Chapter 122: Chapter 122 : Dance with the student council president.

The grand ballroom was alive with chatter and music, nobles mingling under the warm glow of crystal chandeliers. But silence swept across a portion of the room like a wave when Alicia von Crestvale, her voice sharp and clear, uttered the word:

“Stalker.”

Gasps rippled through the surrounding crowd.

Elias Dawncrest stiffened, eyes wide as he processed the insult hurled at him in front of everyone. His gaze immediately snapped—not at Alicia—but at Alex, who stood beside her with an expression of polite confusion.

’That damn commoner… is he the reason she’s treating me like this?’ Elias’s eyes narrowed into a glare sharp enough to cut steel.

Trying to salvage his dignity, Elias stepped forward, placing a hand over his chest. “Lady Alicia,” he began smoothly, “It’s true I sent you letters… but it was only as your admirer, not as a stalker.”

Alicia arched an eyebrow with aristocratic poise. “That’s what I call stalking, Mr. Elias. And if I’m not wrong… the presence I’ve been feeling tailing me lately—it was you, wasn’t it?”

Elias’s mouth fell open. He froze mid-breath, eyes darting around. ’How could she have noticed? I was using a high-grade presence-concealing artifact from the Church!’

Beads of sweat formed at his temple. “I–It wasn’t me,” he stammered.

Alicia’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “So… you do know someone’s been following me, huh?”

Elias’s face lost all color. Speechless. Exposed.

Alex, watching all this unfold, fought the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. ’Wow… the guy from the Church really is a hardcore stalker.’

After a few seconds of choking on his own panic, Elias straightened his posture, regaining some semblance of calm. “It seems there’s been some misunderstanding, Lady Alicia. It really wasn’t me.”

Alicia sighed, waving her hand dismissively. “Fine. I believe you. Now, get out of the way.”

But Elias—persistent as ever—acted as if her last sentence didn’t exist. “Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Elias Dawncrest from the Holy Empire of Celestra. My father is a high-ranking official within the Holy Church, and I myself—”

He puffed out his chest.

“—am a Saint candidate. It’s only a matter of time until I become the Saint.”

Alex almost doubled over in laughter. ’This guy… Did he seriously just brag about all the things she despises? Is he stupid or what?’

Alicia’s patience was clearly thinning. Her perfectly sculpted eyebrow twitched. “So.”

“So,” Elias continued, flashing a smirk at Alex, “Instead of this common—” he caught himself, “I mean, this guy of humble background… who knows if he even knows how to dance? I sincerely doubt he does.”

He turned his smug gaze to Alex as if the battle was already won.

Alex blinked. ’What the hell is this guy? Some third-rate villain from a low-budget cultivation webnovel who exists just to get humiliated over and over by the protagonist?’

Before he could formulate a response, Alicia’s voice rang out—cool, challenging.

“The stalker guy does have a point. Do you even know how to dance, Alex?”

Alex’s gaze drifted from Elias’s smug face to Alicia’s amused smirk.

’He wants me to walk away. She wants me to accept the challenge.’

Alex let out a slow sigh. ’Sorry, but I’ve got no intentions of becoming the protagonist.’

He looked Alicia straight in the eye. “Well… I only watched some online videos and learned from them.”

Then he smirked.

“Miss Alicia, only someone like him should have the honor of dancing with you. This peasant will humbly step aside and let you two enjoy.”

Elias’s lips curled. “So, this commoner does know his place.”

But Alicia’s smugness shattered instantly. “N–No! I can teach you. Come with me to the stage.”

Alex shook his head. “How can someone like me be with someone like you?”

Elias was practically glowing now. ’This is too easy.’

And then Alicia’s voice dropped an octave—cold and sharp like a dagger.

“Alright then… leave your legs here, and you can go.”

Alex’s expression froze.

A moment passed.

Then—

“Of course I’ll dance with you!” Alex announced suddenly, confidence blazing. “Who said I can’t? Nobody can stop me.”

He turned to Elias and smirked. “Not even this stalker.”

Gasps erupted around them. Elias’s jaw dropped.

Alicia chuckled softly and reached for his hand. “Let’s go then.”

Intertwining their fingers, they walked gracefully to the center stage as the orchestra adjusted.

Elias stood like a statue, eyes wide in disbelief. ’Did that commoner just call me a stalker? In public?!’

His face turned red with pure embarrassment. A vein throbbed in his forehead.

Meanwhile, Alex’s smirk returned as he led Alicia onto the stage. ’Looks like I just made it onto that guy’s hit list. Heh… well, why not add him to mine while we’re at it?’

He chuckled to himself, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Alicia glanced at him, curious. “Whose demise are you planning?”

Alex blinked innocently. “Don’t blame innocent ol’ me. I was just thinking about helping some helpless people in need.”

She scoffed. “Right. Do I look like I was born yesterday?”

He grinned. “You look too good for any age.”

She rolled her eyes. “Ugh. Get ready. The music’s about to start.”

Alex glanced around—only to meet a soul-piercing glare.

Alden von Crestvale stood near the refreshment table, radiating silent fury. His aura was murderous. His expression said: If you lay one unworthy finger on my sister, I will gut you like a fish.

Alex smiled sweetly and mouthed silently: ’Brother-in-law.’

A vein bulged on Alden’s forehead. He muttered under his breath.

“This bastard. Should I poison him myself?”

As the music swelled, couples across the ballroom took their positions. The grand hall shimmered with soft golden light, the chandeliers above casting elegant shadows over the polished floor.

Every noble pair moved with practiced grace, preparing for what was expected to be a traditional, refined waltz.

Alex stood in front of Alicia, his posture calm yet confident. His right hand rested gently on the small of her back, just above her waist. His left hand extended outward, their fingers intertwined.

Alicia’s hand settled on his shoulder, her poise noble, head held high. For a moment, their eyes met, an unspoken challenge flickering between them.

“If you don’t know how to dance,” Alicia said in a low, almost mocking tone, “just follow my lead.”

Alex smirked. “Don’t worry about me, darling.”

Alicia let out a soft huff, her lips curling ever so slightly. ’We’ll see if you can back up those words too.’

The music began, a slow and graceful melody that washed over the hall like a gentle breeze. Alicia took the first step, her movements fluid and precise, guiding their pace with a noblewoman’s elegance.

Alex followed with surprising ease, each step perfectly mirroring hers, light and confident.

She turned under his arm, expecting a slight stumble from him in which she would point out his blunder and balance his steps—but he matched the motion effortlessly.

’He’s keeping up?’ she thought, momentarily caught off guard.

Then, with a graceful twist and shift in weight, Alex took the lead. His grip firm but not forceful, his steps suddenly dictating the rhythm.

Alicia blinked. ’He… stole the lead from me? This guy—!’

Not willing to be outdone, Alicia reclaimed the lead with a subtle pivot and spun back into his arms. Alex chuckled, letting her—for the moment.

Their dance became a back-and-forth tug of rhythm and control, each challenging the other silently with every step.

The room slowly quieted around them.

Conversations faded. One by one, nearby couples stopped dancing, turning to watch.

“You’re pretty good for a commoner,” Alicia admitted, breath catching slightly.

“You’re also pretty good… for a tomboy,” Alex shot back with a wink.

Alicia’s brow twitched. ’He really wants to die.’

Then Alex suddenly stepped closer. Their faces were mere inches apart now, breath mingling. “Can you handle this?”

Alicia’s eyes narrowed, a flush coloring her cheeks. “Bring it on.”

Their pace quickened. The waltz evolved into something far more dynamic. Alex dipped Alicia low, her white hair cascading as she arched back. She responded by flipping into a spin that landed them chest to chest. Their arms moved in sync, bodies brushing, stepping in perfect unison.

The audience around them watched in awe. The simple noble dance had transformed into a performance. Their chemistry was magnetic, bold, and unrelenting.

A few cadets pulled out their EtherPads and began recording.

Their feet moved like lightning. Alicia’s long dress twirled in radiant arcs, Alex’s coat flaring as he spun her with one hand and caught her with the other.

With every second, they pushed the dance further, harder, closer—until their movements became a passionate duel of grace and heat.

They were no longer thinking. Only feeling.

As the final notes of the music rose to a crescendo, Alicia leapt, trusting Alex implicitly. He caught her effortlessly, one arm wrapped under her legs, the other supporting her back. Her arms circled his neck, their faces only inches apart once more.

The last note played, and silence fell.

They stood there, breathless and sweating slightly, frozen in the final pose. Alicia rested in his arms, her chest rising and falling quickly.

Alex’s grip was strong and steady, his smirk still lingering despite the beads of sweat on his forehead.

For a long second, the crowd was silent.

Then a sharp clap rang out.

It was Ava.

She began clapping slowly, then faster. Others joined in. Applause erupted across the room, whistles echoing as cadets and nobles alike roared with admiration.

The entire ballroom was lit with excitement and disbelief.

Ethan stood off to the side, jaw unhinged. “He… he actually danced that well?”

Alden’s expression was darker. “That bastard knows how to dance this good?”

Ethan muttered, “Apparently, yeah…”

But the most devastated of them all was Elias. His world shattered like glass. He stared at Alicia and Alex, still in that final pose, her arms wrapped around the very commoner he had just belittled.

“Impossible,” Elias breathed. “That commoner…”

Alex and Alicia were still locked in the final pose of their dance—his arms cradling her effortlessly, her body pressed against him as she caught her breath. Their eyes met again, but this time, the fire had dimmed slightly into something more curious… inquisitive.

“I’m a noble,” Alicia said suddenly, her tone oddly thoughtful. “My mother forced me to take dance lessons since I was a child. I know I’m good at it—so how do you…” Her eyes narrowed. “No offense, but even most nobles can’t dance like that. And you’re a commoner.”

Alex, still slightly winded, gave a slow shrug, chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. “I already told you,” he muttered between breaths. “I just watched some videos online that Zara recommended.”

Alicia’s gaze sharpened. Her voice turned cold. “Who’s Zara?”

’Oh?’ Alex blinked. ’What’s with that tone?’

“My AI assistant,” he replied casually, not missing a beat.

Alicia paused, then gave a small nod. “Oh.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them again. The applause in the background was fading, the crowd slowly returning to their own dances—but some still watched the two with fascination.

Then Alex shifted slightly. “Sooo… can we get out of this position now?” he asked. “I think we’ve impressed enough people.”

“Yeah,” Alicia agreed, but didn’t move just yet.

Alex’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk. “I didn’t want to say this… but I have to.”

Alicia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Say what?”

Alex suddenly leaned forward, face closing the already short distance between them. Alicia froze. Her heart skipped a beat.

’Is he… going to kiss me?! In front of everyone?!’ she panicked, her cheeks going scarlet.

His breath was warm against her ear as he whispered, “Darling, you’re quite heavy, you should lose some weigh—”

WHAM!

A brutal fist slammed into Alex’s gut.

“GAHK—!” Alex doubled over in pain, his breath escaping in one violent gasp as he released Alicia, who landed with a startled thud right onto her butt.

“Ow—!” Alicia winced as she was dropped on her ass and met the cold ballroom floor.

All at once, the music stopped. The applause halted mid-clap. Heads turned.

And in the corner, two people rose to their feet, enthusiastically clapping once more—this time not for the dance.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Alden hollered, grinning ear to ear. “One more, sis! Send that bastard to heaven!”

Beside him, Ethan folded his arms, lips twitching as he held back a laugh. “Once more.”

Not far from them, Ava burst into laughter, leaning into Seraphina, who was already cackling. Even Ophelia, ever the graceful observer, cracked a smile, saying, “She can’t get out of her habits, can she?”

Meanwhile, poor Elias—who’d been sulking in a corner—leapt to his feet. “HA! I knew it! I knew she didn’t like him!”

He looked around, desperate for someone to high-five. Hope, standing nearby, didn’t even look his way.

Elias grumbled. ’Tch. Bunch of blind fools.’

On the other side of the ballroom, high above on the balcony, a solitary figure leaned against a marble column. Lucas Evans of Avaloria, clad in a sleek black noble coat, watched the scene unfold with silent interest.

A glimmer of amusement crossed his sharp features as he watched Elias fist-pump in celebration.

“That fool…” Lucas muttered to himself. “He may be loud, but perhaps… he’ll make a decent pawn to deal with that commoner.”

His attention shifted.

Across the room, Evelyn sat at a table, calmly observing the chaos as if it didn’t concern her. Her posture was poised, elegant—untouched by the noise around her.

Her golden eyes, though distant, flicked briefly toward Alicia and Alex, then away.

Lucas’s gaze lingered on her.

His tongue ran slowly over his lower lip, voice low and predatory.

“You will be mine… no matter what.”

He lifted his wine glass and took a long sip, hiding the twisted smile playing on his face.

Back on the ballroom floor, Alex was still on the ground, clutching his stomach. “I… I regret… everything,” he wheezed.

—

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A/N:

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