Sky's eyes fluttered open, the distant music still echoing through the grand hall.
"Hey…" she murmured softly, her voice touched with alcohol.
Isak Raven looked down at her, his gaze steady and composed. "You're awake."
She shifted slightly in his arms.
"Why did you drink that much?" he asked, low and measured—more concern than judgment.
She raised her fingers, showing the smallest gap. "I didn't… it was just a little…" she said, letting out a faint, unsteady laugh.
A restrained smile touched his lips. "That seems unlikely."
She looked at him more clearly now.
"You can put me down… it's a little inappropriate to hold me like this on a second meeting."
He held her gaze for a brief moment—studying her, not offended.
"Of course," he said calmly. "That wasn't my intention."
He set her down carefully, one hand steady at her side just long enough to ensure her balance before withdrawing.
Behind them, Liam let out a quiet laugh.
"I'll wait outside," Liam said.
Sky frowned slightly. "Who was he?"
"A friend," Isak replied.
They walked down the stairs together.
The hall was alive—music, laughter, quiet conversations—
Then it shifted.
Eyes turned toward Sky first. Curious. Interested.
But the moment they noticed Isak Raven beside her—
the atmosphere changed.
Voices lowered. Movements stilled.
One by one, people averted their gaze. A man who had been watching her straightened immediately, looking away as if caught in something he shouldn't have been. A woman mid-conversation fell silent, her expression tightening before she lowered her eyes.
No one stared now.
No one dared.
Sky noticed.
"You see that?" she said quietly, leaning slightly toward him. "They're not looking at me anymore."
Isak didn't look at the crowd. "Is it?"
"When I first came," she continued softly but steadily, "they were all staring. When I was drinking… some of them were trying to gather the courage to ask me for a dance."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Even when I was dancing…"
Isak stopped.
"You were dancing," he said evenly, controlled, "with whom?"
She met his gaze without hesitation.
"With myself, Isra."
A brief pause followed.
His eyes stayed on her, thoughtful.
"Is there such a form of dance," he asked quietly, "where one dances alone?"
She gave a small, knowing smile.
"Yes."i will teach you later on ....
And then they both went outside.
.
.
.
. . . . . . .
Somewhere in the Carved balcony.....
.From above the hall, hidden behind the carved balcony, two figures watched them.
Adam leaned slightly forward, eyes fixed below.
"Interesting… today, you've been replaced."
Siren's expression darkened as she followed Sky with her gaze. "Who is she…?" she murmured. "And how did she get so close to him?"
Adam exhaled softly. "Careful. Don't do anything reckless."
Siren's eyes narrowed. "She's standing where she shouldn't be."
Adam's voice lowered, more serious now.
"He's not gentle with everyone. Don't mistake his silence for weakness."
Below them, whispers spread quietly through the crowd—
Who is she? How is she speaking to Isak Raven like that? Does she not know who he is?
Curiosity mixed with unease.
Because no one spoke to him so freely.
No one stood beside him so easily.
.
.
.
.Outside.
They stepped outside.
The music faded behind them, replaced by the cool night air. The tension of the hall softened, dissolving into something quieter… more personal.
The park stretched wide under the moonlight, still and untouched.
Sky moved ahead, drawn to it. The wind caught her hair, lifting it gently as she slowed, her eyes taking everything in.
"It's beautiful…"
Isak didn't look around.
Not at the trees. Not at the moonlight. Not at the open sky.
His eyes stayed on her.
On the way the wind moved through her hair. On the way she stood there—unaware, unguarded, real.
"Yes…" he said quietly.
A brief pause.
"It is."
But his gaze never left her face.
To him, the park was just a background.
She was the only thing in focus.
For a moment, it felt as if the world had gone silent—like nothing else existed except the two of them.
She turned slightly, unaware of how he was looking at her, and moved forward again, almost running toward the trees.
He watched her go—every step, every movement—his expression calm, but his attention absolute.
"Careful," he said softly, his hand lifting slightly, instinctively.
She waved it off with a small smile. "I'm fine…"
And he let her go—
but his eyes never did.
A few chairs were placed under the trees. She walked to one and sat down.
"I think I'll sit here."
Isak followed and sat beside her, leaving a respectful distance.
For a moment, he just looked at her—quietly, as if trying to read her.
"I have questions about you," he said, his voice low.
She turned toward him, a faint smile on her lips.
"I'm sure you do… but I won't answer easily."
A soft laugh escaped her.
"But I have questions too."
He inclined his head slightly. "Go ahead."
She pointed at him.
"First… remove your mask. I need to see who I'm talking to."
There was no hesitation.
He removed it—slowly.
His expression remained calm, composed… but his eyes stayed on her, steady and intent.
She looked at him.
And for a moment—everything else faded.
His features were sharp, perfectly balanced. Fair skin—not too pale, just enough warmth to catch the light. Dark brown hair slightly untamed, effortless. And his eyes—
blue.
clear, deep… unreadable.
beautiful—
but not gentle.
dangerous.
Her breath slowed slightly.
She studied him carefully, her expression softening for just a moment.
.
At the same time, he was already looking at her. And in his thoughts about her—her green eyes, fearless and unguarded. Red hair catching the faint light like fire. The way she spoke without hesitation, as if she didn't know fear… and how he had searched for her endlessly, without even knowing why, only to find her now sitting beside him, looking at him so easily.
Something about that felt unexpected.
She's beautiful…
A quiet thought lingered behind his calm expression.
"You're… very attractive. Has anyone ever told you that?" she said honestly...
"You're… very attractive. Has anyone ever told you that?" she said honestly.
He took a moment to come out of his thoughts, then replied simply, "No."
She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.
"Why does every man here look so attractive?" she asked, half amused.
A subtle hint of amusement crossed his expression.
"So you've been observing every man that closely, lady?" he said.
"Yes… I was laughing completely," she said lightly.
He let out a short laugh.
"You're very bold, Sky."
For a moment, both of them looked at each other.
"Where did you come from?" he asked.
She met his gaze steadily.
"I came from very far… across the ocean."
His gaze sharpened slightly, though his voice remained calm.
"Then tell me where. I can't let a lady walk alone from here."
She gave a small, confident smile.
"I'll manage. I don't need to be taken care of. I'm an independent woman, you know that."
He said, "Yes, I have seen that already."
She laughed lightly. "Please don't embarrass me."
Then she shifted, sitting with her legs crossed, and said, "Just because you saved me somehow in both our meetings doesn't mean I don't know how to take care of myself."
He looked at her. "Is it?"
She continued, "Where I come from, I work there and take care of myself."
Then she paused.
He was listening quietly, his expression steady, unreadable.
"And why is there no one to take care of you," he asked softly, "that you have to work?"
She looked at him for a moment. The question lingered longer than she wanted it to.
Almost avoiding it, she said, "I work because I want to."
A quiet silence followed.
He noticed it—something behind her words, something she didn't say out loud. Not just independence… but something heavier underneath it.
But he didn't push.
He only looked at her for a moment longer and said quietly, "Okay… I get it, lady."....
..