The General's Wife Wants to Leave-Chapter 200: Had taken the last note

’I am just happy I can dance with you, Joanna.’

’Too happy to have my first dance with you, wife.’

Staring straight at the radiant eyes that were smiling at her tenderly, while recalling all the flattering words that seeped into her ears, Joanna felt her heart, which had pounded wildly in her chest, pounded even more, which made her have an urge to break free from the arms that engulfed her. But she could not do that.

She had to stay in his arms, refraining from doing anything that would increase distance between them because she had to take responsibility for what she had done that impacted the reputation of the man, who seemed not to care about anything but the dance at the moment.

"About what we heard in the front hall... I am sorry..."

Joanna attempted to switch the focus of the man, who did not seem to have any interest in stopping from distracting her steps anytime soon with a subject that she had kept in her mind.

She reminded herself not to forget to talk to him about that matter if there was time for her to do so. And if this moment was the time, then she would use it so that there would be no more burden in her heart and mind.

Hearing the words coming from Joanna, Canillas shook his head. "I have said I am fine," Canillas responded with a soft smile on his face.

"My father..." Canillas was about to stop Joanna from talking about the same matter that he had given his answer, but he could not stop her as she gripped his hand that was in hers while saying, "Please let me finish speaking."

With Canillas nodding his head as approval after taking about five seconds of silence, Joanna continued to speak, "It was me who asked my father to have an audience with His Majesty. So please don’t blame him."

Smiling, Canillas responded, "I never blame you or your father."

"Not after you heard all of that?" Joanna asked in no time, slightly furrowed her brows, as if already guessed what his answer would be, but she needed to get a more convincing confirmation.

And the first response she obtained was that Canillas shook his head before answering, "What the need to blame if you are now dancing with me as my wife?" A reassuring smile was spread across his face.

When he heard the rumor saying that her father asked for an approval of marriage annulment from their King, he was not surprised at all, as that had been of his prediction since he found her shockingly not welcome him as her husband in their first meeting. And it was not a surprise for him as well to know their King did not approve it, as if he did, she would not have been so desperate to push him away with all her might.

But it was now only the past. Based on the insight that he had grasped, he was sure that she would never ask him that ever again.

Noticing a softened demeanor along with her blushing cheeks, Canillas felt himself having an urge to embrace the blushing lady tightly. But of course he held back from doing that, although he could now quite grasp the reason why she was willing to dance with him, willing to push aside the condition she struggled with.

Warmth flooded inside him at what he found out, more than enough to ignore all the trivial matter that, in contrast, became a concern to his shy wife.

"Is what we are doing right now not enough to brush off the rumor?" Canillas uttered, causing Joanna’s eyes to quiver, for the motives of the dance were known. "If not stubborn enough, people tend to believe what they see rather than hear, do they not?" He smiled before saying more.

"At least, you have put effort into supporting me, not letting my reputation taint more. It is what matters." He took a pause as Joanna had to spin around. When she was back in his arms, he resumed his speech while pulling her in his embrace more, making him feel her heart beat through his chest.

"If the rumor is still spreading after what we have done, then let it be. People have the right to do what they want to do. And we should do what we should do. There is no need to think of any of them. Didn’t I say that I prefer to fill my stomach with food rather than thinking of people’s judgment?" Canillas raised one of his brows as he spoke, holding the eyes with the golden-tinted iris in his.

"So, wife, if you think I am angry because of that, you may rest assured now because I will never be angry at my wife, who is surprisingly... a good dancing partner of mine." And Canillas grinned when he found Joanna belatedly catching the meaning of his words—that she finished the dance without stumbled upon anything, even when she was talking with him.

Staring at the grinning man in front of her, Joanna felt her heart thump, along with the joy that soared in her chest, realizing that she could finish the dance flawlessly.

Was it because she felt comfortable dancing with him? Joanna wondered.

As the realization struck her, the melody of the music that arose from the violin and flowed through the air of the warm room had taken the last note.

Still having Joanna in his arms, Canillas captured Joanna’s eyes that were fixed at his as they stared at each other. But as usual, it did not last long as Joanna blinked her eyes before slowly pulling away from his embrace, and this time her consciousness was awakened by the sound of applause that erupted in the room.

As the distance grew between them, Joanna once again offered a bow to Canillas, who also did the same to her. And all were done in the same manner as they did before the dance began, except for an extra affectionate gesture that was shown off by Canillas.

With Joanna’s right hand still in his left one, as Canillas did not let it go even after she pulled away from him, he kissed the back of her hand.

Feeling her hand tingling as her husband’s warm lips were pressed against her skin, Joanna felt the tingling crawl up to pump the blood in her heart that beat so fast, causing the blood to rise, adding the red tint on her cheeks.

And she felt suffocated when she found the way Canillas stared at her with his lips still on her hand.

Awakened from her statue state when she saw Canillas straighten his body and replace the trace of his lips with a gentle brush of his thumb that was familiar to her now, gradually, a smile was formed on Joanna’s lips as she found Canillas smile at her.

Smiling at each other, both husband and wife then walked hand in hand toward the dais to offer those who were there another respectful bow. Then Canillas and Joanna headed back to their seats, ready to welcome the approaching end of the banquet.