Chapter 9: The Second Night:
Grigori's POV:
"I demand to know who she is," says Varushkina.
"It was just one dance," I said.
"You were taking advantage of my headache," says Varushkina.
"It does seem like that," says Grafov.
"Stay out of it," I said.
Varushkina then storms off, angrily.
. . .
"Is everything alright," asks Donkeyskin.
"Last night, I danced with another woman," I said.
"Yeah, that's bad," says Donkeyskin.
"I feel so terrible," I said.
"Well... I'm sure, whoever she is, feels just as bad, I mean, dancing with a married man while his wife's resting?"
"Perhaps we were both just as guilty," I said.
"I agree on that," says Donkeyskin.
"You know, you're probably the only person I can talk to about things like this," I said.
"I just heard that the Paiviel Kingdom has been destroyed," says Grafov as he came in.
"I have to go," says Donkeyskin. She then ran off.
. . .
It was another ball, but Varushkina had to miss it because she had another headache.
"Maybe she's ill again," says Grafov, "I got the snake leaves."
Then the maiden came in. Her new dress was the same color as the moon. "Your Highness," she said, "would you care to dance with me again?"
"I'm sorry," I said, "I already made that mistake once and..."
"I'm from the Paiviel Kingdom," says the maiden, "don't ask me who I am, but I lived there!"
She's from the kingdom that was destroyed. "Very well," I said. We then danced again.
To Be Continued
In the next chapter, Grigori has another talk with Donkeyskin.