Chapter 226: Chapter 226
The close man to her side observed her as she secretly felt conflicted.
With a sweet blush in her usually pale visage, she appeared drunk in his eyes as the Young Duke ignored the reasons for her heat.
’... May the wine be affecting her?’ — Clemente thought as her gaze became drowsy from shyness.
"... Lady." — He leaned and called her attention in discreet volume, aware that the Emperor was to speak shortly after.
Bang. Bang. — Dry knocks on the ground were heard to call the nobles’ watch.
"!!" — The woman jumped, surprised by the noise in her concentrated state.
"It is to be implied, yet on this occasion, the ceremonies have gone short at the little number of youths present!" — The Emperor began.
"Are you alright, Lady Marianne?"
"..."
"..... Would you like some water?"
Locking gazes with the bewildered Lady, he unfolded his limb to prevent any stammer of her feet caused by her surprise... yet no touch was implied in such action.
"Yet celebrations for this season are to continue. More so when our Empire has been blessed with the First Empress’s confidant!" — The Emperor’s speech continued.
The shake of her head denied his offering in the midst of the discourse; As the light touch of her hand lowered his arm to thank his consideration with a strong blink of her lashes.
’I’m fine. Sorry about that... Thank you, Duke Lead.’ — Marianne expressed inwardly, waking herself from the silly concerns anticipation caused.
Clemente watched her hand graze his loose shirt. Blankly and silently, the young Duke returned her thankful stare with seemingly indifferent eyes, slowly taking away the limb that attempted protection.
"..."
"Now, the time for the pieces of a joyous Summer Night are to rejoice wandering the air inside these walls! Let us Dance, people of the Empire! Let this Royal Ball commence, Haha!" — Francois finalized, ecstatic at the events that may subside on this heated night.
*******
The words of his father had been shut by his ears as he concentrated on his sights.
’... Was he with her this whole time?’ — Zeleskiaz asked himself at the view of Noverrne’s new Duke speaking to Marianne.
Observing the cautious behaviour of the man interacting with the woman, the Crown Prince attentively inspected the man’s movements.
’Why are you leaning closer... Noverrne?’ — He inquired at the sight of the Duke’s arm unfolding towards the Lady... Who then lowered it gracefully.
"Tsk."
Grumbling at the action, he averted his gaze to commence his way towards her. Hearing the last words of his Father’s speech as he went down the stairs framing the Royals.
"Let us Dance, people of the Empire! Let this Royal Ball commence, Haha!"
’Say it slower next time, idiotic man!’ — He reproached, displeased from jealousy that her hands had touched another man... And in a hurry... For he knew a mad idea could emerge in the Youth near her.
As his secure steps opened the path between the nobles, the Prince soon closed the distance... just in time for him to secure no invitation came from the Duke to the woman.
"Lady Marianne, it may be sudden, none the less would you be so kind to–"
"My Lady." — Zeleskiaz purposely interrupted Clemente’s impulse.
"!"
Turning surprised at his speed, Marianne met his severe gaze that alternated from her to the man next to hers displeased.
Nevertheless, she had no time to contemplate on such gestures of his.
"..."
Zeleskiaz had quietly extended his hand to her, adopting a polite stance before her, showing the respect Marianne earned in his heart.
"Our piece... I have come for your hand in dance, My Lady... May you kindly grant it to me?"
’Ah... Haha... Silly man, why ask if we previously promised??’ — She innocently thought. Forgetting the knowledge gained about the man in her past, in the midst of the sudden turns of events.
She nodded with grace at his invitation, lifting her hand to lay on his.
’Oh... But I need to leave this somewhere...’ — She then halted, remembering the cup in her hand.
Without letting her hand slip away, Zeleskiaz grasped it and straightened, selfishly taking her cup away and...
"Could you take care of this?" — Shoving the cup towards Noverrne’s new Duke, The Crown Prince requested in a tone that conveyed an order and added coldly. — "... It gets in the way."
"..."
The silence was made apparent by the firmness of their meeting gazes and noticing the lack of intent of obeyance from Clemente, Zeleskiaz pushed it into a near nobleman to finish their exchange.
"Then, excuse us, Sir."
Turning to the confused woman, the Prince gave a last glance at the unfaced Duke and spoke softly as he walked her away, not failing to notice her perplexed eyes wondering what had happened in front of her out of nowhere.
"My Lady..."
’Hey, what just happened??? Why were you so rude–’
"Was I to be a second late... My hand wouldn’t be holding yours right now. Only know this, My Lady... And forgive my actions just now."
"..."
Caressing her fingers with his thumb as he walked her to the Ball Room’s centre, the Prince told her with an upset expression, shutting down her questioning over his behaviour and causing her to silently ponder on what was it that gave him that impression, glimpsing back at the noble left behind with concern.
Their walk led the other nobles to the dancing grounds, who followed stunned at the sight of their Crown Prince taking the Ninth for a piece.
Entertained whispers and envious looks were granted to them, yet the pair did not mind it as their complex sensations continued to instil silence between them.
Finding the place he saw proper for them to intertwine in dances, putting an end to their quiet stroll, Zeleskiaz placed himself before her, delicately holding her hand... lightly squeezing it before lifting his eyes to finally meet hers.
’... So weird...’
His serious demeanour had her worried and the cautious stroke of her fingers had her on edge to convey her sentiment. Nonetheless, Marianne faced him sincerely, without permitting her gaze to leave him; even under their tense wait for the start of the first melody.
"..." — ’... I won’t ask... Maybe the Male Leads enmity is not something that this novel lied about... So I won’t judge you, Male Lead 1.’
She inwardly decided to tell him, eventually relaxed, for it was something she could understand now that she recalled her previous knowledge; Dissipating the confusion his actions caused and the preoccupation at the obvious animosity demonstrated in front of her.
The comprehension of her soul was transmitted with the glint of her hues and causing him to ponder for a second while his eyes lowered, Zeleskiaz’s countenance came back to watch her, softened and fondly.
He bent to her hand holding the proper distance. And, although he desired to place a new pledge in another Rosy Sunset Kiss... solely to declare his devotion to the woman in front of him, the Prince restrained by filling his lungs with her air and raised to look at her... Just like the first time they joined for an improvised piece.
"You look unbelievably entrancing, Lady Marianne... I can barely... Keep myself awake in the dream of your presence."
Sultry and passionate his voice implied his hidden desire with a loving and honest compliment, as his eyes intensely fixated on her gaze, almost as if they were a magnet restricting with his allure the retreat of the woman’s gems from him.
*******
My mind went blank for a moment.
As if it was fate for me to experience unending conflict through this night, the Prince gave me a gaze and a compliment that shook me all over.
I felt my chest shrink at his words and seductive voice... and as if that wasn’t enough... Even if I wanted to I couldn’t avert my eyes from him.
It was somehow fascinating to see that incomprehensible deepness hidden in his eyes that I couldn’t get myself to look away even when I felt my cheeks blush in a rush of embarrassment at his... His so nice and melting compliment... That his slightly mischievous smile only seemed to enhance his suffocatingly sexy character.
’oh gosh... Just when I had finally relaxed...’ — I said in my head, still unable to take my sight away.
The sly and greedy movement of his hand didn’t help me to calm down. The song hasn’t started yet and just by how his fingers slowly grabbed more of my hand... Reaching my inner wrist to caress with his long fingertips...
It had me almost out of breath even though the dance had not begun.
"..."
’... This is madness... Maybe the wine did affect me...’ — Feeling the escalating heat of embarrassment, I lamented, aware that Marianne’s resistance wasn’t that bad and that I only needed an excuse to get myself together.
His attitude was slightly different... Straightforward yet still confusing and concealing well what his inner self saved from being said... So intriguing... but honest in his gaze...
’I don’t know anymore.....?!’ — I sighed to myself, suddenly feeling the light pull of my hand.
I gave a step closer by his pull and watching down on me from his natural height, the Prince continued to satisfyingly smile at me, smoothly reaching my other hand that held my long skirt to take it in his.
"The first song of a Summer Ball is a slow one, My Lady... Do you happen to know the motive behind it?"