SOWD Chapter 80

Chapter 80

It wasn’t because I looked odd wearing a dress for the first time in a while.

“Why am I smiling?”

I was smiling.

Brightly, like someone anticipating an exciting event.

It startled me so much that I slapped my cheeks lightly with both hands.

“Get a grip. This isn’t my party.”

Far from being a joyous occasion, I couldn’t predict the rumors that would spread about me after dancing with Laszlo today.

Determined, I adjusted my outfit one last time and took a deep breath.

Then, with quick steps, I descended to the hall alone. I expected to feel the sting of glaring eyes as I approached Laszlo, but he recognized me immediately, walked over, and extended his hand first.

“…You look much better than in your uniform.”

“I’ll be sure to organize a session to study attire later!”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“It is.”

With a barely moving smile on her lips, Idel issued her stern declaration and continued walking to the center of the hall without hesitation.

Most people in the hall recognized Idel, and the party fell into a stunned silence. Laszlo, however, broke that silence loudly.

“The first waltz seems to have started a little late. Let’s begin.”

With a slight nod to the conductor, Laszlo signaled the start. The conductor raised his baton high, and as the bow of the string instrument began to move, so did the tips of Laszlo and Idel’s shoes, naturally falling in sync.

A bright melody flowed to the slow rhythm of the waltz, and the two, holding hands, swayed gently back and forth before spinning elegantly around the spacious hall.

The astonishment over Idel Lancaster’s appearance quickly gave way to admiration for her grace and elegance.

“Oh my… She’s still such a splendid dancer.”

“Well, she was once the most celebrated dancer of the social circle.”

Even without specifics, everyone knew exactly who the compliment was aimed at.

It had only been a year since the Lancaster dukedom was destroyed.

Until then, Idel had been the most elegant and beautiful dancer in society.

Even Laszlo surprised many.

“Count Chrissus is quite the dancer himself!”

“Indeed. Did he hire a private tutor?”

“I’ve never heard of a tutor teaching dance in the Chrissus household…”

Though Laszlo’s leading movements were smooth, there was an undeniable strength behind them. It was less refined than a textbook dance, but it matched his image perfectly.

Of course, the conversations behind fans leaned more toward Idel and Laszlo’s relationship than their dancing skills.

“I don’t care what others gossip about.”

Matching her steps with Laszlo’s, Idel thought.

Having grown up in the heart of the social circle, she could guess exactly what people were whispering about.

This was tame compared to the gossip when she married the Duke of Lancaster, but it could easily worsen in time.

Even so, she didn’t mind.

“I’ll do everything I can to help. Count Chrissus has done more than that for me.”

When she was dragged to the capital, she had been so terrified of the miserable life awaiting her that she’d considered ending it all. Thinking back, the very fact that she was alive and breathing was thanks to Laszlo.

Besides, she was no longer a noble and had no reputation to protect.

Thus, standing before everyone as Laszlo’s partner didn’t frighten her. In fact, to be honest, it was much better than watching Laszlo dance with Angela while enduring stares herself.

“Lady Bliss is just using Count Chrissus to elevate herself.”

Angela cared greatly about how others perceived her. She wanted other women to envy her.

Had Laszlo not been so striking, she wouldn’t have considered him, no matter his title or wealth.

There was no way Angela suddenly felt destiny calling her to Laszlo when he hadn’t changed except for his appearance.

“She must have decided he would make a great accessory now that he’s handsome. Only then did she notice his title and wealth.”

Idel knew she wasn’t in a position to judge Angela. Still, she hoped this naive man would meet someone who genuinely respected and valued him.

“If he liked Lady Bliss, I wouldn’t even be having these thoughts.”

Idel glanced at Laszlo, who was dancing far better than she had taught him, and smiled softly.

He, too, was smiling at her. Though it seemed sweet, Idel couldn’t help but feel a slight bitterness in her mouth.

---

“Oh my, my! What in the world is going on here?”

“Exactly! With Lady Angela here, why would he dance with that woman?”

The ladies trying to pair Angela with Laszlo whispered frantically, while Angela herself suppressed the bubbling anger within her.

“He said I scolded him for not showing interest in me earlier—what is this, payback?”

When her proposal was rejected, she brushed it off lightly, thinking, “It happens.”

Of course, she hoped he would eventually fall for her beauty. Still, she understood why the emperor’s close confidant wouldn’t accept the first marriage proposal that came his way.

Angela had merely wanted to make an impression before anyone else.

 

“I’ll be his first. Firsts are hard to forget.”

During the preparation for the party, Angela was brimming with confidence.

She was certain that the woman Laszlo’s eyes would follow would be none other than herself.

But her expectations were utterly shattered.

While other men were overjoyed just by her acknowledging them, Laszlo showed nothing but annoyance.

When the ladies she had recruited beforehand brought up topics like marriage or dancing, he seemed as though he was barely suppressing his irritation.

“Fine, let’s say that much is understandable. But to reject me and choose as a partner someone like Idel Lancaster? A criminal who isn’t even a noble anymore?”

If things continued like this, Angela feared she would become the laughingstock of the very women she had asked for help.

To regain composure, Angela softened her eyebrows into a gentle expression and whispered to them.

“Count Chrissus must have felt overwhelmed. I’ve ended up causing you all distress. I’m so sorry.”

“Oh, Angela dear, you’ve done nothing wrong. Honestly, Count Chrissus still has a lot to learn about noble etiquette.”

“Exactly. This is probably his first party and the first time dancing with a woman other than his sister. He was likely flustered or shy, so he chose an easy partner like a housekeeper.”

Everyone tried their best to gloss over the awkward situation. Angela, acting the part of the pitiful princess, let herself be consoled by their words until she decided it was the right moment to speak.

“But the rumors are hard to ignore.”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

“Since I care deeply for Count Chrissus, I’ve always kept an ear out for news about him. But according to a rather reliable source… oh, I wonder if saying this might cause trouble for the Count…”

Even people with no prior interest become curious when someone leaves a statement unfinished like that.

The women leaned in closer to Angela, urging her to continue.

“Do you think we’d misunderstand Count Chrissus? Speak freely.”

“Exactly. Let us hear it and make sense of it ourselves.”

Only then did Angela glance toward Idel, who was dancing with Laszlo, and continued.

“They say when that woman first arrived at the Chrissus estate, she was assigned as a laundry maid. Yet, in just one year, she’s been promoted to housekeeper. Could that really have happened simply because she’s capable?”

Ordinarily, such a thing would be unheard of.

A prisoner implicated in treason reappearing in society was shocking enough, but a former laundry maid becoming a housekeeper in a year and then acting as the host’s partner at a party?

“Are you suggesting there’s another reason for it?”

“Well, according to that source… that woman is a very ambitious person, contrary to her appearance. They say she’s using Count Chrissus to regain what she lost by seducing him.”

“Is that true? Who is this source?”

“They say she was the head maid at the Chrissus household from its inception, but Idel Lancaster drove her out and took her position.”

As the ladies widened their eyes and stared at Idel, Angela added one final remark.

“I’m just so worried about the Count.”

Angela was genuinely concerned—concerned that someone like Idel, who was practically a has-been, might steal Laszlo away from her.

 

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