-Have you already chosen the knights-bodyguards of Ionad?
- Oh, I received the report, but not yet. I’ll decide today and submit the documents tomorrow.
- Understand. Do you need my help?
-......Help wouldn't hurt, but...
Bert spoke, sensing something strange.
“You don’t think that’s why I called you, do you?”
- Is there any other matter?
Adi’s face showed confidence that she had been called solely to discuss work issues, and Bert had difficulty hiding the bewilderment that gripped him. If this was a business conversation, there would be no need to take her out for a walk.
—…… I’m talking about Your Lordship’s partner at the ball.
“Ah, but in this matter, I’m afraid it’s better to ask someone else for advice.” Roy understands such things much better, but, as luck would have it, he is now in the domain.
- The question is not to choose. Everything has already been decided.
- Is that so?
“Yes, I think you should become Your Lordship’s partner.”
- Should I be his partner?
Bert nodded.
“Didn’t he reject Lea Lintu’s proposal?”
And instead of her, put your own knight-bodyguard? Won't this cause even more rumors? Especially for a Duke to choose his own knight... Whatever the intentions, people will certainly take it the wrong way.
“There was a good reason for that refusal.”
Bert said. Adi's expression was not at all happy.
“Besides, the Count will also come to the ball.”
Adi’s eyelids trembled slightly and immediately smoothed out. She was ready to meet the Count, but did not expect that this would happen in the ballroom.
- Since you’re going to show up, you should do it effectively, right?
“...So you’re saying that since I can’t go as a knight, I should go as a partner.”
In a red dress. It would definitely go well with the Duke's hair color. And if she goes as Your Lordship's partner, even the Count will not be able to ignore her or treat her with disdain.
“It seems that all I do is take advantage of his kindness.”
“If Your Lordship hears this, he’s unlikely to like it.”
On the contrary, Juls could consider that he was indebted to Adi. He was not used to talking about it directly, but over the long time spent together, Bert learned to some extent guess Jules's thoughts.
“It was originally intended that you would officially appear in all your splendor, having grown up in Pales, but since you had to return earlier...
Bert patted Adi on the shoulder with a smile.
- Let's make a spectacular appearance this time.
However, Adi’s face became increasingly tense. What's wrong with her? Doesn't she like it? While Bert was wondering, Adi called out to him: “Sir.”
- Is something bothering you? - Bert asked worriedly.
Adi paused before answering:
- I don't know how to dance.
—…….
* * *Bert, having selected several people from the Jonadian guard, conducted a kind of interview. Adi did not understand why here, in Yonada, he was conducting such a strict selection, while in Pales everything was different.
Perhaps she herself received the privilege at one time. And not from the Woodpeckers, but the one created by Kenneth Max and Count Grimaldi.
“Well, I think that’s enough,” Bert said, putting the documents aside.
He was going to choose two of the three knights standing in front of him and also wanted to know Adi's opinion. They might be on good terms now, but hadn't Adi herself once complained about Roy Gallardo for talking too much?
- Adi, do you have any questions? he asked.
And the answer came immediately:
— Do you know how to dance?
—…….
That's not what Bert meant at all.
“Billy, take Adi away,” Bert said.
—…….
Billy looked at Adi. He wanted to lead her along, but he doubted that she would even budge at his will. In response to this silent protest, Adi silently followed Billy outside.
And, of course, this news reached Yuls. Since the new bodyguard knight had not yet been chosen, and Bert was engrossed in selecting candidates, Adi still remained close to Jules.
- Don't know how to dance?
—…….
A female knight who, when recruiting guards, asks if they know how to dance. It was hard to even imagine what strange rumors would spread around Jonad.
“You could have just called me.” Why ask knights about their ability to dance in vain?
“I thought it would be rude, since Your Grace is busy.”
- Think about what people will say if they find out that you are walking around and dancing with someone else after I chose you as my partner?
— According to the rules, anyone who does not know how to dance must find a teacher to learn.
—…….
— May I ask Your Grace for a dance?
- Yes.
“Then could you help me tonight?”
What could this mean? Jules thought about it, but there was no point in thinking for long. This is Adi Grimaldi. No, Adrina Dean.
- I'm busy during the day.
Well, of course. There could be no other meaning.
“I have good control over my body, so learning won’t take much time.”
She even seemed determined.
“Since I have to do this, I want to look perfect both in front of your Lordship and in front of other people.” So as not to become a burden for you.
“You already come into my bedroom every night, so there’s nothing to ask.”
Jules said this with a bitter smile.
* * *Every time just before bed, Adi went to Yuls’ bedroom. From the outside it might seem strange, but those who were familiar with the situation knew that this was a necessary process to lift Yuls' curse.
Today Adi came to the Duke a little earlier than usual. Since he had promised to teach her how to dance, she figured it would take some time. It would have been better to practice somewhere else, but she didn't want to show herself to strangers, and the bedroom where Jules lived was large enough for dancing, so it wasn't a bad option.
Juls must have already been waiting for her, because he got up from the sofa as soon as Adi entered.
- She came.
Usually this was no big deal, but today she was nervous. While Adi stood at the door, Juls asked: “Why don’t you come?” Adi walked towards him. Right in front of the sofa, Juls extended his hand to the approaching Adi.
As soon as Adi took his hand, Juls smiled slightly. The palm lying in his hand was very small. It was unclear how she could swing the sword with such a hand. After stroking her hand, Yuls asked her to wait and left.
Adi looked at the door behind which Juls had disappeared, but quickly looked away when the door immediately opened. Yuls brought a small jar. Opening the lid and picking up the cream with his finger, Juls took Adi’s hand again and pulled him towards him.
- Your Mightiness?
Juls began to apply the cream to Adi's hands. Adi understood what was happening, but did not know why, and therefore looked at him with a questioning gaze. Meeting her eyes, Yuls grinned and said:
- My hands have become rough.
- Sorry about that.
“I don’t blame you for being rough with your hands.” Sir is a knight, so you should be proud of having such hands. Just...
Juls spoke, stroking Adi's hand. The calluses on my right palm were especially hard on my thumb. The knuckle of the index finger was slightly crooked. Several long scars were visible on the left thumb.
Has he heard that those who are not used to the sword cut their fingers when they take it out of the scabbard? Come to think of it, Adi must have picked up a sword not too long ago. This probably happened after Adrian's death.
- I'm afraid it will hurt you.
There were still patches of tender skin on her palms. If her brother had not died, would she have lived like other women, caring for flowers and doing needlework? Julius wondered if such a life would have been better for her. But this is in the past, and nothing can be changed.
“If it bleeds or the skin cracks, it will hurt, so it’s worth keeping an eye on.”
“I’m used to it, everything’s fine.”
Juls looked down at Adi. Of course, this is business as usual for a knight. But he meant something completely different. Probably, no matter how much you say, Adi still won’t understand. And it's not a lack of insight; he knew that she simply did not even allow such thoughts, and therefore did not expect them.
- Well, you don't have to worry about it. I will apply the ointment to you myself.
-...
At that moment, the hand he was holding tensed. The palm seemed to be filled with heat, as if it were about to sweat. Perhaps it was because their hands were touching. Skin to skin - it becomes warmer, so the blood rushes... But it seems that it was something else.
- Ah, um. Your Grace,” Adi called.
Yuls looked back at her, and his lips trembled. He was seized by a hard-to-describe impulse. When their eyes met, this feeling only intensified. Instead of looking away, Yuls pulled her towards him, hugging her waist. Adi froze in surprise.
“To perform the dance, you need to stand this close.”
Having said this, Yuls pressed her even tighter to him by the waist and grabbed her hand.
- Put your hand on my shoulder.
—…….
She understood what dance was and the degree of intimacy it implied. Because of the tiny distance, someone else's breath seemed too close. With every inhalation and exhalation, with every movement of the chest, the bodies pressed against each other became even closer. It was impossible to evade or move away. The heat of his body, the ripples of muscles felt with every movement, and more...
- Adi?
They were touching.
Adi pushed Juls away slightly. She had never imagined that the aristocrats, who were said to enjoy balls so much, would do something so shameless. So, the act of dancing itself is...
- Adrina.
Adi raised her head. She couldn't blame Duke. Looking at how casually others danced, one could decide that it was only her who was having strange thoughts in her head. Her face inexplicably flushed, and Adi pulled away from Yuls. He easily retreated.
- What's wrong with you?
Adi just silently moved her lips. Perhaps because of the summer heat, the warmth of his palm was transferred too easily even through clothes. Despite the darkness of the night, it was clearly visible how her cheeks flushed. Noticing her confused look, Yuls quietly exhaled. For some reason his mouth was dry.
- Nothing, Your Grace.
Having said this, she covered her face with her hands. Juls took her hands and led them down. Not only the cheeks turned red, but also the eyelids. Previously, he was perplexed why women paint their eyes in such shades, but now, looking at Adi, it seems he began to understand.
- Adi.
—…….
- Don't turn away.
Having said this, Yuls raised his hand and fixed Adi’s chin. She could neither avoid his touch nor meet his gaze, and her confused look made him involuntarily grin. He was ready to let her go and give her freedom, but an inexplicable impulse flared up in him.
Maybe that's why.
Juls's lips touched Adi's eyelid and pulled away. The sensation of eyelashes tickling my lips was a thrill. Then Yuls kissed her on the cheek and, continuing to hold her face, pressed his lips to hers. Although it was only soft flesh, it somehow seemed incredibly sweet. There was a sudden thirst in my throat.
Wanting to moisten his dry lips, Juls opened his mouth slightly and, slightly opening his eyelids, looked at Adi. Her golden eyelashes trembled finely.
“You can go crazy.”