Chapter 35: [Chapter 035] A tension that constricts the whole body
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"To do this in such a brightly lit party hall...! I was somewhat prepared, but I didn't expect him to be so forceful."
A tingling sensation ran down my spine, and I tried to wiggle away. But the harder I tried to escape his grasp, the tighter his arms wrapped around me. Even though he wasn't squeezing me to the point of suffocation, I felt like I was trapped between two boulders, barely able to breathe. My flushed cheeks were pressed against his chest. In my panic, I placed my hand on his solar plexus, feeling the hard, unyielding muscle beneath. Was my heart pounding so hard, or was it his? I would bet everything on it being mine. Everything around me was overwhelming. It wasn't just the physical sensation of being pressed against him. It was the feel of his breath on my hair, the low rumble of his voice in my ear, and the faint scent of lavender from his slightly unbuttoned shirt. I felt like I was the only one in a desert.
"The Duke's dogs are watching us."
My mouth was as dry as a bone. I closed my eyes tightly, wishing for time to pass quickly.
"What... what should we do...?"
I finally managed to look up at him. Roardnes' red eyes were fixed on me, devoid of any smile. Was it because of his eyes, or because my face was so red? I must have looked terrible to him.
"How about this...?"
I leaned my cheek against his chest and rubbed my head against him in a coquettish manner. His chest trembled, and then he pushed me away. Before I could react, he turned towards Countess Jusetta.
"...Countess Jusetta has seen our little act."
"A... little act?"
"...Damn it."
Roardnes grabbed a servant by the neck. The servant, who was carrying a tray of champagne, was forced to hand over all the glasses. After gulping down several glasses of champagne, Roardnes opened his mouth, his face slightly flushed.
"If you do as you do with Noel of Trovica, there won't be any problems in the future."
"Like I do with the Duke?"
"Exactly like that. Don't be such a dog..."
Muttering darkly, Roardnes grabbed another servant by the neck and emptied a glass of champagne. It was a swift and effortless movement, like an eagle snatching a mouse, but the servant was terrified.
"Bring more."
"Yes?"
"More wine. Are you deaf?"
"Yes, yes! Your Highness!"
As the terrified servant hurried away with the empty glasses, I approached Roardnes. I tried to speak softly, but he took a step back.
"...Your Highness?"
"The smell of alcohol is bothering me, so speak from there."
"I, I've never done that with the Duke."
"...What are you talking about?"
"You said if I did as I did with the Duke, there would be no problems. Isn't it because I moved my head slightly while I was in your arms?"
"It was too intimate for a slight movement of the head."
I tilted my head, wondering if that was something someone would say to someone they were holding a moment ago. But then I nodded in agreement. I thought he might have been upset.
"Yes, I've never done that with the Duke. And..."
I took a step closer to Roardnes, who was staring at me intently. Thankfully, he didn't step back this time.
"Please allow me to stand a little closer. If we continue this conversation from a distance like this, our plan might fail."
In fact, if he hadn't distanced himself just now, I would have suffocated from the strange sensation I'd been feeling since I got into the carriage with Roardnes. I had never acted so intimately with any man except Noel, and the unfamiliar tension was making me nervous. It felt like I was standing on a cliff or naked in a closet full of static electricity. Roardnes' gaze made me feel like I had been doused in a stinging ointment. My heart was still pounding, but I couldn't let myself get carried away.
"Jimsker is a loyal aide to the Duke, so he's sure to pass on our 'little act.' So..."
I tried to calm my racing heart as I slowly reached out to him. The intensity of his gaze made me even more nervous, but I had another reason for coming to this party, and I couldn't hesitate.
"I need your help with my plan, Your Highness."
"A favor from your lover, huh?" I added in a whisper. His strong arm tensed slightly. I wanted to see his expression, but I forced myself to continue. I took a few steps forward, the fabric of my dress rustling.
"Hello, Countess Jusetta."
I had finally reached Noura Jusetta, who had been watching us.
The room fell silent as the Countess of Acacia entered with a prince. Noura forced a smile as the Countess greeted her.
"Hello, Countess of Acacia."
"I'd like to introduce His Highness, the Second Prince Roardnes. Would you allow it?"
She had already brought him here and now she was asking for permission? Noura's group watched the new couple, their mouths agape. Noura forced a smile, her eyes glancing at Roardnes who was looking down at her. She was now at his mercy, unable to ignore him because of his status.
"I've heard a lot about your business acumen."
Caught off guard by the sudden introduction, Noura exchanged a few awkward words with Roardnes before glancing at the Countess of Acacia who was smiling subtly. She couldn't forget that this woman, who had risen from nothing, was now the Countess of Acacia. Just imagining it made her blood boil, but she couldn't cause a scene in front of the Second Prince. And then...
"I haven't seen my chaperone for a while."
"Yes?"
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"Everyone knows that Her Highness, the Crown Princess, agreed to be my chaperone."
Adrien smiled brightly, her words drawing everyone's attention.
"I heard that the Duke was your chaperone last time..."
"The Duke is in mourning, and since we are of different genders, it was a bit difficult. I thought Countess Jusetta would have informed everyone of my predicament."
Adrien linked arms with Roardnes and stepped closer to Noura.
"May I ask you to guide my new chaperone, Countess?"
***
Thanks to Roardnes, I was able to enter the Crown Princess's palace with Countess Jusetta. As soon as I saw Doris sitting on the sofa, I almost forgot about etiquette.
'That dress...'
Doris was wearing a dress that was almost identical to the one I had worn yesterday. I remembered every detail, as Madame LeBleu had personally come to my house to help me choose it. And the accessories she was wearing were even more expensive but very similar. I quickly composed myself and greeted Doris.
"I pay my respects to the Star of the Empire. I am Blie Acacia, Countess of Acacia."
"Didn't we already exchange greetings yesterday?"
Doris smiled graciously and motioned for Jusetta and me to sit.
"I didn't expect you to visit without prior notice. I've been quite bored since His Highness the Crown Prince left."
"I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness. I wanted to confirm something you proposed yesterday..."
"Oh, that... Well, what a coincidence. I was just wondering what to do since Duke Trovica seems hesitant."
"Yes, yesterday, you said..."
"Didn't you receive my letter?"
I ignored Noura's wavering gaze and focused on Doris. Had Noel intercepted the Crown Princess's letter?
"Your Highness, if you would allow it, I would be honored to accept your proposal immediately."
My heart pounded. Doris's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized me. Then, with a gentle smile, she spoke.
"Noura."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Have you finished the task I assigned you?"
Doris continued to look at me without breaking eye contact.
"Yes? Well, about that..."
Noura, who had been studying me with a different look in her eyes, flinched.
"My lady, I would love to have you by my side. But I must also consider the Duke's opinion."
Doris offered me a seemingly kind explanation.
"If you could prove your worth to me, even in a small way, I could defy his objections and keep you by my side. Do you understand?"
"...Yes. I will do my best."
I decided to face Doris's test head-on.
"The servants in the palace are quite old-fashioned. There's no need for a future empress to stick to the same style as the current empress. Don't you agree?"
I tried to figure out Doris's intentions. From what I could tell, Doris had copied my style for some reason. I couldn't mistake it. From the head to the toe, it was almost identical. But where did this test begin and end? Should I mention that she copied me? Or should I ask her what she had ordered Countess Jusetta to do? I carefully studied Doris's expression. Like the Crown Prince, Barde, she had slightly down-turned eyes that gave her a gentle appearance. However, her green eyes occasionally flashed with an unmistakable royal pride.
"Of course, there's no need for Your Highness to follow the Empress's style. The world is vast, and there are many creative designers. However..."
"However?"
I spoke casually, as if it were a trivial matter.
"Wouldn't you need someone to create a unique and creative style that befits the Crown Princess?"
"It seems your first task as my lady-in-waiting has been decided."
Doris replied lightly. But only the two of us in this reception room maintained this lighthearted demeanor. Noura's face had turned pale.
"If you do well... I promise to grant you one wish. I'm quite tired of my current style."
Doris smiled and turned to Noura, who was staring at us in disbelief. She dismissed her with a gentle gesture. As soon as Noura left, Doris picked up a teacup and took a sip.
"I suppose you want... the position of the Grand Duchess?"
Her words struck me like a thunderbolt.
"Your Highness, if you would permit it, I would be honored to accept your proposal immediately and carry out your wishes."
Doris' eyes narrowed as she scrutinized me. Then, with a gentle smile, she replied,
"Noura."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Have you finished the task I assigned you?"
Doris continued to look at me without breaking eye contact, then turned to Noura.
"Yes? Oh, well..."
Noura, who had been studying me with a slightly different look in her eyes, started and trembled.
"My Lady. I too wish to have you by my side. But I must be mindful of the Duke's opinion to some extent."
Doris offered me an exceedingly kind explanation.
"If you can prove even a little of your ability to me, I might be able to keep you by my side despite the opposition. Do you understand what I mean?"
"...Yes. I will do my best."
I decided to face Doris' test head-on.
"The palace servants are a bit old-fashioned. Just because you're going to be the next Empress doesn't mean you have to stick to the same style as Her Majesty the Empress, right?"
I tried to figure out why Doris would say something like that. I don't know much about Doris. Based on what I can see, she's been copying my style for some reason, something I can't overlook. Where should I start, and how far should I go? Should I tell her that she's been copying me? Or should I ask her what she ordered from the Duchess of Jusetta? I watched Doris' expression carefully. Doris had the same slightly down-turned eyes as Crown Prince Bardenaldo, giving her a gentle impression. But in her occasional green eyes, I could see an unmistakable pride as the Crown Princess.
"Of course, Your Highness doesn't need to imitate Her Majesty the Empress. The world is vast, and there are many creative designers. But..."
"But...?"
I spoke in a very casual and light tone, as if I wasn't being serious.
"Don't you think we need someone who can create a creative style that befits the Crown Princess?"
"It seems your first trial as my maid has been decided."
Doris replied in a similarly light voice. But we were the only two in this reception room who were putting on a lighthearted act. Noura's expression turned pale, almost pitiful.
"If you do well... I promise to grant you one wish. I'm quite tired of my current style these days."
Doris then dismissed Noura with a polite but firm gesture. Noura bit her lip and left without a word. In the suddenly empty reception room, Doris took a sip of tea and her eyes lit up. Then she said,
"Perhaps what you want is... the empty position of the Grand Duchess?"
Her words hit me like a thunderbolt.
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