#10. At the End of the Season (8)

“Did you know, Eleonore?”

On the third floor of the mansion, in a large, unused room.

To the waltz filling the spacious room, Eleonore gracefully spun through a full turn.

In preparation for the ball on Founding Festival night, Eleonore was moving to the rhythm of a waltz for the first time in ages. Her partner was Viscountess Lorshua, whom she had not seen in quite some time.

The waltz, flowing smoothly to the beat, began to race toward its finale, growing faster by the moment. Beneath Eleonore’s white blouse, her sky-blue, high-waisted long skirt fluttered briskly in time with her movements.

“What do you mean?”

Despite her rather vigorous movements, her voice remained clear and melodious, utterly unshaken.

Perhaps she had grown quite accustomed to her young lady’s body by now. Even though the faster rhythm should have left Eleonore short of breath, she looked just as composed as she had at the beginning.

The waltz was gradually approaching its end.

The beautiful melody soared over the quicker rhythm, then burst into a dazzling flourish. For the grand climax, Lorshua drew Eleonore back into her arms after briefly letting her go, and gazed at her intently...