Chapter 124: Chapter 124 : Goddess taking control (1)

In the grand hall of Zenith Academy, beneath a sprawling crystal chandelier and amidst swirling lights that mimicked the stars themselves, the Freshers’ Ball was in full swing.

Students dressed in immaculate formal wear mingled, laughed, and danced to elegant music.

Everlyn stood up from her seat at the royal table, her flowing gown shimmering like moonlight on water. Her expression unreadable, she turned toward Alex.

“Come to the dance floor with me.”

Alex’s mouth twitched ever so slightly.

Not this again… What did I do in my past life to deserve this? Was I a mass-murdering goose thief or something?

He opened his mouth, hand slightly raised in protest. “Miss Everlyn, you did not pa—”

But before he could complete the sentence, Everlyn’s golden eyes locked onto his with a glare that could melt glacierstone.

Alex immediately shut up. “Never mind. Just thought I’d give it a try.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

“Sis, forget him. I can dance with you,” Ethan offered casually, already rising from his chair.

Everlyn turned to her younger brother, her normally expressionless face softening ever so slightly.

“Don’t you already have enough company who can dance with you?” she said gently.

Ethan’s face twitched. Slowly, he turned his head to see Seraphina—who was standing just a few steps away—staring daggers so sharp they might have formed a new element.

Ethan sighed. “Alright, alright.”

But he muttered under his breath, “Still, you never learned ho—”

He was cut off by Everlyn, who shot him the same patented soul-piercing glare she’d just used on Alex.

“…Alright,” Ethan repeated, slumping back into his seat like a defeated general.

Then he glared at Alex like he wanted to turn the dance floor into a dueling arena.

Alex, still seated, gave him a baffled look that clearly screamed, What the hell did I do now?!

Just then, a voice echoed in Everlyn’s head, soft and teasing.

|< Everlyn… you do know you don’t actually know how to dance, right? >|

’I do not need this right now, Aurora,’ she responded mentally, eyes twitching slightly.

|< See? This is why I told you to take those dance lessons. You should’ve listened to your mother. Alicia didn’t skip a single class thanks to her, but you… >|

’Alright, alright! Don’t yell at me—it’s just… this seemed like the best way to get away from that bastard Lucas before I actually make him disappear from this world.’

Aurora sighed in her head, the sound exasperated.

|< Suit yourself. Just make sure you don’t embarrass both of us. >|

Without another word, Everlyn reached out and grabbed Alex’s hand. Her touch was firm, her pace brisk as she led him to the center of the gleaming dance floor.

Alex blinked. Then sighed. Loudly.

I’ve officially surrendered to fate, he thought, following her as the crowd parted slightly.

Once they reached the center, surrounded by elegantly spinning couples, Everlyn abruptly stopped.

Alex raised a brow. “So… are we dancing, or was this a scenic tour?”

Everlyn glanced at him, then looked at the dancers around them. Her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, her confident mask cracked.

“I—I…”

Alex leaned closer. “You ’I’ what? Just tell me.”

“I… don’t—don’t know…” she murmured.

Alex squinted. “Don’t know what?”

“I said nothing,” she snapped, the tips of her ears now slightly pink.

Alex tilted his head. “Why’d you drag me here, then—wait…” His voice dropped into a mischievous whisper. “Hold on… are you saying… you don’t know how to dance?”

A vein popped on Everlyn’s forehead. Her eye twitched.

This infuriating bastard.

She clenched her fists. Then, with great reluctance, she gave the tiniest nod.

Alex smirked. “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.”

“…Yes,” she gritted through her teeth.

“Come again?”

This time, Everlyn’s mouth twisted in fury. She raised her hand and smacked the back of his head—hard.

Thwack!

“Okay, okay! I heard that loud and clear!” Alex yelped, rubbing his scalp.

Alex extended his hand toward Everlyn, a half-smirk tugging at his lips.

“Take it,” he said smoothly. “Just follow my lead.”

Everlyn hesitated for a heartbeat. The chandeliers above them gleamed like frozen starlight, casting a glow on their poised figures.

Sighing, Everlyn placed her hand in his.

Alex led her to the center of the dance floor. The music shifted into a soft yet rich waltz, its notes weaving around them like a warm breeze.

The other students instinctively gave them space, eyes turning to watch the duo.

They took position.

Alex placed one hand at her waist, holding her right hand gently in his. Everlyn stiffened momentarily, unused to being so close to someone who wasn’t family.

But Alex’s tone was calm and collected.

“Relax. You’ll ruin the rhythm.”

And then, with the grace of a practiced partner, Alex led.

Their feet moved in sync—slow, steady, precise. Her gown flowed like water around her as he twirled her lightly. Despite herself, Everlyn blinked in surprise.

He’s… good. Even though he’s not a noble…

|< Yeah, he’s good. You’re just the awkward one. >|

’Shut up, Aurora.’

The music deepened, their steps becoming smoother with every pass. The audience murmured among themselves, pleasantly surprised at the performance.

Then, just as Everlyn started to enjoy herself, Alex tilted his head slightly and said with a mischievous smile, “Miss Everlyn, I’m not exactly being paid to dance and help you dodge that annoying prince, so maybe consider tipping me extra for the effort?”

Her smile twitched. Dangerous.

In one swift move, still keeping rhythm with the music, she pressed the sharp heel of her shoe onto his foot.

Alex winced instantly, his steps faltering slightly. “Okay, okay! You don’t have to pay anything, just remove your foot, you crazy bi—”

Everlyn’s eyes narrowed like drawn blades. Her voice was cold and elegant as she raised an eyebrow. “A what, Alex?”

Her heel pressed down harder.

Alex grit his teeth, eyes watering slightly. “N-Nothing. Nothing at all! Lovely evening, isn’t it?”

Satisfied, she finally lifted her heel.

“You won’t get a single penny more,” she said smoothly, spinning along with the music, her hand never losing its grip on his.

Still wincing, Alex muttered under his breath, “You swindler…”

“What was that?” she said sweetly.

“I said thank you, Your Grace,” he replied instantly.

Everlyn’s mouth twitched. “I don’t want to hear that from you.”

A few feet away, under the soft purple lights near the other edge of the dance floor, another pair danced.

Ethan and Seraphina.

Well… Seraphina danced. Ethan was far too busy craning his neck, glaring daggers toward Alex and Everlyn.

He barely noticed Seraphina’s hand guiding his movements, nearly stepping on her dress as his focus drifted entirely.

Seraphina gave an exasperated sigh. “Can you please focus here or… are you a stalker now, too?”

Ethan’s mouth twitched. “Sera, keeping an eye on that bastard is important. Who knows what kind of nonsense he’ll pull next?”

“He’s dancing,” she said flatly. “Not summoning a demon horde.”

“Same thing, really,” Ethan muttered.

Seraphina narrowed her eyes. “If you step on my foot again, you will regret it.”

Ethan flinched. “Right, right. Focus. Yes. Dancing.”

He turned his gaze away from Alex with a grumble, but the fire in his eyes didn’t extinguish.

Meanwhile, back at the center of the floor, Alex guided Everlyn into a light spin before drawing her back gently, their steps flawless.

“See? Told you to follow my lead,” he said smugly.

Everlyn exhaled, eyes half-lidded.

He’s annoying. Arrogant… guy.

But as their dance continued, a reluctant thought crept into her mind.

…But it’s kind of fun.

—

A/N:

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