* * *
Regardless of the enjoyment, it was still a dance that violated proper etiquette.
And Klen was probably the only partner with whom I could dance such a mess.
“It is best to have something sweet when you are feeling weary.”
Just as I brought the teacup back to my lips, Linda set a plate in front of me.
On it was a raspberry tart.
It was a dessert that was both sweet and sour, with a nutty flavor.
I immediately picked one up and took a big bite.
Linda seemed to assume I was exhausted from the aftermath of attending the ball.
“I heard you left a strong impression at the ball.”
“Oh?”
“The rumors are already widespread in the castle about how affectionate the two of you were.”
“Ah, …is that so?”
Linda wore a pleased smile, as if it were her own story.
Come to think of it, was this ball like my official debut in this castle?
I had completely forgotten because Count Valuncio suddenly changed his attitude.
There were minor mistakes, but the dance could be considered perfect, and there were probably no issues with my speech or behavior.
…Except for the dance on the balcony.
“Hehe. Haven’t you heard yet? They say the matching color schemes of your outfits gave the impression that you only had eyes for each other. The atmosphere was said to be difficult to approach. Fortunately, it seems Lord Klen danced properly this time.”
“……”
No wonder there were many eyes watching, but the only people who approached were Fabian Hyung-nim and Madeline.
But I hadn’t given off an atmosphere that would reject conversation, had I?
Was the influence of being bound by the name of a married couple that great?
This might also be the reason why Fabian Hyung-nim envied me, saying I had it easy since I was married.
“A few people asked if they could contact Lady Adrian separately, but…”
“What? So, what did you do?”
“I said I would inform them once Lord Klen’s permission was granted.”
I slightly nodded and drank my tea again.
It was inevitable that a couple rarely seen at balls would attract attention.
And there were probably people who wanted to build a personal relationship with me somehow.
Since I was officially known to be frail, handing over such bothersome matters to Klen was best.
Since he would also find such things annoying, he would handle it appropriately.
My restless heart gradually regained stability.
“Ah, and the Healer sent a thank-you letter.”
“Thanks?”
“Yes. Perhaps it is a thank you for the dress you gave her?”
“That was nothing.”
She was indeed diligent, as expected of her.
Was she bothered that she hadn’t been able to convey it at the ball?
As I put the remaining piece of the tart into my smiling mouth, something was placed thump in front of me.
It was a rather heavy sound for a letter.
The thickness I checked upon lifting my head was also too much to be considered a simple letter.
“A letter?”
“Yes. …Perhaps.”
The stack of several sheets of paper, neatly bound together, looked more like a report than a letter.
Given her personality, I expected the letter to be quite long.
But I didn’t expect it to be this long.
I picked up the heavy bundle and slowly read it.
The first part was an expression of gratitude for the dress and for reflecting her taste as much as possible.
It contained content that she liked it, along with a resolution to wear it for every future event.
I felt happy that she liked it that much.
But always wearing the same dress might be a bit much.
Surely she wouldn’t actually do that, would she?
In any case, the section on gratitude ended there.
The content written on the next page was likely the true purpose of sending this report, no, this letter.
Shhhrk—
I felt my brows furrow sharply, almost meeting each other, as I turned the page and examined the content.
“…What is this?”
The page was densely filled with the types of desserts that were at the ball.
And following that were the origins of the desserts, their recipes, the generally expected texture and taste, and even how popular they were with the public.
‘Is she recommending that I open a dessert shop?’
I clearly just told her to try the desserts.
I couldn’t figure out why such a report had come back.
At least her personal impressions were written at the end, but they weren’t simply ‘delicious’ or ‘not delicious’.
They were merely a list of things like the texture, the ingredient composition, and whether they were suitable for an occasion like this.
Wasn’t this person a Healer?
She would do well as an inspector.
‘But, when on earth did she write this?’
The ball ended last night.
And this report arrived this morning.
It was too detailed for something completed in just a few hours.
It was something I couldn’t do even if I tried.
Did she perhaps think I had assigned it as homework?
Did she work without rest even after the ball ended?
In my confusion, I took another sip of tea.
But I decided to read the report she had sent to the end.
Even though I hadn’t asked for it, I couldn’t let her efforts go to waste.
‘Hmm.’
Judging from the contents of the report, it seemed the Healer hadn’t lost her sense of taste.
Moreover, her preference seemed to be for traditional, nutty cookies without other additives.
I wish she would make medicine with that same feeling.
If I keep sending her cookies she likes, perhaps she will develop an aversion to the bitter taste.
Harboring such hope, I read up to the final sentence when a sudden question popped into my mind.
“Come to think of it, who did the Healer dance with yesterday?”
“Pardon?”
“No. Since she wrote something this detailed, did she not dance? She even wore a new dress for the occasion.”
“Ah, I see. Since Lady Adrian rested yesterday, it’s understandable that you wouldn’t know.”
I was known to have rapidly deteriorated after dancing one song at the ball yesterday.
In the end, I hastily headed to the balcony, and the story Klen and I had agreed upon was that I quietly strolled in the garden after breathing the fresh air.
“No. She did dance.”
“Oh? With whom?”
A few of the men I saw yesterday came to mind.
Although I wouldn’t know who they were even if I heard their names.
“It was Lord Elliot.”
“…What?”
“Lord Elliot, the Commander of the Mage Corps.”
However, contrary to my expectation, the name that flowed from her lips instantly brought his face to mind.
And I nearly shouted out, asking what on earth she was talking about.
“Well, I only heard it as a story. The Healer seemed to have tried to take someone’s hand, but it appears she found it difficult to decide due to the large number of people gathered. And so, they ended up competing…”
“Elliot was in the middle of that competition?!”
No way. I didn’t see him.
“No. That competition… was over who would drink the bitterest of the Healer’s medicines.”
Linda pressed her cheek with one hand, as if trying to suppress the laughter that was about to burst out.
But when the laughter, which couldn’t be completely held back, finally spilled out, she covered her mouth.
However, anyone could tell she was laughing by the way her shoulders were shaking.
After laughing like that for a while, Linda finally managed to control her laughter, removed her hand, and returned to her usual calm face.
“As the competition intensified, it eventually escalated into who among the people gathered at the ball drank the bitterest medicine… and Lord Elliot was dragged in.”
“……”
It seemed a lot had happened while we were talking and dancing on the balcony.
The rest of the story was simple.
* * *
