Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 130
On one side of the hall, a band played music while men and women danced in the center. On another side were light finger foods, champagne, and wine, and there were already people who seemed to be drunk.
“It looks like they’ve raided the palace wine cellar today! Everything tastes amazing. You should try some too.”
“Oh, isn’t this a 20-year-old Bourgogne? It’s delightful.”
“They have even better drinks than that.”
As Irene crossed the hall, she caught snippets of conversations between the other nobles. Even though it was the Saintess’s entrance, the music didn’t stop, and people continued chatting freely.
“So much for Westerners being reserved. That must be a lie.”
“Not really. It wasn’t like this when I visited before. Sage isn’t the type to hold such a party.”
“Then whose taste is this?”
“Perhaps Lady Ramiel’s?”
“Lady Ramiel’s?”
The two whispered as they climbed to the highest platform. There sat Sage and Ramiel side by side, looking every bit like a king and queen.
“Oh, Saintess.”
Sage rose from his seat as soon as Irene approached. Ramiel did the same.
“Please, have a seat. How do you find today’s welcome party? Do you like it?”
The way he offered his seat was peculiar. She had always sat in the empty seat, so this was different.
“It’s not bad.”
That was all she could say. She didn’t want to criticize him, nor did she want to praise him.
“I hoped you would like it more.”
Ramiel spoke with a look of disappointment.
“We’ve brought an orchestra, so why not dance? It’ll lift your spirits.”
“Let us show you first.”
Sage took Ramiel’s hand and descended the platform. With every movement Ramiel made, her bright pink dress fluttered like petals.
The orchestra’s song changed, and the center of the hall cleared. Sage and Ramiel stepped in and began to dance skillfully. They danced so well that all eyes were on them.
Irene and Burt suddenly found themselves in the background.
‘Wow, so this is how you can make someone feel annoyed.’
Irene was impressed.
“The main characters of this welcome party are those two, not me.”
“Indeed. This isn’t what I had envisioned.”
After dancing three consecutive songs, Ramiel and Sage returned.
“How was it?”
“You were very beautiful.”
“Weren’t we?”
Ramiel smiled with a peculiar expression. It was as if she was mocking Irene, saying you could never be like this.
‘Well, I’m a Saintess. I’m not supposed to be like that.’
As Irene struggled to smile and engage, Burt gently pulled her closer.
“Shall we take a turn now?”
It seemed something had ignited his motivation.
“Wait a minute. I can’t dance.”
“Weren’t you a noble lady?”
The daughter of a duke who hadn’t learned to dance? Irene bit her lip at the implication.
There were many things she hadn’t learned, and dancing was one of them.
No one wanted to be her partner, so she never had the chance to learn. She never cared, thinking she’d never have the opportunity to dance with someone, but here she was.
“It doesn’t matter if you can’t dance.”
Burt whispered in Irene’s ear.
“I might step on your feet. Or kick your shins.”
“That’s okay. I can dodge that much.”
“I don’t even know the music.”
“Then let’s do it this way.”
“How?”
“Lean on me and relax your body. I’ll take care of the rest.”
By then, they had already reached the center of the hall. Curious eyes followed them.
“And what about the outfit?”
She gestured to the sacred clerical robe she was wearing, and Burt replied.
“Well, is there a rule saying clerics can’t dance?”
“There aren’t any dancing clerics, to begin with.”
As the two exchanged playful banter, the music changed. It was a lively tune with a slightly upbeat tempo.
Burt took Irene’s right hand and placed his left hand on her waist. As his firm hand supported her waist, she felt somewhat reassured.
With that, Burt lifted Irene slightly off the ground. Fortunately, her long robe hid this part, but it caught her off guard.
“Let’s try to match the rhythm.”
His low voice brushed against her ear. They had rarely been this close for a conversation.
Instead of looking up at Burt, Irene chose to focus on his chest.
“That’s not right. You need to make eye contact with your partner.”
After being corrected, she raised her gaze.
“Just hang in there a little longer.”
This wasn’t training, she thought, but even as she grumbled, she moved diligently as Burt instructed.
“You’re not very talented at dancing.”
“Anyone would be like this their first time.”
“I wasn’t.”
As expected, he wasn’t just any ordinary king.
