I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 89

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living Through Exorcism! Episode 089

‘I want to dance with you too!’

To be precise, rather than wanting to dance, I wanted to show myself dancing with Harman in front of the Emperor and nobles.

‘But what do I do when I’ve never learned to dance.’

Far from learning, I’d never even seen it done.

Baron Alderton had never been invited to Imperial Court Balls.

At least, that’s what I knew.

In the provinces, banquets were held very occasionally, but even then the Baron would go alone, leaving me out completely.

So there was no way I could have seen it.

‘What should I do? Should I find a dance instructor?’

I was worried whether just one month of learning would be enough.

It was ridiculous to worry about this after already accepting the partner request, but I was concerned whether it might harm Harman’s reputation in various ways.

‘…’

I stared down at the letter blankly.

‘But Harman wants to dance with me too.’

He said it would be nothing short of wonderful.

If we both want it, is there really a need to refuse?

‘Right, if I practice one song to death, I should at least look decent enough.’

Though my schedule would get a bit tighter.

If I asked Harman or Rudian to introduce me to a dance instructor they knew, they’d gladly do it.

The slight problem was that the instructor they introduced might also be reluctant to be at my estate, with me…

‘Let me ask Harman first.’

I wrote a letter saying that I really wanted to dance with the Duke and it would truly be an honor, but I’d never learned to dance before.

And I added whether he could introduce me to a dance instructor he knew.

Then this time, a surprising reply came back.

[Then how about practicing dance with me?

Since you’ll need to match my rhythm anyway, I thought it might be better for me to teach you rather than finding a separate dance instructor.

Oh, of course if it makes you uncomfortable, you can refuse.

I can find and connect you with a dance instructor right away.]

…Excuse me?

‘How could I possibly refuse!’

I eagerly accepted.

* * *

Harman suggested we meet twice a week to practice dancing.

I heard people usually take dance lessons once a week before banquets.

Since I was learning for the very first time, he seemed to be showing consideration.

This couldn’t be better!

“But Lady.”

“Yes, Duke!”

Oh, did I speak too loudly?

Harman tilted his head slightly.

In his blue eyes was reflected me, looking at him with bright, clear eyes without a trace of worry.

What had happened was this.

The day after exchanging letters about practicing dance with Harman, I was visiting the Monteville Ducal Estate once again.

So right now…

I was alone with Harman in the reception room for dance practice!

The day after tomorrow I had an exorcism request scheduled, and three days later Harman had appointments.

‘Today was the only day both of us were free in the near future.’

Since we’d decided to do it anyway, we agreed to meet as soon as possible.

So I ended up coming over in a rush.

“Lady. I’m truly grateful that you accepted, but I’m worried you might be getting too busy.”

“I was already coming once to check the estate and once to look at things outside, right? Since I can do both when I come for dance lessons, nothing will really change.”

Honestly, I thought it would be fine to meet once each. So four times a week total.

Though it was impossible schedule-wise since I’d already booked several exorcism requests.

Despite my earnest persuasion, Harman still couldn’t feel at ease.

“I understand you recently attended a tea party and booked many exorcism requests. What if you overdo it and collapse like before?”

But this is strange.

I’m really grateful for your concern, but.

“How did you know I attended a tea party?”

No matter how much I write about various things in my letters, I didn’t write about the tea party.

I remember that clearly.

I looked at Harman with puzzled eyes.

Then his gaze, which had been dripping with worry just moments ago, began shaking wildly.

Huh?

He lowered his gaze downward.

“…I didn’t look into it on purpose.”

“Pardon?”

“I happened to find out. That you attended the Viscountess of Faynen’s tea party.”

That… was something you could just happen to find out?

Oh, I suppose.

“I heard the Viscountess of Faynen is receiving a lot of attention in the capital’s social circles. So word must have spread.”

“Yes, you’re absolutely right, Lady.”

He answered quickly, though it might just be my imagination.

“But how did you know I even booked exorcism requests?”

“…”

This time he didn’t answer quickly.

Harman’s face, which had hurriedly looked up at me, slowly turned downward again.

“That too… I happened to find out.”

“I see.”

For some reason I was reminded of Rudian, who seemed to know my schedule without missing a single detail, but I decided not to ask further.

Instead, to restore Harman’s face, which looked like it might burn up from blushing, I pretended not to notice and spoke up.

“Duke, about this pose. I’m getting a bit worried thinking about having to dance in a dress.”

“What aspect concerns you?”

“You said I need to extend my leg backward. I’m worried my shoes might get caught in the hem of my dress.”

The banquet dress Harman had given me was a frilly dress with ruffles that came down to my ankles.

‘What if I lift my leg higher than waist level and the ruffles get caught on my shoe heels?’

…Actually, lifting my leg that high was an even bigger problem.

How was I supposed to lift one leg up to my waist when I’d built walls against flexibility since childhood, let alone dancing?

And while maintaining perfect balance!

Harman looked at me clumsily mimicking the pose he’d taught me.

“For that pose, it’s best to extend your leg confidently and fully. That way you won’t get hurt.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. There have been cases where people got hurt precisely when they worried about not doing it properly.”

“I… see.”

Though I can’t even attempt it at all.

“I’ll support you, so it would be good to practice like it’s the real thing.”

“…!”

Harman’s hand wrapped around my waist without warning. No, since he said he’d support me, was that the warning?

There was no time to rest. Soon after, his other hand was also held with fingers interlaced.

Though I’d received countless escorts from him, this was the first time our fingers were interlaced.

‘Right. This is how you hold each other when dancing.’

Experiencing it in reality made it feel closer and more thrilling.

It was so intimate that I could feel the vibration of his pulse directly through my palm.

I quickly extended my leg backward, worried that Harman might feel my rapidly beating pulse.

As confidently as possible, just as Harman had taught me, stretching it out.

But the excitement was short-lived.

‘…Ugh, this isn’t right.’

I felt that something was going wrong.

I should have practiced leg splits regularly.

No, I should have at least done some stretching.

My legs weren’t even half spread apart, but my thighs were already tingling with pain.

I couldn’t stop since someone was watching right next to me. Especially since it was Harman!

I stretched my leg a little more and then…

“Ah!”

I lost my balance and swayed.

But I didn’t fall.

Harman was holding my waist firmly.

Far from falling, my body didn’t lean back even a little. Instead, Harman’s body was pulled toward me.

Our faces, which were already close, came so near that our noses almost touched.

His breath, filled with concern, settled on my fine hair.

“Lady Siena, are you alright?”

“…Th-thank you, Duke.”

Though it would be nice if you could step back a little.

It’s not that it’s bad, but your face is too dangerous.

I’m so embarrassed right now.

For some reason, he didn’t seem to have any intention of stepping away. I blinked unnaturally in my confusion.

‘What, what are you doing?’

The atmosphere was strange. If I wasn’t mistaken, it was truly an odd atmosphere.

The touch of his hand on my waist gradually grew warmer.

Harman’s head tilted as he slowly, very gradually began to move closer.

It was when I was about to close my eyes without realizing it.

“…Noisy. That can’t be right.”

Huh?

My eyes snapped open.

It was a sharp voice I’d never heard before in my life.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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