Chapter 2. Invitation

Beautiful waltz melodies echoed through the ballroom.
Everyone was paired up, dancing to the rhythm in perfect time with their partners.

For Raina, who was dancing the waltz for the first time, her body was stiff with tension.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Once again, Raina stepped on Terrier’s foot.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry.”

Terrier smiled kindly and reassured her.

“Relax and just follow me slowly. It’s totally okay if you step on my feet.”

Truthfully, the one messing up the timing wasn’t Raina.
Terrier was consistently half a beat too fast, leaving poor Raina, a first-time dancer, flustered and struggling to keep up.

“Ouch.”

This time, Terrier’s foot pressed down on Raina’s delicate instep.
Looking flustered, Terrier quickly checked her foot.

“Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay, Terrier. Just try moving your feet a bit more slowly.”

In a waltz, the man was supposed to lead the woman. But although Raina was a beginner, she was keeping the rhythm fairly well — Terrier just couldn’t lead her properly.

Watching all this, Kaithan let out a quiet scoff.

‘That guy? Seriously?’

But in the next moment, Kaithan’s relaxed smile vanished.

Because Raina was smiling brightly.
The two of them were laughing together as they danced, facing each other with joy.
Even though they were completely off-beat the entire time, they were chatting and smiling as if they were having the time of their lives.
To anyone watching, it looked messy and awkward.

‘Pathetic.’

Grand Duke Kaithan refilled his wine glass.
Though he kept a casual posture, an odd anger began boiling in his chest.

Finally, the waltz that had been unsettling his mind came to an end.

Kaithan straightened up.

Raina was descending from the stage, panting softly.
Just from that short dance, she looked exhausted, her pale face now tinged with a soft peach hue.

‘I should teach her how to waltz properly.’

Kaithan took a step forward toward Raina.

But whether she noticed him or not, Raina was too busy talking to Terrier.

“Terrier, I think neither of us has any talent for dancing.”
“Really?”

Terrier scratched his brown hair sheepishly.

“Sorry, I should have led you better.”
“Terrier, you’re too kind. How about we just stop dancing and have a chat instead?”
“You don’t want to dance with any other men?”
“No, I’m fine. Do you want to dance with another lady, Terrier?”

Terrier jumped in surprise and waved his hands.

“Of course not! Absolutely not.”

Up until now, whenever Terrier asked someone to dance, no lady had accepted willingly.
Most of them reluctantly agreed once or twice out of courtesy and that was it.
So he usually spent his time lingering near the wall, waiting for the evening to pass.
Terrier had experienced more than his fair share of rejections — and Raina had just become the third reason for it.

“Then… would you be okay talking with me for a bit?”
“Of course!”

Terrier nodded enthusiastically.

Raina’s thinking was simple.
The ball was nearly over.
Instead of wasting time dancing with other men, it was a far better choice to continue chatting with Terrier and maybe even bring up the topic of marriage.

Once she returned to the Rosebird estate, who knew when she’d be allowed out again?
Especially for a ball like this — attending another one would be nearly impossible.

That’s why, if a proposal could come out of tonight… nothing would make her happier.

Raina walked with Terrier to the refreshment table along the wall.
So deep in thought about how to receive a proposal, she didn’t even realize Grand Duke Kaithan was standing right beside her.

At the table laden with treats, Raina and Terrier sat down side by side.

“Would you like some tea?”

Terrier offered politely, and Raina nodded slightly.

The teacup was filled with tea rich in the scent of roses.

Raina lifted the cup and lightly wet her lips.
As she sipped the tea, she felt her nerves settle.

Across from her, Terrier seemed out of breath as well, gulping down his tea.
After draining his cup, Terrier took a bite of a cookie.

“This is good. Would you like to try one?”

“I’m okay.”

Raina met Terrier’s eyes with a solemn expression.

“Terrier, what do you think about marriage?”

“Huh?”

Terrier dropped his half-eaten cookie at Raina’s blunt question.

“Sorry. That was too sudden, wasn’t it?”

“Ah… yes, a little.”

“But the truth is, I’m in a bit of a hurry to get married.”

Terrier’s face turned bright red, like a roasted sweet potato.

“I-Is that so…”

“That’s actually why I came to the Debutante Ball. I want to get married as soon as possible.”

Pfft.
A sudden laugh startled Raina.

She turned around, annoyed by the unexpected sound.
When she saw the mocking laughter in those black eyes, Raina flared up.

“Your Grace, I didn’t know you had a hobby of eavesdropping on other people’s conversations.”

“For someone accusing me of eavesdropping, you were speaking quite loudly.”

Raina’s face turned red.

“Even so…”

“I wasn’t mocking you.”

Kaithan’s tone turned serious.

“I was merely impressed that you didn’t hide behind the pretense of love and stated your purpose for attending the Debutante Ball so clearly. Honestly, I feel the same way.”

This time, when their eyes met, there was no trace of humor.
Instead, Raina felt a chill run through her as his serious black eyes bore into her.

“As much as I’d like to hear more of your thoughts, this seems like an important negotiation, so I’ll step away. I hope your negotiation ends well.”

Kaithan retreated politely.
He moved to a distance where he could no longer hear their conversation and began chatting with other nobles.
His demeanor was crisp, as if he had no interest in Raina’s business anymore.

Raina sat there blankly for a moment before slumping back into her seat.

“Are you alright, Lady Raina?”

“Oh, yes, I’m fine.”

Raina tried to calm herself.
Somehow, whenever Kaithan was involved, her mind became a mess.

It was happening again.
Until just now, she hadn’t realized it — but after hearing him say “negotiation,” she became fully aware of what she was trying to do.

Her approach to marriage really was a “negotiation.”
Now that someone had pointed out the truth, Raina felt strangely ashamed.

“Terrier, about what I said earlier… about marriage.”

Terrier’s eyes darted around, unable to meet hers.
Anyone could see he was flustered.

“I was only thinking of myself. I’m sorry.”

Raina wanted to bite her tongue.
Sure, she had her reasons for wanting to escape home quickly, but Terrier was different.

Besides, marriage was supposed to be sacred.

A blessing from the gods for a man and woman in love.

And here she was, trying to turn that sacred union into a “negotiation.”
No matter how desperate she was, it was a selfish thing to do.

“Terrier, please just forget everything I said today.”

Just as Raina furrowed her brows, on the verge of tears—

“No, Lady Raina.”

Terrier shook his hands wildly.

“I mean, yes, I was surprised at first.”

“I understand.”

Raina bowed her head deeply.

She had been too naïve.
Terrier had merely shown her kindness, and she had misunderstood.
If even Terrier, who had shown her so much goodwill, reacted like this, where could she possibly find a husband?

The ball was almost over.
Once this night passed and she returned to the Rosebird estate, there was no telling when she’d get another chance like this.

Thinking the Debutante Ball would be enough had been too hopeful.
Raina’s lips felt dry.
Unconsciously, she bit her lip — and Terrier, watching her, was entranced.

“Um, Lady Raina. Could you give me a bit of time?”

“Pardon?”

“Marriage… isn’t something I can decide on my own. I’ll talk to my parents once I return home.”

“Really?”

When Raina smiled brightly, Terrier’s heart pounded wildly.
He swore he had never received such a smile from any lady before.

Especially from such a beautiful woman as her.

“It’s just… my older brother recently got married, so I’m not sure when preparations can begin.”

Terrier scratched his head.

“Um, Terrier, there’s really no need for much preparation.”

“Huh? But Lady Raina, aren’t you the eldest daughter of the Rosebird family? It’s a prestigious house, and I’m sure you’re highly valued. But I’m just the second son, so I’m not sure how much support I’d get from my family…”