🌻 🌻 🌻
AFTER climbing the massive staircase that led to the hall, I could hear the lovely symphony played by the orchestra as the ship’s crew welcomed all the guests with a warm smile. A lavish dance party was being hosted here. A beautiful chandelier hung from the ceiling and glimmered like a jewel as it illuminated its surroundings. Mirrors around the room reflected these lights, accentuating the gorgeous atmosphere. As light flooded into my vision, I let a gasp escape from my lips.
Such a grand party was rare even within the royal capital. In fact, if we were going by recent trends, this ship’s party was ahead of the capital by leaps and bounds. The owner of the vessel soon spotted us and came over to give a word of greeting. He exchanged a friendly word with Lucas and gave me a gentlemanly bow.
“It has been a while, madam,” he said. “You looked beautiful in your wedding dress, but I must say that you look just as lovely tonight. You’re twinkling like the North Star on this ship.”
“My, thank you,” I replied.
“Lucas and I have been old acquaintances through our work. I respect you for training a ruffian nouveau riche like him into a gentleman, Baroness Stock.”
The owner’s name was Viscount Martinez. He hailed from a noble family but left his home to start a merchant ship company. He used his connections with relatives in the navy to rapidly grow his business.
“Who’re you calling a ruffian?” Lucas grunted.
The viscount grinned and raised an eyebrow. “I know of your days during the construction of the gulf. You really clashed against those opposing you, didn’t you? You only seem meeker and tidier now because you’ve got more ladies working at your company.”
“You idiot. If you’re gonna keep dredging up the past, I’m heading back.”
As Lucas’s true nature started to show from being goaded by Viscount Martinez, I couldn’t help but giggle.
“What?” Lucas asked with narrowed eyes as he gazed down at me.
“I’m sorry,” I giggled. “I’ve been seeing you act more like a nobleman these days, so when I see you act more natural, it’s refreshing. Or perhaps I should say nostalgic.”
His rough words only made him more adorable in my eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he mumbled.
The viscount laughed jovially. “Hahaha! It’s clear she loves you! I’m glad to see it.”
Lucas shrugged. “You seem to be doing well yourself. I thought you were building a flashy ship, but looks like you’ve got quite a few guests, huh?”
“The furniture I got from your company has been receiving compliments. You’re getting orders from the guests now, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, but your ship’s too lavish, and you require a lot of custom furniture, so I’m running short on suppliers.”
“Sounds like a cry of joy to me.”
I enjoyed listening to their conversation. Seeing Lucas speak with another person in his industry revealed a new side of him. People gathered, forming an arc around the two men. Men and women of all ages surrounded them, dressed in the same glimmering attire as Lucas and Viscount Martinez. They were brimming with energy.
This party differed quite a bit from the other social occasions I partook in recently, and I couldn’t hide my excitement. Once the energetic music stopped, the people scattered, eager to dance. Lucas took my hand.
“Shall we dance, Iris?” he asked.
“Let’s,” I replied.
He guided me to the dance floor and started to dance in harmony with the slow music. The awkward steps that he’d fumbled through before were a thing of the past. He guided me well, like a man who was born a noble familiar with these societal occasions. I was secretly delighted, not only with his growth but, as his “etiquette book,” I was proud of myself as well.
“Hey, Iris,” Lucas whispered as we held each other close and twirled. “When we’re dancing like this, it’s hard to forget what we did earlier, don’t you think?”
“Earlier?” I asked.
“Did you forget?”
He drew me closer still, his whispers tickling my ear. Before I could process what he’d said, my face grew red, and in my panic, I almost tripped over my feet. Lucas stifled a chuckle as he supported me.
“Goodness,” I sighed. I tried to glare into his amber eyes, but my legs felt like jelly when he was so close to me. In a pathetic attempt to make another excuse, I eked out, “People will think we look odd if you act like this in public.”
“No, they won’t,” Lucas replied. “It’s normal for a couple to be close to each other when they’re dancing, isn’t it, Miss Etiquette Coach?”
“But…”
“And we’re a newly wedded couple. I’m sure we’re allowed a little lenience.” Lucas smiled, and I could only give an awkward smile back.
“Goodness gracious,” I said.
He chuckled. Illuminated by the chandeliers, his canary-yellow hair glimmered brightly and fluttered with every twirl. The gentle rhythm of our dance, coupled with the serene rocking of the ship, made me feel like I was floating. Happiness filled my heart, and the night felt like a lovely, lovely dream.