Chapter 21

‘It is like the start of a provocative drama.”

The aristocrats that Ian and I know so well as well as the commoners in the minority meandered around us like hyenas with curious looks and steam coming from their nostrils. Ian became incredibly uncomfortable with me blatantly ignoring him, flattering Nine continuously, and the moment the party started, Ian ordered for some music to be played.

Everyone grew far from us in order to dance, but even as their feet danced, their gazes were attached to us. As a result, they stepped fancily all over their clothes and shoes but there wasn’t a single complaint.

“Melissa-.”

“I can’t dance.”

I told off Ian while smiling as though I was doing all I could do to avoid the situation. Inwardly, I flipped the bird to him.

“My partner dislikes me dancing.”

Nine looked as though he had heard it for the first time, but I ignored it.

“Besides, my father thinks negatively of me dancing with the opposite gender.”

Ian, who had known Duke Podebrat for 18 years, looked as though he was hearing this for the first time, but what do you want me to do?

“Melissa, please……. Even if you act in this way, there’s nothing good for you.”

Finally, Ian’s face showed his irritation. It seems he has as much wit as he has conscience. I’m a person who loves it when you show an expression like that.

“I wonder. I’m telling you that even if I want to dance, the men in my surroundings don’t want me to, so I can’t? I’m not sure why you’re acting like this…….”

I leisurely took hold of glass from a passing servant.

Crash.

“Oh my, I apologize. My hand slipped.”

No matter how one looked at it, I had thrown it onto the floor, but I shamelessly threw a fit about how my hand had slipped. And.

“Oh my, I apologize. It’s time for my foot to slip this time.”

Crash. The heel of my high heel grinded into the glass. The poor glass shattered into a million pieces.

“When I dance, sometimes, my foot slips just like this. Perhaps that’s why?”

I smiled naively and tilted my head to one side.

Of course, there wasn’t a person who didn’t understand what I meant by my actions, even if it was Ian; if you dared to dance with me, I would make a mess of your feet like I did with the glass.

Ian’s mouth opened as if he wanted to say something, but he withdrew and grabbed the hand of another lady.

‘How refreshing.’

I hummed and walked towards the corner of the party with Nine.

“Nine, you’re doing a good job. Thanks to you, everything’s going smoothly.

I whispered in his ear as I handed a flute of champagne to him.

I’ll have to reward him with a large amount of money. I could hear the sound of Melissa’s emergency funds growing empty, but it couldn’t be helped.

“…….”

Nine smiled softly and shook his head. I giggled and raised the flute of champagne in cheers of our victory.

The next second, Nine suddenly grew pale. Those pink eyes grew wide. Almost as if he was surprised.

“…… Nine?”

At my question, Nine agitatedly looked around before looking at me and mouthing his words.

I, am, sor, ry, Nine mouthed soundlessly.

“Hm?”

Before I could ask why Nine was acting strangely, Nine hurriedly let go of my hand and disappeared into the mass.

What’s happening?

I was flustered and attempted to chase after Nine, but soon the blue hair disappeared from in front of my eyes. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t understand his actions.

Did I do something wrong? Or did Ian threaten him without me knowing?

However, I had done very little to say I had done something wrong, and Ian was still on the dance floor.

It was definitely an expression that was struck with fear.

“Did he want to go to the bathroom……?”

That was the only conclusion I could come to. No, really must be a dirty or childish reason.

If that wasn’t true either, then I had no other conclusion to come to. He’ll come back if I wait. That’s what I thought as I sipped my champagne.

***