his, and Andrew wrapped his strong arms around my waist, pressing my body against his. My heart began to pound wildly as we were so much closer than when we danced together two days ago.
As I was dancing frantically to his bold lead from the beginning, looking straight into his eyes, Sophia, who was playing the accompaniment as we had discussed beforehand, suddenly stopped playing the piano and said that her stomach was too sick. Apologizing repeatedly, she walked out of the hall.
I was momentarily off-centre and lost my footing as I stopped dancing in the middle of nowhere. He grabbed my waist as I fell backwards, but it happened so fast that he fell to the floor with me.
I landed on top of him and was fortunately unharmed, thanks to Andrew’s ability to quickly turn and protect me in the moment of impact.
But the sound of his heart beating at the same pace as mine, the hardness of his body pressed against my lower abdomen, the intensity of his eyes, which I’d never seen before, stiffened me to the point where I couldn’t move a finger.
After looking into my eyes for a long moment, Andrew closed his eyes, took a deep breath, cupped my face in his hands, and kissed my forehead. I gently closed my eyes. Then, after kissing my forehead once more, he pulled away and stood up, holding out his hand to me and asking softly,
“Does it hurt? Glory, are you hurt anywhere?”
“Thanks to the Duke, I’m fine. Are you okay?”
“I am alright. It’s better for Glory to take a rest. You must feel sore after a while.”
I took his hand and stood up, and as he smoothed out my clothes and tucked my dishevelled hair behind my ear, I lowered my head in shame, unable to meet his eyes. At that moment, my face turned into a shade that couldn’t be any redder as I stared at the bulge outlining his private parts through his clothes.
Clearing his throat briefly, he grasped my face with both hands and gently kissed my lips before whispering low in my ear, “Let’s meet at the debutante.”
My eyes widened in surprise at his kiss, and I stared at his back, unable to speak, until he gently stole my lips once more and quickly turned and walked out of the hall. Because It really felt like a dream!
A moment later.
“Miss, Miss, are you all right? Is the Duke gone?”
I pressed my lips together in disbelief, and the sound of Sophia’s voice brought me back to reality.
“Sophia, I’m happy! I’m so happy!”
Realizing that I had just kissed him, I grabbed Sophia’s hand and spun her around in circles, unable to stop laughing with joy.
“Yes, on my debutante day, I’m going to have him all to myself!
I counted down the days to Debutante Day with renewed enthusiasm.
***
