66: You Seem to Have Gone Overboard

“Welcome back, Lord Dylan!”

With a twinkle in her eyes, Avril rushed to greet Dylan. Without looking elsewhere, Dylan walked straight towards Avril before kneeling at her feet.

…!? Lord Dylan!?

Avril was surprised, but Dylan remained nonchalant. More than that, he seemed to be more concerned about her legs. After all, she had danced for a long time.

“…According to the schedule, your lesson should’ve ended five hours ago. I can’t believe you’re still practicing. Do your legs hurt?”

“Not at all. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”

Actually, I do feel a bit sore.

However, if Avril were to voice that out loud, Dylan would remove her shoes and proceeded to call someone. If she were to leave that place carried out in his arms so she could receive medical attention, she wouldn’t know where to look. After all, she had to maintain her image as a villainess.

To prove that she was fine, she skipped around—but then, felt an unpleasant sensation. Before she knew it, the tips of her white dance shoes were dyed red.

…Apparently, her blisters had begun to bleed. Unfortunately, that time, it hurt a lot.

Oh no! What’s more, it’s not the lesson’s fault, but my own! What if the teacher refuses to teach me ever again!? All because of my carelessness…

To Avril, she was the only woman willing to teach her in over a decade. She couldn’t let her teacher go!

However, Dylan stood up, and glared at the teacher with a gaze full of rebuke.

“…I already mentioned that my fiancée is only a beginner. It seems that someone was too enthusiastic to have her learn.”

“—!!! N-normally, reaching an adequate level should have taken some time, but your fiancée is too formidable—I mean, serious, hard-working, committed, and physically fit!”

Avril sympathized with the teacher, who responded in panic.

—It’s the truth! Please don’t leave me…

…Still, Lord Dylan seems a bit angry.

It was Avril’s first dance lesson. Moreover, she was seldom taught by others, so she had a blast. As such, she didn’t want the teacher to be blamed because of her enthusiasm.

Dylan sighed as Avril pondered about what she should do.

“My fiancée is extraordinary.”

“Lord Dylan!? I’m perfectly normal!? Besides, thanks to today’s lesson, I can dance for hours on end. All of this is the result of the teacher’s efforts!”

“…What do you think a masquerade ball is?”

He has a point.

When she raised her head, Dylan laughed in astonishment.

This isn’t good! I’ve become overly obsessed!

Thrilled because her teacher had expectations for her, Avril lost sight of her original purpose. Then, the teacher smiled at the flustered Avril. This time, her smile was genuine.

“Lady Avril, I’ve made an irreversible mistake. If you give me another chance, I’ll teach you a dance suitable for a lady.”

“Of course, I’m willing to spend an entire afternoon for it.”

“!? That’s… a bit.”

The teacher stiffened.

“Pfft.” Dylan, who suppressed his laugh, wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“Then, I shall escort Avril to her room.”

“!?!”

Wait!

But it was too late. By the time she realized it, her feet were no longer on the ground. Dylan had effortlessly lifted her up.

As if they’d planned ahead of time, Grace nimbly approached Avril and removed her blood-stained shoes. Perfect—and by that, she meant that the situation she wanted to avoid the most was now reality.

This is embarrassing.

“Madam, this is all for today.”

“…Your Excellency the Duke of Lancester, Lady Avril, good evening.”

“Oh, Teacher…! Thank you very much for today! Please teach me more dance!”

The door was shut before Avril could properly thank her.

Avril’s room was a short distance away from the room prepared for the dance lesson.

As she passed by Chris and the other servants in a princess carry, the male attendants grinned at her.

I’m a bit embarrassed, but it’s my fault for getting carried away.

While Avril reflected once again, Dylan spoke.

“To say that to the teacher… Avril seems to have enjoyed herself.”

“That’s right. Lord Dylan, I’m looking forward to the masquerade ball.”

From Dylan’s perspective, he probably intended to reprimand the teacher who made light of Avril, the woman who would soon become the Duchess of Lancester.

But in fact, Avril thoroughly enjoyed her lesson. She was glad that Dylan finally understood it.

Lord Dylan is really kind. He’s a very warm person.

She was basking in happiness.

“Avril, before you dance with anyone else, won’t you dance with me?”

Avril nodded at Dylan’s invitation.

“Of course. I didn’t have a social debut, so this will be my first time appearing at a ball. Therefore, my first dance shall be with Lord Dylan. I’m excited just thinking about it.”

“…I kind of expected it, but Avril still hasn’t had her debut yet, yes?”

“That’s correct. While I helped with Corinna’s preparations, it had little to do with me.”

“Is that so? Then, for your first dance, would you dance with me?”

“Yes! I’m looking forward to it!”

When she responded with a smile, Dylan’s handsome cheeks were faintly dyed in crimson.