I accept Lionel's hand without hesitance. At this point I can't really afford to hesitate. Honestly it comes down to a choice between Lionel and Gilbert.
Lionel, unlike Alstair grasps my hand firmly the second I put it in his, enough to make me jolt at first m. Though I had willingly placed my hand in his it felt like he was trying to keep me from fleeing. Honestly I already had my guesses at what was going on with his family, I just didn't know the extent of it.
I feel a change in energy as he, with a simple motion of his hand, turns me towards him. The song was already about midway, but thankfully it was one of those seemingly endless pieces. We wouldn't be lacking time to finish our conversation.
Lionel puts his arm confidently around my waist, and moves his hand firmly on my back as he pulls me close.
The gap between us was gone in an instant.
I lift an eyebrow at this unexpectedly bold behavior. Is this okay? He's far closer to me than Alstair had been. Lionel straightens into an incredible posture and made a rock like frame around my smaller body.
"You're taking this seriously?" I questioned him without holding back my mocking tone. After all, we were going to talk while dancing. I wasn't quite prepared for dancing seriously meanwhile.
"Of course. I cannot dance with the prince's fiance without taking it seriously. It would look bad. The more serious the less connection we appear to have." He replies without any hint of a smile.
...I'm not sure I agree, and I end up letting out a soft sigh. Lionel pushes my back with his palm to get me in the correct position for him to lead. If he is taking it seriously then I can't afford to spare any effort either, or House Celeste will look like it loses to House Tepet even at dancing. I change my posture in an instant.
The waltz we were dancing is a very elegant dance, but there are specific things other than the steps and your body types, which determined your aesthetic beauty. The man's role was to lead. That meant more than to guide. He was to provide a frame for me. In case a man's partner was a bad dancer, he would have to be able to control her actions with his body, that was the frame. It would not be wrong for you to think of it as a vase for a flower. If the vase moves then the flower in it should too.
The frame Lionel provided would be compared to a rustic stone vase, whereas Alstair would be a glass vase at best. There was no way I could trip Lionel or get in the way. If I did Lionel be able to forcefully change the direction with ease. It was a rather forceful way of moving, but I didn't intend on resisting, that is not how this kind of war is waged.
I let my arm glide over his with a smooth movement and place the side of my hand on his shoulder. That was all that was needed. I didn't need my touch to be firm, for Lionel was already like a rock. Two rocks on a dance floor would be more of a comedy than anything else.
As a woman, I was to express myself the best I could within his firm grasp... and one more thing. A great part of the aesthetic beauty depends on me as well. The base may be made by him, but without a woman it is still only half a dance. I pull my stomach back to straighten my back and lift my collarbone to stretch the curve of my upper back and slide my head backwards without curling. As a result the part over Lionel's hand appears to pour over his well made frame. I stretch and strain every muscle in my frail upper body to keep this leaned back position, for I cannot lean on the arm behind me. I may lean back, but need to use muscle to hold myself up.
Try to sit straight and while keeping stretched and straight bend the upper part of your back. It really strains every part of you.
"...A lily..." I glance up to Lionel, and his eyes are rounded. I merely raise an eyebrow at his behavior. I'm only doing this seriously because I don't want to lose to him, that's all.
I let my head glide to the side and patiently wait for his lead. As expected it comes with sturdy and steady movements. I sway gently in his arms, but as we begin to move I let my movement flow around him like water around a rock. No matter how sturdy, I will not lose. I will overflow, I will challenge you.
I feel his grip tighten a bit, but he never stops, he never hesitates and his form doesn't drop even a little bit.
"So, where were we?" I finally decide to bring up the matter we came out here for. Though the subject we are about to breach is much to serious for the sweet waltz currently playing. I feel a jolt. It appears he got busy competing with me and temporarily forgot.
"...Why are you avoiding Gilbert?"
He went directly for the throat. I take a moment and consider how to word it. Again, if I just throw about accusations then he might not believe me.
"...He gave me a drink and doesn't seem to let up on the thought of having me drink it."
I went with the safe choice and give out as little information as possible while telling the truth.
"Why don't you?"
"It looks weird and smells weird. Is that not reason enough?"
He goes quiet for a few moments.
"Then why didn't you say no?"
"...He was going to give it to someone else..." I decided keep it with that. It wasn't a lie. He threatened to give it to the dog. Time for my question.
"Bertram is the son of a mistress, isn't he?"
"....he is..." Lionel responds with a frown.
I thought so. It would explain his clothing. It still doesn't really explain why he is here though.
"How did you find out?" He asks cautiously.
"I met him by coincidence on the way back from the powder room. He was dressed too well for a commoner or a servant, and a maid from your house was with him. Since he has traits from Lord Tepet, it was quite obvious. Why is he even at the party?"
Lionel clicks his tongue at my words.
"His mother kept insisting, so father gave in."
I didn't look at him. I knew enough from his fingertips pressing into my back like angered claws.
"She's trying to have him recognized and introduced to the public?"
I asked the question as gently as possible... but I probably didn't need an answer...
I slowly begin to understand why Lionel has such a horrible personality...
"Yes..."
It goes quiet between us at that. I have no more questions.
It is a rather bad situation. If Lord Tepet publicly declares Bertram his own, then Bertram becomes a possible heir. If I make an assumption on Lionel's poison knowledge then... that probably gives the reason the maid attempted to poison Bertram. It's a battle between the mistress and wife of whose child becomes the heir of House Tepet... and if I am not wrong, then Lord Tepet himself is ignorant about the situation and is letting himself be manipulated.
If anything, I was amazed that they had been able to keep everything quiet for so long. Even without meeting her, I am quite impressed with Lady Tepet's effort in killing off the rumors of Bertram's existence. Things like this become public secrets.
"I won't mention Bertram to anyone, I promise," I say out calmly. It was an act of grace. I didn't need the situation to get messier. Lionel would turn into an enemy the moment I messed up the careful balance his family is trying to uphold.
"...Thank you..."
Another few moments of silence spread between us, before Lionel asks something... unexpected...
"Lily, who have you fallen for?"
"I have not." My response was prompt and irritated as I lift an eyebrow at those words.
"I have no reason to fall in love." Not only are they cute little kids, but they would all abandon me for the heroine later.
"My love was unrequited after all." With Kenta too.
"I am not a fool." I have more important things to worry about. I only say part of the truths lingering in my heart, but it should be enough.
Lionel didn't respond for a while after that and focuses on dancing.
"I will see what's wrong with Gil's drink."
A surprising offer came from his lips.
"That would be a relief."
I accepted graciously.
---*---
As the dance ended Lionel loosens his hold slowly and then bows gracefully. By the time he leaves, I realize that I hadn't worried about the eyes around us during the dance. Well, a much more dire subject had been the focus of our dance.
After crushing Magdalin's little hope of 'Do you like Lionel-sama?', I ended my evening there.
As for Lionel... well... a big deal was made out of Gilbert's glass. It had definitely been poisoned.
Somehow Lionel ended up being used as an anti-poisoning tool again, though this time of his own free will. It was a gesture in return for me keeping silent. All in all, a satisfying deal for both of us.