Maria stared at Diane, making her a little more nervous. She didn't even feel as nervous as this when she was talking to Richard. Then how come she feels this kind of pressure here??.
Observing how Diane discreetly took in deep breaths to calm her nerves, Maria retracted her aura so Diane could breathe very well.
"Oh!! The Duchess is calling for me Lady Maria. It is nice to meet your acquaintance". Curtsying, Diane walked away.
"Milady, what do you think about her??". Another woman came out from the shadows, a wine glass twirling in her dainty fingers.
"Lady Diane... She's an interesting one".
" Should I act on your orders?? ".
" No, we wait. After all, seeing how capable she can be is what we want to see right?? ". Maria clunk glasses with the other woman and sipped her wine.
" Elise, how was it?? Did you find any noble you like?? ". Diane asked eagerly.
" Unfortunately I did not. Not many share my enthusiasms you see". Elise sighed. The dancing made her tired.
" Really?? Not even one?? ". Diane mumbled. It is not a surprise though, Elise's hobbies are a bit too much for nobles.
She shares a certain love for plants and bugs. There is a reason why she mostly stays in her own. Before Diane arrived, Elise loved staying in her room to do research. She was once a social butterfly but people do change.
"It is not strange after all. I should just leave this to destiny". Stopping a butler that passed with a fruit drink, she took two glasses and gave one to Diane.
"How about you?? I didn't see you dance with anyone".
"Little Lady, who would dare dance with me, the fallen daughter of a house with no title??". Diane said this, she also had no expression on her face. It didn't faze her at all.
"Don't say that. If the people here are ones that don't look past your background, then they are just too blind. You also said it before, as a member of the Duchess House, no one can disrespect you ". Elise really liked Diane. Unlike those ladies who only cared about trivial matters, everything Diane does, she does it for a very good reason. Sometimes it may feel like she has no choice but observing Diane for a long time, Elise felt like Diane knows what she is doing. Whatever the Duchess asks her to do, she first weighs the pro and cons of that decision before agreeing to it. She is not afraid to defend herself even though it is done discreetly.
Diane is a very shrewd person too.
"I...". She was about to say something before Richard came.
"Milady, my mother told you to dance with me correct??". Richard smiled charmingly.
Diane's nose twitched. The smell of female perfume over riding her sense of smell. Moving backwards a little, Diane tried to block out the disgusting scent of perfume.
"Forgive me Lord Richard, I do not have any strength to waltz with you tonight".
" Really?? ". Richard walked closer to Diane but she also took a step back. Their actions were like a game of cat and mouse. Advancing and retreating.
"Milady, I have come to ask for a dance. I hope you will not reject me". Richard said loudly and with a bow. Diane's eyes burned with an angry fire, with how Richard said this, how can she reject his proposal?? Doing that might even reward her with the Duchess's wrath.
"It is this lady's pleasure Lord Richard". Putting her soft and dainty hands in his, Richard pulled her to the dance floor. He put his arms around her waist as she put her's on his shoulders.
The music started slowly, they danced to the beat.
"Milady, why is it that you find it difficult to be around me??". A playful smirk rested on Richard's lips.
"Tell me the truth Milady, I will like to hear your answer".
"Lord Richard, your reputation alone makes me want to stay far away from you". As expected, Richard's face darkened a little. Not even a second later, he turned back to his sunny disposition. As if his former expression was nothing but a fleeting moment which it was.
"Only that? Milady, your tongue will put you in trouble someday".
" Lord Richard, you told me to speak nothing but the truth. I have said it now, you want to punish me?? ". What she meant is that Richard is a person who is cowardly. He doesn't like to hear the truth and when he hears it, it makes him angry.
"Milady, your hidden words are truly deep".
"Thank you for the compliment Lord Richard".
Richard twirled Diane as the music went. They both had no one in their eyes, Diane might be dancing with Richard now but her focus is elsewhere.
She noticed a peculiar scent coming from Richards jacket. It smelled like perfume made out of a mixture of rare flowers.
Diane recognized these flowers because of the time she spent with Elise. Using her sensitive nose, she tried to find out the owner of the perfume but her actions proved futile.
It means the person isn't close enough.
She waited till the dance finished. Curtsying, Diane wanted to leave but Richard pulled her back.
"The dance has just begun".
"Ugh...". Diane tried her best not to puke. All the speeding and turning made her dizzy.
"I thought this guy treats women gently". She mumbled.
"I see you didn't have a good time dancing with Richard?". The Duchess asked from behind her.
Diane turned around with a smile.
" Not really Your Grace".
The Duchess took notice of Diane's red face and nose.
" This child... I should teach him to treat women better. How did he get the reputation of a casanova in the first place??".
Speechless. Diane had no idea of what to say. Did the Duchess know about her son's name outside, but she didn't do anything to stop it!!
"Don't look at me like that child. I can tell what you are thinking".
" I am sorry Your Grace".
" There is no need to apologize child. You did not do wrong. No lady in their right mind will want to go near a person like Richard but actually, he is not like that. All those news about him are ploys set up for him by himself ".