The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 79
The garden of Viscounty Adinne was notably more beautiful than those of other similarly sized mansions. Both the masters shared a keen interest in horticulture, but today, in their hurried decorating, they had hung hundreds of small lanterns, creating a scene that looked as if fairies were holding a festival.
Thanks to that, there were several people in the garden besides Cedric and Artizea.
Artizea glanced up at Cedric, who was gently leading her by the arm. His profile showed no sign of agitation, so it didn’t look like he had just been rude to Cardriol, the prince of a kingdom.
Her mind grew complicated. To be honest, what troubled her most was,
‘He really doesn’t seem to care at all…’
She looked quite striking today even by her own standards. The dress was far more mature in style than usual, but that wasn’t all. Before leaving for the ball, she had gone through several preparations at the Crown Princess’s palace.
Eloise’s makeup artist redid her makeup (darker makeup suited evening events better) and the perfumer blended a new fragrance for her, something Artizea had never used before.
Looking into the mirror afterward, she barely recognized the elegant figure staring back. As Eloise had said, it was a full-scale assault.
So she had hoped for at least a slightly different reaction from Cedric, but how could anyone have such a clear, innocent expression without a hint of malice?
When her champagne glass was snatched away, her heart skipped a beat for just a moment. She thought it was jealousy.
But seeing how neatly Cedric had prepared the shawl and draped it over her shoulders before naturally leading her outside the ballroom, she was certain he simply thought she was still too young for such events.
There was no full-scale assault here. After all, applause only sounds when two hands meet, and a battle requires both armies. This was no ‘Shield of the North’, it was a fortress wall. Just stabbing a spear in doesn’t mean a fight has begun.
Her disappointment filled her heart, and she completely forgot about Cedric’s earlier confrontation with Cardriol.
Was she really still seen as just a child? Actual age wasn’t the only factor. How long one had known the other and what kind of relationship they had also mattered.
Sullen, Artizea didn’t even want to look at the beautiful garden scenery.
“Why? Shall we go back inside?”
“…”
Artizea shook her head.
She really didn’t want to go back inside the ballroom and dance with other men.
Artizea looked up intently at Cedric, debating whether to say that he was the only person she wanted to dance with, but Cedric avoided her gaze.
“?”
Startled, Artizea blinked. It was the first time Cedric had ever looked away from her like that.
“Lord Ced…?”
When she called his name, his eyes returned to her face, briefly scanning her flushed cheeks and eyes as if unsure.
He lifted his hand gently, cupping her cheek and lightly brushing his thumb over her cheekbone. Concerned that her makeup might smudge, Artizea glanced down at his fingers.
Cedric chuckled softly, withdrew his hand, and unclasped their linked arms, then lightly took her hand in his.
“We could dance here, if you want.”
Artizea stared at him in surprise.
There was a small open space around a little fountain. It was probably kept clear for tea time or similar when the weather was nice.
Even her somewhat dull hearing caught faint strains of music drifting in. Cedric, suddenly realizing something, released her hand and bowed properly, extending his hand.
“May I have this dance, Lady Rosan?”
Her face turned bright red. She knew Cedric likely wasn’t thinking much of it, but she couldn’t help feeling fluttery.
“I would be delighted.”
Offering the customary reply, she placed her hand over his.
Cedric smiled and gently held her hand, supporting her back with his other hand. Though he wasn’t actually touching her bare back as his hand rested over the shawl wrapped around her, it still felt odd.
It wasn’t their first time dancing together, but Artizea suddenly got self-conscious and took a deep breath. She had tried to appear mature, but it seemed the only thing that had changed was her own feelings, not Cedric’s.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you dance more beautifully than anyone else in the world.”
“…Saying it like that feels awkward.”
Thinking Cedric was joking for once, Artizea replied in a slightly annoyed tone. It seemed both Eloise and Cedric were only teasing her.
But he just smiled warmly. Though the music faded in and out, Cedric’s lead never wavered.
“Don’t focus too much on your feet. Even if you try to step on mine, you won’t manage.”
As soon as he said that, he gently lifted her as if she was floating, spinning her half a turn in midair.
Though it wasn’t their first time dancing, Artizea felt as if a breeze had entered her very core, making her float with excitement.
“The Crown Princess said that if Cedric liked having a bit more fun, you’d be called the Dancer of the North.”
At that, Cedric chuckled softly. He had a long history of dancing. Not only had he learned the etiquette well, but his years of experience had made him especially skilled at gracefully leading his wife, who wasn’t the most agile when it came to keeping rhythm.
Artizea’s skirt and shawl fluttered in the breeze as Cedric led her so smoothly she might have fooled herself into thinking she was moving to the rhythm on her own.
Her face was now flushed not just with shyness but with excitement.
When the waltz ended, Cedric gently set her down and carefully adjusted the shawl that had slipped.
He didn’t think she was too young or out of place dressing up like this. Honestly, he had to admit Eloise had good taste.
Just by glancing around the ballroom, it was clear who the most beautiful girl was.
He wasn’t trying to interfere. It was only natural that she would dance with boys her age, broaden her social circle, and enjoy life. She had to meet more people before choosing her future.
Rationally, yes. So he wasn’t planning to swoop in like an authoritarian parent and drag her out of the ball.
‘Though I ended up doing exactly that.’
He smiled bitterly to himself. No, it wasn’t really his fault. If it weren’t for that blasted Cardriol of Eimmel, he would have been satisfied simply wrapping her in the shawl and taking a walk.
Still, if Artizea wanted to dance more, he would have let her back in.
If Lycia or Alice had overheard, they might have laughed to themselves, knowing Artizea wouldn’t choose dancing just for fun.
In any case, he was a stickler for rules and well aware that bending his own standards for selfish reasons would eventually ruin the standards themselves.
But for now, he had to remain her protector.
His influence over Artizea was already strong. When he reached out, it was coercion. When he pulled her close, it took away opportunities. Even without that, he held far more advantages than others.
So, it was only right that he wait.