CHAPTER 120: A DANCE

Kathryn was furious. She hadn’t smiled all evening, not since Lilith stepped into the ballroom in that red dress, the one that clung to her like a second skin, stealing every pair of eyes in the room.

Especially the prince’s.

Her jaw tightened, fingers curled so tightly around her glass that her knuckles turned white. She was trying—really trying—to enjoy the festivities with her friends, but she could hardly keep her eyes, or her thoughts, away from Lilith and the prince as they made their way to the center of the ballroom. The prince was shamelessly touching her, looking at her like she was someone special.

"Kathryn, I’ve been talking to you for over ten minutes now," Harriet’s voice cut sharply through her thoughts. "You look like you’re about to shatter that glass."

"I might, very soon." Kathryn replied, not looking at her.

Harriet stepped beside her, following her gaze. "He’s dancing with her. Quite romantically, if I may add. Do you see that, Kathryn?"

Kathryn gave a tight nod.

Calantha exhaled beside them. "They looked... affectionate. Dancing like that."

Kathryn turned slowly to face them, her voice brittle, low. "After the prince and I began our affair, I thought he had finally chosen me. That I was his soulmate. He used to smile at me but now... he despises me. He wouldn’t care if I was thrown into a pit of raging fire."

Harriet placed a gentle hand on Kathryn’s arm. "You looked beautiful tonight. You still do. Everyone noticed. But he only has eyes for her."

"Why?" Kathryn asked, nearly choking on the word. "What spell has she cast? She’s a nobody. No family. No status. No wealth. What does he see in her that he doesn’t see in me?"

"Maybe it’s because she doesn’t try to get his attention," Calantha offered carefully. "You know how men are with women who act like they don’t care."

Kathryn’s lips curled. "So she’s playing innocent."

"Maybe," Harriet said with a shrug. "Or maybe she doesn’t even realize the effect she has. But it doesn’t matter. The point is—he’s not thinking clearly."

Kathryn’s eyes narrowed. "No. He’s not. He’s distracted. And this distraction is costing me everything I’ve worked for."

A long silence fell between them. The string quartet in the corner played a slow, romantic melody. The ballroom swayed with couples and laughter.

Harriet leaned in, lowering her voice. "Do you think she knew the potion was in the prince’s food? Is that why she dropped it and caused that scene?"

Kathryn’s expression cracked, ever so slightly. "You give her too much credit. She’s just a stupid little nuisance."

Harriet nodded, lips pressed into a thin line. "Forgive me for suggesting it."

"So what are you going to do now?" Calantha asked. "Surely you haven’t given up. You haven’t... accepted defeat?"

Kathryn’s voice turned to ice. "I will only accept defeat when I am dead."

Her friends looked at her in stunned silence.

"I’m already making new plans to get what I want, for I must act fast as the prince told me to return home after the ball,"

Harriet and Calantha’s eyes widened. "Return home!?"

"That’s cruel, how dare he say such a thing to you?" Harriet exclaimed.

"Dear heavens," Calantha whispered, bringing her cup to her lips as Kathryn shot her a glare. "He must truly have lost all feelings for you."

Kathryn sighed, straightening her shoulders. "Of course, that cannot happen. The castle is my home, and I will not leave it in the care of another woman. My plan will begin immediately after the ball."

Harriet chuckled darkly, clearly pleased by Kathryn’s resolve. "You’ve always been a smart woman. I’m proud of you."

"I agree," Calantha added, her voice low and sharp. "She needs to be reminded of her place. Subtlety doesn’t work on girls like her. They mistake silence for permission."

Kathryn’s eyes flickered toward the doorway where Hades had disappeared. Her voice turned cold. "Then I will gladly remind her."

"Excuse me, ladies," Harriet said suddenly, her eyes now fixed on Viktor. She set her drink down on the table, adjusted her hair and smoothed the front of her dress. "I’ll be right back."

With a practiced smile, she turned and began walking in Viktor’s direction, her heels clicking against the ballroom floor.

~~~

"You look like you’d rather be anywhere else," Viktor said with a plate of sweets and pastries in hand, offering her a half-smile.

Charlotte turned her head, a slow grin curving her lips as she looked up at him. "That obvious?"

"Painfully."

"Unfortunately, I am bored to death."

"Ahh, that’s new. I was honestly expecting you to be off with one gentleman or another, trying to cause a scandal or stir up gossip," Viktor teased, lifting a brow.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "I haven’t found any of the gentlemen here remotely interesting. Two approached me, and after just a few minutes of conversation, I decided I’d rather spend the rest of the ball standing here alone."

He chuckled, the sound deep and warm. "That’s quite unfortunate. Though I can’t say I blame you. The men here look like they’d talk endlessly about their estates and lineage which, by the way, many young ladies find fascinating."

"You’re right," Charlotte admitted, her voice softening. "There’s nothing fascinating about estates or lineage."

Viktor laughed, then offered her a snack from the plate he held. She took one and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing lazily.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Charlotte glanced toward the corner of the ballroom and spotted Kathryn standing with two of her companions. But Kathryn’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Charlotte noticed one of Kathryn’s friends staring in their direction or more accurately, at Viktor.

Charlotte murmured. "You’re being watched. One of Kathy’s friends has her eyes on you."

"I know," Viktor replied dryly. "I can feel her gaze burning into my face."

"Ah, so you have found yourself a new lover," Charlotte teased with a chuckle.

Viktor shot her a glare, but before he could respond, a voice sliced through the soft bubble between them.

"Lord Rune!"

They both turned. Harriet approached with slow steps, her painted lips curved in a charming smile, though her eyes flicked curiously between Charlotte and Viktor.

She wore a pale green gown that complimented her honey-brown skin perfectly, and her hair was swept into a flawless updo, not a strand out of place.

"Harriet," Viktor greeted politely, his tone neutral.

"Oh, how wonderful. I wasn’t sure you were going to attend the ball, but once I saw the prince, I knew you’d be here," she said, angling herself slightly toward him, subtly blocking Charlotte from view. "How have you been? You look dashing by the way." She reached out to dust off a nonexistent speck from his sleeve.

"Thank you. You look lovely too," Viktor replied, his eyes flicking over her shoulder to Charlotte, who was now trying to suppress a grin.

"The dance floor is almost empty. I was wondering if you’d care for a dance," Harriet suggested sweetly.

"I must apologize, Lucy and I—"

"No, please," Charlotte cut in with a wide smile. "Have a dance with the lady. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time."

Viktor’s expression briefly questioned her, but she ignored it.

"Oh, how thoughtful of you, Charlotte," Harriet said with a sweet smile before turning her attention back to Viktor. "Shall we?" She extended her hand to him.

Viktor swallowed. "Yes, of course," he said through gritted teeth, taking Harriet’s hand as she led him to the dance floor. He glanced back at Charlotte, who was grinning and waving at him innocently.