Waltz Music: Joe Hisaishi — Merry Go Round of Life.

– – – – –

“He really lost his mind. Didn’t he?” an irritable voice bit out from the top of the ballroom. He stood on a balcony that overlooked the entire dancefloor. Out of all the beautiful women present, he picked the most prude of them all.

“His Majesty has been eyeing her ever since she set foot inside the ball,” another voice piqued, almost amused by his twin brother’s anger. “She looks familiar, don’t you think so, Weston?”

Weston’s lips drew into a deep scowl. Through his silver glasses, he watched her closer. The poor woman was being dragged to the middle of the dance floor. Well, more like she was whisked there, for her sight never left His Majesty.

“Seems like His Majesty is doing charity work for once,” Weston spat. Every pair of eyes were on them and people parted like the red sea. Only a fool would not recognize a Pure-Bred who reeked of power and wealth.

“Aw, big brother, you’re so mean,” Easton snickered. He leaned an arm on his brother’s shoulders and peered over the railing as well. His eyes lit up at the sight of her.

“She’s quite the looker, if you ask me,” Easton added in a cheerful voice. The crystal chandelier treated her well. Brilliant lights speckled across her small silhouette. She had the physique of a swan andt the innocent presence of a baby deer—a little fawn.

“Her personality is as angelic as her sun-kissed hair,” Easton said. She gazed upwards suddenly, with eyes of pure emerald. His heart nearly stopped.

Easton’s large, teasing smile disappeared. He roughly nudged his older brother and his elbow rudely bumped into Weston’s neck.

“You brute!” Weston growled, shoving his brother off of him. “How many pastries did you have the maids sneak up? You’re heavier than a pig ready for slaughter.”

Easton groaned at his brother’s grouchiness. Geez, what had his panties in a twist? “What crawled up your ass and died?” he grumbled,rubbing his now sore arm.

“Your future,” Weston seethed. He was in a horrible mood due to His Majesty’s meddling. Today’s ball was meant to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday, but to also find a wife.

Princesses from every corner of the seven continents were invited. Socialites, daughters of politicians, conglomerate girls, the list went on. The prophecy had spoken. On the day of the full moon, when the werewolves howled, and the stars aligned, His Majesty’s soulmate would reveal herself.

Instead of letting fate take its course, the brute of a King dragged out a woman from the hidden shadows of the balcony. So much for his soulmate showing up. Just imagine her surprise when she discovered her beloved entangled in another woman’s arms.

“No, Weston, look!” Easton jutted his chin towards the girl. “This balcony is well-hidden amongst the thick curtains. No one is able to detect us, yet that mere human did so with ease.”

Weston rolled his eyes. “As if.” He peered over the railing, and sure enough, he saw only the top of her head. Her hair resembled sunlight in the late afternoon. Depending on the angle, it was a mixture between stunned gold and glistening honey.

“She’s such a stiff woman. Why does she look like she’s dancing with the devil himself?” Weston muttered.

Easton rubbed the side of his arm again. Maybe the light had tricked him? Except,t that was impossible. He was a Pure-Bred as well. There were only ten families that possessed the original blood of the Vampire. The strongest of the races, all other Vampire originated from the Pure-Breds.

A Pure-Bred’s strength was unlike any other. They could take on ten hybrids without flinching. The world was their playground, and they behaved as they pleased. However, no one truly knew the identity of the ten families. They were kept a secret.

“She had forest-green eyes,” Easton pointed out. “You don’t think she’s the Golden Rose, do you?”

Weston’s mood soured further. That limp little thing was the Golden Rose? “Don’t pull my leg with such a stupid joke, you dimwit.”

Easton rolled his eyes. “How many times do you have to insult me in one night? This is your eighth insult and the party just started!”

Weston scoffed. “It’s not an insult if it’s the truth—” his voice died off. The pitiful human had glanced up. The prey was staring the predators right in the eyes.

His brother had not lied. Even through the far distance, he saw her curious gaze clear as day. Through the heavy burgundy curtains, through the magic barrier, she had spotted them.

It was an impossible task. A mere human like her shouldn’t be capable of such a thing. His eyes narrowed. Who exactly was this woman?

– – – – –

“Am I boring you?”

Adeline jumped at his unexpected voice. Low and seductive, it caressed her exposed flesh. She was jittery around him, despite the brave acts of that night. Alcohol had fueled her that day, and she did not recall much. Although, her sore and shaky thighs certainly remembered.

His lips were directly beside her ear. She shivered when he gently brushed them against the tip. His breath was warm and ticklish, stimulating her skin.

“This is the second time you’ve been distracted, little fawn.”

Adeline tore her sight away from the balcony. The entire time, she could feel the envious, yet curious glares coming her way. An ambush on all sides. But she had noticed two pairs in particular. Or at least, that was how many she had counted up there. Tucked high in the ceiling, concealed by drawn curtains, were two people. What were they doing on the balcony? Assassins perhaps?

“Someone is trying to steal my job,” she discerned in a low, demure voice.

His brows shot up in delight. Her job? A lovely Princess such as herself, had a job? What a bizarre thing to say. Granted, she was always filled with surprises. Like that night, when she came to him and confessed her undying love through a slur of words.

“And what is your job, little fawn?” he humored her.

Adeline’s grip tightened on his hand. They were breezing through the dance floor, though she found it strange. Why were so many people watching her? Why did Aunt Eleanor look like she was going to faint at any minute?

“T-there’s two people in the balcony near the top of the ceiling, between the decorative curtains. T-they’ve been watching us for a while now,” she confessed in a hesitant voice. “I think they’re looking for His Majesty…”

When he raised his head, finally looking elsewhere, she hurriedly stepped closer to him. He was caught off guard. Instantly, his attention returned to her.

“No!” she rushed out. “Don’t look!”

“Well, this reminds me of that night.” He let out a smooth, low chuckle. She had squished herself against him. At the realization, she quickly stepped back. The hand resting upon her lower back pushed her into him once more.

“I was just teasing you, darling,” he cooed into her ears.

Adeline’s heart was a traitor. He was someone she had vowed to stay away from. She had made up the resolve to never see him again. Yet, here she stood, embraced in his arms, whilst he took her hand. Together, they waltzed through the dance floor, their chests brushing against each other.

His grip on her was firm and strong. Like a predator with the prey caught inhis jaw. He was never going to let her escape.

“Will you stop that?” she demanded in a shaking voice.

“Stop what?”

“S-stop teasing me. I-I don’t even know you—”

“Nonsense,” he stated. “Adeline, I’m hurt.”

Adeline tensed. Her name rolled off his tongue perfectly, as if it was meant for him to say it. He smiled down at her, like the mischievous demon that he was.

“How do you know my name?” she asked.

It was just her luck that he snickered. The laugh sent sparks down her body. Her toes curled from the sound alone. Everything he did to her reminded her of the night where candle lights flickered and rain had raged outside the window. Inside the bedroom however, was a bigger storm.

“Dear, Adeline, did you forget already?” he mused. “I’ve known your name long before you were born.”