Chapter 6: Surprisingly, Nobles Prefer Close Contact
“…I feel like I’m marrying my daughter off.”
Charles had tears in his eyes when he finally saw Fiona in her finery. The custom-made dress Linus ordered for her had arrived in time for the ball. It was a pink-beige confection—gorgeous without being ostentatious. A gossamer top layer of fabric was threaded in gold embroidery from bust to skirt, and it shimmered and sparkled beautifully with her every moment.
The ribbon wound around her waist was the same pink-beige but made of a different, glossy fabric. An elegant rose made from the same fabric was set in the knot of the ribbon. Her gloves were white, and her hair was swept up into a loose chignon decorated with floral ornaments made from white and silver thread that set off her black hair splendidly.
Her necklace was silver inlaid with pink gemstones. She didn’t know the name of the gem, but she thought they were beautiful.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, sir, but you essentially are.”
Charles’ shoulders slumped in despair at Ada’s quip. Fiona privately thought they were both being much too dramatic.
“In any case, His Highness has a wonderful eye for style. Just as I expected. The whole outfit suits you well, Fiona, and you look so lovely.”
“But it’s too showy for me. I can’t settle down in it.”
Though she appreciated Ada’s compliments, she couldn’t be completely happy. Fiona was used to wearing her holy attire at work, and her regular clothes were even more plain. As someone who’d led an extremely normal life as a commoner, she found it difficult to adjust to such fine fabric and expensive jewels.
While she thought the dress was charming and glamorous, the mental strain she felt wearing it was tremendous.
“Fiona. You are simply ravishing.”
Linus exclaimed upon his arrival at the Everett residence. Those were the first words out of his mouth, and he fixed his narrowed eyes on Fiona. He continued showering her with praise for several minutes, but she wasn’t in the proper frame of mind to accept them.
She had met Linus often over the past decade. Lately, they met regularly in the royal palace, but when she thought about it, this might be the first time she saw him in his formal wear.
The gold embroidery threaded through his deep gray jacket was exquisite, and his silver hair flowing down his back shone more brilliantly than usual. The white rose pinned to his chest added to his blinding beauty that could make anyone blush. Fiona should have been used to him by now, but even she breathed a sigh of wonder.
It wasn’t just his superbly sculpted features but his aura overflowing with elegance, beauty, and sensuality. An absurdly perfect bachelor crown prince.
No wonder young noblewomen chased him relentlessly, one after another.
“The dress truly does become you, Fiona. And now, if I may, for the finishing touch.”
With that, Linus pulled out a white rose from somewhere and deftly pinned it to her bodice.
“You and I match.”
“Will everyone at the ball wear a rose then to match with each other?”
If so, that would create a serious challenge for flower shops. She didn’t know how many people would be attending, but surely, the number couldn’t be small, in which case, the florists would have a hard time growing enough roses to meet demand.
“No, I simply wanted to match with you, Fiona. How could I not when you’re so adorable? Plus, I need to make sure no annoying pests bother you.”
Charles threw up his hands in exasperation at Linus’ smile and remarked snarkily.
“What? It isn’t enough for you to declare she’s a saint and the top candidate to be your betrothed?”
“Not nearly enough, no. I want to flaunt her and make sure every man, woman, and child in the country knows. That’s the least I expect for someone so enchanting.”
She didn’t understand most of what he said, but she was fairly certain he was complimenting her all dressed up like this.
“Thank you very much. You as well are looking quite, er…marvelous, Your Highness.”
Just because it was natural for a gentleman to compliment a woman didn’t mean she wasn’t happy about it. While she had intended to thank Linus and compliment him on his beautiful appearance, Fiona stumbled over her words since she lacked experience saying such things to a man. In the end, that was all she could muster, and she regretted it, knowing she hadn’t expressed herself properly. Then she noticed him wide-eyed and frozen.
“Did…did you all hear that?”
Linus slowly, awkwardly, turned his head to the side, like a rusty automaton coming back to life after long years of disuse. She must be imagining the slight tremor in his voice.
“Did you hear what she said just now?”
“Yes, yes, we heard.”
Linus was unbothered by Ada brushing him off.
“You heard her, right?”
“I heard nothing.”
Charles vehemently denied him, but his words didn’t slide into Linus’ ears as the crown prince sighed deeply.
“I can’t believe the day has come when Fiona lauds me as marvelous and dashing. Not only that, she confesses she’s lost her heart to me.”
He looked radiant as he smiled happily, his cheeks a bit flushed. However, his words sounded odd.
“Is it just me, or did you embellish a great deal?” she asked.
“It’s definitely just you.”
Linus didn’t miss a beat, which made Fiona flounder to refute.
“Well, I won’t deny you’re beautiful, Your Highness.”
Not only was he gorgeous and refined, but he practically oozed sex appeal. When she told him that simple truth, he clutched his chest, overcome with emotion.
“Charles, did you hear her? Fiona said she loves me.”
“Your Highness, I think you should get your ears and head examined soon.” She was worried about him because he kept interpreting her words differently than she intended.
“Heed me well, my lord. You will make every earnest effort to escort her like a gentleman. Is that clear?”
“I know, I know. Has there ever been a time when I wasn’t a gentleman?”
Linus was as gentlemanly as they came and a beautiful gentleman at that. But gentlemen didn’t kiss one’s hair, so it was uncertain if he was a gentleman in that sense.
“Until now, you have barely toed the line, but ever since you loosened the reins on your self-control, I’ve scented danger in the air. If you force Fiona to do anything, I won’t forgive you, royal status be damned. Remember that.”
“Of course. As if I would do something so stupid after all this time… Right then. Ready to go, Fiona?”