CHAPTER 303: DO NOT TOUCH HER

Raegar couldn’t help but be shocked at how beautiful Yuki was; he felt his cheeks going red as the catwoman stepped forward, beaming. ’’Like what you see, handsome?’’ she purred.

A shiver ran down his spine just as he nodded in agreement. ’’Of course, you’re gorgeous, Yuki.’’

The pink-haired beauty’s face lit up. ’’I’m glad you like it, Rae. Now it’s time for us to head to the hall.’’

Following that, the group followed Yuki through the palace corridors, and maids rushed around looking busy. Selene leaned over and whispered. ’’Looks like there are a few last things they’re still finishing.’’

’’Yes, looks like they’re bringing the alcohol to the hall,’’ he said, pointing at a group of maids pushing a trolley with two barrels on it.

’’Come on you two!’’ the catwoman exclaimed.

As the group neared the doors of the hall, Dahlia stood there waiting for them. Her hourglass figure was wrapped in a sultry brown gown that caressed every contour with tantalizing precision. Raegar’s breath faltered, his pulse surging, utterly entranced by the older woman’s mesmerizing beauty.

Snapping out of his daze, he flashed a roguish grin and purred. ’’Dahlia, you’re beautiful. That dress, it’s like it was created just for you.’’

The empress’s lips curved into a sly, knowing smile as she glanced at the other women with a glint of triumph. ’’I told you he’d be smitten,’’ she murmured. ’’But enough of that, guests are still arriving. Mingle amongst yourselves until everyone’s here.’’

As the group stepped into the ballroom, Raegar’s eyes widened at the vast space boosted by Aether that stretched its boundaries beyond imagination. Nobles’ laughter and chatter filled the air. Then, through the crowd, he caught sight of his grandfather, grandmother, and parents standing at the far end, their warm smiles beaming at his stunned expression.

***

(An hour later)

As the imperial ball was due to begin, a carriage rolled to a stop outside, and a beautiful woman emerged, wearing a red gown. Her snow-white hair was tied into a neat bun, framing wide blue eyes that shimmered like the sea. This was Duchess Eva Westfall of the Western Islands, a challenging woman.

Whispers of villainess trailed her, yet the empress had extended an invitation; this puzzled Eva, who had met Dahlia many years ago. She was compelled to attend by duty, but the juicest thing in store was that she had a secret announcement of her own, one that risked her exile from the empire or caused people to gossip even more.

The doors swung open, and she stepped inside, her crimson gown catching the candlelight as it flowed behind her like a river of fire. The murmurs of the crowd hushed, all eyes turning to her striking presence. Her snow-white hair gleamed, and ocean-blue eyes scanned the room with a mix of confidence and unease.

Whispers rippled through the guests, some admiring, others wary, as the infamous villainess commanded the moment. Across the ballroom, her fiancé, Maxwell Dawnfire, stood with his lover, Cecelia, clinging to his arm. It was no secret, yet Eva’s lips curved into a wide smile, unfazed by their display.

Her gaze, however, faltered when it landed on a young man with hair as white as her own, standing near the empress. Surrounded by a cluster of beautiful women, chatting to the greatest mage in the Dawnfire Empire with a familiarity that bordered on scandalous, as if they were lovers sharing a private joke.

His bright red eyes locked onto Eva’s, sending a shiver through her. She swallowed hard, her heart quickening. ’He’s breathtaking,’ she thought, a pang of regret striking her for not crossing paths with him sooner.

The intensity of his stare held her captive, stirring a dangerous curiosity she hadn’t anticipated when appearing at this noble get-together. The ballroom’s chatter faded as Maxwell Dawnfire stepped forward, his arm still entwined with Cecelia’s. Clearing his throat, he raised a hand, drawing everyone’s attention.

’’Lords and ladies,’’ he declared. ’’I must speak plainly. I dissolve my engagement to Duchess Eva Westfall. Her reputation as a villainess, her cold and ruthless nature, make her unfit to stand by my side. My heart belongs to Cecelia, a woman of true virtue.’’

Gasps and murmurs erupted, the crowd’s gaze shifting to Eva, who stood nearby. Her ocean-blue eyes gleamed, calm, and a slow, knowing smile curved her lips. She began to glide toward the couple, her red dress trailing like a flame, each step measured and commanding. The whispers grew hushed, the air thick with anticipation.

’So, I’m the villainess,’ Eva thought, smirking. ’Let them paint me as such. I’ve played their games, worn their masks, and carried their scorn. If this is the role they demand, then I’ll wear it better than they ever imagined.’

Her smile widened, sharp and defiant, as she approached the couple, her presence radiating a quiet power. The ballroom held its breath as Eva’s slow steps brought her within arm’s reach of them. Her smile, sharp as a blade. Maxwell, emboldened by his declaration, raised an eyebrow, his lips curling with disdain.

Cecelia clung tighter to his arm, her eyes wide with false innocence. ’’Maxwell,’’ she began, her voice smooth and laced with honeyed politeness. ’’Before we part ways, may I ask for one small thing?;;

Her clenched fist, half-hidden by the folds of her gown, trembled with barely restrained energy. Maxwell scoffed, gesturing grandly as he thought he’d won. ’’Go on, then. Speak your piece, Duchess.’’

Eva’s smirk deepened, her eyes glinting with mischief. She stepped closer, her tone still courteous but dripping with menace. "If it’s not a problem, may I knock the teeth out of the face of this craven two-faced bitch and yourself?’’

Before Maxwell could react, her fist shot forward, connecting squarely with his jaw. A collective gasp erupted from the crowd as he staggered back, clutching his face, a shocked expression crossed his face. In the same breath, she spun toward Cecelia, whose shriek was cut short by a swift strike to her cheek.

The ballroom erupted in chaos, shouts, gasps, and scattered applause mingling as Eva stood tall, her smile unbroken, the so-called villainess embracing the title. ’If they think me a villainess, let them see what one can do,’ she thought, heart pounding as she surveyed the stunned faces around her.

Following that, the uproar intensified as Imperial Guards pushed through the stunned crowd toward Eva. Their boots clacked against the marble floor, hands reaching for her arms to seize the defiant Duchess. Just as their fingers grazed her sleeves, a voice sliced through the chaos like a blade.

’’Do not touch her,’’ it thundered. ’’Or I’ll kill every last one of you.’’

The guards froze, and a hush fell over the room. Eva, her heart still racing from her audacious act, turned slowly, confusion flickering in her eyes. There stood the white-haired young man, his bright red eyes blazing, a roguish grin spreading across his face. The crowd parted around him, their whispers now tinged with fear and awe.

’’I like your attitude, Duchess,’’ he revealed, his voice carrying a playful yet undeniable authority. ’’Would you care to spend some time in the capital?’’

Eva’s breath caught, her mind reeling. The audacity of his words, the ease with which he challenged the Imperial Guard, left her stunned. Her gaze darted to the crowd, where every eye was fixed on the young man. The group of women he had been with earlier studied, some with envy, others with curiosity, their expressions a mix of shock and intrigue.

Even the empress, standing atop the dais, looked utterly taken aback, her hand frozen mid-gesture as if unsure whether to intervene. Eva’s lips twitched, her earlier defiance giving way to a spark of intrigue. ’Who is this man?’ she wondered, her heart stirring with a dangerous mix of curiosity and admiration.

Eva’s gaze lingered on the young man, his roguish grin and blazing red eyes sparking a thrill she hadn’t expected. The hall remained suspended in a silence, the soldiers still frozen, their hands hovering uncertainly. A slow, daring smile spread across her face, matching his audacity.

’’Very well,’’ she replied. ’’Meet me in the city square at noon tomorrow, if you’re bold enough to keep up.’’

Her tone carried a playful challenge, smirk daring him to prove himself. Without waiting for a reply, Eva turned, her dress swirling as she glided toward a quiet corner of the ballroom where Dahlia and her other friends waited, their faces a mix of shock and barely contained excitement.

Behind her, the young man’s grin widened, and he gave a slight bow before sauntering back to his group of ladies. The women around him whispered furiously, casting glances her way, while the empress’s stunned expression softened into something unreadable. As Eva reached her friends, Mary Frostbourn grabbed her arm, whispering. ’’Who is he?’’

Eva only chuckled, her mind already racing at the thought of tomorrow’s encounter in the capital’s bustling square. ’Why did I agree?’ she thought.