Chapter 43
Victoria’s face flushed red, not out of anger, but for another reason entirely. Hesitantly, she followed the gentle push.
“Are your legs hurting? You were dancing quite a while.”
“N-no, I’m fine! I’m sturdy!”
“Still, you must be tired from the walk. Why not rest in the lounge for a bit and take off your shoes? I’ll bring you something to drink.”
Young Master Sandor seated Victoria in a nearby lounge and soon returned, holding two glasses of champagne.
“I wonder if it’s all right for us to be alone like this. If you’re uncomfortable, I can leave the door open.”
Only after entering the closed room did Sandor’s ears turn red as he addressed Victoria.
“It’s fine! I mean—no, maybe it’s not? Wait, why shouldn’t it be?”
Flustered, Victoria’s words tumbled out nonsensically. She grabbed the champagne and downed it in one gulp.
Phew. Grimacing slightly, she only then realized her companion was a stranger—an attractive one at that—and awkwardly set the glass down on the table.
“Why did you ask to speak with me privately?”
It was a very delayed question, but Victoria lifted her chin, pretending to be calm.
Delo gazed directly into Victoria’s eyes. His stare made her feel warmer, and she waved her hands to cool herself, then hurriedly folded them again.
“My lady… I fell in love with you at first sight.”
Delo Sandor spoke hesitantly, then locked eyes with her.
Her violet eyes widened, trembling at the weight of his words.
“Would you consider entering a serious relationship with me, with marriage in mind?”
Victoria stared blankly at the two hands he held out to her.
It was as shocking as an unexpected disaster.
Since her debut, she had tried to ignore the whispering young ladies and gentlemen behind her back.
The ones who avoided her gaze and ran away were the same ones who mocked and belittled her.
But Delo Sandor was different.
Though she had barely exchanged greetings with him during her debut or at any party, he was famously handsome, kind, and gentle—a man she’d admired from afar, growing curious the more she observed him.
And now, he said he liked her?
Victoria stared dumbfoundedly at the hands he held out.
A few seconds passed. Then Delo suddenly gasped.
“A confession without even a single flower—how improper of me. Please forget what I said today. I shall return to Clayde Manor and properly confess to you with—”
Just as he was about to withdraw his empty hands, realizing his mistake, Victoria urgently grabbed them.
“No, it’s okay! Let’s date!”
She declared boldly.
At her words, Delo Sandor’s eyes curved into a delighted smile.
* * *
Ann grabbed a young maid bustling around the ballroom.
“How’s the young lady? Is she doing all right?”
“Yes, young masters keep asking her to dance.”
After the former chief maid May and her cronies were ousted, new maids had been hired.
Ann, who was still young among the maids, had become head maid. But since it followed May’s removal, there was little resistance.
If anything, it was Ann herself who struggled. Thankfully, the new maids were all under twenty, which made things slightly easier.
“If you’re that curious, why not go see for yourself?” Dona asked, hurrying by with a collected champagne bottle.
“It’s fine.”
If Victoria even looked friendly with a maid in the ballroom, it could spell disaster.
Sharp-eyed young ladies wouldn’t let such a moment pass.
Ann planned to loiter outside a bit longer and then enter near the end to help clean and get a sense of the atmosphere.
As she passed the busy ballroom, she spotted Hannibal in the distance.
His striking looks made him stand out even from afar, yet no one approached him.
Instead, as usual, his aide Oliver stood beside him, and the two quietly sipped champagne in a corner like wallflowers.
With his looks, status, and immense wealth, one would expect him to be wildly popular in social circles.
But it seemed even the people here knew he disliked social gatherings, and avoided him.
Just then, a young lady noticed him and tried to approach—but Hannibal’s expression instantly turned cold.
He had a talent for scaring off ladies with just a glance.
No wonder there were rumors he’d never marry.
Clicking her tongue, Ann turned away from Hannibal.
“Ann Perot.”
As she passed a hallway near the ballroom, the voice of Viscountess Deruca called out to her.
“You’re here, my lady.”
“You taught her quite well.”
“Thanks to your guidance, madam.”
“Yes, it was all thanks to me. It was sheer luck that a maid like you got to learn noble dances and even briefly serve as Victoria’s teacher.”
“I’m well aware.”
Ann understood perfectly why the viscountess had stopped her—her words were laced with the unspoken “how dare a maid.”
“Now that your role in Victoria’s marriage is over, you’d best return to your duties as a maid. Understood?”
“Yes, I understand.”
With a lofty air, the viscountess swept past Ann.
Ann stood dazed for a moment, then glanced at the ballroom. The atmosphere had grown lively.
This was a good time to slip inside unnoticed to tidy up a bit.
Just as she entered, she saw the viscountess leading a group of young ladies toward Hannibal.
Well, he was twenty-three now—time to find a bride.
The backs of three young ladies all faced Hannibal.
Under the chandelier, his face was as flawless as ever, though as cold as before.
If he’d just smile a little, everyone would fall for him.
While they conversed, Oliver escorted one young lady to the dance floor, and Hannibal downed his champagne and left the group.
Tsk, no wonder he’s still single.
Ann shook her head. Just then, Hannibal turned—and their eyes met.
Her gaze unintentionally lingered.
Ann? His silent mouth seemed to form her name, and her eyes widened.
The next moment, Hannibal started walking toward her with long strides.
Did I just escape Victoria only to be caught by the lord of the estate himself? Surely he’s not trying to talk to me during the party?
The viscountess had just warned her. If someone saw her with Hannibal now, who knows what disaster would strike?
Panicking, Ann slipped into the crowd. Thankfully, the throng helped her disappear from his sight quickly.
That’s when she saw something odd.
“My lady?”
Victoria was leaving the ballroom, arm in arm with a young man.
She couldn’t tell who he was from the back, but Victoria’s blushing cheek and smiling profile made her look extremely pleased.
Knowing how childlike and innocent Victoria still was inside, Ann feared she might be getting swept away by sweet words.
Ann was about to follow them when—
“Head maid!”
A young maid ran up and grabbed her arm.
“Huh?”
“I broke the main course plate! What should I do?”
“What?”
While listening to the maid’s panicked confession, Victoria had already disappeared around a corner.
“Yorin’s cooking again, right? I’ll find another plate.”
Setting aside her concern, Ann returned to work.
She had to keep the maids from causing chaos, check that the kitchen and ballroom food exchange was running smoothly, and ensure cleanup didn’t disturb the guests.
“Food’s taken care of—make sure the drinks are ready. Keep the strong alcohol separate.”
“Are the carriages ready for departing guests? Don’t forget the party favors!”
Ann ran herself ragged, making sure the party was a success. Only when it was nearly over did she finally sit in the quiet back garden to catch her breath.
“Ann!”
From a distance, Victoria spotted her and ran over excitedly.
Ann had been worried about her.
“My lady.”
“Ann. Oh dear, you look so tired! Your face is all dark.”
“…Yes. And you, my lady? Did you find someone you liked tonight?”
Who was that man you left with? Ann asked indirectly. Victoria’s cheeks immediately turned red.
“You know what… Sir Sandor proposed to me!”
“What?”
Who did what now?
“You know, Delo Sandor! The one I said I wanted to dance with—the most popular and handsome one! He said he liked me!”
Victoria had gotten exactly what she wanted, but Ann still couldn’t believe it.
“You mean, Delo, the only son of Count Sandor?”
“Yup! He asked me to date him seriously, with marriage in mind—he even said we should get engaged first!”
“Engaged? But… didn’t you speak to him for the first time today?”
Victoria’s newfound beauty was surprising, but wasn’t this moving way too fast?
Especially for a noble lady whose emotions showed so plainly on her face. To a well-seasoned nobleman, she might seem like an easy target.
Of course, no one would dare treat a member of the Clayde family lightly—but that might also attract opportunistic wolves.
“Yeah, he said he fell in love at first sight. And I did too, when I first saw him! I think we’re meant for each other!”
