The starting and ending movements of the dance were the same.

If the man and woman stepped back, then stepped forward again, the dance would continue seamlessly.

Cecilia, however, didn’t move at the final step.

Russell, about to step forward, paused.

When Cecilia lifted her dress slightly and bowed, Russell placed a hand over his chest and bowed as well.

A few of the onlookers, who had been watching the lord and lady dance the whole time, let out cheers.

Cecilia looked at Russell and smiled brightly.

She felt great. Was this what it meant to feel as light as air?

Returning to the table on the platform, she let out a small laugh.

Benjamine had slumped over her seat, snoring loudly.

A maid, flustered, said,

“I told her the wine was strong, but…”

“How many glasses did she have?”

“Five, Madam.”

“Oh dear.”

Having drank five glasses of the strong Sunset Wine, Benjamine wouldn’t wake up until late the next afternoon.

“Take her to her room and lay her down.”

“Yes, Madam.”

While the maids struggled to lift Benjamine, Cecilia turned to Russell.

“I want some fresh air.”

The two left the communal dining hall.

The hallway was dark and quiet.

It felt like stepping into another world compared to the lively noise of the hall.

“You’re a surprisingly good dancer,” she said.

Russell chuckled briefly.

“Look who’s talking.”

“I’ve always been good. But you don’t look like you’d be…”

“And how do I look?”

“Hmm…”

Russell tensed, wondering what she’d say next.

“The first day we met at the grand duke’s castle, you looked at me with such a scary expression.”

“Ah…”

“Like you were thinking, What kind of woman is this?”

“That’s not it. My face just naturally looks—”

Cecilia giggled at his flustered expression.

“You don’t smile much, do you?”

“…Why smile for no reason?”

“The people here rarely show much expression. They always look like they’re angry.”

“They’re not angry.”

“I know. It’s good not to force a smile. Smiling all the time is exhausting.”

For noblewomen, even in the face of unbearable misery, smiling brightly in social settings was a way of life.

“You were just mocking me in your head, weren’t you?”

“What? Of course not.”

“What’s this spoiled woman even talking about? That’s what you were thinking just now, weren’t you?”

“No.”

“Then what were you thinking?”

Russell looked at her and said,

“I was thinking I want to kiss you.”

Cecilia blinked a few times, then turned her gaze away.

The cool air that had been calming her seemed to vanish, her body warming again.

“…Your vest. I’ll return it today.”

But no response came from him.

The two walked in silence.

Her room grew closer with every step.

This time, unlike before, he neither took her hand nor hurried his pace.

Cecilia was curious about his expression but couldn’t bring herself to look.

There was an inexplicable tension between them, fragile yet palpable.

They arrived at her room.

As Cecilia turned the doorknob and glanced back, Russell’s arm wrapped around her waist.

A shadow fell over her face, and his lips captured hers.

“Mmnh…”

Cecilia closed her eyes.

A hot tongue slipped between her lips, coiling around her own and drawing her in. It slid deeper into her mouth, caressing the inside.

A faint growl rumbled from deep in his throat.

Feeling his desire, Cecilia’s body instantly grew warmer. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

She had to stand on her tiptoes, but even in that unsteady position, her body didn’t waver.

His hands firmly supported her waist.

In the darkness behind her closed eyes, an image of the giant wolf pelt she had seen earlier flashed by.

Was this the man who had hunted such a formidable beast? The strength with which he effortlessly lifted her must have been nothing to him.

She wondered how he looked while hunting. What kind of expression, what gaze, did he wear as he brought the beast down?

To a nobleman accustomed to fox hunting with beaters and hounds, such a feat would seem like mere child’s play in his eyes.

Cecilia realized something new about herself.

A man who concealed his savage brutality beneath a calm exterior—it was profoundly alluring to her.

The gap in his demeanor was strangely erotic.

What would he be like in bed?

Gentle or ferocious?

Their lips parted briefly, only to meet again.

In the quiet sitting room, the sound of their mingling breaths and wet kisses echoed softly.

At some point, their kiss deepened into caresses.