Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Was it because of the Grecian goddess-like design of her dress? Natalie's words carried an undeniable authority that was hard to ignore.

Mother stared blankly at Natalie’s retreating figure, lost in thought, before snapping back to reality.

“Doris, I know you’re worried about being compared to Natalie, but don’t let fear hold you back! Be ambitious!”

“Understood.”

“Then I’ll head downstairs first. Come down slowly. For now, everyone’s attention will be on Natalie anyway.”

With that, Mother descended to the first floor and began formally greeting the guests.

“Oh, Baron! It’s been ages since we last saw you. Yes, this is my daughter, Natalie. I’ll introduce you to my youngest daughter later.”

The baron responded with, “Ah, I look forward to it!” but his vacant expression remained fixed on Natalie.

Good. It seems they don’t expect much from me at all.

Mother pouted and looked up at me on the second floor, making a shooing motion with both hands. A signal to wait before coming down, apparently.

No problem. I wasn’t planning to go down anyway.

When will I get a chance to sneak out of here?

Half hopeful and half resigned, I watched Natalie.

How long could she hold everyone’s attention?

Right now, everyone was captivated by her, but in 30 minutes or so, they’d start circulating the hall, looking for partners who matched their circumstances.

I’ll admit she’s the most beautiful woman here, but beauty alone won’t—oh.

Natalie approached Arthur and spoke to him first. The room fell silent around them.

It didn’t take long for her to lead him to the center of the hall.

Arthur looks like he’d rather be anywhere else.

Was he forced to attend out of guilt for stepping on my foot?

Sensing an opportunity, Mother signaled the band to start playing earlier than planned.

As the introductory notes filled the air, only a few guests had successfully found partners. Naturally, all eyes turned to Natalie and Arthur, who had claimed the center of the hall.

I tensed as I watched them, worried Arthur might step on Natalie’s foot this time. Clearly, he wasn’t dancing so much as awkwardly walking in time with the music.

He must’ve come purely out of obligation.

There’s no way that bear of a man would start chasing after Natalie… wait.

Arthur’s expression shifted as they spoke during the dance. His head tilted slightly toward Natalie, while she smiled with a mischievous, villainous air.

The first dance ended.

Natalie stepped away promptly, maintaining her composure. Arthur, ever polite, retreated as well, but moments later, he picked up a glass of lemonade and began looking for her.

Just as I’d coached him.

So far, this was all just a typical scene at a banquet… until—

Huh?@@novelbin@@

Natalie declined the lemonade he offered. Arthur hesitated, set the glass aside, and returned to speak to her again.

What was he trying to say?

Natalie greeted him briefly but turned her head sharply, dismissing him.

Arthur withdrew, but he couldn’t seem to stop glancing at her. It wasn’t just me—others in the room were beginning to notice as well.

Carrying the weight of curious gazes, Natalie approached another gentleman nearby and began speaking to him, showing her dance card as she did so.

Wait, did Natalie just ask him to dance?

Mother, who had been watching Natalie intently, looked as if she might faint. Understandable. A lady requesting a dance was practically unheard of, especially for someone like Natalie, who prided herself on having men line up for her.

The surrounding guests, and even the gentleman she asked, appeared stunned. But, feeling the weight of the room’s attention—especially Arthur’s crestfallen gaze—the gentleman quickly signed his name on her dance card.

Natalie laughed brightly and stepped back.

The gentleman, now brimming with confidence, raised his chin and basked in the barrage of questions from his friends.

Ah, human vanity is so simple.

Someone popular approaches me? Grab the chance, no questions asked.

When the second dance began, Natalie and the gentleman stepped onto the floor. Arthur, who hadn’t found another partner, hovered nearby, trying to maintain a conversation with a chaperone while keeping his eyes fixed on Natalie.

The dance ended. Natalie declined the gentleman’s escort and sat down on a nearby chair, only to strike up a conversation with another gentleman as soon as Arthur began approaching.

What on earth is going on?

I wasn’t the only one wondering. The entire room seemed captivated by Natalie’s movements.

Why was Arthur so fixated on her? Did one dance really enchant him that much? What was Natalie thinking, teasing him so blatantly? And who were these foolish gentlemen willingly stepping into her traps?

Questions multiplied endlessly as the room’s attention zeroed in on Natalie.

And then—

No way…

Natalie accepted Arthur’s dance request!

Even those who had been ignoring the scene couldn’t help but snap their heads toward the dopamine-fueled spectacle.

Instinctively, I knew. Now was the perfect time to leave the party.

Suppressing my curiosity, I slipped toward the back door.

As soon as I returned from the Sacred Salon, I’d be asking Natalie exactly what she said to Arthur.

***

Parties are meant to be fun. They can’t help but be enjoyable.

From the music to the decorations on the walls, the drinks, the food, and even the very rules of engagement—they’re all designed around a single concept: enjoyment.

But the greatest thrill comes from controlling such a party.

“Ahahaha!”

Spinning wildly without care for the proper steps, Natalie reveled in childlike delight.

Her partner, Arthur, looked slightly at a loss.

“Miss Redfield, about what you were saying earlier…”

“What time is it now?”

“It’s ten o’clock.”

Already?

Doris must have left around seven-thirty, right?

She should be back soon. To bring this grand performance to its finale, Natalie gestured with her chin toward Arthur.

“Your back.”

“Pardon?”

“When a lady rises, you’re supposed to support her back.”

“Oh, understood!”

“Not with your wrist.”

“Wouldn’t placing my hand on her back make her uncomfortable?”

“Think again. If a lady has accepted a dance with you, she’d likely welcome such contact.”

“Ah, I see! Then—”

“Stop right there.”

Natalie’s gaze sharpened.

“Do I look like a lady who would welcome such contact from you?”

“…No, you don’t.”

“Read the room and adjust accordingly. Your good looks and status aren’t a universal key to everything.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Arthur carefully helped Natalie up and transitioned her into the next step. His demeanor remained impeccably polite despite her sharp remarks.

A man who could endure relentless critique without losing his composure—what a rare gem.

Natalie ground her teeth in regret.

Clueless but honest. He’d be perfect for Doris… such a waste!

But confirming his unwavering feelings for Maria made lingering regret pointless.

At least I succeeded. Doris owes me now.

Natalie glanced at the clock, relieved.

About three hours earlier.

The moment the party began, Natalie approached Arthur and greeted him.

With a face like a cow being led to market, Arthur replied, “Good evening, Lady Redfield.”

“This is only the second time we’ve met at the count’s estate. What do you think? Doesn’t it look much better decorated for a party than it did during your visit?”

“Yes… Is Miss Doris well? I don’t see her at the party.”

Arthur’s gaze wandered, showing neither excitement nor anticipation—just a tinge of guilt and obligation.

How boring.

“She said she’d come down later.”

With the kind of disinterest that dripped off his expression, Arthur extended a dance invitation out of mere courtesy. It had been a while since Natalie had received such a lackluster request.

But transforming indifference into passion was the spice of any party.

During their dance, Natalie leaned in and whispered, “Do you remember the day you visited? I went for a walk with Rick and Miss Maria after your call.”

“Of course I remember.”

“During that walk, Miss Maria casually asked me for advice about marriage. She was curious and wondered if a social elder could guide her.”

“What did she ask?”

Arthur’s eyes gleamed.

His thinly veiled desire confirmed Natalie’s suspicions.

So, he does like Maria.

On that day, while Arthur had maintained proper decorum in the drawing room, his every glance sparkled whenever Maria moved. It was the unmistakable look of a boy drowning in his first love.

Smiling gracefully, Natalie responded, “Do you think it’s proper to share someone else’s private concerns with you, Lord Albion? How impolite.”

“My apologies! Then… since I’m also here looking for a match, could you offer me some of that advice as well?”

“Your position is too different from Maria’s for it to be helpful. Let’s try an extreme example: if you and Maria were to marry, your family would…”

“My family would…?”

“Oh, look, the song is ending.”

Even though her tactics were transparent, Arthur reacted like a fish caught on the line, thrashing energetically.

“Lady Redfield! Will you honor me with the next dance as well?”

“The host cannot show such favoritism. Please enjoy the party to your heart’s content.”

As the song concluded, Natalie released Arthur’s hand. Predictably, Arthur behaved just as she had anticipated.

Like a puppy tasting treats for the first time, he came bounding back.

“Lady Redfield! For the next—”

At that moment, the gentleman who had asked Natalie to dance earlier stepped in confidently.

“I’m afraid I’m next, Lord Albion.”

“…”

The other men couldn’t resist the opportunity to outshine a duke. They all eagerly watched where Natalie moved, hanging on her every gesture.

Meanwhile, the ladies and chaperones who had lost potential partners glared daggers at Natalie from behind their fans while whispering feverishly about how she had managed to captivate Arthur.

Mother, observing this spectacle, was caught between delight and a sense of unease. “This is wonderful… isn’t it? But is this really okay?”

Meanwhile, Doris had already slipped out of the estate.

Time to toss the dog a bone.

As soon as Natalie gestured, Arthur abandoned all pretense and rushed over. Placing a hand on her lower back, he asked, “About earlier… What were you saying about my family? What would happen if I married Miss Maria?”

“How bold of you to ask outright. Since your approach is so direct, I’ll be equally frank.”