Chapter 627
When Jasmine walked in, she was immediately greeted by a scene that could easily be taken the wrong way. Shirley was holding Henry’s hand and pressing it right against her chest. Though everyone knew Vivianus as a man, to Jasmine, the whole situation just looked a little too intimate.
She cleared her throat. “Uh… sorry to interrupt. I’ll just step back out. You two go ahead.”
Henry yanked his hand back. “Scratch it yourself.”
“Fine,” Shirley muttered. This fake chest felt stuffy and suffocating. Whoever designed it clearly didn’t consider comfort. If she had to wear this thing every day, it’d be the death of her.
She casually reached up to scratch it herself, her expression unchanging. Then, as if nothing happened, she asked Henry, “Don’t you think it’s like… pretty soft?”
Henry hesitated for a beat. “Yeah. Kinda.”
Shirley, unfazed, gave it a good squeeze right in front of him. “Want another feel?”
She seemed to have completely forgotten that she was actually a woman.
Henry sighed and flicked her on the forehead. “Will you shut up already?”
Then he got up and went to let Jasmine back in.
It was Jasmine’s first time meeting Vivianus in person. She stared at her; a dead ringer for Shirley. But while Shirley carried herself with a sense of control, Vivianus had this carefree, roguish vibe.
“You really do look just like her,” said Jasmine.
“You wouldn’t be the first to say that.”
Jasmine smiled. “I saw your speech earlier from backstage. For a second, I thought Shirley herself had shown up.”
The resemblance wasn’t just skin deep, Shirley realized. Even if Vivianus had studied her mannerisms, it felt less like mimicry and more like something natural, as if this was just who she was.
That thought lingered in Shirley’s mind.
“Martin’s bound to get suspicious about your identity,” Jasmine said. “So while you’re in Summerbank, you need to keep a low profile. Henry can’t stick too close. His status makes that tricky. I’ll shadow you instead and assist when needed.”
Shirley nodded. There was something about Jasmine that felt oddly familiar, comforting, even. In fact, this whole place gave her déjà vu. And the longer she stayed, the stronger that feeling became.
She replied, “Alright. Works for me.”
Jasmine relaxed a little. She’d been worried Vivianus might be hard to connect with. Word was he was proud, headstrong, the type to be pushed around.
But it seemed like they were going to get along just fine.
Switching gears, Jasmine added. “There’s a royal banquet tomorrow night. You’ll need to make an appearance and pick someone to dance with. Try learning the steps during the day.”
Without thinking, Shirley blurted, “I only want to dance with Henry.”
Jasmine blinked, then her eyes lit up. “Do you like Henry?”
There was a spark of excitement in her voice. In the Kingdom of Xyperia, same–sex relationships weren’t uncommon, and she happened to be a big fan of romance novels, especially the kind with a little spice between men.
Shirley tilted her head, thoughtful. “More like… I kinda enjoy messing with him.”
Jasmine nearly squealed. “That totally counts!”
Shirley raised a brow. “So, can I choose Henry as my dance partner?”
A moment ago, Jasmine had said Henry couldn’t show up in public. But now, she was nodding eagerly. “If you insist on Henry, I’ll find a way to make it happen.”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Just like that, Henry was volunteered.
The next day, Henry found out he’d be practicing a couple’s dance with Shirley. By the time he arrived, the music was already playing. She was studying the footwork, nothing too hard.
When she saw him, she called out, “Give me your hand. Let’s try it.”
In just a few steps, their bodies were pressed close together.
And then, something strange stirred in Henry.
Their fingers intertwined, and a soft, fresh scent drifted from her, subtle but intoxicating. Before he could stop it, his heart started thumping faster.