CHAPTER 174: DRENCHED

Viktor’s patience had finally worn thin.

For the past half-hour, he had danced, sipped tasteless wine, and endured a boring conversation with Lady Eloise, who had stubbornly refused to let him be. She had even mentioned something about their future children. Meanwhile, his eyes had been on Charlotte. It hadn’t been intentional at first, but somehow, he couldn’t stop watching her. She was laughing again, loudly this time, her head thrown back in delight.

One of the men had his arm casually draped over the back of her chair, his head tilted toward her as if whispering something that sent her into another fit of laughter. The other three were no better, laughing along with her.

It wasn’t the first time he had seen Charlotte like this, but somehow, tonight, it irked him.

The final straw came when she swayed slightly as she stood, gesturing as she delivered what was likely the punchline to a ridiculous story. The men roared, clapping their hands as more laughter erupted from them. They made so much noise that several nearby guests couldn’t help but glance in their direction.

Viktor had seen enough.

He excused himself from Lady Eloise, who pouted softly at his abrupt departure, but Viktor didn’t care to offer further explanation. His long strides carried him across the ballroom until he stood directly before Charlotte.

Her laughter faltered when she saw him.

"Viktor!" she slurred slightly, blinking at him as if she couldn’t quite place why he was there. "Come join us! Roland just promised to show me..."

"Excuse me, gentlemen, but she’s leaving now." His gaze was cold as he addressed the men. Without waiting for protest, he added to Charlotte, "We’re leaving," his hand closing around her wrist in one smooth motion.

Charlotte blinked, frowning in confusion. "Leaving? But the ball..."

"We have to leave now, Lucy," Viktor cut in, his tone firmer.

"She’s had enough to drink," he added briskly, offering the men a curt nod. "Thank you for your... generous company."

Without waiting for further argument, he pulled Charlotte along as they made their way out of the ballroom.

Though stumbling a little, Charlotte dug her heels into the marble floor in protest. "Viktor, wait..."

He didn’t stop until they were outside the hall, the cool night air brushing against them. His grip loosened, but he didn’t let go completely. "Walk."

"Viktor, you’re being ridiculous," Charlotte huffed, though a giggle slipped from her lips. "I was just having fun. Is that so wrong?"

They continued down a dimly lit pathway that veered away from the ballroom’s entrance. The sounds of the ball gradually faded, replaced by the chirping of crickets and the splash of water from a nearby lake.

Viktor remained silent until they reached the narrow trail along the water’s edge.

"Fun," Viktor echoed, his voice tight. "Getting drunk with strange men and making a spectacle of yourself, that’s your idea of fun?"

Charlotte stumbled slightly, catching her balance as she wagged a finger at him. "Ohhh... it seems Mr. Tough Man is jealous?" she teased with a pout.

His jaw clenched. "You don’t know what you’re saying."

"Oh, but I do." She swayed toward him, poking his chest with that same finger. "You’re jealous that I’m having fun without you. It doesn’t seem like you had much fun with the ladies, considering how grumpy you are. I almost feel sorry for you." She held up her thumb and forefinger, leaving a tiny gap. "Almost."

He grabbed her wrist again to steady her, preventing her from swaying. "You were behaving recklessly."

"Recklessly?" She leaned into him, her breath warm against his neck. "Really? Don’t be dramatic. No one’s going to kidnap me, if that’s what you’re worried about."

His heart thundered in his chest, but his face remained composed. "You’re drunk."

"I am," she agreed cheerfully, her words slurring as she pressed her palms against his chest. "And you’re annoying. And somehow it’s making you even more handsome than usual."

Viktor let out a shaky breath, struggling to stay focused. "I know you trust the men you were drinking with, but what about the others around you? They might take advantage of your drunkenness. If I hadn’t been there, what would’ve happened to you?"

Charlotte giggled. "That’s why you’re here. You wouldn’t let that happen, right, Lord Viktor?"

"You have to understand what I’m saying..."

She sighed loudly, cutting him off. "You talk too much, Viktor."

"Lucy..."

Without warning, she seized the front of his coat, tugging him down and pressing her lips to his.

It caught him completely off guard.

Her kiss was clumsy, heated, and entirely too bold. His body froze, his heart hammering wildly, his thoughts clouded in confusion and shock.

But then, like a surge of lightning, his senses returned.

His hands shot to her shoulders, and he pushed her back, more forcefully than he intended.

Charlotte stumbled, her feet slipping on the damp grass near the lake’s edge. "Viktor!"

Before either of them could react, her heel caught on a rock, and she tumbled backward into the lake.

"Lucy!" Viktor’s eyes widened, his pulse spiking as he rushed to the water’s edge. She resurfaced quickly, gasping, her hair plastered to her face, her gown ballooning around her as it soaked and dragged heavily in the water.

She sputtered and pushed her soaked hair from her eyes, blinking up at him in disbelief. "Did... you just push me?"

"Forgive me, Lucy, I overreacted. I swear it wasn’t on purpose." He extended a hand toward her, trying to suppress the flicker of guilt gnawing at him.

Her eyes narrowed as she treaded water, her teeth beginning to chatter from the cold. "You pushed me into a lake."

"Lucy..."

"How dare you?" she snapped, splashing toward the shallower edge. "First you drag me out of the ball, scold me like a child, and now... now you push me into a fucking lake! My dress is completely drenched!"

Viktor ran a hand through his hair. "Forgive me, Lucy. I never meant..."

"My hair is wet too," Charlotte pouted, running her fingers through the heavy and soaked strands.

He sighed heavily, extending his hand again. "Lucy, let me help you out of the water."

"No. I’m staying here. I might as well sleep here."

"You’re being impossible."

"And you’re being cruel!" she snapped, splashing water in his direction, though it fell far short of him.

When she stubbornly refused to move, he groaned and stepped into the water himself, his boots and trousers instantly soaked. He reached her in a few strides and seized her arm firmly.

"You are impossible," he muttered, half-hauling her toward the shore.

"I said that first, you fool," she retorted, though her breathless giggles betrayed her growing amusement.

When they finally made it back onto dry land, she collapsed onto the grass, lying flat on her back, dripping wet and still laughing in disbelief.