# 18
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Evelin's ankle healed quickly, just as the doctor said, and thanks to that, she was able to resume her dance training right away.
When she was unable to move due to her injury, she diligently read the social dance books she borrowed in bed. Thanks to this, I was able to learn the basic steps and dance sequences.
So, when she practiced dancing with Defrin again, she was completely confident.
“If you're ready, let's start now.”
At Devrin’s words, Evelin nodded with a determined face. As Devrin slowly moved his feet, Evelyn raised her feet as well.
This time, she didn't make any stupid mistakes like spraining her ankle at the start.
Thanks to reading the book diligently, I was able to move smoothly with Differin.
Of course, that didn't mean her movements were perfect.
Compared to Devrin's graceful movements, she was like a scarecrow that had suddenly gained a soul.
That's normal. Memorizing the moves from the book and practicing on your own was one thing, but dancing with a partner was another.
Evelyn realized that Dyffrin was noticing this.
He must be looking at her struggling now with a look of disbelief.
When she looked up, she saw Dyffrin's face. However, his face was expressionless as usual, and he showed no signs of discomfort.
Finally, one of the dance sessions was over.
Evelin stopped her steps and took a deep breath.
“Foo…….this is hard.”
As Evelyn's breathing gradually calmed down, Defrin said,
“I didn't know you were so clumsy.”
Oddly enough, she felt better because he thought so. Evelin had demonstrated her dancing skills perfectly, so she was relieved that she didn't need to be conscious of it anymore.
“Of course, if you dance in front of people in this state, it will be embarrassing.”
……Although Devrin’s assessment of her dancing skills was a bit annoying.
However, he waited until she had relaxed enough before extending his hand again.
“Shall we start?”
"Yes."
Evelin held Devrin's hand, and they moved their feet slowly.
Even for someone as inexperienced as Evelyn, Devrin's dancing skills were exceptional. Despite being the male lead, he was so perfect at everything that he seemed like he was from another world at times.
‘Ah……except for his personality.’
He also ran the household poorly, so this was another exception.
While Evelin was talking badly about him internally, Defrin pointed out her movements like a seasoned coach.
“Very fast.”
"relax."
“You should take lighter steps.”
Thanks to Defrin's innate teaching ability, he pointed out problems at just the right moments, and Evelyn's dancing skills improved significantly with each practice.
What was surprising was that Defren showed no signs of discomfort or fatigue throughout the training.
He quietly helped with training.
In fact, even someone with a less uptight personality than Differin would have raised his voice at least once while teaching someone.
During a short break, Evelin drank the water the maid brought and glanced at Devrin.
Although he moved a lot, he showed no signs of fatigue.
“Isn't this exhausting?”
When Evelin asked, Devrin sat heavily on a chair and said,
“There's no way I'm going to get tired of this.”
It may have sounded arrogant, but perhaps because of his emotionless tone, it wasn't the case at all. Rather, it seemed like a kind of f-mockery.
Evelyn thought she might understand why.
'I think so. I've trained in different things since I was young.'
Under Amelia's strict discipline and her training as an heir, Dyffryn learned everything from an early age.
Jousting, horse riding, and hunting skills were basic, and various studies such as political science, diplomacy, and theology were also included.
Evelin clicked her tongue inwardly but spoke in a gentle voice outwardly.
“Thank you. It must be frustrating for someone as skilled at dancing as you to watch me, but you taught me so kindly.”
Saying “gently” might be a bit inappropriate, but given Defrin's usual personality, it wasn't entirely wrong either.
“Teaching with criticism doesn't really help.”
Evelyn knew that Defrin was speaking from personal experience.
Even as a child, he was more mature than his peers, and never resisted Amelia's strict instructions.
However, when he became an adult and looked back, it seemed that he did not completely agree with her teaching style being so appropriate.
'This is really impressive.'
Usually, people who grew up with strict discipline tend to demand the same from others.
In contrast to her silent admiration, Evelin coughed at an unfortunate time.
Cough, cough
Devrin's gaze turned to Evelyn.
“Did you catch a cold?”
“…I think so.”
Evelin was coughing sometimes these days. She had been taking cold medicine recently, but since she didn't have a high fever, she didn't think it was a cold.
However, since Evelin's body was generally weak, and because there were no symptoms other than coughing, she did not pay much attention to the treatment.
Therefore, there was no need to go into detail with Differin.
“If you're tired, we can stop today.”
Evelin blinked at Devrin's words.
“You look tired”
“But… the party is next weekend. We still have a long way to go.”
"I don't care about the party. Even if we don't go, it's okay."
Although his tone was not gentle, Devrin was clearly watching her.
She could tell because he was avoiding looking at her. When he said something nice, he would often look elsewhere, as if embarrassed.
She felt like she had become very close to him through dancing practice.
It was just a little of interest, but still.
However, Evelyn was surprised and happy about Dyffrin's change. Aside from her happiness, she couldn't finish her dance training here.
She had to meet an important person at the party and didn't want to show off her clumsy dancing skills.
Evelin walked quickly to Dyfrin and held his hand.
“No, let's keep going a little longer.”
But Devrin didn't answer, just looked down at the hand she was holding.
Evelyn tilted her head.
'Are you too tired to continue?'
Her gaze met Devrin's.
"Are you well?"
"Of course. I can do more."
Devrin slowly stood from his seat.
“Then let's keep going a little longer.”
Devrin and Evelyn resumed their dance practice.
As they continue to repeat the exercise, they can now talk about different things while dancing.
“How are your headaches these days?”
Dyffrin replied, looking away.
“It's becoming less frequent these days.”
“Did you ever think it might be because of my massage?”
Devrin remained silent.
Whenever he received an inappropriate question, he always exercised his right to silence.
But because Defrin was a person with a conscience, he wouldn't pretend he didn't realize that fact when it came to their divorce.
Evelyn gave up on the idea of getting an answer from Dyffrin and focused on dancing again.
However, this time Defren spoke first.
“Evelyn.”
"Yes?"
“You know that if you come to the party, the looks you'll get won't be nice.”
Evelyn swallowed her astonishment. I was more surprised by Defrin's attitude than his words.
In the original story, he did not explain such detailed situations to Evelyn.
So, Evelin always had to deal with her problems alone, crying in her room.
It was the same with this concert. Although it was an event not described in the original story and she could not predict it accurately, she roughly knew what would happen because the original Evelyn had witnessed something similar.
As Devrin said, Evelyn would receive sharp stares at her first social gathering after marriage. Just like what happened at the dress store a few days ago.
People did not look at Evelin kindly. They looked at her with envy and jealousy over her transformation into a duchess overnight, and looks of disapproval from those who supported Dyffryn.
In the original work, Evelyn was overwhelmed with different negative emotions at once, so it's likely to be the same this time.
But Evelin was not afraid because she knew the future.
“It's okay. I expected it.”
Evelyn replied with a barely visible smile.
Devrin stared blankly at her. He even made a mistake in his step, which was unusual for him.
Evelyn laughed softly.
He quickly frowned.
'Ah, I unintentionally made fun of him.'
Seeing him upset, Evelin belatedly apologized.
“Sorry. It's just the first time you've made a mistake.”
“……It’s because of you.”
'Why was he blaming me for his mistake?'
Evelin laughed weakly and asked.
“Is this my fault?”
“Well, that's because you're talking about what you're going to face, so…”
“So...?”
Devrin took a deep breath and then spoke.
“You talk about it like it's nothing, which surprised me.”
Evelyn shrugged.
“Well, worrying in advance won't change anything, right?”
Devrin still stared at Evelin with an expression that did not reveal any of his thoughts.
She was afraid that he would think she was too different from the Evelin he knew, so she deliberately spoke cheerfully.
“Differin, were you worried about me?”
He frowned quickly.
“Of course not.”
“Then why did you say that?”
“I just didn't want you to run out of the room crying.”
Evelyn enjoyed seeing Dyffrin's wrinkled face. She felt a strange sense of satisfaction when she saw him confused or upset.
She stopped her joking when she noticed Dyffrin's wrinkled brow.
'I guess I'm not completely normal either.'