Just then, a man approached, his posture impeccable as he bowed low. "Good evening, ladies."
Both Ariel and I inclined our heads in return, a subtle, practiced gesture. "Good evening, sir," we murmured in unison.
"Forgive my boldness," he began smoothly, placing a hand over his chest, "I am Lord Edmund Harrington, son of the Duke of Ravchem Empire. It is an honor to stand before such remarkable beauty this evening."
Ariel and I exchanged the briefest glance before she spoke.
Ariel smiled faintly. "I am Ariel, sir, and this is my dear friend, Adeline."
He inclined his head toward us both, a courteous smile touching his lips. "Lady Ariel. Lady Adeline, your names are as lovely as your presence. Pray tell, what brings such exquisite young ladies to this side of the hall, standing alone amidst all this splendor?"
The question was flattering beyond imagination, as though he was both amused and genuinely curious. My pulse quickened, and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks from his words alone.
Ariel's lips curved into a small, shy smile. "We… we were merely admiring the hall, my lord. It is quite unlike anything we have seen before," she said softly.
I nodded beside her with a smile. "Yes… it is quite magnificent," I added.
"Are you ladies also here for the bride selection?" he asked, though his eyes never left Ariel.
I could already tell he was drawn to her, the way his gaze lingered too long , and the warmth in his look that made me blush for her.
"Yes, my lord," I answered softly, bowing my head just slightly. Ariel nodded beside me, a bright smile tugging at her lips.
"Oh," Lord Edmund said quietly, and I could hear the faint disappointment in his tone, almost as if he had hoped for something else.
Then he turned his attention fully to me, his eyes dropping briefly to my neck, before he averted his gaze back to my face. "Would you mind, my lady," he said in the most generous tone, "if I steal your friend for a while?"
I smiled faintly, letting the amusement reach my eyes. "I do not mind at all, my lord," I said.
Ariel's face turned bright red the moment Lord Edmund turned toward her and stretched his hand toward her. "Would you do me the honor of gracing the dance floor with me?"
Without hesitation, her hand slipped into his. "I would be pleased, my lord, to accept your invitation," she said, her voice soft yet carrying a bold spark.
He led her gracefully toward the center of the hall, and I could not help but feel a pang of something unwelcome, jealousy, perhaps, as I watched them move among the other couples.
My eyes drifted to Mother, radiant in her yellow gown, a smile stretching across her face as she spoke to the man in front of her, that told me she was enjoying every moment.
And there, my dearest friend was swept away from, twirling elegantly in the arms of a gentleman, leaving me to stand alone, alongside my pain.
Heavens, I wish my guardian angel was here.
I huffed softly, without another thought, I turned and made my way out of the hall, the music fading behind me with each quiet step.
The doors opened, and the fresh, cool air greeted me at once, brushing against my flushed cheeks as though the night itself sought to calm me.
A palace guard stood nearby. As I passed him, I offered a slight bow of courtesy. He returned it at once, though the faint lift of his brows betrayed his surprise, as if he had not expected such a gesture from a lady leaving the grand ball alone.
"Is anything the matter, my lady?" he asked, his voice respectful yet cautious.
I shook my head gently. "No. I only wish to take a walk around."
For a moment, he studied me, perhaps measuring the truth of my words, then stepped aside.
"As you wish, my lady."
And so I continued forward, beneath the quiet stretch of the night sky, the distant sound of music trailed behind me. I did not know why I found myself wishing for him to be here, of all places. He was only a man of my dreams, nothing more. A figment of restless nights and quiet longing. Why would such a man suddenly appear at a royal ball?
And yet… I still wished he were here.
I wished he would step from the crowd, take my hand without hesitation, sway me gently beneath the chandeliers, and bend close enough to whisper, "My beloved," against my ear.
The thought alone made warmth bloom across my face, soft and foolish. I lowered my gaze, unable to suppress the small smile that curved upon my lips.
Lost in those wandering thoughts, I failed to mind where I was going, and collided into something hard.
The impact sent me stumbling backward, and I fell ungracefully upon my buttocks. A sharp sting flared along my back, and I let out a quiet hiss at the sudden pain.
Mortified, I lifted my gaze to see what I had walked into. And there, staring down at me, was a pair of red eyes.
No, gold. No… red again.
My breath caught in my throat. Why were his eyes changing color? Why were his eyes changing color?
When he saw the shock written plainly across my face, he shut his eyes tightly, his jaw clenching as though he wrestled with something unseen. He turned his head away for a brief moment, drawing a slow breath, as if attempting to steady himself.
Why did he look so familiar?
Why did it feel as though I had seen him before, not in passing, not in a crowd, but somewhere closer… somewhere I could not quite reach?
He opened his eyes again. This time they were steady, though I could not be certain of their color anymore.
His expression was hard as stone, carved and unyielding. "Do you not have eyes?" he said coldly. "Or have they failed you when you needed them most?"
I froze.