SOWD Chapter 73

Chapter 73

“Oh, by the way! There’s a party at the Chrysos Count’s estate in a few days, isn’t there? Did you receive an invitation?”

“Yes, I did.”

“So did I.”

Everyone present had received an invitation to the Chrysos Count’s party, but no one found it odd that only those invited were gathered here. Angela quickly shifted the conversation.

“I’m so, so excited about it.”

At that, Camille jumped in to help.

“Hmph. You’re not excited about the party; you’re excited about seeing someone’s face, aren’t you?”

“Kyaah, Camille! I told you it’s a secret!”

“So what? It’s not like it’s a crime. Why not ask these people for help instead?”

The mention of seeking help piqued everyone’s curiosity.

Angela, who had been waiting for the perfect moment, blushed deeply and confessed as though reluctantly.

“T-To tell the truth, I have feelings for Count Chrysos. Oh, what should I do?”

Even before she finished speaking, Angela covered her cheeks with both hands and let out a shy laugh. She was so endearing that even women couldn’t help but admire her.

The guests’ faces also lit up instantly when they realized this was about romance.

“Oh my, oh my!”

“Well, I did notice during the Bliss family party last time. Count Chrysos is surprisingly handsome.”

“That’s true. He’s good-looking, has a title, and his wealth isn’t bad either… His background might be a bit questionable, but he’s a count now, so it doesn’t matter much.”

A favorable atmosphere quickly took over.

Angela looked up at her guests with slightly hunched shoulders.

“So… Could you all possibly help me? To make Count Chrysos feel even the slightest affection for me… Oh dear, I’m so embarrassed just talking about it.”

The guests, fanning their flushed faces, looked fondly at Angela.

“Oh, this is our specialty!”

“Exactly. Though, does Angela really need help? Any man would fall in love with her at first sight!”

Angela knew better. She understood Laszlo wasn’t an easy target—after all, he had returned her portrait without a second thought.

“That’s not true. Besides, Count Chrysos seems a little… dense about these things.”

“He does give off that impression. Don’t worry; we’ll help.”

“Thank you so much! Oh, and by the way, I prepared a little gift to show my gratitude for attending this party despite your busy schedules.”

Angela handed each guest a tin of luxurious tea, known for its high price.

As the conversation shifted to tea, the guests didn’t realize the tea was a subtle token of appreciation for their help. However, when the party day came, none of them would be able to ignore Angela’s request.

I’ll be the first woman to dance with Laszlo Chrysos. Just watch.

A sly smile spread across Angela’s lips.

---

 

“Dance practice?”

“Yes, you need to practice.”

Laszlo tilted his head, puzzled, as he looked at Edel, who had called him and Rinia to an empty hall.

“I can manage. I danced with her last time at the Bliss family party.”

“At least you’re not entirely clueless. Would you like to try now?”

“Now? Here?”

“Yes!”

Edel’s cheerful reply left Laszlo momentarily speechless.

He had no desire to dance with his sister again, but disobeying Edel, who stood rigid like a drill instructor, was even harder.

As Laszlo and Rinia took their positions, the pianist Edel had brought began playing.

Laszlo missed the first beat but managed to stumble through the steps.

This should be enough.

Having completed the routine without making a single mistake, he looked at Edel for approval, only to freeze at her grim expression.

“What’s with that look?”

Instead of answering, Edel shook her head and approached the pianist.

“You might have to play several times today. I’ll pay extra, so please bear with us.”

She then strode over to the pair, who were still awkwardly holding hands.

Laszlo thought that even an assassin approaching him wouldn’t be as terrifying.

“Starting today, you’ll practice for two hours every day until the party. On the two days before the party, you’ll practice in full attire. Don’t forget.”

“Why go that far?”

“Aristocratic socializing begins and ends with dancing, Count. If your dancing has flaws, you can’t leave a strong impression.”

“It’s Rinia who’s the problem, not me. I was fine, wasn’t I?”

“…”

Edel, holding back a torrent of criticism, replied calmly with her usual composed demeanor.

“You’re fortunate to have a sense of rhythm and remember the steps. Everything else is a mess.”

“I thought you’d go easy on me.”

“I was holding back. Now, let’s try again.”

Taking on the role of a strict instructor, Edel began correcting every mistake.

It wasn’t long before Laszlo realized how much Edel had been restraining herself—her critiques were endless.

“Dancing is about connecting with your partner through music. Simply stepping in rhythm isn’t dancing; it’s exercise.”

“As the lead, the man must prioritize the woman. Be a solid anchor she can trust. Yes, just like that!”

“Spin gracefully, forming a smooth circle. Step quickly but not clumsily, with your weight on the balls of your feet. Focus!”

Edel’s voice echoed relentlessly through the hall, her clapping keeping time. Laszlo’s head was spinning. It had been ages since anyone had pushed him this hard.

Though pride kept him from complaining, he gritted his teeth and followed her instructions. To his credit, his natural athleticism helped him improve quickly.

But Rinia was a different story.

“Don’t panic; just take one step forward… No, let’s try again.”

“Trust your partner; you won’t fall. Bend more for elegance. Relax your hands!”

“This isn’t working. Can you try it alone from the beginning?”

“Remember the rhythm! One, two, three, four! One, two—Miss, focus!”

Rinia, flustered, tripped over her own feet. Edel caught her before she fell, but Rinia let out a long sigh, her confidence shaken.

After a moment of thought, Edel turned to Laszlo, who was laughing so hard he was clutching his stomach.

“Oh, it’s been a while since I laughed like this.”

“Count, would you help me?”

“Huh? Me?”

Laszlo, who had been wiping away his tears, was taken aback but obediently took his position in the hall again as Edel led him.

“It seems like Miss Rinia has never properly watched a good dance, so she’s struggling. So, from now on, just watch carefully what I do.”

“Uh, okay!”

As Rinia sat down in a chair, Edel took Laszlo’s hand and placed it around her waist, holding the other with her other hand, and they began to take their positions.

“We’ll start the waltz. Just do as you were doing before.”

In the unexpected situation, Laszlo stiffened, his body locking up. As Edel’s waist came close to his, he instinctively wanted to pull back.

But Rinia was watching. After laughing at her earlier, any mistake here would likely make Rinia laugh even harder and mock him more cruelly.

He nodded and, noticing Edel’s subtle signal to the pianist, the smooth melody of the waltz began to flow through the room.

Without thinking, his feet began to move in time with the music.

It’s different from dancing with Rinia.

After only a few steps, Laszlo realized that dancing could completely change depending on the partner.

When dancing with Rinia, he had to focus all his energy on supporting her stiff and clumsy movements, but Edel was light and fluid, as graceful as soft feathers or flowing water.

Because of that, Laszlo’s body relaxed, and his movements became much smoother and more natural than during practice.

“You’re doing well.”

The soft praise, almost a whisper, made his heart flutter, and without thinking, he turned his gaze toward Edel.

As though she had sensed his gaze, Edel’s eyes met his.

In that moment, Laszlo felt as though his breath caught. Her eyes, shining like emerald waters on a summer day, were mesmerizing.