Lucian managed a faint smile. "Perhaps it's because this is the Ratasha Palace, or perhaps it's because I'm facing Your Highness the Princess — in any case, I feel nervous and uneasy. Please forgive my stiffness."
Yet inwardly, Lucian let out a small sigh of relief. "Finally, she's asked!"
The impatience, unease, and nervousness that Natasha sensed had all been feigned by Lucian — all to lead her into asking this very question, so he could test a few things.
Natasha arched one of her thick but elegant brows. "Nervous because of my titles — princess and countess? Lucian, a man ought to carry himself with dignity. You may respect others, you may admire others, you may even stand in awe of others — but you must never cower. That is the spirit and pride belonging to every man, every knight."
"Your Highness, I will do my best to change. I think the nervousness and unease I feel before you stem more from my humble origins and narrow experience." Lucian was momentarily startled by Natasha's attitude and words, but he quickly produced the excuse he had prepared.
Natasha suddenly laughed — not coquettishly, but with an open, breathtaking elegance. "Actually, you're far better than most people. At the very least, this is the first time we've met, and you were able to express yourself smoothly and completely. Perhaps you haven't noticed this quality in yourself, Lucian. Heh — the first time you saw Silvia, you stared at her legs without blinking. I have to admit, your boldness is rather impressive."
Perhaps because Lucian had never bothered Silvia afterward — hadn't even exchanged a word with her — Natasha brought up the earlier incident without any anger. Instead, there was a teasing quality to her tone.
"That was the first time I'd ever seen stockings. I lost my composure a little, but I'm really not a pervert." Lucian explained, slightly embarrassed.
The left corner of Natasha's mouth curled upward, her expression one of deep understanding. "That byproduct of Ancient Arcane Empire alchemy — it has a dreamy, hazy quality. It's something both ladies and gentlemen 'enjoy,' heh, and clearly you're no exception. But ever since the Arcane Empire fell, only a few places can still produce this material. Even ordinary nobles can't get their hands on it."
"I'm glad Your Highness understands." Lucian nodded in agreement.
Natasha gazed at Lucian with a smile playing on her lips. "But no one else stared for quite as long as you did. Lucian, are you really not a pervert?" His flustered demeanor was bringing out a certain mischievous streak in her.
"In fact, I've never even held a girl's hand." Lucian could only respond with this pitiful truth from his current life.
Natasha let out a long, drawn-out "Oh." "How unfortunate. I've seen your records — you're already seventeen. Heh heh, Lucian, after the concert, quite a few young ladies became interested in you. Would you like me to introduce one? They'll all end up marrying nobles eventually, but a bit of pre-marital romance to look back on isn't a bad thing, is it?" That same teasing, playful tone.
"Your Highness, thank you for the kind offer, but I don't need it for the time being. I want to devote myself wholeheartedly to music over the next few years." Lucian refused with utmost seriousness.
His earnest expression only piqued Natasha's playful spirit further. She tilted her head in feigned realization. "You don't need my help? Could it be that you want to pursue one on your own?" Then she raised her eyebrows. "Would you like me to teach you some techniques for courting girls? That little wildcat Silvia was tamed by me—"
*Ahem, ahem, ahem.* Camille's cough rang out at just the right moment, cutting Natasha off mid-sentence.
"Your Highness, why are we even discussing such a peculiar topic?" Lucian felt that Natasha was remarkably approachable, completely without airs, and very easy to talk to — but the conversation kept sliding in inexplicable directions, leaving him with a peculiar feeling.
Natasha stole a glance at Camille, then spoke with an air of bewilderment and sincerity. "Isn't this perfectly normal conversation between gentlemen?"
"But you're a lady, Your Highness." Lucian finally realized where the problem lay — just now, that had clearly been a conversation between two men.
Natasha spread her hands. "You can consider me a gentleman. In fact, I'm better at teaching you how to court girls than most men are. All right, let's get back to music." She noticed that Lucian's expression was turning rather dark and decided to temporarily end the topic.
Still, it was rare for a man not to show resistance or discomfort in such a discussion the way other nobles did, and she was quite satisfied. At last, a man who could hold a proper "gentlemen's" conversation with her.
Lucian let out a slight sigh of relief. "Where were we — the techniques for bringing a piece to its conclusion…"
"Lucian, I have a question." Natasha cut him off, assuming the demeanor of an eager student.
Lucian asked, fully in his professional element. "Which aspect of the concluding techniques?"
"Do you really not want me to teach you how to court girls?" Natasha burst into laughter.
"……" Lucian had no choice but to pretend he hadn't heard.
An hour passed quickly. Inspiration suddenly struck Natasha, and she began recording a melody on the blank paper of the music stand. Camille rose and escorted Lucian out.
"Some of what was said just now — don't go repeating it to anyone casually." Camille saw Lucian to the door, then spoke softly, gazing straight ahead.
Lucian nodded solemnly.
……
After lunch, heart still slightly stirred, Lucian arrived at Victor's house and waited patiently for Phyllis to come.
At the same time, he gave the housekeeper Ace a reminder. "Mr. Ace, Harvest Moon is thick with mosquitoes — this time of year is especially dreadful. Could you sprinkle some sulfur in the hall to keep them away?"
"Certainly, Mr. Evans." Ace the housekeeper was always the most meticulous about propriety.