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Chapter 84 Part 6 – When the rose of winter bloom. Feelings of first love that transcend time ……

「In other words, master wants to be a clean and dry towel that absorbs well.」

I tightened my grip on Arnold’s neck after he said something unnecessary.

Should I seriously drop this hawk-eyed boy?
Even though the metaphor makes sense in a way, the impression is ruined!!

「Hmph, so it’s not just that you want to be a good girl after all. That’s truly something that a naive young lady, no, a carefree country girl would think.」

Said Countess Rosenthal. Hearing that, I nearly flew into a rage.

You don’t even know how much my mother has suffered from the bullying.
Do you have any idea how hard it was for her to get over it!?

「Calm down. Don’t try to barge into the first dance.」

I was about to rush toward Countess Rosenthal when Arnold hurried to stop me by binding my arms behind the back. When one gets angry, the other calms down.

…… Later, I realized how miserable Countess Rosenthal’s life had been. What the Ruby of the True Emperor showed me earlier was only a fragment of it. And I regretted my lighthearted anger. She was certainly one of the few people who is qualified to say that to mother.

At the end of the second stage of the ‘Thunderbolt Polka’, mother and Countess Rosenthal bowed to each other.

Mother’s shoulders were heaving from her disarrayed breathing.

The burden of doing ‘Thunderbolt’ in an actual performance is too heavy for mother after all.
If she relaxed even a little, the fatigue would hit her in one fell swoop.

「Get a grip. If you show even the slightest weakness in the high society of the nobles, the hyenas will come and devour you. Do you want to be the place where the Crimson Duke …… Wendell-sama rests his wings in such a wobbly state? You want to keep up with your daughter? Don’t make me laugh.」

Countess Rosenthal rebuked her and mother straightened her back.

「That’s it. You see, you can do it if you try. No matter how difficult it is, you can act as dignified as a queen. It is an everyday occurrence for nobles to attempt to read each other’s mind in order to gain a slight edge over their opponents. That is why they wear a mask so that they would seem calm and composed. So that others won’t know the cards they have in their hand.」

Countess Rosenthal is trying to teach mother the ropes of high society with a snide remark.

「That countess is putting her life on the line to teach and guide Cornelia-san. Maybe she’s already ……」

Bradd’s eyes were filled with sorrow and he ended his words ambiguously.

The ‘Thunderbolt Polka’ is entering the third stage.

From this point on, the movement becomes even more intense and large jumps are often used.

The theme is …… life-burning love ……!!

Countess Rosenthal was beautiful with a shining aura. But it was a sad blaze that happened just before the candle burned out.

I have witnessed it several times in the previous 「108 times」 when I was a queen. Even on the verge of death, people who have something they really want to say to someone can sometimes show this kind of momentary recovery.

「Cornelia, your self-esteem is too low. Remember that too much humility can sometimes turn into a vice. Your archery skills and this dance were both excellent. This Countess Rosenthal has complimented your skills. You should have more confidence in yourself.」

The countess is guiding mother as she plays the male role without hesitation. Even though this may possibly be her last dance ……

「You are giving up your right to take revenge …… and decided to live for the sake of your family. It’s tough to survive in high society with such naive convictions. However, it certainly seems to have become a strength for you. How astonishing. Suit yourself.」

Countess Rosenthal’s mouth curved up in a smile as she said this.
It reminded me of falling cherry blossoms.
It was a flurry of cherry blossoms that would encourage my mother in the future.

「Wendell-sama also kicked his right to a huge reward in order to protect his family. The two of you are so similar. You guys are a perfect couple after all. You two ……」

Countess Rosenthal had a look of yearning for something distant in her eyes.

「…… Your steps. It feels like Wendell-sama. Did he teach you?」

「No, my daughter taught me the basics. But my husband always played the role of my partner during dance practice.」

「Fufufu, I’m honored to play the same role as the famous Crimson Duke. That person’s dance was wonderful. If I could make a wish, I’d like to see it just one more time ……」

The countess had a lonely smile on her face.

Even if it’s just once, she wanted to be my father’s dance partner as a woman.

The tone of her voice gave off a faint whiff of maidenly love.

At that moment, mother made an unexpected action.

When the third stage of the ‘Thunderbolt Polka’ was nearing its end, she raised her head resolutely and said to the countess.

「Countess Rosenthal. Let’s swap the male and female roles. My husband’s dance is burned into my mind. From here on out, I can dance the male part.」

We were taken aback, but Countess Rosenthal was even more shocked.

「W-Why ……」

Looking at the surprised Countess Rosenthal who was at a loss for words, mother smiled.

「…… I’ve heard so much about this story from my husband. His memories of a brave girl with brunette hair and hazel eyes. I guess I’m right on the mark. It seems that I, too, have a woman’s intuition.」

Mother placed her hand on her chest and bent down respectfully.

Mother noticed it as well ……!!
That Countess Rosenthal is Rona.

「My husband always had tears in his eyes when he spoke of this child named Rona. He said that he couldn’t protect the winter rose that was supposed to be in full bloom. That the flower was scattered in the flames. I will witness that blooming flower on behalf of my husband. May I have the honor of being your partner?」

That gesture was just like my father.

「…… What a refined imitation ……」

Countess Rosenthal tried to smile wryly, but it didn’t work. She smiled while crying, like a girl with uncontrollable emotions, then her nose reddened and she smiled with a hint of shyness. She took out an old rose corsage from her bosom and put it on her hair.

「I will gladly accept it. ‘Wendell-sama’.」

She pinched both edges of the skirt of her dress and bowed gracefully.

Casting off the mask of the queen of high society, she reverted to Rona for a brief time.
Her cheeks were flushed and her dancing was more innocent than skillful.
Her steps were full of emotions, as if to express the lost years and the days of longing ……
Rona’s feelings burst out from each movement of her fingertips.

I love you. I want to say my name.
But I can’t.
I have become so dirty.

The sea of flames where I lost everything.

The dark, winding road that I have walked alone and that I will never be rewarded for.

In the midst of it all, Rona held tight the rose of memories to her chest. That is her guide. The only treasure she has left. It’s an artificial flower, so it won’t wither, but it can’t bloom or fall any more, a flower whose time has stopped …… A beautiful but cruel rose.

Rona’s silent, heartbreaking thoughts reverberated in the air.

No matter how sinful my body becomes and how ugly my heart becomes, I will always, always, keep this feeling forever ……!!

Rona’s emotions, which had been suppressed for many years, overflowed as if the dam had broken, repainting the atmosphere inside the ballroom.

It was like watching a first-class theatrical play, no, even more than that.

The women clutched their aching hearts and the men clenched their sweaty hands.

In the third stage of the ‘Thunderbolt Polka’, the expressiveness of the female side is essential.

It was a dance that could not help but strike a chord in the hearts of those who saw it.

Rona has been holding on to and protecting her fragile first love that she had ever since she was a young girl.
Including the anguish and faint feelings from childhood that everyone forgets when they grow up.