CHAPTER 030
Seeing herself reflected in the red eyes felt endlessly unfamiliar. Even amidst her shyness, her excitement was unmistakable.
The strong, large hand holding hers, the broad and firm chest beneath it, and the reassuring arm around her waist, supporting her core.
As she began to recognize every part of his body anew, her cheeks flushed red like ripe apples, revealing her innocent honesty.
"Avoiding eye contact while dancing means you don't like your partner. Do you not like your partner in front of you?"
A gentle voice fell on the top of her bowed head.
Arabelle lifted her large eyes to meet the beautiful ruby-red eyes. The red eyes seemed to soothe her wandering gaze and completely trapped it.
As her clear eyes entwined with his without avoiding, a satisfied smile spread across the Emperor's face.
Swiftly, the Emperor’s long left leg stepped back, and his hand on Arabelle’s back gently pulled her body forward.
His left hand holding hers led her body to tilt slightly to the right, naturally changing their positions as they began to move together.
Sir Theo, sitting in the corner and watching, gaped in astonishment.
He had assumed that since the Emperor didn’t dance, he could only handle a sword, and his dancing would be clumsy. But this moment reaffirmed that the Emperor’s body was superiorly optimized for both combat and dance.
His strong, long arms and legs made his movements elegant and lively, instantly transforming the damp basement into a romantic ballroom. Each of his understated actions was full of restraint and dignity.
Watching the Emperor’s red lips curve into a smile directed at Arabelle, Sir Theo unknowingly swallowed hard.
The Emperor’s face, truly enjoying the moment, was immensely charming. It contrasted sharply with his usual unyielding and ruthless demeanor in the training grounds and the office, appearing delicate and exquisitely beautiful now.
Sir Theo wasn’t the only one entranced by Emperor Maxwell. Arabelle, whose gaze was firmly held by his red eyes, felt as if she was floating on a cloud.
The thought of this first dance was a luxury she had never dared to imagine. Her heart pounded at the sight of his long, thick neck exposed under his open collar.
“When I lightly pull your back and bend your wrist slightly backward, turn once starting with your right foot.”
His deep voice explaining patiently was as sweet as a musical performance.
To the increasingly anxious Arabelle, who kept making mistakes,
“Social dancing is about connecting with your partner. Even if you lose all your steps in confusion, trust your partner and follow his lead.”
Reassuring her, he skillfully untangled her legs with his left thigh, guiding her smoothly back into the dance. His kind words loosened her tense body, and soon she began matching his steps on her own.
“Oh.”
Sir Theo’s eyes sparkled with interest as he watched Arabelle follow the Emperor’s lead.
Though still not of high caliber, the lines of her previously perceived small and thin body were remarkably graceful and elegant. Her slender and delicate frame contrasted beautifully with the Emperor’s body, enhancing her appearance.
When they danced quickly within his broad embrace, it felt like iridescent water droplets bouncing around, and when they danced slowly, it felt like small, white petals smoothly scattering in the wind.
She wouldn't embarrass herself at the banquet in three days. Especially not with the Emperor skillfully covering her mistakes as her dance partner.
Finally, as she managed to complete her turns and transitions fluidly without the Emperor’s guidance, Arabelle’s eyes widened with amazement.
Realizing she had turned on her own and moved into another step, Arabelle burst into a delighted smile.
Her face lit up like a flower bud blossoming into full bloom. Though the Emperor smiled back, he couldn’t fully enjoy the moment due to his growing discomfort.
Her soft, wriggling body within his embrace and the sweet, pure scent warming his senses each time she moved, the delicate, slender neck he could encircle with one hand, the round earlobes still covered in fine fuzz, and the half-open pink lips exhaling breaths that tickled his chest through his thin shirt.
Her entire body was an irresistible stimulus and torment for him. His mouth watered with the desire to bite into her ripe, red cheeks.
As the Emperor’s steps slowed, Arabelle looked up at him with wide eyes. Their gazes met, and the flickering lamplight made their blended reflections shimmer as one.
The Emperor’s grip tightened on her waist, pulling her closer, and he tilted his head towards her exposed nape...
"With such skill, you should have no problem dancing with other nobles at the banquet."
A voice broke in from the side, clueless to the atmosphere.
Sir Theo tried to score points by praising both the Emperor’s teaching and the lady’s learning abilities. But he quickly realized his grave mistake and took a step back.
The formerly tender gaze turned cold, and the Emperor’s red eyes glared at him.
"Other nobles? Is there any reason for the lady to dance with anyone but me at the banquet?"
The shift from a romantic atmosphere to an interrogation room was palpable, as Sir Theo’s goosebumps told him. Swallowing hard, he stammered a response.
“Y-yes, Your Majesty. After dancing with Your Majesty, the ladies are allowed to dance with three nobles in attendance...?”
"Who came up with such nonsense?"
"Y-you don’t remember? It was your direct order. You said it wouldn’t be fair for the candidates to be restricted from dancing with other men. Especially since it’s a good opportunity for those not chosen as empress to meet potential future partners.”
It was Emperor Maxwell who had permitted the candidates to dance with other nobles at the banquet. He had given this order because he felt burdened by the thought of the ladies watching him all night...
The Emperor's previously smiling lips flattened into a straight line as he resumed dancing with Arabelle.
"Do you remember what I just said?"
Before Arabelle could respond, the Emperor answered for her.
"The key to dancing is the connection with your partner. When you get confused with the steps, trust him and follow his lead."
"Yes."
"Since you've learned to dance from me, if you dance with another partner, all the steps you've learned will fall apart."
The Emperor spoke with a slight frown, as if genuinely worried, causing Arabelle's eyes to widen.
Drawing her waist closer and using his foot to spin their bodies, the Emperor continued.
"Everyone has slight differences in their steps. You've just barely gotten used to mine. Adapting to another partner's steps would be too much for you right now."
A hint of guilt flickered in him as he saw her wide, startled eyes, but it quickly faded when he imagined her smiling and dancing with another man's hand in hers.
Swoosh.
"Ah!"
The Emperor subtly tripped Arabelle with his long leg, causing her to lose her balance and fall into his arms.
Catching her lightly and resuming their dance, he nonchalantly remarked,
"See? As soon as I start dancing with someone else's steps, you trip and fall."
Arabelle, clutching her chest in relief, nodded in understanding.
"So, at the upcoming banquet, it would be dangerous for you to dance with anyone other than me. You could sprain an ankle or fracture your wrist. If anyone asks you to dance, you must refuse for your own safety."
"Yes, I will not dance with anyone else. Thank you, Your Majesty."
Sir Theo, overhearing the Emperor's blatant lie, rolled his eyes.
It was remarkable how convincingly the Emperor fabricated such nonsense, and equally astonishing how the young lady believed him without a doubt.
They were indeed a perfect pair.
***
After sending Sir Theo away, the Emperor led Arabelle down the underground corridor to a door entwined with vines.
Placing a hand on the door, the Emperor spoke slowly.
"From here, you must go alone."
Arabelle nodded, her nostrils flaring slightly with determination.
In the lamplight, Arabelle looked so small and delicate that the Emperor's jaw clenched. He reached out for her but then let his hand drop.
Arabelle, lifting her head, met his gaze with resolute eyes.
"Do not worry about me, Your Majesty. I am neither as weak nor as young as you think."
It was as if she read his mind, reassuring him instead.
"You are the only one in the Empire brave enough to treat a dying beast. I believe in you."
The Emperor forced a reassuring smile, and Arabelle's cheeks tinged with pink.
His hand paused on the door as he asked softly,
"What about you?"
As Arabelle blinked in confusion, he continued,
"I mentioned earlier that I didn't want to ask for help because the future Empress might feel slighted. So, if your beloved danced with another woman, would you feel slighted?"
Arabelle stared at him, not comprehending at first. But then she imagined the Emperor dancing with another lady at the banquet, and a sharp pain pierced her chest. Her eyes hardened.
Though he referred to a beloved, it was the Emperor's face that came to mind.
Embarrassed, Arabelle's ears turned red, and she couldn't respond, lowering her head. The Emperor smiled faintly.
"Then, see you in three days, Lady Arabelle."
With a whisper, he pushed the vine-covered door open.
The floor beneath Arabelle's feet began to rotate, and soon she found herself standing in a forest outside the vines.
Holding her lamp, she walked down the dark forest path. Yellow ginkgo leaves gently fell at her feet.
As she continued, more ginkgo leaves fell along her path. She looked up briefly at the tall cherry trees above, then resumed her walk.
Though she walked alone in the dark, she didn't feel lonely or afraid. The lights of the pond garden and the annex drew closer, almost to her disappointment.
As she neared the annex guarded by soldiers, the falling yellow leaves ceased.
Arabelle picked up the last fallen ginkgo leaf and tucked it carefully into her bosom, whispering softly.
"Good night."
Comments
Post a Comment