Chapter 36: Divulgence (1)
Adrien stood in front of the full-length wall mirrors that were inside of the dressing room. He eyed the colorful vest with a paisley floral pattern. It wasn’t anything like what he owned or had ever worn before. Most of his clothes were plain in both color and design.
He straightened out the collar of the suit, pleased with the final look. It may be a bit bolder than what he was used to since he had been in this world, but it most certainly suited his new appearance.
Adrien had to admit that the sisters had excellent taste. Pulling back the curtain, he made his way to where the sisters were sitting on the couch that was located in the private changing room where they were casually flipping through the catalog.
His date with Mikyle was tomorrow and when Lady Aefre had found out about it, that had somehow led him to being dragged out by the two sisters to buy an outfit and accessories for the upcoming date. He wasn’t sure if the two girls were using him as their very own dress-up doll or were just genuinely happy for them. Either way, he was enjoying himself, even if he was exhausted.
"Well, how do I look, ladies?"
Both sisters looked up at the same time and a small gasp escaped from each of them. Adrien realized again just how similar these sisters were to each other.
"I believe that is the one," Lady Aisley commented.
Lady Aefre nodded. "It really suits you, far better than the last one."
Adrien felt his pride hurt just a bit with that comment. The last outfit he had tried on had been one that he had picked out. It had been a solid-colored suit with no vest. The color of it had been a little bolder than he was used to but not too crazy.
"Lady Aisley and Lady Aefre are correct. That outfit really suits you," commented one of the workers who had been standing by.
Adrien wondered just how many times the sisters had been to this boutique for the workers to know them by name. But this was a men’s boutique. Did they personally buy clothes for their father and for Lord James? Shaking off the thought, he gave himself one last final look in the mirror. "I’ll be taking this one then."
After paying for the new outfit—which Lady Aefre had insisted on buying since it had been her idea to go shopping—the three of them headed to a small café. Their plan was to look for matching accessories to go with the new clothes after a quick tea and snack break.
Lord James was already there waiting for them. He had scored an outside table at the surprisingly busy cafè. He had decided to meet them there since his classes had run later than theirs.
Sitting in the middle of the table was a tray filled with various snacks. "I order two of each. Let me know what the three of you want to drink and I’ll order it for you," Lord James offered, his eyes glued to his fiancée.
"I still can’t believe that Prince Mikyle had done something like this," Lady Aisley complained for the umpteenth time that day once Lord James had left to place their order. She had been furious that Mikyle had publicly announced his intentions the way he had.
Adrien had been upset at first, but it proved to be difficult to stay mad at Mikyle.
"I agree," Lady Aefre hummed, "but we can’t be bothered by it since Adrien is not."
Adrien took a sip of his orange tea, a small smile hidden by the cup’s lip. It almost felt like he had his sisters back with the way these two acted around him. It was a nostalgic feeling.
* * * *
Adrien had just finished getting ready when a knock sounded on his door.
He opened the door and felt his breath leave his body at the sight before him. Mikyle was wearing a white ensemble; a color that accentuated his features marvelously. His golden hair was styled back, revealing his perfectly sculpted forehead. His lips curved back to reveal a dazzling smile made up of pearly-whites.
"You look amazing," Mikyle’s deep and ponderous voice rolled out as he complimented Adrien.
Adrien felt his face flush with heat. His body grew warm and that tingling, itchy sensation spread over his skin once again.
How could Mikyle have this much of an effect on him just by giving him one simple compliment? Was the attraction between the two of them just this strong, or was there something else at play?
"Th-thanks. Y-you too." Adrien mentally slapped himself for sounding like a bumbling fool. Shouldn’t he have been used to Mikyle’s good looks by now? The guy practically lived in Adrien’s room with how frequently he visited.
Mikyle’s smile somehow grew even more charming, and his red eyes sparkled with pleasure. He placed the tip of his index finger against his cheek. "Should I not receive a kiss for making you so flustered, hmm?"
Adrien just barely kept his jaw from falling open. Did this guy just become even more brazen?!
"Hmm? I’m waiting." Mikyle’s voice was light and teasing. That’s when Adrien realized that the prince wasn’t actually expecting a kiss on the cheek.
Deciding not to give in to Mikyle’s teasing, Adrien leaned up on his toes and placed a quick kiss on Mikyle’s cheek. "You’re right, you do deserve a reward."
What?! What did I just say?!
Adrien pulled away and hid his face as he moved past a stunned Mikyle. His face was red and his lips were tingling almost as if they had been shocked.
Mikyle shut the door to Adrien’s room and quickly followed after him. He leaned down with a wide grin on his face. "Hmm, should I also not receive a reward here," he then tapped his lower lip with his finger.
Adrien felt his eyes widening at the blatant display. Though he was more shocked over the fact that he was tempted to do it. He was starting to think that there might actually be something wrong with him. One minute, he was trying to avoid Prince Mikyle, and the next, he was ready to drag him back into his room and kiss him until he couldn’t breathe.
Was it always like this? Did he always fall this fast while in his previous relationships? No. I may have liked my previous partners, but even I can tell this is different. There’s something about Mikyle that makes him different.
"I’m waiting."
Adrien realized too late that Mikyle was still poised in front of him, waiting for a kiss. Adrien placed his hand on Mikyle’s chest and gave it a light shove, and he was pleased that Mikyle actually moved back a little. "That’s not happening. We haven’t even officially had our first date yet." Adrien had tacked on the word official because the two of them have technically already had dinner dates and study dates. . .though they did actually just study during those study dates.
Mikyle chuckled. Leaning up to stand at his full height, he straightened out the invisible wrinkles on his shirt. "I’ll hold you to your word."
He’ll hold me to my word? What does he mean by that?
Adrien replayed their conversation in his head. He stopped when he realized what Mikyle was referring to. Did I. . .just dig my own grave?
He mentally shook his head, figuring that he would cross that bridge when he got there.
The two of them walked down to the carriages. Adrien was silent the whole time as he contemplated his future worries while trying to nip his rising anticipation in the bud before it could fully bloom. Mikyle also walked in silence, which was unusual for him when he was in Adrien’s presence.
When they reached the carriages, Mikyle held out his hand for Adrien to take.
"Treating me like a lady now?"
"I am treating you like my beloved partner," Mikyle shot back, a smirk splayed on his lips.
Adrien felt himself smile at Mikyle’s answer. He took Mikyle’s offered hand and climbed into the carriage. Mikyle followed suit, sitting across from him.