The Alluring Dance
ADAMOS
He didn't know what the Emperor was planning to do. A few days ago, he asked the Emperor's permission to open a portal for the two female humans. But he refused.
Though he already has an idea that he will do that, he has no inkling why he would invite them to the ball and let the whole Edin know about them.
It still wasn't certain whether their presence on their land could harm their security or not.
'Was he really that desperate to marry me off?' Adamos seethed through a grimace face as he watched the Emperor mingle with the guests with a jubilant face.
"Gaining the approval of the Great Emperor of the Elysian Empire with their intelligence and pure appreciation of Edin, let us all welcome the presence of the lovely ladies from Singapore, Lady Evie and Lady Joyce," the Royal Advocate announced, making everybody's head turn towards the red carpet, including the King.
At first, Adamos was fuming mad with the Emperor's scheme. But it was blown off as the ladies came into the room.
They were both dressed in Edinian formal gowns as customary for every ball. But Lady Evie seemed to be more strikingly attractive than everybody else in the room.
'Is it because of her short hair?' It was elegantly designed with Edinian ornaments which stood out because of its coal-like hue.
All Edinian women wore their hair long, which made her stand out from among them.
'But it couldn't be just that,' Adamos eyebrows knitted together as his gaze darted to her cold brandy eyes, her dainty little nose, and her small pink lips.
Her creamy neck and shoulders were exposed with her gown which emphasized her lithe waist and desirable figure.
Adamos gulped a lump in his throat as he recalled her appearance the first time that he saw her, without any garment at all.
To his astonishment, she lifted her hand in the air, her curvesome hips moved as Edinian music filled the air.
Other ladies came in and danced with them. But he couldn't take his eyes off Lady Evie.
"Your Majesty?" Echid called out his name, bringing him back to the present times. He was sitting on his left side at that time.
The royal family and the dukes and duchesses in a higher position were seated at a long table at an elevated podium at the front of the great hall.
"W-what?" Adamos answered him abruptly in a hoarse voice, making him clear it at once. He shook his head so he could get back to reality.
"I was making an inquiry of how you view the ladies' performance, your Majesty. They're not horrible for novices, don't you think?" Echid grinned while putting his chin over his palm and watching the ladies leave the hall.
"They still need training. But they're going to depart anyway so they don't have to trouble themselves," King Adamos gave an answer not just to Echid but to himself.
"I believe not. They have conformed well in a short period of time," the Emperor interrupted their conversation, as he had been eavesdropping all this time. He has already been seated beside Adamos since the ladies' performance started.
"I believe so, too, your Imperial Highness. I think they would be great Edinian citizens if they decided to stay," Echid replied quickly, using a submissive tone that would make anyone in authority think that he would do everything he said to him in a snap.
"IF - they decide to stay," Adamos repeated, recalling his conversation with Lady Evie about her refusal to be Hyouka as her reward for helping him.
"So you haven't communicated with her yet," the Emperor nodded his head as he looked at the crowd again. The nobles who were present seemed to be busy chatting among themselves about the two strangers in their land.
Adamos leaned forward while his head tilted to his side.
'Did Lady Evie change her mind? Is he behind it?' he thought as he narrowed his eyes at the Emperor who was already conversing with the duke beside him.
'There's only one way to find out.' Adamos stood up and looked for Lady Evie.
He admitted he hadn't seen them in a while, since he was attending to some of his obligations as the King of Edin. And finding a way for the two to return as well. He didn't want them causing any trouble to Edin, which peace he has preserved for centuries.
He was also wondering why he found himself naked with her in the first place.
As luck would have it, she was alone in a corner, sipping on a glass of wine as her eyes darted around the room. It seemed like her attention was more on the eight doors surrounding the Great Hall.
His heart galloped inside his chest as he found her silent curiosity alluringly stunning. But he kept his emotions in check as he neared her.
"Have the Emperor talked to you, my lady?" he asked straightforwardly, which Lady Evie didn't seem to mind as she answered quickly with a nod.
"He offered me a choice of opening a portal for us if I will stay for a year and be your queen," she replied nonchalantly before making another sip in her glass.
Adamos' jaw dropped in bewilderment. He froze for a fraction of a second, as he didn't know if he was astonished by the frankness of his father in making such a ridiculous statement. Or Lady Evie's reaction, as if she has just said an ordinary remark like 'the moon is bright today.'
He drew in a deep breath before putting his hands on his waist and walking back and forth. He could confront the Emperor right now and demand that he change his mind. But before that, he wondered if she had one herself.
"And?" he prodded her as he gazed at her. Her lips were surprisingly moist, perhaps because of the wine that she has been drinking.
"I am thinking about it," she replied in the same icy tone.
But Adamos felt like the atmosphere suddenly turned warm, creating beads of perspiration on his forehead.
'She could not accept it,' he thought. 'Or should she?'
He shook his head immediately and drew in a deep breath. "I think it is wise if you would go back, since you have your life there before you were lost here."
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Attraction is beyond our will or ideas sometimes.