Everyone, including Deborah, looked at Cedric with surprised eyes. Cedric was a bit hurt, but he didn’t show it.

“Am I perhaps a burden?”

Deborah quickly examined Dia’s expression.

‘She doesn’t seem to dislike it, right?’

Thinking this, she asked Dia.

“Would that be alright?”

Dia, who had been frozen in surprise, came to her senses.

“Yes. Of course. But I’m worried that I might be troubling a busy person because of me…”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Cedric said, placing his hand on his chest.

“It’s an honor to help the young lady. Normally, I would have to put aside all other work to do this, but fortunately, I have plenty of time.”

His tone was polite yet cheerful.

As Dia’s tense expression relaxed, Deborah also felt relieved. However, Irene seemed a bit uncomfortable.

Systematically, the head butler or head maid was not superior to the tutor.

However, they were in a position to report any faults of the tutor to the master.

After all, the master tended to trust the head butler or head maid who had served the family for a long time, and many head butlers or head maids used this position to act like superiors to the tutor.

But Cedric had never pressured Irene. He was busy, and so was Irene.

As they were engrossed in different tasks, there weren’t many occasions for them to interact in the first place. Yet, the reason Irene was so tense was…

‘Probably because she can’t forget how he was during the interview.’

It might be fine to just meet and greet occasionally, but having to be together for an entire hour of lessons.

This strict and demanding head butler wouldn’t let even small flaws slide, and she seemed to think he would report that to an even stricter and more prickly employer.

‘But Mr. Rareford won’t do such a thing.’

Although he conducted strict interviews, he wasn’t the type to nitpick every mistake of someone already employed.

Even if mistakes were made, as long as they didn’t cross the line, he was more likely to embrace them.

‘But Mrs. Brown doesn’t know Mr. Rareford well.’

She was bound to be nervous no matter what anyone said.

‘Some things you just have to experience.’

There were areas that could only be understood through experience.

Deborah hoped this time would be a good opportunity for Irene to feel less intimidated by Cedric.

However, Deborah realized within just a few minutes that all these worries were unnecessary.

“I’m sorry!”

Dia apologized after stepping on Cedric’s foot.

“No, it’s alright.”

Cedric comforted Dia while glancing at Deborah and Irene, saying:

‘What should we do?’

Right now, Dia couldn’t manage more than three steps.

She would either step on his foot, almost trip over her own feet, or stand still when she couldn’t remember the next move.

Irene was on the verge of feeling dazed in this situation.

If asked whether this was the first time teaching dance, the answer would obviously be no.

She had continuously helped with posture, taught movements, and it was at a level where only practical practice with music was needed.

‘Why?’

Deborah also pondered Irene’s concern. She had done well when practicing steps alone earlier, so why was she making so many mistakes now?

After a moment of consideration, Deborah suggested to Irene.

“Mrs. Brown. How about showing the young lady someone else dancing?”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, Dia had never seen anyone else dance before.

“That’s a good idea! Visual learning materials are always very helpful. So, please.”

“Pardon?”

Deborah, who was about to say she was glad if it helped, stupidly replied like that, and Irene, with a serious expression, grabbed Deborah’s hand and said once more.

“Please.”

“……”

There was a reason Cedric came here in person today.

Dia was someone who easily bowed her head to others, and since she was learning to dance, she was bound to make frequent mistakes.

‘Why show such a sight to other servants unnecessarily?’

Although they all held onto the big bait of money and couldn’t easily open their mouths, you never know with people.

Cedric thought it was important to be careful to prevent any rumors from arising.

Be an appropriate practice partner for Dia, and at the same time check how the lesson atmosphere was.

‘That’s why I came, but…’

Why was Deborah, not Dia, in front of Cedric now?

‘I’m nervous.’

Just because he smiled broadly at Deborah yesterday, Paul, who had returned after working hard, had to receive a cold glare instead of praise for his efforts.

‘If I’m caught, I’ll end up like that too… No, I’ll face something even worse.’

That’s because right now, Cedric wasn’t just standing in front of Deborah.

His left hand held her right hand. His left hand touched her back.

‘Too close.’

Cedric was as tall as Zen, and Deborah was short, so their faces weren’t that close.

But why did it feel like he could feel her breath? Was it because he could feel her warm body temperature?

“Please go a little slower.”

As soon as Irene’s request fell, Cedric asked Deborah with his eyes.

‘Is it okay to start?’

Deborah also answered with a slight smile.

‘By all means.’

Cedric thought as he took the first step.

‘This person doesn’t seem nervous at all.’

When people are nervous, aside from their expression, their hands tend to stiffen.

But this small hand held in his, though rough-skinned, was flexible.

“One, two, three, one, two, three.”

To Irene’s gentle and slow count, Cedric slowly led Deborah’s movements, and Deborah leisurely followed his lead.

“Young lady. Watch Deborah closely. Here, turn your head slightly, okay?”

Irene, who had been clapping to keep the beat, said to Dia.

Dia listened to Irene’s words while unable to take her eyes off Deborah.

Cedric glanced at Deborah, who seemed to have come into his arms, as he moved to that beat.

‘It’s still too close.’

Cedric was nervous. Just as he had the childish imagination that Zen might break down that door and appear, Deborah raised her head and met his gaze.

“……”

Cedric thought he had met Deborah quite often.

It’s a bit unfair to Zen, but honestly, Cedric probably met her more than Zen did.

Zen wanted Deborah to tell him even the smallest things, but for that to happen, he needed to be at the mansion.

‘But he keeps coming home late, and sometimes can’t come at all.’

Naturally, Deborah sought out Cedric. That’s how the two became acquaintances who met daily, even if they never shared a cup of tea together. But…

‘I think this is the first time I’ve looked at her eyes so closely.’

Black eyes. Black hair might be rare, but these eyes must be even rarer.

‘At least I’ve never seen black eyes other than Deborah’s.’

Cedric always thought Deborah was a calm person whenever he saw her.

Apart from her sense of humor that made Cedric laugh, Deborah often exuded an atmosphere like a misty seaside.

‘I thought her eyes were like black jade.’

But looking at them now, these eyes were different from black jade that emits a soft light.

‘It’s still midday, but her eyes sparkle as if they’re full of stars.’

At that moment, Deborah gently creased her eyes and whispered softly.

“You dance quite well.”

Cedric knew that Deborah was quite tone-deaf, so why did her whispering voice just now sound like a beautiful song?

“Ah.”

Cedric, who had been staring blankly at Deborah’s face, finally misstepped.

“Are you alright?”

Deborah said, firmly wrapping her hand around his back to steady him.

Cedric, who had been staring at Deborah for a while as she kept her gaze on him as if checking his condition, belatedly smiled awkwardly and said.

“I’m sorry. And I’m fine.”

Time passed frighteningly fast. The party was soon.

‘Thanks to Mr. Rareford, she’s learned to dance to some extent, but…’

Early in the morning, Deborah sighed as she looked out at the dark window.

‘The dress was supposed to arrive today, but it looks like it’s about to snow.’

If it snowed heavily, the carriage might not be able to move.

‘It shouldn’t be delayed. We really don’t have time.’

Deborah looked at the sky, hoping it wouldn’t snow. If it had to snow, she hoped it would be just a little.

‘By the way, I wonder if the dress I chose will be okay?’

According to Cedric, this party was invited by someone who would help Zen’s business.

‘He didn’t tell me exactly which family’s party it is.’

Thinking he deliberately avoided mentioning it, Deborah didn’t pry and chose dresses that weren’t too flashy, but also didn’t look hastily put together.

‘I hope he won’t be humiliated because of the clothes I chose.’

Deborah was more than a little worried. It seemed unavoidable until the party was over.

“Sigh.”

Just as Deborah sighed, someone knocked on the door.

“Yes?”

“It’s me, Shelley. May I come in?”

“Of course.”

Deborah welcomed Shelley cheerfully. Wondering why she had come back just an hour after helping with her morning preparations.

“A letter has arrived.”

Shelley said, holding out a small silver tray containing the letter. Even at a glance, it was more than one.

“Oh my. Thank you for bringing it.”

“Hehe. It was just my duty. Please call me anytime if you need anything.”

After Shelley left, Deborah immediately checked the sender of the topmost letter.

‘It’s a letter from Madam Saint.’

It was probably a reply to the gift and letter Deborah had sent.

With a faint smile, Deborah picked up the top envelope and checked the next letter.

‘Ah. It’s Sage!’

Deborah’s face brightened. She didn’t expect Sage to send a reply.

‘I wonder what’s written in it? I’m nervous.’

So Deborah happily picked up Sage’s letter too, but there was one more letter left.

‘What’s this?’

An envelope of visibly high-quality material. A elaborate seal precisely imprinted on the wax. Deborah turned the envelope over to check the sender.

“…Bellus Seymour Richmond Delta.”

The moment she confirmed that name, a chilling sensation embraced Deborah from behind and spoke with a laughter-laced, creepy voice.

‘Did you think you could escape from me?’