When Juls bit her upper lip, Adi's lips parted. The grip on his shoulders tightened. The force of her compression was such that he felt pain, but for Jules even this pain was intoxicatingly pleasant.
Yuls's hand slowly slid down his back. When he ran his palm along the spine from the lower back upward, Adi shuddered and pulled away, gently pushing him away.
—…….
- Tomorrow.
Yuls opened his arms and said:
“I’ll teach you dancing tomorrow, but for today, go back to your room.”
“……But tonight I must provide your escort.”
Saying something like that with a burning face was even more dangerous. Jules shook his head, making it clear that there was no need for this.
- Call Dimitri outside, no, Billy. However, call them both.
“I really should be on security.”
- More alive.
Urged on by Yuls, Adi quickly ran out the door. When she came out, Dimitri looked at her with bewilderment, and then frowned.
- Your Grace is calling you.
-......Yes.
— Billy in the servants' quarters?
- Yes, it is.
- Come in.
- Yes......
Dimitri answered. Adi, as if in a great hurry to get somewhere, almost ran away along the corridor. Dimitri did not know exactly what exactly happened inside, but, guessing in general terms, he felt a bitterness in his mouth. Taking a deep breath, he entered the bedroom.
- Your Mightiness?
- Dimitri.
Yuls's ears were burning, as if from a rush of heat.
- Sorry, but the clothes may need to be altered.
- What?
Yuls remained silent, only thoughtfully stroked his chin.
- It hurts.
Dimitri frowned. Juls had been rubbing his chin a lot lately. He developed this habit after a trip to Palesa. Gavin said that this is how he checks whether the stubble has grown back. Moving your hand to your chin seems to be the quickest way to test this.
“I wasn’t trying to deliberately provoke her.”
Dimitri did not understand what was going on. Then Yuls covered his eyes with his palm.
- It's dangerous.
* * *Nevertheless, training continued every night. Either because you get used to any innovation over time, but the proximity of bodies no longer seemed so awkward. The area of contact was so large that, even without doing anything extra, she strangely got used to this sensation.
This is probably why they say that dancing together creates intimacy. And for exactly the same reason, dancing with a stranger should cause extreme tension.
Although the movements themselves became familiar after many repetitions, Adrina still felt a strange thrill when Juls took her hand or when his large palm wrapped around her waist. The situation was not ideal, but she learned to dance well enough not to embarrass herself at the ball. The rest should have been left to others.
For example.
—You have clear skin and fairly light pigment, so accenting your eyelids will look good.
That's just how Billy was.
— My eyes are brown, so a red tint should suit me. How about the color of the campsis and add some gold powder to the center? - Billy suggested.
In fact, Billy wasn't too interested in women's jewelry. This was also due to the fact that aristocrats did not favor the hidden elegance that involuntarily showed through in the neat and laconic outfits they preferred.
Among those who desired something more luxurious and flashy, Billy's taste was considered boring and lacking in nobility. They said about him that he contained only bourgeois practicality.
However, Billy, who argued that this very restraint is the highest form of beauty, tried to show the world true grace, but suffered a crushing defeat.
In Adrina's case, either due to lack of taste or indifference, she allowed Billy to do whatever he wanted. If Adi had a maid of honor or a maid, she would probably have disturbed Billy, but, fortunately, Adi had no maids, and the woman, who did not know how to preen herself, completely entrusted herself to him.
— Isn’t gold powder too wasteful?
-What are you talking about, sir? When you get to the ball, you will see all the luxury of this world. We, on the contrary, adhere to extreme moderation.
— Something that is hung around the neck is inconvenient.
“The absence of at least a minimum of jewelry would be discourteous towards His Lordship.”
-...I rely on you.
— Actually, I love black, but in the summer it looks too gloomy. This red silk dress will be much better. In addition, it will create a feeling of unity. Maybe we’ll pick something black for the winter social season? Close your eyes, it's time to apply makeup.
Why does he say with such confidence that they will be together in the next social season? Of course, she could come as an escort knight, but it is unlikely that she would have to enter the ballroom again.
- Still, I have impeccable taste.
Billy said it.
- Isn't that right, Your Grace?
Hearing this, Adi slowly opened her eyes. Juls, who had managed to approach no one knows when, looked down at her.
- Right.
Ah, that facial expression. It seemed both familiar and not. From this warm look, Adi couldn’t help but smile slightly. A smile also crept across Yuls's face.
- Well, what do you think, second cousin?
- Your Mightiness!
Dimitri exclaimed this and immediately covered his mouth with his fist, as if he had made a mistake. Everyone present was perplexed. Second cousin? Billy, who was standing next to him, silently moved his lips, asking what this meant, but Dimitri just shook his head, pretending that nothing had happened.
* * *The ball, held during the council session, was not an official reception, so the entrance and introduction ceremonies were omitted. Jules arrived neither too early nor too late.
People glanced at Yuls and the lady he was accompanying, but they were in no hurry to approach first. These were unfamiliar aristocrats. People began to whisper, wondering who they were.
There were many red-haired nobles, but at least the man who appeared now was seen for the first time. However, free entry to the ball in the inner palace meant that his status was not in doubt.
In anticipation of the new faces of the winter social season, eyes focused on them. And the Marchioness of Conolly, who knew about the changes in Jules, went towards him, who towered a full head above the others.
- Kat.
Next to her was Lea Lintu. A fresh, pale blue silk dress, decorated with fresh flowers, either hugged the figure or fell, emphasizing the silhouette. The high hairstyle, the neck line and the fan were all from the Conolly family.
The Marchioness of Conolly seemed quite proud of Lea Lintu. She believed that she would be able to behave with dignity and would not become intimidated even next to Jules Woodpecker.
- This time you arrived for the first time. Winter balls are good, but in summer there is always something special...
However, the face of the approaching Marchioness of Conolly began to slowly turn to stone. There was a woman with flaming red hair wearing a dress of the exact same color. Like a northerner, this tall and golden-haired woman was the only one among the deathly pale people whose skin had a healthy tint.
This color resembled a tan under the rays of the summer southern sun.
- Long time no see, auntie.
Jules greeted her.
“Ah, perhaps I should call you Marquise Conolly.”
The Marchioness of Conolly covered her mouth with her fan and laughed. However, summer fans are thinner than winter ones, and true emotions appeared through them. She could not hide the slight trembling of her lips.
She knew that Jules had turned down the offer to become a partner, but she did not expect him to bring another woman with him. Now she did not understand at all what would happen to Lea Lintu and what she herself should do.
The Marchioness of Conolly said: “There is a beautiful lady next to you.” Then she took a step back, as if signaling Lea Lintu to greet them too.
- Duke!
Before Lea Lintu could open her mouth, Claude, who was nearby, called out to Yuls. Next to Claude stood a man whose features they were all too familiar with.
Adi's target is Spencer Grimaldi.
Spencer Grimaldi entered the ballroom much earlier than Claude. He never brought his family to Jonad and always appeared alone. Unlike those who, not wanting to be alone, brought their mistresses with them, Count Grimaldi stood confidently and alone. As if emphasizing its impeccability.
In fact, Count Grimaldi was never involved in sex scandals. The only problem was that he killed too many people.
Spencer knew that Jules Woodpecker had arrived, but he was in no hurry to approach him. He was not interested in Jules Woodpecker. But Claude was interested, because he was the future king, whom he had to take care of. Any shortcomings could be corrected later.
Standing next to Claude, Spencer checked everyone who approached the prince and gave advice on who to avoid. However, the appearance of Jules Woodpecker was a surprise. However, even if he had foreseen it, it would have changed little.
He wasn't a bad opponent. Spencer knew that he had no claim to the throne. However, his very existence was fraught with danger. Claude's friendship with him was not definitely bad, but it was difficult to call it good either.
Spencer followed Claude to Duke Woodpecker. He glanced at the woman standing next to him. She turned out to be taller than he expected: the aristocrats of Jonad were rarely tall. Assuming that she was a Northerner, Spencer tried to remember if Woodpecker had close acquaintances among the nobility of the North.
Judging by the red fabric of her dress, she could have come from Roich - the local scarlet dye was famous everywhere. The makeup around her eyes was also done in reddish tones. And those thick golden eyelashes and facial features...
-...Wife.
Spencer's lips moved slightly. Before him stood a woman who, except for the color of her hair, was an exact copy of his late wife.
- And you are here, Count.
The count's gaze darted to Yuls. Despite his furious squinting, Jules smiled - as if this was exactly what he had expected.
“Adrina, introduce yourself,” said Juls.
- Glad to meet you, Your Grace Count Grimaldi.
Adi spoke.
— My name is Adrina Dean.
Spencer clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white, and then unclenched them again. And after that, smiling, he extended his hand.
— Adrina Dean.
Adi took her father's hand.
- Glad to meet you.
Those present who knew the truth about the situation, and especially Claude, were amazed at how calm and strong-willed both Grimaldis were.