The Life of Maria Lewellin - Chapter 23

“Today… “

a cha-cha-cha

I tried to read aloud as usual, but I stopped and shut my mouth. I forgot I shouldn’t read out loud since Ruri is sleeping. I should read it with my eyes.

So I concentrated and started reading.

What I picked was a novel titled [Mrs. Heronia’s Day]. Originally, I was thinking of reading a history book, but while looking inside the library, I accidentally found this book.

As a result, it was an excellent choice.

As the title implies, the story is about a woman named Heronia running a salon, which was very helpful because it was fun and well reflected in her daily life.

The best part was that the sentence was concise. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I turned the page without stuttering. I think I had improved a lot.

“Haaaaa… “

I was concentrating on turning the page when I started getting sleepy again. I stretched myself and let out a yawn. The book was really interesting but, I was slowly getting overwhelmed by tiredness.

I’ve been having pretty busy days recently. In the morning, I have a dancing class, and during lunch, I feed Glick and go out for a walk together.

When I get back, Mrs. Cecil is waiting for me again. Whenever we finished a little early, I go sightseeing downtown, or I go straight to the library like today and kept reading until dinner.

Thanks to this, I didn’t know how time goes by these days. I want to read a book up to my goal, but my eyelids kept closing as I sat still.

No. I can’t…. I can’t….

“…….Miss. “

“……..”

“……..Miss……. up….. please…. “

“……..”

“Miss Maria. “

“………!”

I jumped up to my feet like I’ve been struck by lightning.

What is it? I think I heard something.

“Ah. “

I didn’t heard it wrong. As soon as I turned my head, I saw someone with a familiar face standing next to me.

“……Chloe? “

“I came to pick you up because you didn’t come even though it was dinner time.”

“Dinner time?”

Come to think of it, Chloe had a small oil lamp in her hand. The surroundings had also turned quite dark.

I got up from my chair late when I heard that she’ll take me to my room. At the same time, something fell on the floor.

What is that?

I lowered my head and saw a small blanket lying on the ground. Chloe hurriedly stooped to pick it up.

Well, it couldn’t have just fallen from the sky. Circumstances indicate that it’s covering my shoulder…Who put that on me?

“Chloe, did you covered me up with that?”

“What? No.”

[No, sister.]

Someone answered with Chloe at the same time. I looked at Chloe first and then I turned my eyes to the table.

Ruri woke up and chattered.

[Some guy came by.]

[A guy? ]

[Yes! His clothes were covered with sparkling jewels, and he’s very tall!]

I was surprised at Ruri’s words.

He had shiny jewels on his clothes and he’s very tall? The only person that comes to my mind is Ains no matter how hard I think of it.

[… did a man like that really did that?]

[Yes!]

Ruri continued, excitedly moving up and down.

[ I almost screamed in surprise when he walked towards us. Then that person…]

[Then that person? ]

[He had his hand behind his back then he smiled at you. And then he came back and put a blanket over sister’s shoulder!]

I got even more surprised as she keeps talking. Ains did that?

[I wanted to say thank you, but I held it in because I was afraid I’ll wake you up]

[I see. Thank you, Ruri.]

Ains’ face floated into my head.

That guy who looked like a chadonam*….. It was hard to believe that he covered me with a blanket.

(t/n:korean slang referring to a specific type of man who is typically cold, chic, picky, and arrogant city guy. )

Why did he come to the library?

“Then I’ll take you to your room, Miss Maria.”

Chloe had a lantern and the blanket in her hand. I grinned and reached out to Chloe.

“Here, I’ll take the blanket.”

“No, Miss Maria. I’ll take it.”

“It’s all right, give it to me.”

Chloe hesitated then held out a blanket.

She looked cute and worried at the same tine.

What is this?

“Shall we go?”

“Yes. “

We soon walked side by side in the corridor. I could see the lighted main palace over the large window.

A sudden thought brought my gaze down to the blanket in my hands.

…..I’ll say thank you next time I see him.

Dance class is approaching today as always.

It was me who arrived at the practice room first. There’s no one in the spacious room but me, so I sat on the sofa waiting for Cecil.

“….Turn, turn, turn to the right.”

I mumbled to myself and thought of the dance steps in my head.

Cecil’s continuous loud instructions was surprisingly helpful. The details still need to be refined, but thanks to me, perfectly memorizing the movements, I could replay them in my mind anytime and anywhere.

*kerchak*

She’s here!

The sound of the door opening made me shiver. Then I became surprised at who I saw.

It was Ains who came in. He was followed by Cecil dressed in a dark green dress and a middle-aged man that I’ve only seen for the first time.

[Kiyaaat! That’s him! He’s the one who put the blanket on sister yesterday!]

I heard an excited voice from my shoulder. I glanced down at the side and let my heart slip with a smiling face.

[That’s Ains. He is the man who owns this place.]

[Really? That’s great! Ruri wants to say thank you to him!]

Well, that won’t work.

In the meantime, Ains came close, and I asked, looking forward again.

“What brings you here?”

“Try to guess.”

I wanted to ask what but I can’t do that. In addition to Cecil’s accompaniment, dancing was of course the only reason that’ll match why Ains is in the dance practice room.

….so that’s why they put a lot of effort into dressing me up today.

Perhaps thanks to me, saying what’s on my mind first, the maids who often talk cautiously to me first talks more openly at me now.

‘Your hair is so fine today.’

‘Miss Maria, you look great in pink dress.’

Most of them were praises and lip services though, but it was a pleasure to have a dialogue partner anyway.

I got closer to Linda as well. I once made up my mind and called out to her to have a conversation, and fortunately, it seems that she’s slightly changing little by little whether it was through sincerity.

Today, they put several necklaces and bracelets on my body one by one that they chose themselves. Of course I wore them without saying anything.

“You’re dressed properly today.”

I could see a light smile rising from Ains’ lips.

I quickly understood what he meant by that. I remembered a few days ago when I was running to lose weight and I didn’t see him coming.

Why didn’t you forget about that…

I pretended that I didn’t notice, but I could feel an intense gaze from somewhere. Cecil was looking this way with a stiff face.

No, she looked more surprised than stiffened.

‘What’s wrong with her?’

A thought flashed across my mind for a moment. She must have misunderstood something on Ains’ words about clothes.

Oh, you’re so sly.

I held back my laughter and looked at Ains.

“I don’t always dress like that.”

Ains smiled at my words.

“What’s that?”

“Yes? “

“That thing on your shoulder. I think I’ve seen it a while ago.”

“Oh, we’ve been living together for a few days now. It’s a long-tailed tit and her name is Ruri.”

[Hello! Nice to meet you!]

When Ruri noticed that he was talking about her, she greeted him excitedly. Sadly, however, it would only sound like a chirping in his ear.

“Oh, come to think of it, I heard you gave me a blanket. Thank you.”

I smiled and Ains coughed loudly.

“Next time, go to the bedroom and sleep comfortably…..don’t overdo yourself when you’re tired.”

I looked a little surprised at his following words. Is he worried about me?

“If you’re ready, let’s go to the center. You’ll try to match with me today.”

“Yes. “

I soon looked at Ruri,

[Would you like to come down and wait? You’ll feel dizzy if I spin around.]

[I want to dance with sister.]

[Wouldn’t it be boring?]

[It’s okay! I’ll stick with you.]

I don’t know why, but she seemed to be very excited today.

[Okay. Then dance with sister.]

[Kiyaat!]

I burst into laughter at her unmistakable exclamation. Why are you so cute?

“Have you learned all the steps?”

I turned my head at Ains’ sudden voice.

“Maybe.”

Of course I did. With clenched teeth, in my brain’s full capacity.

But I didn’t told him that on purpose. It’s because it seems to be relatively better to do better than his low expectations, rather than to fall short in his high expectations even with the same results.

“That. “

“Yes? “

“Are you going to dance with it in your shoulder?”

“Yes, I think she wants to be with me.”

“….I guess it’s true that animals likes to follow you around.”

At the moment, I thought he will try to force Ruri away and I was worried. But Ains acted as if nothing happened, and reached out one hand at me. A gesture that seemed to ask me for a dance.

Ains was in military attire today as well. He’s wearing a dark blue-colored clothes with ornaments and gold leaf buttons on his shoulders, but it looks pretty cool on him because of his good physique.

Is he even real? Even at a close-up view, he had good skin without blemishes, and his blue eyes looks like precious blue sapphires.

I’m not that stupid to not notice it…he’s definitely handsome no matter how I look at him. This must be why all the ladies like him and are desperate to see him up close.

“Then, let’s start. “

“Yes “

Hah…

After a brief sigh, I held Ains’ hand.

The atmosphere was like a real battle, and tension I’m feeling keep rising for no reason. But I’ve done this with Cecil a couple of times, so…I’m gonna be all right?

As I learned, I danced with my partner in a friendly eye-to-eye contact. Ains nodded. A melody from a violin was heard from somewhere and the dance began as a signal.

“Turn, turn, left, left!”

I almost burst into laughter when Cecil started chanting, but I quickly calmed myself down and focused on the dance.

I thought of the next step without resting my head as I moved my feet brilliantly.

Two turns to the right, left, and left.

I was absorbed in it as the end came closer and closer.

All right, now I just have to step closer and hold our hands together…!

“Step, step and pose! “

The performance ended with Cecil’s voice. Ains and I faced each other in the final ending pose, and after about three seconds or so, we let go of our hands and I exhaled a slightly chilling breath.

“How was it?”

Instead of answering my question right away, Ains looked in the direction where Cecil stood. He’s probably telling me to get an answer from her.

I turned my head and looked at Cecil.

Are you going to give me a poor score today?

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Eeeyyy~ Ains you tsun tsun! Show us more of your cute side!!! I wanna see Ains’ POV about the blanket and the dance too!