<Chapter 93>

The title of the piece was Whispers of Love.

It was a slow dance, where the man led the woman, and she had to remain in his embrace throughout the performance. The name came from the way the dancers appeared to be whispering to each other as they moved.

Due to the intimate nature of the dance, even engaged couples found it burdensome to perform in public settings.

Inosensia, too, was momentarily surprised when she heard the music begin. However, her expression soon disappeared as she was practically imprisoned in Temenos’ arms.

Traditionally, this dance required the man to hold the woman’s hand with one of his while his other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close.

Even then, the placement of the hands could easily make the dance appear overly intimate.

Yet, Temenos did not take Inosensia’s hand. Instead, he cradled the back of her head and pressed it against his chest, preventing her from lifting her face.

The arm holding her head also ensnared her back entirely, while the other wrapped firmly around her slender waist, securing her tightly.

There was a heavy sense of possessiveness in the way he encased her completely in his arms. An undeniable, overpowering desire to monopolize her.

And that wasn’t all.

Throughout the entire dance, Temenos stared over Inosensia’s head, locking eyes—one by one—with every onlooker.

If someone gasped and averted their gaze, he would move to the next, and the next.

Every man who had so much as glanced at Inosensia received his silent warning:

—Don’t look at her.

His eyes, gleaming like a predator hunting its prey, carried a chilling message.

There was something terrifying about those possessive, predatory eyes. It was as if a sharp blade had been placed against one’s throat, the cold edge pressing dangerously close.

This oppressive atmosphere did not only affect the men who met his gaze directly.

‘Who in their right mind dances like that for the first dance of a banquet…?!’

Unless his goal was to completely ruin the evening, how else could he spread such a foreboding aura?

Most humiliating of all, the moment their eyes met his, an uncontrollable shiver ran down their spines, as if they were facing a beast about to pounce.

‘He really is a monster. Of all things, he just had to ruin the first grand ball in years!’

‘It’s as if he wants to be shunned by high society!’

The nobles, trembling under Temenos’ icy glare, exchanged glances and silently reached a unanimous decision.

‘Let’s never invite the Monster Duke again! Nor the duchess!’

Finally, the seemingly endless song came to an end.

Completely oblivious to the turmoil around her, Inosensia simply felt relieved that the dance was over and politely curtsied to her partner.

Clap, clap, clap!

At that moment, the crown prince began to applaud.

Those who had been staring at him in confusion soon snapped back to their senses and hastily joined in.

Although the word ‘safely’ felt like an exaggeration, the first dance of the evening had concluded. Applause was, at the very least, appropriate.

“Well done, Duke, Duchess.”

“You flatter us.”

“You flatter us…”

Temenos responded politely to the prince, and it was only then that Inosensia, sensing the odd atmosphere, belatedly followed suit with a bewildered expression.

Before she could grasp the situation, Temenos swiftly led her away.

Watching the empty dance floor below, the crown prince curved his lips into a smile.

“Well then, let the banquet truly begin.”

*  *  *

Men and women dancing with their peers exchanged shy glances or gentle smiles, while small groups of people chattered in lively conversation, laughing out loud with bright expressions.

The food was delicious, and the wine was fragrant. The orchestra, composed of dozens of musicians, played every piece beautifully.

A banquet held by the Imperial Family was indeed something to admire. The dazzlingly dressed guests and the luxuriously decorated ballroom provided plenty to see.

But why…

‘I feel strangely out of place…’

At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but as time passed, it became clear. We were being deliberately excluded.

Did they not want to deal with the Monster Duke? I never expected them to be so blatant about it.

‘His scales aren’t visible at all. Even though he’s wearing a mask, I thought at least one or two people would approach, assuming the rumors were just that—rumors.’

Should I be relieved that no one’s throwing themselves at him, hearts in their eyes?

No one came up to talk, but there were plenty stealing glances from afar.

Perhaps, behind those fluttering fans, their hushed conversations went something like: ‘That man is incredibly handsome.’

‘Well, unless you’re blind, there’s no way you wouldn’t notice.’

…Tch. Why does this annoy me?

At our wedding, Temenos had refused to show his bare face, so I had deliberately veiled him. Now, even though he’s only wearing a half-mask, I have the urge to grab something—anything—to cover him up completely.

Why do I feel this way?

“Is there something on my face?”

“Yes. Ever heard of kim?”

“What is that?”

“It’s a thing.”

Like… extreme handsomeness.

Damn it. I’ve never once in my life been into idols, yet here I am, saying things like this.

“Then why aren’t you removing it?”

“If I could, I would have done it ages ago.”

If only handsomeness were something detachable, like an accessory you could take off when leaving the house and put back on at home.

That way, I’d be the only one who could see that ridiculously handsome face.

‘…Hmm?’

Oh. I get it now!

I’d been wondering why I felt so irritated.

‘I hate that other women are looking at him.’

That’s why I disliked how dressed up he was tonight.

Realizing this, I was slightly shocked.

‘I didn’t know I was this possessive.’

It must be because I grew up in an orphanage, where personal space was nonexistent.

To avoid having my things taken without permission, I got into the habit of hiding anything precious in a place no one could find.

Later, I even flipped out when someone took a cheap pen without asking.

So of course, if the subject was my one and only husband, my possessiveness would be even stronger.

‘Tsk.’

Now that I’d acknowledged it, I couldn’t ignore the shape of this possessiveness any longer. As I pondered how to deal with it, looking up at Temenos, he suddenly let out a deep sigh.

“Haah…”

Then, he took my wrist and led me toward one of the pillars.

It was a dimly lit corner, the golden candelabra casting long shadows.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s a bit late, but I think I finally understand what you said back at the mansion.”

“What did I say?”

I tried to recall, but before I could, Temenos spoke again, “Just who were you trying to seduce by dressing up like this?”

What the hell?

I was so stunned, my jaw just hung open. Temenos gave a small shake of his head.

“Never mind. You don’t have to answer.”

Then, in a barely audible sigh, he added, “It must have been to seduce me.”

For a moment, I almost screamed.

“That’s not it!”

“From now on, just blink once, and I’ll let myself be seduced, so don’t go to such lengths.”

…Huh?

‘Wait. So what he’s saying is…’

Because I dressed up too beautifully, other men were staring, and that annoyed him?

‘Is he feeling the same thing I am?’

Even so, his one and only wife… Wait. Hold on.

If this man feels possessive over me, isn’t that kind of dangerous?

“Just so you know, confinement isn’t an option.”

I have zero confidence in pulling off an escape like Beatrice did.

“…What did you just say isn’t an option?”

“Confinement. If anyone’s doing it, it’ll be me, not you. Understood?”

“I don’t think you realize how absurd what you just said sounds…”

“Ahem!”

A deliberate cough interrupted us, carefully wedging into the tense air between us.

Both Temenos and I turned our heads toward the source of the sound.

“It is an honor to greet Your Grace, the Duke and Duchess.”

“Marquis Kotis, Marchioness.”

As I returned the polite greeting to the two who had shown proper courtesy, I secretly shot a glare at Temenos.

Just wait. I’ll be settling this matter properly later!
 

<To be continued>

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