I took a deep breath. Okay, Liliane, you can do this. Focus. Don't let Dominic's death stare, standing beside you like a palace guard dog, defeat you.
From far away—through the crowd of nobles busy dancing and gossiping, I could see him. Duke Tristan.
My God… even from this distance, he was like a living painting. His long black hair fell elegantly over his shoulder, shimmering under the crystal lamps. His body… large, sturdy, sexy. The bluish-black gentleman's gown fit perfectly across his chest, emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow waist. And those black eyes, those eyes. Deep, sharp, and at the same time, looking… heartbroken.
Hhhhhh. Why did God put such a perfect man on earth, then give him an aura of tragedy that immediately switched any woman's heart into Florence Nightingale mode?
I had fallen for him since reading this novel, but now seeing him for real? I wanted to scream into a pillow. Unfortunately, I didn't have a pillow. All I had was Dominic, my overprotective older brother, standing rigidly beside me.
"What are you staring at so seriously, Liliane?" Dominic asked, raising an eyebrow.
Oh no. If I answered, "That super sexy Duke, ugh, I want to faint on his chest," Dominic would probably drag me home on a red carpet.
"Uh, that…" I quickly lied, my eyes glancing elsewhere. "Father! I see Father coming towards us with an angry look on his face!"
"Father?" Dominic turned his head reflexively. "Where?"
YES! Diversion strategy successful!
The moment Dominic turned, I ran away as fast as possible, the strawberry jam sandwich I had just eaten nearly jumping out of my stomach because I was hurrying in the heavy party gown. My heels clicked like castanets; my skirt puffed up and smacked two random nobles. "Pardon! Sorry! I'm on a mission of national importance!" I whispered like a spy.
I hid behind the crowd, then slipped toward the Duke, who was now standing near a large window that opened onto the outside balcony.
He stood tall, both hands clasped across his chest, his gaze sharp, staring out the window. Not at the garden. Not at the roses. But at… something.
I peeked from the side.
And instantly held my breath.
Good heavens, what in the world was that?!
Behind the window curtain, on a somewhat hidden balcony, the Crown Prince, the main protagonist, was having a fiery kiss with Lady Genevieve.
Not a sweet, dramatic kiss. This was more like… a tongue duel. If there were a trophy, they deserved to be national champions. I almost wanted to hold up a score card: 9.9 for enthusiasm.
My eyes widened.
Oh my goodness.
Oh my goodness.
OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!
"O... oh my goodness… they're kissing… hmmm…" I murmured unconsciously, half wanting to faint, half wanting to applaud.
Before I could get hysterical, a large hand clamped tightly over my mouth.
"Quiet, Lady," the deep voice whispered in my ear.
A voice that was low, cold, yet intoxicating.
The voice of Duke Leonhardt.
I froze.
"Were you about to shout that the Crown Prince is currently kissing Lady Genevieve?" he continued, his eyes glancing at me in warning.
Okay. My brain immediately short-circuited.
One side wanted to scream, "MY GOD HE'S TALKING TO ME!"
The other side panicked, "MY GOD HIS BIG, SEXY HAND IS COVERING MY MOUTH!!"
I felt like dying. Actually, no, scratch that. I felt like ascending directly to the heavens.
I tried to pull his hand away frantically. "Mmmphhh!!" I jumped around like a fish being fried alive. My heel caught on the carpet; I almost toppled backward. Slapstick heroine in action.
The Duke looked at me with a confused expression. "What are you doing?"
I couldn't think straight. The only ridiculous idea that popped into my head: save the Duke from that hurtful sight.
"C... come closer, quickly!" I cried out in a panic once his hand released me.
"What?"
"Just come closer!"
Without waiting for his consent, I leaped.
YES, leaped—in this super heavy party gown. I almost tripped over the carpet, but managed to stay upright. Someone gasped behind me. "Is she… jumping?" a lady whispered. I didn't care. My mission: protect the Duke's precious eyes.
In a slapstick comedy-style acrobatic maneuver, I hop-hop-hopped toward him, then both my hands immediately covered the Duke's eyes.
Plap!
Oh no.Oh no, oh no.My hands were pressed against his hot face. My palms could feel the warmth of his skin, the faint stubble near his temple.
"D-Duke!" my voice squeaked like a chick fallen into a gutter. "Don't look at something painful! Just look at something that makes you happy!"
Silence descended for a moment.I could hear my own heartbeat thump thump thump.
The Duke didn't push my hands away. He just stood still. His breathing sounded heavy, but not angry. And I… I could smell his scent from this close. The scent of tree bark and a hint of red wine. God, please save me.
"Lady…" the Duke's voice finally sounded, low, heavy. "Are you aware of how strange what you are doing is right now?"
"O-of course I'm aware!" I quickly replied. "But it's weirder if you keep watching that cheap scene! Besides… your eyes are too precious to be used watching the Crown Prince turn into an actor in an instant romantic drama!"
The Duke exhaled slowly. A little sigh. "Lady, I don't understand what you're saying."
My God, I unconsciously used terms from my modern world. I bit my lip. Look at my carelessness now, my body was hot and cold.
Was that a compliment? Or a taunt? I didn't care.
The important thing was… my hands were still covering his eyes, and I could see his face from very close range. His sharp nose, his chiseled jawline, his thin lips. His long lashes brushed lightly against my palms.
I almost melted on the spot.
But then the Duke murmured, "In that case… are you something that makes me happy?"
Gyaaaaa!!! An alarm immediately blared in my head. THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP!
I nearly fainted, but quickly forced a stiff laugh. "Ahahahaha… of course, who else but me! Liliane von Hohenberg, the future pioneer of global happiness!" I bit my lip again.
I truly wanted to dig a hole right now and climb into it.