Chapter 90
When Yuls bit his upper lip, Adi’s lips parted. The hand gripping his shoulder tightened. The grip strength was better than expected, creating a sensation of pain, but even that pain felt good to Yuls.
Yuls’s hand slowly moved down toward the back. When his hand stroked upward from the lower back, Adi startled and pushed him away.
“…”
“Tomorrow.”
Yuls said, releasing his hands.
“I’ll teach you to dance tomorrow, so you should go in for tonight.”
“…I need to guard Your Grace tonight.”
Saying this with a completely reddened face was even more dangerous. Yuls shook his head as if that settled it.
“Call Dimitri from outside, no, Billy. No, both of them.”
But they really needed to guard…
“Quickly.”
At Yuls’s urging, Adi moved swiftly. Upon exiting, Dimitri gave a questioning look before furrowing his brow.
“His Grace is calling.”
“…Yes.”
“Is Billy in the attendants’ quarters?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Please go in.”
“Y-yes…”
Dimitri answered. Adi walked so quickly down the corridor it was almost like running. Though not knowing exactly what situation had occurred inside, Dimitri could guess roughly. With a bitter taste in his mouth, he took a deep breath before entering the bedroom.
“Your Grace?”
“Dimitri.”
Yuls’s ears were flushed red as if heat had rushed to them.
“I’m sorry, but we might need to have the clothes refitted.”
“Pardon?”
Without answering, Yuls stroked his chin.
“It’s rough.”
Dimitri frowned. Lately, Yuls often stroked his chin like that. It was a habit he’d developed after returning from Palesa. According to Gavin, they judged maturity by beard growth. The first sign was apparently touching one’s chin.
“I didn’t mean to provoke…”
Dimitri couldn’t understand what he meant. Then Yuls covered his eyes with his palm.
“This is dangerous.”
❖ ❖ ❖
Still, they practiced every night. Perhaps because unfamiliar things become familiar with frequent exposure, the close physical contact no longer felt awkward. With such extensive areas of contact, it became strangely familiar even without doing anything more.
Maybe that’s why they say dancing together creates intimacy. By the same token, dancing with a stranger would create tension.
Though the dance steps had become familiar through repeated practice, there was still a strange tension when taking Yuls’s hand or when his large hand encircled their waist. While it wasn’t yet perfect, they had learned enough not to embarrass themselves at the ball. The rest would have to be left to others.
For example…
“Since your skin is clear and light in pigmentation, emphasizing the eyes wouldn’t be bad.”
Someone like Billy.
“With brown eyes, red would suit you well. How about trumpet creeper red with gold powder in the center?”
Billy said. In truth, Billy hadn’t been particularly interested in women’s adornments. The subtle elegance felt in his preferred neat and simple attire wasn’t favored by noble ladies.
Among those who wanted something more flashy and eye-catching, Billy’s taste was considered boring and lacking dignity. Perhaps it could be called bourgeois practicality.
But Billy, who argued that this restraint was the most stylish aspect, tried to display maximum refinement, and failed spectacularly.
In Adrina’s case, whether from lack of preference or lack of concern, they let Billy do as he wished. If Adi had had ladies-in-waiting or maids, they would have interfered with Billy, but fortunately, Adi had no such attendants, and being unable to dress up alone, completely entrusted themselves to Billy.
“Isn’t gold powder too luxurious?”
“What are you saying, Sir? At the ball, you’ll see every luxury in the world. If anything, this is too restrained.”
“Necklaces are uncomfortable.”
“Having no jewels at all would be disrespectful to His Grace.”
“…I’ll leave it to you.”
“Actually, I prefer black, but black looks too dreary in summer. This red silk dress will be much better. It creates uniformity too. Shall we fit you in black for this winter’s social season? Close your eyes, I need to apply the makeup.”
Why was he so certain about attending the next social season together? Of course, they could come as a guard knight, but likely wouldn’t enter the ballroom.
“My eye for these things is truly the best,” Billy said.
“Isn’t that right, Your Grace?”
At these words, Adi slowly opened their eyes. Yuls was looking down at them, having arrived at some unknown point.
“Indeed.”
Ah, that expression. Familiar yet unfamiliar. Something in that warm gaze made Adi smile unconsciously. A smile flickered across Yuls’s face as well.
“So, how does your uncle think it looks?”
“Your Grace!”
Dimitri shouted before covering his mouth with his fist as if he’d made a mistake. Everyone else looked confused. Uncle? Billy, standing nearby, moved his lips as if to ask what that meant, but Dimitri shook his head as if it were nothing.
❖ ❖ ❖
Since the ball held during the parliamentary period wasn’t a formal banquet, the entrance and introductions were omitted. Yuls arrived neither too early nor too late.
People turned their attention to Yuls and the woman he was escorting, but didn’t approach first. This noble was unfamiliar to them. People began whispering about who they might be.
While red-haired nobles weren’t uncommon, this particular man was someone they’d never seen before. However, freely entering a ball held in the inner palace meant he was certainly a noble of established status.
Attention focused on them with expectations of a new figure appearing in this winter’s social scene. Lady Connolly, who knew of Yuls’s changes, approached him, his head visible above others due to his height.
“Cat.”
Lea Lintew was with her. Her fresh sky-blue silk dress with fresh flower decorations clung precariously to her body before falling away, revealing her silhouette. The upswept hair, exposed neckline, and collared fan had all come from House Connolly.
Lady Connolly seemed quite proud of Lea Lintew. She thought that with this level of preparation, she could stand proudly even beside Yuls Woodpecker.
“This is your first time attending here. While winter balls are nice, indeed summer brings such unique…”
However, Lady Connolly’s expression gradually hardened as she approached. There was a woman in a dress the exact same color as the flaming red hair. The woman, tall and blonde like someone from the North, had the only healthy-looking skin tone among people who were pale to the point of whiteness.
It was a color like one tanned under the southern summer sun.
“It’s been a while, Aunt.”
Yuls greeted.
“Ah, perhaps I should call you Lady Connolly?”
Lady Connolly covered her mouth with her fan and laughed. However, the summer fan was thinner than winter ones, revealing the expression beneath. She couldn’t hide her trembling lips.
She had known he’d rejected the partner proposal, but hadn’t expected him to bring another woman. She didn’t know what this meant for Lea Lintew or what should be done.
“You have a beautiful companion,” Lady Connolly said. Then she stepped back as if telling Lea Lintew to greet them as well.
“Duke!”
Before Lea Lintew could speak, Claude called out to Yuls from nearby. Beside Claude stood a figure familiar to them all.
Adi’s target, Spencer Grimaldi.
Spencer Grimaldi had entered the ballroom long before Claude. He had never brought his family to Ionad, always coming alone. Unlike others who brought mistresses because they disliked coming alone, Grimaldi was proud even by himself. As if to show he had nothing to hide.
In fact, Count Grimaldi hadn’t caused any sexual scandals. The problem was how many people he had killed.
Though he knew Yuls Woodpecker had arrived, Spencer didn’t approach him. Yuls Woodpecker wasn’t of interest to him. But Claude was of interest, and he was the future king Spencer needed to look after. Any deficiencies could be addressed soon enough.
Spencer stood beside Claude, checking those who approached him and giving warnings about individuals to avoid. But he hadn’t expected Yuls Woodpecker. Or rather, even if he had, there was nothing to be done.
He wasn’t a bad opponent. Spencer knew he had no interest in the throne. His mere existence was dangerous though. It wasn’t necessarily bad for Claude to be friendly with him, but it might not be good either.
Spencer moved to stand before Woodpecker, following Claude’s movement. Then he looked at the woman standing beside him. She was taller than expected. Noble women of Ionad weren’t usually so tall. Spencer, guessing she was from the North, tried to recall if Woodpecker had any close noble acquaintances from there.
Seeing the red fabric, he thought she might be from Ilyich, as their red dyes were famous. Her eye makeup was red as well. And those thick golden eyelashes and features…
“…Madam.”
Spencer’s lips moved slightly. Before him stood a woman who looked exactly like his wife, except for the hair color.
“The Count is here too.”
The Count’s gaze turned to Yuls. Despite the piercing look, Yuls smiled. As if he had been expecting this.
“Adrina, give your greetings,” Yuls said.
“Pleased to meet you for the first time, Count Grimaldi.”
Adi spoke.
“I am Adrina Din.”
Spencer clenched his fist until it turned white, then released it. Then, smiling, he extended his hand.
“Adrina Din.”
Adi took their father’s hand.
“A pleasure to meet you.”
Among those watching this scene, those who understood the situation, especially Claude, marveled at the ruthlessness of both Grimaldis.
Lilina
Ahhhhhhhhh I waited so long for this
You got this Adi! Sock the man !!