Chapter 31: An Overwhelming Sense of Invasion

Coleman did not kiss Nian Tu’s hand; instead, he placed a clenched fist over his heart. This was an ancient aristocratic etiquette of the Orc Empire, reserved solely for showing respect to beautiful females. Nian Tu did not understand the custom, but that did not stop her from finding every one of Coleman’s movements pleasing to the eye. This was her first time interacting with such a man, and she finally began to understand the charm of a mature gentleman.

She smiled and nodded at Coleman in greeting. "Hello, Instructor Coleman. I am Nian Tu."

Coleman seemed surprised that she would take the initiative to greet him; he had never encountered a female with such a friendly disposition. His gaze softened immediately, and he gave a slight bow. "Good day, Lady Nian Tu. It is my honor to make your acquaintance."

The sense of crisis in Lu Zhan’s heart grew more intense. His expression turned solemn as he moved a few steps, subtly placing himself between them. Coleman, however, seemed unfazed by the young male’s thinly veiled hostility, remaining as graceful as ever. Upon hearing that Nian Tu was learning ballroom dance for the palace gala a month away, he offered a polite compliment: "The fact that the royal family has personally invited you is proof of your excellence."

Nian Tu waved her hand repeatedly in denial. The butterfly ornaments on her cuffs fluttered with her movements, catching Coleman’s eye. He praised her again, "The latest style from the Soph family looks stunning on you, but I believe only a custom-made gown would truly be worthy of you. If you are willing to trust me, I would love to tailor a dress for you."

While he occasionally took on tutoring jobs when bored, high-end fashion design was Coleman’s true field. His innate artistic talent and excellent early education gave him a superior aesthetic sense. He had treated fashion design as a hobby in his youth, and after his family’s decline, he had used it as his livelihood.

Coleman’s design style was bold and highly sought after, and he had long ago become the top fashion designer in the entire empire. These days, he was semi-retired and rarely took on commissions personally. Regardless of the status or wealth of those who sought him out, he would not easily agree unless he met someone who inspired him. For such a capricious master designer to offer his services meant that Nian Tu had truly caught his eye.

To wear a gown personally tailored by Coleman at the palace gala was an honor everyone envied. As Lu Zhan prioritized everything regarding Nian Tu, he naturally would not decline such a boon on her behalf. Unlike Lu Zhan, Nian Tu was unaware of Coleman’s status in the industry. She assumed he was an ordinary designer trying to drum up business and, without hesitation, nodded in agreement. She smiled at Coleman and encouraged him, "I trust your taste."

Coleman was momentarily stunned. He suddenly realized that Nian Tu might not even know what a famous master he was, which made her trust all the more precious. His gaze toward her became increasingly amazed and tender.

After the pleasantries, the clock struck three, and the lesson officially began. Once he started teaching, Coleman’s demeanor became significantly more serious, yet his overall aura remained gentle, and he was generous with his encouragement and praise. Even though the orcs practiced polygyny, ballroom dancing was still performed in pairs, and no group-dancing styles had emerged.

Lu Zhan served as Nian Tu’s partner. After each had practiced their basic steps, they attempted to coordinate by holding hands and placing their arms around each other. Although they had held hands many times before, the moment Nian Tu grasped Lu Zhan’s hand, she shivered slightly, feeling uneasy. Lu Zhan was well-built with a large frame that seemed to envelop her entirely. His masculine scent was close, and an overwhelming sense of aggression washed over her.

Nian Tu instinctively avoided meeting Lu Zhan’s handsome, sharp-featured face. Her mind turned to mush, and the dance steps she had just memorized suddenly became jumbled, causing her to lose the beat. Coleman, an experienced and responsible teacher capable of pinpointing a student’s flaws with precision, found himself silent when faced with the struggling Nian Tu. He held his breath, unwilling to disturb the moment.

The atmosphere grew subtle, and a thick, sweet ambiguity flowed between the dancing pair. Their eyes locked suddenly, and Nian Tu was scorched by the intensity in Lu Zhan’s gaze, her heart fluttering in disarray. The next instant, she was lifted off the ground by his waist, spinning in the air. This was a difficult move, but Lu Zhan’s posture was calm and forceful, his arms filled with strength. Nian Tu, trusting him implicitly, felt no fear at all. She felt his large, knuckled, and scorching-hot hand covering her waist, making the skin beneath nearly burn.

As Nian Tu descended back into Lu Zhan’s arms, her eyes shimmering, they held each other tight. She was like a moon that had fallen from the sky to the human world, held devoutly in the embrace of the young male. Coleman watched this scene quietly. The refined, middle-aged male maintained his dignified posture and composed expression, though his inner feelings were incredibly complex. On Earth, this would be called being force-fed dog food. Even though Coleman was married and had a rich romantic history, he had never experienced such a thick, lingering, and intense intimacy.

Yes, Coleman was married. Even though Lu Zhan had been wary of him, he truly had no intentions of flirting with Nian Tu. At nearly four hundred years old, he simply viewed this cute young female as a junior. He had previously assumed Lu Zhan was a failed male who lacked his mate’s favor, which explained his paranoia and hostility. But seeing Nian Tu dancing in Lu Zhan’s arms, trusting him with her whole being, Coleman finally realized his judgment had been significantly flawed.

He marveled even more at Nian Tu’s uniqueness. Most females in the empire were accustomed to being surrounded and courted by males; they accepted the flattery calmly but felt almost no genuine affection for them. Other females, conversely, feared and loathed every male from the bottom of their hearts, avoiding them at all costs. A female like Nian Tu likely only existed in the fantasies of the male orcs. Coleman couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy toward Lu Zhan.

The tutoring session lasted two hours. Coleman was forced to watch the pair being lovey-dovey the entire time. At first, he could analyze their technique with ease, but later he felt as though he were enduring some form of torture. The longer he watched, the more he couldn't help but compare their dynamic to his own relationship with his wife. The more he compared, the more he felt like a pathetic wretch. And yet, he had so many friends who envied him...

He had been with his wife for many years, and she still provided him with regular mental soothing. Even if her affection for him wasn't as great as it was for her younger new favorites, he still had a place in the home. This was already the most blissful state an orc male in the empire could hope for.

The long two hours finally came to an end. Coleman practically fled. Before leaving, he exchanged contact information with Nian Tu and arranged a time for the dress fitting. Looking at her pure, bright eyes as she said goodbye, he sighed inwardly. If only such a cute little female were his own daughter—he would surely spoil her to the heavens.

Nian Tu felt that the way Coleman looked at her had suddenly become strange, filled with an inexplicable sense of paternal affection... She shook her head, trying to cast off the odd feeling. After finishing the lesson, she felt she had gained a great deal and was full of confidence; she believed that as long as she practiced daily, she wouldn't embarrass herself at the gala. Feeling happy, she ate half a bowl of rice more than usual for dinner. After the meal, Nian Tu specifically went to the courtyard for a stroll, hoping to catch another glimpse of that fluffy little kitten.