Pride and Sanctimony - Chapter 49

Chapter 49

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The morning of the weekend quickly approached, but the sky was awfully clouded. And then, as if the clouds were not enough, it started to rain.

Ever since the previous night, the clouds set in and obscured the moon. Along with those heavy clouds, a few drops of rain began to fall, but it didn’t take long for it to grow in intensity. By the time sunrise came, heavy rain was falling steadily.

It was so intense that she wondered if their promised time would be canceled, but before those thoughts could become too overbearing, an elegant white carriage pushed through the rain, stopping in front of the mansion.

With that sight, that certainly meant that nothing had been put off. Valentia puffed her cheeks, not even realizing just and antsy she was becoming.

[Yusef] “I’ve come to escort you, Lady Syner.”

She recognized Yusef from when he retrieved her at the Fall Banquet, and he dipped into a bow as he greeted.

[Valentia] “Hello, Sir Resin.”

Once she was inside the carriage, the once unbearably loud sound of rain became notably more subdued. The rain was so furious, but considering how quiet it had become, the walls of this carriage must have been designed to be partially soundproof.

[Yusef] “I apologize for calling you out in such weather.”

[Valentia] “No. Thank you for coming all this way.”

[Yusef] “You are very kind, my lady. But please, be sure to get angry with His Highness when you see him.”

[Valentia] “Why would I do that?”

[Yusef] “It’s bad manners to ask a lady to venture out in such weather.”

[Valentia] “I will do my best.”

That’s what Valentia said, but she wasn’t angry in the slightest.

The streets were quiet and empty as a result of the heavy rain, and everything seen just beyond her window was completely wet. Even the glass of the window was completely hazed from the rain, but even so—Valentia’s heart was beating with trepid anticipation.

It was odder than anything.

Valentia never missed anyone in her life before, not even her late mother. Though she could remember a few details about her, none of her memories were concrete enough to truly miss someone who was so distant.

This was an abstract emotion that could only be experienced in practice. That amazing feeling of suddenly going out to meet someone, and finding even the journey to them to be an enjoyable one. Such was truly a mysterious feeling.

As the carriage came to a halt, the place where they stopped was a simple looking building, only one story in height. However, what made it interesting was the view of what appeared to be a glass roof just behind it.

When Valentia went to leave the carriage, someone tilted an umbrella over her head. That was even stranger—the concept of someone trying to shield her from the rain.

But doing that, this person’s shoulder would certainly get wet, yes? Realizing that, Valentia’s heart sank, instinctively frowning as she felt her eyes burn.

[Lexus] “I’m sorry. I didn’t think the weather would turn out like this……”

[Valentia] “It’s alright.”

He seemed genuinely sorry that he asked her out on such a rainy day but, little did he know, it did not matter to her what the weather was like.

Valentia didn’t like the rain, and rainy weekends never failed to fill her with a sense of melancholy. But today wasn’t like that.

[Lexus] “I’m really sorry, though……..”

[Valentia] “I told you. It’s truly alright.”

[Lexus] “If you say so. Here.”

He reached out and opened the glass door.

She figured as much, seeing the glass roof from the window, but it was a greenhouse, the walls of which were made of glass. It was a man-made garden with a low stone wall lining a path towards the innermost sanctum of the garden.

And once there, there was a table set up so lovely that it could easily be called a table for fairies.

The space was designed as though a large tree had been hollowed out, creating a natural gazebo like effect. The wood was carved intricately, and there were vines intertwined together, making their way up the side.

[Valentia] “Ah, it’s so pretty.”

It was a truly lovely place, one that would be enjoyed by young women and girls alike.

The only thing that wasn’t made to look natural were a number of exotic looking lanterns, hung between the branches. They were shining brilliantly, but they brought with them a sense of difference in comparison to their surroundings.

This place would have been a truly lovely sight with the dazzling light from the sun, dotting the greenery like crystals. But as the heavy rain set in, the natural light retreated, and these lanterns were clearly brought in at the last minute to fill the gap.

[Lexus] “It’s really beautiful when the sun is out, but then it rained……”

Lexus sighed quietly.

[Lexus] “I want to be able to do well in front of you, but I keep making strange mistakes…….”

Something tickled in her heart seeing Lexus mutter quietly to himself, his voice sounding very depressed as he lamented his own shortcomings. But, what was funny was that such a man looked terribly lovely in her eyes.

It was hard holding back the urge to hold his face in her hands and force him to look at her.

In comparison to this beautiful and picturesque place, this man was far lovelier.

[Valentia] “I love it.”

[Lexus] “Sorry?”

[Valentia] “Look up. You can see the rain falling.”

He followed Valentia’s lead and looked up at the ceiling. Just as she said, the rain was clearly visible, falling and cascading down the glass ceiling high above their heads.

She really loved that sound of the distant rain. And now that today and this moment was a memory she would keep with her, perhaps future rainy days wouldn’t feel as bad anymore.

[Valentia] “It makes me love this even more.”

[Lexus] “……..I see.”

It was only then that he managed to smile.

[Lexus] “Then, shall we sit down?”

The chairs were crafted in a similarly mythical way the other pieces were—made with an intricate mix of carved wood and intertwined vines. It was clearly manmade, and yet it melded so easily as if it were brought from nature itself.

One would think it would make for an uncomfortable chair since it was made from wood, but it was actually very nice.

The tableware was no exception when it came to the overall aesthetic, made from special wood. That was when Valentia realized the significant lack of one specific type of cutlery—an iron knife.

And because of that, every dish prepared were ones that could be eaten easily without the use of steel of any kind. They were not particularly luxurious, but they were still very lovely.

[Lexus] “I had this prepared to fit the mood. But, I wonder if it might not be to your liking.”

[Valentia] “No. I really love it.”

Valentia truly loved everything so much that even her fingertips were trembling.

It was like she had entered into the fairy tale she once read as a child. Everything about it was like tasting a food she’d never had before, but discovering how much she loved it.

She picked up one of the toasted pieces of bread, spreading some of the butter and jam on it with a wooden knife.

[Lexus] “That reminds me, I was thinking what a shame it was that I couldn’t dance with you at the Fall Banquet.”

[Valentia] “That’s alright. I’m not a very good dancer anyway. I would feel too uncomfortable dancing in front of other people.”

Dancing was something that one learned with the help of a partner, and obviously, Valentia had no one to dance with.

Lexus quieted, thinking about something for a moment before making an offer that required very little thinking at all.

[Lexus] “Then, would you like to dance here?”

[Valentia] “I’m sorry?”

[Lexus] “There’s no music, but there’s also no people watching.”

[Valentia] “But…..”

[Lexus] “Lady Syner. Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

Lexus stood up from his seat, side stepping the table and standing in front of Valentia. He gave a polite bow, asking in a voice that was far too sweet and kind.

She was certain this was a dream. 

It had to be. For this place, this man, and these feelings she held so deeply to be called real…..That was much too fantastical. It filled her with a sense similar to being drunk and Valentia held out her hand to him without even thinking.

Lexus smiled, grabbing Valentia’s hand and pulling her close. The sound of her beating heart intensified, and being held so tightly by him, she could even hear the sound of his mixing with hers.

[Lexus] “The sound of rain shall be our music.”

With that, he started the steps, and Valentia helplessly followed along.

[Lexus] “First, a waltz.”

Naturally, Valentia’s steps were clumsy and messy. She took lessons when she was young, but though her mind could remember the steps, her body was untrained. Still, Lexus was a very good teacher.

Valentia was awkward, but whenever she hesitated, he would take the lead and urge her along. And by the time the waltz was over, she realized she made it through without stepping on his foot. Valentia nodded, stepping back as she prepared to slip her hand away from his when—

[Lexus] “Just a little longer.”

He dipped his head down. His voice was a subtle and quiet whisper, spoken like a temptation. And it was something Valentia did not have the power to resist, no longer trying to pull her hand away from his. Instead, she kept still, hoping that would suffice as an answer.

And maybe it was her imagination, but it felt like he was holding her hand a little tighter now.

The menuet was a slow and elegant noble dance. The waltz was basic knowledge, so she was able to avoid stepping on his foot, but with this sort of dance, she was certain she would make a mistake.

[Valentia] “A menuet would be too difficult.”

[Lexus] “It’s alright. You can step on my foot.”

Though he said that, she wanted to do her best not to hurt him.

The dance continued without pause. Valentia was stiff at first, but as more time went on, her movements became more smooth. And as the dance became more enjoyable, Valentia couldn’t stop herself from smiling.

Until eventually, their dance lost all elegance and grace. 

It became more playful, akin to children dancing together. Both her and Lexus held hands, moving like boy and girl, dancing as if they were fairies. And this was something that could only be done because no one was watching. The ballroom at the Fall Banquet would never have allowed for such freedom. 

Then, Valentia’s smile turned into laughter without any hesitation as they moved their bodies in line with music that wasn’t playing. She was forced to grow up so quickly, and this was never the kind of dance that could be afforded to someone who was always expected to be an adult.

[Lexus] “Are you having fun?”

Lexus asked her with a low voice, but Valentia couldn’t answer over the sound of her own laughter. Nor could she hear the quiet sound of him speaking again, whispering the phrase, I’m having fun, too.

And as their dance came to a slow, both of them were filled with a wonderful sense of exhaustion. Bringing Valentia back to her seat, he let her rest for a moment, leaving and returning with a drink for her; a drink made from fresh strawberries.

Valentia felt so tired, but strangely, it was in a good way. Her eyelids were heavy, but it felt different from the exhaustion that came from not getting enough sleep because she was trying to push herself too hard.

Even her listless blinking felt good and sweet.

[Lexus] “Valentia?”

Though he was calling her name, she felt so unbearably sleepy, and his calm and gentle voice, speaking her name, lulled her to sleep no different from a lullaby.

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T/NT/N: (1) A “menuet” (also spelled like ‘minuet’ in English) is a ballroom dance that originated in France, done in a 3/4 count as a pair. Also known as ‘minuetto’ in Italian.