Chapter 217: v2- - 36: the third test II

The minister continued speaking.

Something about a proposed appointment in one of the northern provinces.

Marian listened, though only half of her attention remained on the conversation.

Adrian’s hand was still around hers.

He hadn’t released her.

That simple fact continued to make her heart feel strangely light.

She had expected tonight to be difficult.

She had expected to feel every pair of eyes upon her, every whisper behind her back.

Instead, standing beside Adrian, she found herself becoming calmer.

Perhaps this was what she had been trying to understand.

She didn’t need him to make some grand declaration.

Sometimes a small gesture was enough.

His thumb shifted once against the back of her hand.

Marian glanced up.

Adrian was still listening to the minister.

He hadn’t even looked at her.

Yet she knew he had done it deliberately.

A small smile touched her lips.

The minister eventually finished.

Adrian nodded.

"Send the revised proposal to my secretary tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The minister bowed and withdrew.

Another nobleman immediately approached.

"Your Majesty."

Adrian turned toward him.

Marian instinctively moved half a step aside.

Again, Adrian’s hand caught her.

This time, his fingers settled lightly at her waist.

He drew her back to his side.

Marian looked up at him.

His expression remained composed.

As though keeping her close was the most natural thing in the world.

Her heart fluttered.

She lowered her gaze before he could see how pleased she was.

The nobleman began speaking.

Marian remained beside Adrian.

She found herself listening more easily now.

The ballroom no longer felt quite so hostile.

People were still looking.

She knew they were.

But the looks had changed.

The whispers had changed too.

"Did you see that?"

"He brought her beside him."

"Perhaps Lady Rosemont was never—"

"Careful."

Another voice murmured,

"His Majesty clearly has his reasons."

Marian heard enough to understand.

The story was changing.

Again.

And this time, she didn’t mind.

She had not needed to defend herself.

Adrian had done it simply by reaching for her.

The realization filled her with a warmth she hadn’t expected.

She had come tonight prepared to prove herself.

Yet somehow, Adrian was the one making her feel chosen.

The conversation eventually shifted to something else.

A lady from one of the older families approached with her daughter.

Marian recognized them immediately.

Lady Beaumont and her eldest daughter, whom everyone knew was unmarried.

The girl’s gaze flickered toward Marian before settling on Adrian.

"Your Majesty."

Adrian inclined his head.

"Lady Beaumont."

The woman smiled.

"It is a pleasure to see you tonight."

"Likewise."

Her daughter curtsied.

Marian smiled politely at her.

The young lady returned the gesture, though her expression was more guarded.

Adrian continued speaking with Lady Beaumont.

Marian remained beside him.

Then Lady Beaumont said something that made the Emperor’s attention sharpen.

"Your Majesty, perhaps my daughter might have the honor of joining the next dance."

Marian’s fingers went still.

She hadn’t realized there would be another test tonight.

Adrian looked toward the dance floor.

The musicians were beginning another piece.

For one brief moment, Marian wondered whether he would accept.

He had every right to.

He was the Emperor.

No one could question it.

Her heart gave a small, nervous beat.

Adrian looked back at Lady Beaumont.

Then at Marian.

His hand remained at her waist.

"No."

The answer was quiet.

Simple.

Lady Beaumont’s smile faltered.

"Your Majesty?"

"I have already chosen my companion for the evening."

Marian’s breath caught.

Adrian didn’t elaborate.

He didn’t need to.

Lady Beaumont immediately bowed.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

She withdrew with her daughter.

Marian stared at him.

"You didn’t have to do that."

Adrian finally looked at her.

"I know."

There was something almost amused in his expression.

Marian’s cheeks warmed.

"Then why did you?"

His hand shifted slightly at her waist.

"Because I wanted you here."

Her heart fluttered again.

She looked down, suddenly unable to meet his eyes.

The words were simple.

But tonight, simple things seemed to mean more.

She had spent so long wondering whether she was merely a remnant of his past.

Now Adrian was standing before the entire court with his hand around her waist, refusing another woman’s request because he wanted Marian beside him.

Perhaps she had finally understood.

Perhaps this was what he had wanted her to learn.

That she needed to choose him.

And when she did, he would choose her in return.

Marian smiled.

This time, she couldn’t hide it.

Adrian noticed.

Of course he did.

His gaze lingered on her face for a moment.

Then, very quietly, he said,

"Better."

Marian looked up.

"Better?"

"You came to me."

Her smile deepened.

"Yes."

"And you stayed."

She nodded.

"Yes."

Adrian’s thumb brushed once against her waist.

"Good."

The single word warmed her more than it should have.

Marian leaned slightly closer to him.

Not because she was afraid he would let her go.

Not because she was trying to prove anything anymore.

She simply wanted to.

And Adrian allowed her to remain there.

For the rest of the evening, he did not make her wonder.

He kept her beside him.

He spoke with ministers with one hand resting lightly at her waist.

When they moved through the ballroom, his fingers occasionally found hers.

When someone approached him, Marian remained at his side.

And each time, Adrian made no effort to hide that he wanted her there.

By the time the reception began to wind down, Marian felt lighter than she had in days.

When she finally returned home, there was no ache waiting for her.

No tears.

No uncertainty.

She lay in bed that night thinking about the way Adrian had looked at her.

The way he had reached for her.

The way he had kept her beside him in front of everyone.

For once, Marian smiled as she closed her eyes.

Perhaps she really was beginning to understand him.

And perhaps, this time, she had passed.

--

Tbc

AN: well, it’s not always so bad. If it was, why would Marian even stay?