Chapter 210: v2- - 29: the second test I

The following evening, Marian returned to the palace.

She had spent most of the afternoon debating whether she should come at all.

After everything that had happened the previous night, appearing at another imperial event so soon felt almost reckless.

But staying home would have felt worse.

She had told Adrian she would try.

She couldn’t retreat simply because the first test had unsettled her.

The moment Marian entered the ballroom, she knew the rumors had not died down.

They had only changed.

Conversations continued around her, but several voices lowered as she passed.

Some of the looks she received were curious.

Others were less kind.

Marian recognized that expression.

There were women who clearly thought her shameless.

After all, she had disappeared from the opening ball with the Emperor and had not returned.

Now she had come back to court as though nothing had happened.

Yet no one dared slight her openly.

Whatever they thought of Marian, everyone knew that it had been Adrian who had chosen to leave the ballroom with her.

That distinction mattered.

Marian kept her expression composed.

She would not allow the whispers to make her ashamed.

She lifted her chin and continued into the ballroom.

The room was already crowded.

Nobles stood in small groups beneath the chandeliers, while musicians prepared near the far end of the hall. Servants moved quietly along the edges, carrying trays and attending to guests.

Marian’s gaze moved across the room.

She found Adrian almost immediately.

He stood near the imperial dais, surrounded by ministers and several senior members of the court.

He was listening to a man beside him, his expression serious.

Marian watched him for a moment.

Her first instinct was to go to him.

It seemed only fair.

At the opening ball, Adrian had been the one to approach her.

He had noticed her.

He had crossed the ballroom.

He had asked her to dance.

He had even noticed the earring she had worn.

This time, perhaps she should be the one to make the effort.

Marian’s fingers tightened slightly around her fan.

She took half a step forward.

Then stopped.

Adrian was clearly occupied.

There were ministers around him, and the conversation appeared to concern matters of state.

Walking over simply because she wanted his attention would be impolite.

And after last night’s rumors, perhaps it would look worse than that.

She glanced around the ballroom.

A few people were already watching her.

Marian drew a quiet breath.

No.

She would wait until he was free.

Surely that was reasonable.

She moved toward the ladies’ section instead.

Across the ballroom, Adrian noticed her almost immediately.

His eyes settled on her for a moment.

He saw the hesitation.

He saw her glance toward him.

And he understood exactly what she had been considering.

She had thought about coming to him.

But she hadn’t.

Adrian returned his attention to the minister beside him.

He continued listening.

He did not summon her.

He did not send anyone to tell her he was aware of her arrival.

He simply waited.

Perhaps she would come once he was no longer occupied.

Perhaps she would not.

He found himself wondering which.

--

Clara found her a little while later.

"Marian."

Marian turned.

Clara immediately gave her a knowing look.

"You came."

"I said I would."

"I know. I simply wasn’t certain you meant it."

Marian smiled faintly.

"Neither was I."

Clara’s gaze drifted toward the imperial dais.

"So."

Marian sighed.

"So."

"Everyone is talking."

"I noticed."

Clara grimaced.

"They’re being cruel."

"They’re being curious."

"That’s a generous interpretation."

Marian gave a small laugh.

"Perhaps."

Clara studied her for a moment.

"Are you all right?"

Marian knew what she was really asking.

Not merely about the rumors.

About Adrian.

About last night.

About this morning.

She gave her friend a reassuring smile.

"I’m fine."

Clara didn’t look entirely convinced.

But she didn’t press.

Instead, she linked her arm through Marian’s.

"Then stay with me."

"I thought you wanted me to dance."

"I want you to survive the evening first."

Marian laughed softly.

The familiar exchange eased something inside her.

For a few moments, she could simply be herself.

Then Clara’s attention shifted past Marian.

"Oh."

Marian followed her gaze.

Julian was approaching.

Her expression softened.

"Your brother."

Clara looked amused.

"He’s been trying to decide whether he should come over for the last five minutes."

Marian blinked.

"Why?"

"Because he’s heard the rumors."

That made Marian smile.

"Poor Julian."

"He’s convinced that if he speaks to you, someone will decide he’s trying to compete with the Emperor."

Marian laughed quietly.

"Tell him he’s being ridiculous."

"I’ve told him. He doesn’t believe me."

Julian finally reached them.

"Good evening."

"Good evening, Julian," Marian said.

Clara immediately looked between them.

"You see? She’s still perfectly capable of speaking to you."

Julian gave his sister a mildly exasperated look.

"I never said she wasn’t."

"You were hovering."

"I was not."

"You were."

Marian smiled.

The familiar exchange made the tension ease.

Julian looked at her then, his expression becoming slightly more serious.

"I hope you’re well."

Marian understood what he really meant.

Not Are you well?

But Are you all right after everything people are saying?

She gave him a small smile.

"I’m perfectly fine."

Julian seemed relieved.

"Good."

There was nothing romantic in the exchange.

Nothing improper.

Just the quiet familiarity of two people who had known one another for years.

Marian smiled at him once more.

Then Julian excused himself and moved away.

Marian turned back toward Clara.

"He’s still exactly the same."

Clara smiled.

"Unfortunately."

Marian laughed softly.

Across the ballroom, Adrian had watched the entire exchange.

He knew Julian, of course.

Clara’s brother.

A respectable young man whom Adrian had seen around court for years.

There was nothing unusual about Marian speaking with him.

Nothing improper.

And yet Adrian’s expression tightened.

Because this wasn’t the first time.

The memory returned with irritating clarity.

The opening ball.

He had chosen to dance with Lady Ophelia.

Marian had been left without a partner.

And later, when Adrian had looked across the ballroom, she had been dancing with Julian.

He remembered it.

He remembered the way Julian had held her hand.

The way Marian had smiled.

The sight had irritated him then.

He simply hadn’t allowed himself to dwell on it.

Now Julian was standing beside her again.

And Marian had smiled at him.

Adrian’s jaw tightened.

It wasn’t merely that she had been speaking to another man.

It was him.

The same man she had danced with after Adrian had chosen someone else.

The same man who had been there when Adrian had deliberately kept his distance.

Perhaps Julian meant nothing to her.

Adrian knew that.

Perhaps the smile had meant nothing either.

He knew that too.

But knowing something rationally did very little to quiet the feeling in his chest.

He had been the one who told Marian that she needed to choose him every time.

And yet, when he saw her with another man, some irrational part of him wanted her attention immediately.

He looked toward her again.

She was speaking with Clara.

She hadn’t even noticed him watching.

Adrian looked away.

This was ridiculous.

He was the Emperor.

He had ministers waiting for him.

State matters to attend to.

An entire court to manage.

And yet he was standing there thinking about which man Marian had smiled at.

His irritation deepened.

He should go to her.

Perhaps that was the simplest solution.

At the opening ball, he had been the one to approach her.

Yet, he kept his feet firmly planted. No she should be the one going to him now.

Adrian returned his attention to the minister beside him.

He continued the conversation as though nothing had happened.

But his gaze found Marian once more.

He waited.