People around were discussing everything under the sun.

Amid the various speculations rising and falling, Sophia just quietly watched Celitia, waiting for her answer.

Celitia's head was still buzzing, her mind blank, not knowing how to react.

Taking advantage of her daze, Benita quietly untied the cloak Celitia was wearing, revealing the elegant black dress beneath.

Shanie circled behind Celitia, placing her hands on her shoulders and gently pushing her forward.

Celitia involuntarily walked forward two steps, stopping in front of Sophia.

"Lily."

Sophia bowed to her again, her smile even more radiant, her voice solemn and certain.

"Would you be willing to dance the first dance with me?"

The hand extended before her was slender and elegant, persistent and firm, without the slightest waver.

Looking at the girl smiling at her, Celitia finally recovered her wits from the daze.

Dance the first dance together...

No matter what... she couldn't refuse her.

Celitia gently placed her hand on top of Sophia's.

Her fingertips were ice-cold, her palm burning hot.

The warmth of her palm melted the ice at her fingertips, and like water blending with milk, she gripped her hand tightly.

"...Alright."

Flowing piano music began, accompanied by a full orchestra. Sophia took Celitia's hand and glided gracefully into the dance floor like a swan.

Thinking that Celitia was always in poor health and rarely went out, perhaps never having attended a ball, Sophia whispered in her ear:

"Don't be nervous, Lily. Just follow my steps."

Celitia wasn't as clueless as she thought.

But she just nodded slightly, obediently giving all control to Sophia.

Light and shadow from the dome swayed gently, and in the beautiful, melodious music, two figures alternately separated and drew close to each other.

One black skirt, one white, lifting in graceful arcs, with ribbon sleeves dancing in the air, tracing elegant curves.

The black swan brooch pinned to her chest sparkled, and Sophia smiled brilliantly at Celitia upon seeing it:

"You're wearing it. It looks very suitable. Just as I thought, only you are worthy of it."

Celitia's cheeks flushed slightly as she responded quietly.

"By the way, Sophia," Celitia couldn't help asking the question that had puzzled her these past few days, "does this brooch have another half?"

The black swan on the brooch curved its neck outward, forming exactly half a heart shape.

If there were another half, it could perfectly form a complete heart.

"It's a secret," Sophia smiled mysteriously, "you'll know in a while."

Since Sophia didn't deny it, Celitia figured there probably really was another half to the brooch.

Could there be some hidden surprise?

But seeing her excited, mysteriously playful appearance, Celitia didn't press further.

The first dance piece played to its end, the two figures separated from each other, and Sophia, holding her hand, pulled Celitia into her embrace at the moment the last note trembled.

Celitia fell into her arms, looking up to see the girl's azure eyes as clear and boundless as the sky.

In those eyes was reflected her own image, and only her image, occupying her entirety.

Sophia's face gradually drew closer, and Celitia could feel her breath washing over her, carrying the familiar lavender scent.

Warm, sweet, and gentle, not aggressive, yet irresistible.

Her heartbeat suddenly amplified, loud as drums, her entire heart beating rapidly beyond control.

Celitia's whole body froze, once again forgetting all reactions, only staring wide-eyed at the girl above her.

Could it be... in front of all these people...

However, Sophia's face approached halfway, then stopped in time when she was still half an arm's length away.

Sophia gently reached out, brushing away the damp hair stuck to Celitia's forehead from sweat, tidying her messy bangs.

Burning fingers swept across her skin, bringing scorching heat all the way.

And when that hand left her cheek, Celitia actually felt a strong sense of melancholy surge in her chest.

"Time to prepare for the next dance."

Helping the girl up from her arms, Sophia released her, stepped back, and smiled at Celitia.

According to ballroom dance etiquette, with each new piece of music, you had to change partners—you couldn't keep dancing with the same person.

Only the last dance could be with the same partner as the first dance.

"I... I can't dance anymore," Celitia's heart was in chaos as she randomly found an excuse, "I'll go outside to rest for a while."

The girl bowed elegantly to Celitia once more, smiling as she watched her leave the dance floor.

Celitia fled from the dance floor, found her cloak on a chair, and wrapped it around herself again.

Shanie and Benita were still nearby eating and drinking heartily. Seeing Celitia return, they happily patted her shoulder:

"We all saw it—you and Princess Sophia danced really well just now!"

"Yes, yes! You looked super well-matched!!"

Having no heart to acknowledge their praise, Celitia sat in a chair, exhaling deeply to gradually calm her heartbeat.

The crystal chandelier above suddenly turned off, leaving only one hanging lamp on the platform.

"Wow, what's happening?"

Shanie and Benita had been chattering happily, but were startled by this.

Marianne appeared with Sophia, walking under the platform's spotlight, pressing her hands down to signal everyone to be quiet for a moment.

"The first dance has ended. Please allow me to interrupt briefly."

Marianne smiled at the people in the hall, raising her voice slightly to cover the noise below.

"Everyone should know that the purpose of my hosting this ball is to find a suitable match for my dear daughter Sophia."

The main event was finally here!

Everyone present perked up, closed their mouths, and focused all their attention on Marianne.

Marianne raised her hand into the air, displaying the item in her palm for the people below to see.

It was a black swan-shaped brooch, set with an iridescent cat's eye stone, its neck curved into half a heart shape, as if searching for its other half.

"First, thank you to the delegation who came from afar for giving Sophia such a precious gift. We are deeply honored. This swan-shaped iridescent cat's eye brooch actually has another half, which we've hidden somewhere in this hall. This is our little game—if anyone can be the first to find it and bring it back here to pair with the brooch in my hand… Then it means this guest and Sophia are surely a match made in heaven."