Could it be due to the dress design reminiscent of a Greek goddess? There was an undeniable dignity in my sister's voice.
Mother stared blankly at the sight of my sister's back growing more distant, then suddenly came to her senses.
"Dory, you might worry about being compared to Natalie, but don't let it scare you into hiding! Be bold and greedy!"
"Got it."
"Then I'll head down first. Take your time coming out. Right now, everyone's probably only looking at Natalie."
Soon, Mother went downstairs and began formally greeting the guests.
"Oh, Baron! It's been a while. Yes, this is my daughter, Natalie. I'll introduce my third daughter to you later."
The baron responded, "Oh, I look forward to it!" but his soul seemed glued to Natalie. Thankfully, it seemed no one had expectations for me.
Mother pursed her lips, glanced up at me on the second floor, and made a shooing motion with both hands. It looked like a signal to wait a little longer before coming down.
Not sorry, but I don't feel like coming down.
'When will I get to escape this place?'
Half in expectation, half in resignation, I watched Natalie.
How long could she hold everyone's attention?
Sure, they were all bewitched by her now, but in 30 minutes, they'd likely start wandering the hall, looking for partners that suited them more realistically.
'I admit my sister is the most beautiful, but beauty alone won't… oh.'
Natalie approached Arthur and struck up a conversation. The room fell silent as they met.
It didn't take long for her to lead him to the center of the hall.
'Arthur looks like he wants to go home,' I thought.
Did he come to this party reluctantly, out of guilt for stepping on my foot?
Sensing an opportunity, Mother urged the band to start playing a dance tune, slightly ahead of schedule.
During the prelude, only a few managed to find partners, leaving most eyes naturally drawn to the Natalie-Arthur couple in the center of the hall.
I watched them nervously, worried Arthur might step on her foot. Perhaps to avoid another mishap, Arthur's movements were more of an awkward shuffle than proper dance steps.
Clearly, he only came to make an appearance.
'That bear would never chase after my sister… wait, what?'
Arthur's expression changed during their conversation as they danced. He tilted his head slightly toward Natalie, while she smiled wickedly, befitting her villainous charm.
The first dance ended, and Natalie withdrew promptly. Arthur politely stepped back but soon picked up a glass of lemonade and began searching for her.
Just as I had taught him.
So far, this was just another typical scene from a soirée… but then.
"Huh?"
Natalie, holding a juice glass, refused the lemonade. Though Arthur retreated, he returned after setting it down to speak to her again.
What was this? What did he want from her?
Natalie barely acknowledged him, turning her head sharply.
Despite her dismissive attitude, Arthur, now visibly uneasy, kept glancing at her. It wasn't just me who noticed—others at the party were starting to catch on.
Bearing the growing curiosity of onlookers, Natalie approached a gentleman nearby and struck up a conversation, showing him her dance card.
Could she have initiated a dance request?
Mother looked like she was about to faint. Of course—Natalie, who should have been lining men up, was now taking the lead!
Both the onlookers and the gentleman appeared flustered. Still, feeling the eyes on him—especially Arthur's—he quickly wrote his name on her dance card. Natalie laughed lightly and stepped back.
The man, emboldened, held his head high, answering the barrage of questions from his friends.
Human vanity truly is simple.
When someone popular approaches you? You grab the chance.
When the second dance began, Natalie took to the floor with the gentleman. Arthur, who hadn't secured a new partner, tried to engage a chaperone in conversation but kept glancing at Natalie as if waiting for the dance to end.
Afterward, Natalie refused the gentleman's escort and sat on a nearby chair. Seeing Arthur approach, she quickly engaged another man in conversation.
'What in the world is going on here?'
Everyone in the room must have been wondering the same.
Why was Arthur so obsessed with Natalie after just one dance?
What was Natalie thinking as she blatantly toyed with him?
And what about the foolish gentlemen voluntarily stepping into her games?
The room buzzed with questions as people blatantly followed Natalie's every move.
Oh my.
Natalie had accepted Arthur's dance request!
Even those who had pretended to ignore the situation turned their full attention to the dopamine-charged spectacle.
I instinctively knew it was time to leave the hall.
Suppressing the urge to watch further, I headed for the back exit.
I'd have to ask Natalie later what on earth she said to Arthur at Sacred Salon!
***
Parties are fun. They're designed to be.
Everything—the music, decorations, drinks, food, and even the rules—exists for one purpose: to enjoy.
But the greatest thrill comes from ruling such a party.
"Ahahaha!"
Ignoring the dance steps entirely, Natalie twirled wildly, enjoying herself like a child.
Arthur, her partner, looked a bit at a loss.
"Miss Redfield. About what you were saying earlier…"
"What time is it?"
"It's ten o'clock."
Already?
"Dory left around 7:30, didn't she?"
Her sister was probably on her way back by now. Preparing to conclude this dazzling performance, Natalie gave Arthur a nod.
"My back."
"Pardon?"
"A lady's back needs support when she rises."
"Oh, understood!"
"Support her back, not her wrist."
"But if my palm touches, wouldn't the lady find it unpleasant?"
"Think again. If a lady is glad to dance with you, she'd welcome that level of contact."
"I see! Then—"
"Hold on."
Natalie's eyes sharpened.
"Do I seem like the kind of lady who'd welcome such contact with you?"
"…No, ma'am."
"Pay attention to the situation and act accordingly. Your charming face and status aren't all-powerful."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Arthur carefully helped Natalie to her feet and led her into the next step, without a trace of resentment in his demeanor.
A man who remains courteous despite being badgered with unreasonable remarks—such a rarity.
Natalie clicked her tongue in disappointment.
"He's lacking in tact but seems honest, just the kind of man who'd suit Dory… What a waste!"
But since he clearly had unwavering feelings for Maria, lamenting further would be pointless.
"At least it worked out. I'm glad I succeeded after making such bold claims to Dory."
Natalie glanced at the clock and inwardly heaved a sigh of relief.
About three hours earlier.
As soon as the party began, Natalie approached Arthur and greeted him. His face, resembling that of a cow dragged to the slaughterhouse, gave her a lifeless response.
"Good evening, Lady Redfield."
"This is the second time we've met at the Count's manor. Doesn't the place look far more presentable for a soirée than when you visited for a sick call?"
"Yes… Is Miss Dory well? I don't see her here."
Arthur looked around with an expression devoid of excitement, tinged only with faint guilt and a sense of duty.
"How dull."
"She said she'll come down later."
Arthur's response was to extend an unenthusiastic invitation to dance. Accepting such lackluster offers was a rarity for Natalie, but transforming indifference into passion was the spice of a party.
During their dance, Natalie whispered, "Do you remember the day you visited? I went for a walk with Rick and Maria."
"Yes, of course."
"Maria asked for advice about marriage that day. She was curious and wondered if an experienced lady might guide her."
"What kind of questions?"
Arthur's eyes sparkled. His unconcealed eagerness confirmed Natalie's suspicions.
"Just as I thought, he's smitten with Maria."
On that day in the Count's drawing room, Arthur had politely maintained conversation with Natalie, but every time Maria moved, he would glance at her with starry-eyed admiration. It was painfully obvious.
Smiling elegantly, Natalie replied,
"Would it be proper for me to share another's private concerns with you, my lord? How impolite of you."
"My apologies! Then… since I'm also here seeking a spouse, may I ask for your advice regarding myself?"
"My lord, you and Maria are in such different positions that any guidance I provide would be irrelevant. Let me give you a stark example: if you and Maria were to marry, your family would—"
"My family would…?"
"Oh my, the music is ending."
Despite her transparent tactics, Arthur eagerly pursued the bait like a fish hooked on the line.
"Lady Redfield! May I have the honor of the next dance as well?"
"The hostess cannot favor one guest so exclusively. Please enjoy the party to its fullest."
As soon as the dance ended, Natalie withdrew her hand. Predictably, Arthur acted just as she had anticipated. Like a puppy tasting a treat for the first time, he kept bounding back.
"Lady Redfield! The next dance, please—"
At that moment, a gentleman stepped forward to claim Natalie's hand with a puffed-up chest.
"I asked her first, my lord."
Arthur was speechless.
Other gentlemen took the opportunity to line up, keen to impress Natalie while subtly observing her moves. Meanwhile, the ladies and chaperones, fuming at having their partners snatched away, hid their frustration behind their fans while gossiping about how Natalie had captivated the young duke.
Arthur, trying to maintain his composure, finally gave up his dignity and approached Natalie again.
"Lady Redfield, what did you mean earlier about the family? If I were to marry Miss Maria, what would happen?"
"How direct. I admire your frankness, so I'll answer just as directly."