Chapter 227: Chapter 227
’huh? That... I don’t remember anything being mentioned in the novel...’ — Ignorant to what he asked I tilted my head, dubious, contemplating on how to get myself some distance from this suddenly shameless attitude he was giving me with that tone of his.
"... Because..." — Leaning, his voice lowered to whisper in a distance I could still tolerate. — "Isn’t the warmth of closeness similar to the frustrating heat of the Summer Sun?"
"...!" — ’... What’s... What’s wrong with you...? What are you–?!’
"This is the other reason why I could not permit My Lady to grant this first dance to another man."
Moving my hand to lay on his shoulder, as if preparing for the almost unhearable piece to commence, he traced my arm tickling it with his graze, placing his palm on my waist... looking straight into my eyes to say such a thing. Having no hint of shame at what his mouth was spouting.
"...!" — ’You idiot...!’
I felt myself being shaken by the mix of his words and actions. Trying to fight the blush of our body since both of us felt odd at what was happening with no choice but to stay placed in his hold... as I thought that my retreat would be our loss for some reason... Seeing his smug expression; so satisfied with our every little reaction... I couldn’t help but think that was the case...
’Let’s hang in there, Marianne... We knew he was a sensual guy... We should have seen this coming when we were to dance in public where he has more of an advantage...’
I told my troubled maiden. Trying to gain the reins of our fluster as we were attacked by a mischievous sexy Prince.
’Just remember, Marianne! What do I always tell you!’ — Ticked off by the unsettling new sensation he invoked, I energetically changed my attitude. — ’If he’s hot, then you’re Hotter! We can get him too! This idiot! Trying to mess with us as soon as he sees the opportunity!’
Truthfully, I was weirdly entertained in my pouty displeasure.
It was so strange of a sensation... To be mad by being looked down on as if we were to accept everything... But also expectant to see whatever else he tried to pull to teach him a lesson... That... I honestly was inclined to already forgive even when he hasn’t attempted to do anything else yet.
’I really don’t know anymore... This is just...’ — I thought, hearing the start of the certainly delicate song, as our united hands lifted and my back bent backwards as he leaned on me; following our body’s elegant pose to give start to this promised dance.
"..."
The slow movement felt quiet even with the background melody.
Meeting his gaze, hopefully conveying my acceptance of his challenge if there was any... I inwardly told him in the deepest of my soul; so certain I felt like smiling...
—... It’s fun. —
’... I like how we are in this odd ambience we seem to have, Kinky Crown...’
*******
The marvellous symphony of the instruments moved their trained steps with natural excellence.
A slow dance where the woman was to excel in the beauty of her graceful being, delicate like the flowers to bloom under the Summer Sky and prominent in their decisive and confident motions that conveyed the strength those flowers had in their seemingly frail petals... to endure the burning heat of the orb decorating their days.
The Crown Prince simply followed behind her. Carefully pursuing the flowery woman showcasing her elegance as his dance was one that signified the treatment and respect such flowers heeded.
His hand never lost hold of hers. Even in the swirls of speeding music that only became slower as the climax of an unsaid story was told by the melody.
Mischievous as he had been, Marianne had him captivated with any little glance she granted the Prince.
Essentially gorgeous and effortlessly seductive, Marianne portrayed herself as beauteous and pure like the water spirits, yet as dangerous as the whispers of daydreams mermaids liked to enchant foolish men in.
There were many times that a wish to say something to the woman was felt by the entranced man. Nonetheless... Details like the movements of her limb, wrist and fingers... Even the intrinsic movement of her long silky hair kept him quiet.
Every time more mesmerized by observing her unique sight, that came to conquer his soul.
".....hah..." — At some point a weak gasp of a sigh left him, making obvious to the absorbed Crown Prince that the strong palpitations his body resounded with... were no less than the drums of his excited heartbeat.
She had paced away in a linked dance step, where her long arm continued to connect with his hand and... It was at the moment his ears heard his own gasp for air... That his impulses drove him to change the last decreeted stages of this piece they were dazzlingly dancing to, for one his body and soul deemed mandatory.
’My bouquet... Although I want to admire your beauty, I do not want to do it from a distance.’ — Zeleskiaz conceived, aware that their dance was to end with the separation of their hands and the distance of a few steps.
Doing as he desired, selfishly breaking the synchrony of the other dancing couples to close on to the Lady Zeleskiaz held dear in his heart, he came to move forward in her search.
’Uh..?.. That’s not... ’
Surprised she watched him approach, aware by her body’s knowledge that such action was not supposed to happen in this dance piece, causing her eyes to stare curiously at what he intended.
Zeleskiaz’s other hand was offered to her... And she took it with little to no hesitation even in the doubt...
Marianne could not even wonder about the desired dancing step the man had in mind to end their piece with.
And as swift and stealthy as the man was, he carefully lifted her limbs to place himself behind her. Slyly achieving a sweet embrace of her figure, linked by their holding hands...
"!"
Appearing as if she hugged herself with crossed limbs, his hands were grabbing onto her from behind. And with the fading lovesome melody... Zeleskiaz leaned onto her, following its mesmerizing sound to meet her incredulous eyes once her head turned to look at the one warming her body with a close embrace.
"... .. .. "
Enchanting violet with rosy colour gems entranced the woman with the passion they conveyed.
"... This ought to be... How we are to always end, My Lady.. " — Desireful he mumbled to the woman, out of breath for what he wished.
’...How..?’
’...With you in my arms...’
Both inhaled in a thrill to their own thoughts, as their chest became impatient with apparently heated air.
"... Closer..."
"..."
The man continued to approach her waiting visage, closing their unbearable distance...
’So my lips can touch yours–’
"Marianne."
"-..."
A sudden call of the woman’s name halted their daydream.
"... Good evening... Crown Prince Zeleskiaz."
"..."
A voice he had no recollections of reached him, yet Zeleskiaz couldn’t care less as he felt the light clench of her hands on his, transmitting her inherent nervousness at the man’s appearance.
Smoothly, in the short seconds they stood in that lovesome ending pose, Zeleskiaz glanced at their still linked limbs to then arrive at her previously entranced countenance... Finding it pale and cold. Devoid of her sweet essence... Or trace of the emotions her gaze usually communicated against her condition’s nature.
"....."
Straightening with the woman still in his arms, he remained quiet, stranged at the sight for a moment; to then speak as he frowned.
"Wh–"
"Excuse my interruption, Highness. I am here merely... Merely because I wished to greet my dear Sister... who you kindly invited to this palace."
"..." — Feeling the light pull of hers trying to draw away, Zeleskiaz loosened... Although not let feet give a step away from him by placing his hand around her waist, keeping her by his side in intuitive protection. — "Right... My Lady also has a Brother..."
"... The name is Paul Khan Sylfinnier, Prince."
"....."
Silently he observed with indifference the cynical man whose proper expression did not conceal well the strong animosity his aura emanated.
"Marianne..." — Paul continued, without caring about the clever and dangerous Prince observing him close the distance between him and his Sister, obviously cautious of Paul’s sudden appearance and at the Lady’s quick change.
"I finally found my way to you in this crowded place..." — His hands went to take hers... When her body was cruelly stiffened by the circumstances. — "How have you been...?"
Seemingly soft in tone and expression Paul caringly inquired to the Lady, squeezing her hand only for her to notice his hidden rage.
"You look so beautiful tonight, Marianne... My Sister... How much have I missed you."
Watching the Lady being smoothly drawn away by her brother’s seemingly warm greeting, Zeleskiaz scowled at the scene for the sensation of their ambience only was felt as ominous in his sharp spirit.
"..."
The woman who never had been seen avoiding this strongly the meet of someone’s gaze... Frozen in her stance that even when moving she continued to appear like a stoned statue...
’What in the world... How come it’s always her siblings that... Seem to throw My Lady into the path of death by simple touch?’