episode_0004

“Alright, that’s it for today. Eli, you did well.”

With a grin, Rochea’s voice halted the melody of the piano flowing within the hall.

Subsequently, the lady in the yellow dress carefully released the platinum-haired girl she held dearly.

“Hey, could someone bring some cool water and a clean towel for our lovely young lady here?”

Rochea stretched her arms and legs, addressing the maids orderly standing by the piano.

The reception room soon became bustling with busy maids moving around.

Meanwhile, Eleanor, slightly detached from the noisy reality, bent her waist deeply, breathing heavily.

From slow, lingering melodies to lively tempos, even though Rochea entrusted everything to Lady Eleanor.

After vigorously moving for a while, her body demanded fresh oxygen from all corners.

Compared to Eleanor, who was bending and breathing heavily, Rochea seemed remarkably relaxed.

Despite sweat beading on her rounded forehead and her ample chest gently heaving up and down on the dress due to rhythmic breaths.

Even though she must have danced more gracefully than the awkward Eleanor.

Gracefully wiping away the sweat beads on her forehead with the offered towel, she exuded a refined elegance unlike anyone else.

“How do you feel, Eli? Your body remembers what I said, right?”

Arranging the frills behind her thighs, Rochea squatted down, meeting Eleanor’s gaze as she hunched over.

Through the strands of yellow hair scattered on the floor, Eleanor, surprised by the violet eyes peeking through, quickly straightened her previously lowered waist.

“Uh, I-I don’t know. I don’t remember how I moved…”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Trailing off suspiciously, Rochea stuck out her tongue, then wiped her dry lips.

“Well, your steps were a bit off, but you followed along well today.”

“Miss, here’s some cool water.”

Sophie approached swiftly with a glass, interrupting Rochea’s somewhat sticky voice.

Taking the cold glass with water droplets on its surface, Eleanor raised her head and gulped down the refreshing water in one go.

“Ah… I think I might survive now.”

Witnessing the lack of grace in that sigh, Manuella, watching the two by the piano, clicked her tongue softly.

Etiquette and manners were of no concern to Eleanor at the moment.

“Miss, let me wipe the sweat off your neck.”

“Oh, thank you, Sophie.”

Normally, Eleanor would have recoiled and pushed Sophie’s hand away.

But lost in her heavy breathing, she found herself lifting her chin first, offering her white neck to Sophie.

On the other side, Rochea was entirely different from anyone across from her.

It was just a plain, unadorned glass.

Yet, the way she elegantly raised her head to replenish her moisture made the glass in Rochea’s hand look like a meticulously crafted, luxurious piece.

“Well, with a bit more practice, your old skills will come back in no time.”

“R-really?”

Eleanor asked, taken aback.

“Of course. But for now, you need to build up your stamina. Eli, have you been eating well lately?”

“I-I’m trying my best. H-hic!”

A strange scream, distant from the lady, filled the space between the two women.

Without permission, Lorsua began to grope Eleonore’s slender waist on her blouse.

Eleonore, startled by his touch, shivered and promptly stumbled to the ground, landing on her buttocks.

“Ah, Miss! Are you okay?”

“What are you doing!”

Sophie’s concerned voice intertwined with Eleonore’s flustered tone.

However, Lorsua didn’t even bat an eyelash.

Instead, he moved up from Eleonore’s fallen legs to continue feeling her soft lower abdomen.

“I’m just checking. You seemed fine on the surface. Hm. Seems like you’ve lost weight compared to before.”

“Oh, no! Still! Wait! Where are you going!”

Ignoring Eleonore’s urgent plea, Lorsua’s hand smoothly passed over her slender waist, gliding down her smooth thigh and gently caressing her calf.

Even though it was over her skirt, not bare skin.

As Lorsua’s hand caressed her firm calf, Eleonore gritted her teeth and glared at him.

“But, Elli. Even if you’ve lost your memory. Why are you reacting so cutely today? Like a young bachelor.”

“A young bachelor! What are you talking about! But more importantly, please remove your hand quickly!”

“Oh my. Is this older sister afraid I might devour her?”

“Older sister? First of all, there’s an age difference between us-”

“It’s impolite to mention age in front of a lady. It won’t do. Today, this older sister must teach you some manners!”

“N-no! Stop it!”

The earlier scream was now distinctly more feminine.

Nevertheless, Manuella, seemingly displeased, simply raised her head left and right, running her fingers through her tangled hair.

After enduring harassment disguised as a massage, Eleonore could finally escape Lorsua’s grasp.

“Still, that was too much.”

Narrowing her eyes, Eleonore grumbled.

“Ahaha… I’m sorry. Somehow, when I move, my masculine side unintentionally shows. Hehe.”

After the massage,

Lorsua and Eleonore returned to the reception room after tidying up their disheveled clothes in their respective rooms.

During that brief moment,

On the brown walnut tea table, a quite elaborate dessert spread was arranged.

Across from her, Lorsua, transformed from the madam of the eccentric Cressare household back to her original self, a cute older sister.

“Since Eleonore has only recently awakened, we need to loosen her thighs and calves as she moves like earlier. Otherwise, her lovely leg line will become uneven.”

Slicing a piece of cake with a fork, Lorsua elegantly placed it into her mouth while speaking.

Observing Lorsua’s sweet smile at the dessert, Eleonore looked at her with wonder.

Personalities changing so drastically, isn’t this almost magical?

“Right. So, what about the partner? There were rumors that the Marquis of Ballati personally delivered a letter.”

Clank.

Setting down her teacup on the coaster, Eleonore replied.

“Come… We decided to go with our cattleman.”

“The Viscount Albrice?”

“Yes. My health is somewhat restored, and I might make a mistake stepping out.”

At Eleonore’s words, Lorsua subtly raised the corner of her mouth.

“Hmm. If they were women of that age group, even if Eleonore made a mistake, they would smile and overlook it, wouldn’t they? No, they might even enjoy being stepped on?”

That old woman.

She must have uttered that dreadful word “stepfather” because she hated it, really.

Outwardly smiling and laughing, Eleanor was seething inside.

“What, Lord Albriss is quite decent too. His character is quite impressive.”

Well, that guy. He looks fine on the outside.

Hmm. Honestly, he could pass as a supporting male lead.

Eleanor, moving her hand towards the cake on the table, suddenly froze at a thought that struck her.

Wait. Seriously, if Albriss is indeed a supporting male lead.

Does that mean Albriss is involved with his younger brother’s ex-wife?

At the dizzying thought, Eleanor’s expression turned cold.

“Initially, many young ladies entrust their debut ball escort to family members.”

In contrast, Lorsua continued with a soft smile.

“Moreover, Lord Albriss. There are many young ladies eyeing him.”

“Is that so? Oh… for marriage?”

Eleanor’s chilled expression slowly began to unravel with curiosity as the bait of intrigue.

So these young ladies are eyeing Albriss just for his swagger?

“Of course! He’s good-looking too. Besides, love isn’t everything. It’s the social season in the capital.”

Lorsua, wearing an expression never seen before, picked up a few sugar cubes next to the teacup.

Dropping the sugar cube into the crimson tea, she stirred it with a spoon and looked at Eleanor.

“Many women here in the capital are more blinded by power than love.”

“Is that so?”

Wait a minute!

Aren’t we in a romantic fantasy novel here?

“If you say he’s a man from Beorn, even if he looks like a troll from the north, would you spread your legs?”

“S-Spread my legs?”

Wait. Is that what spreading legs means here?

Are they not concerned about things like premarital chastity here?

“Oh my, was that a bit too strong for our innocent lady?”

I don’t know, this woman really… spicy, married women talk!

Wrapping her flushed face with her hands, Eleanor picked up the cold glass beside the hot tea instead.

“Well, whatever Albriss is like. Whoever Eleanor chooses as her escort doesn’t matter. There will be a line of men asking Eleanor to dance that night.”

Yuck. That’s a pass.

At the thought that made her nauseous, Eleanor popped a butter cookie onto her tongue.

On the other hand, Lorsua, sitting across, had been humming since the dessert table was set.

After almost finishing half of the set cake alone, she turned towards the humming Lorsua with a rather solemn voice.

“Um… yes, madam. I have something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it? About spreading legs or something like that?”

“No, no, nothing like that.”

Waving her hand dismissively, Eleanor playfully eyed the mischievous Lorsua.

Finishing chewing the cookie in her mouth, she adjusted her posture, sat up straight, and moved her pink lips.

“Who is Count Balati’s son, the Duke? What is he like, aside from appearance? Family background, abilities, or perhaps his reputation in society?”

Seeing Eleanor’s serious demeanor, Lorsua leaned forward, facing Eleanor closely.

“Hehe. Is our Eleanor finally waking up from her flower garden daydreams?”