‘It’s not a waltz…’

Cecilia observed the dancers with interest.

‘A minuet?’

But the steps and rhythm were different from the minuets Cecilia knew.

‘Step back once, then raise their arms there…’

She quickly caught on to the pattern.

Even with some variations in form, it was all the same to her.

And when it came to dancing, Cecilia was confident. From a young age, her instructors had praised her for being a quick learner and an excellent dancer.

The previously empty hall was now nearly filled with people dancing.

Cecilia turned her head.

She met Russell’s gaze, which had been fixed on her the entire time, but she didn’t think much of it. Her mind was completely focused on the minuet.

“Do you know how to dance that?”

The servants were dancing skillfully.

She wondered if it might be a cultural dance of the lower classes and decided to ask.

“I learned when I was young.”

“Then teach me.”

“……”

“If you’re not good at it, I’ll find someone else—”

Before she could finish, Russell immediately stood up and extended his hand to her.

The thought of her dancing with someone else? He wouldn’t allow it.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

When the lord and lady stepped down from the platform and walked toward the dancers, cheers erupted from all around.

The crowd parted to create space for them.

“The lord dancing? It’s been so long.”

“I can still picture the young lord, shorter than me, dancing back then.”

An elderly woman dabbed at her reddened eyes.

“Hasn’t it been about ten years?”

“Do you think the lord even remembers how to dance?”

“But the lady won’t know the steps either.”

The crowd watched the pair with a mix of worry and anticipation.

The dance began with the man and woman facing each other, taking a step forward simultaneously.

On the continent, a minuet was typically danced to a slower rhythm.

But here, the tempo was brisk.

Even though Cecilia had carefully observed the steps, she faltered at first.

‘Turn left here, wait—oh.’

She almost turned the wrong way, but Russell smoothly guided her in the correct direction.

In truth, Russell had been a little worried.

It had been so long since he last danced—the winter when he was thirteen, to be exact.

But his body still remembered the steps he had learned as a child.

Without much thought, his movements came naturally.

As he helped her through her minor missteps, he couldn’t help but admire her.

‘She doesn’t seem like someone learning this for the first time today.’

In Lagos, this dance was taught to everyone, regardless of status or gender, from a young age.

Music and dance were among the few forms of entertainment in Lagos.

When people had little else to enjoy, they found ways to savor what they did have.

This led to long, repetitive sequences of dance steps.

The quick rhythm meant that missing a beat could easily disrupt the entire dance.

“The lady is excellent at this!”

“She must’ve learned and practiced beforehand.”

“It’s delightful to watch. My eyes feel blessed.”

Once Cecilia got the hang of it, she began to enjoy herself.

Moving her body precisely to the rhythm brought her a sense of exhilaration. She even enjoyed the slight breathlessness that came with the activity.

Cecilia smiled, utterly caught up in the moment.

It was an unconscious smile, and those watching her couldn’t help but smile along.

Everyone’s eyes were on the lord and lady as they danced with beaming faces.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

The dance music had no clear beginning or end—it could be repeated endlessly.

People watching the lord and lady dance grew more excited and joined in. Soon, the hall was packed with dancers.

The musicians seemed energized, playing their instruments with greater vigor.

The voices and laughter of those eating and drinking grew louder.

The communal dining hall was brimming with the festive spirit of the night.

Although dancing was considered a cultured skill for noblewomen, an excessive love for it was seen as a flaw.

And there was an unexpected challenge—finding the right partner.

Nobles, with their lack of physical activity, often had poor stamina. Dancing consumed quite a bit of energy, after all. After just a few waltzes, many men would need a break.

‘This is great. I’m having fun.’

For the first time, Cecilia danced to her heart’s content.

Russell was the most ideal dance partner she had ever encountered.

He kept pace with her effortlessly, showing no signs of fatigue or irritation.