Chapter 169: Seven Stars Ball (IV)

Thum~♪

They moved slowly with the music, just perfectly following the rhythm like they had done this a hundred times before.

It was one of the first things drilled into every noble child before they could even hold a weapon or cast a spell: how to dance without thinking, how to let the body follow the movements.

One step forward, a light turn, a smooth pull back.

Gray guided her without effort, his hand firm at her waist, fingers resting just enough to keep control without squeezing.

Alina followed easily, her heels gliding over the polished floor as her gown swayed with each turn. When he stepped to the side, she mirrored him.

When he turned, she spun lightly and came back into place, their hands meeting again as if pulled by habit rather than thought.

While they danced, the noise of the ballroom faded into something distant.

Alina lifted her gaze to his face, her eyes catching his black ones.

“So,” she said quietly, her voice smooth between the notes of the music, “how are you doing in the academy?”

Gray didn’t miss a step as he turned her once, before pulling her back in.

“…Good,” he replied, rolling his eyes slightly.

“Tsk. What’s with that attitude?” She clicked her tongue, matching his pace as they shifted into a gentle rotation.

He leaned in just enough to hear her over the music.

“Pretty bold words for someone who’s been stalking me.”

Alina blinked, wide and innocent, lashes fluttering as she took a step back and let him guide her forward.

“I wouldn’t do something like that,” she said sweetly. “It’s not like I’d place a few talented students there just to keep an eye on your movements.”

She spun again, her skirt lifting slightly before settling back down.

“If you’re that curious, you could’ve sent a letter asking how I’m doing,” he added flatly.

She smiled, lifting one eyebrow as they shifted into a slow turn near the edge of the floor.

“Aren’t you supposed to be planning your revenge?” she asked, almost playfully. “And yet here you are, dancing with your supposed enemy.”

“Enemy?” Gray scoffed softly, guiding her through another smooth step. “You’re the last person I’d ever call that.”

“Oh?” she hummed.

“Should I feel flattered?”

“Suit yourself.”

The music didn’t stop after the first piece ended.

Instead, the musicians shifted smoothly into the second set, the rhythm changing just enough to signal the rule everyone in the hall already knew by heart.

Each pair was allowed two sets together.

It was meant to prevent monopolizing a partner, to keep alliances fluid and eyes wandering. After the second set, etiquette demanded separation.

But of course, the ladies had the right to refuse the gentleman who asked them to dance.

Gray noticed the change instantly.

“So,” he said quietly as he adjusted his grip, his hand sliding a little higher on her back to guide her into the new rhythm.

“Second set…”

Alina smiled, pleased, and stepped closer without hesitation.

“Looks like you remembered,” she replied.

“…It’s not like it’s been a long time since I last danced with you.”

Alina simply chuckled at his words.

For her, two years indeed weren’t a long time.

To the music, their steps slowed down, becoming natural and smooth.

This dance had more turns, more moments where distance was created only to be closed again.

Gray led her forward, then gently pulled her back, their hands separating for a second before interlacing once again.

This time, he was the one who spoke first.

“What are you planning to do?” he asked lightly.

“You don’t come to a ball like this just to dance.”

This was indeed true, as from their childhood until now, Alina had probably only attended a handful of balls.

Of course, Gray knew that he was also the reason… but for someone like Alina, whose desire to control is extremely high…

…There should be something special about this occasion in particular.

Alina tilted her head as she turned beneath his raised arm, her platinum hair catching the light before settling down her back again.

When she faced him, her smile was soft, almost lazy.

“Straight to the point, as always~”

She laughed lightly.

“You never did like small talk.”

He guided her into a slow circle near the center of the floor, blending perfectly with the flow of the music.

“I don’t like wasting time,” he replied.

“Mm… I know. I’m not doing that either.” Alina let out a quiet hum, her heels gliding back as he drew her in again.

He lifted an eyebrow, his hand steady at her waist.

“That’s a lie.”

She laughed under her breath, low and soft, meant only for him. As the music swelled, she leaned closer, her lips near his ear.

“…Fine.”

They stepped apart, then back together, shoes brushing the polished floor in perfect timing.

“A few days ago, some of my information lines went silent,” she spoke. “Not all at once. One here, one there. People who don’t disappear unless they’re told to.”

Gray’s eyes narrowed a fraction, but his pace didn’t change.

“Then came the rumors,” she went on. “Servants are being reassigned for no reason. Extra guards hired under fake names, and supply orders that don’t match a celebration.”

She leaned closer as he turned her, her breath warm near his ear.

“All of them point to the same thing,” Alina sighed softly. “Someone plans to make a move tonight, when everyone important is in one room and pretending to feel safe.”

They swayed for a moment, the music filling the space between her words.

“The Shadow Order,” she added. “Their work is always quiet at first. They prepare the stage long before the blade comes out.”

“That guild doesn’t act without a reason,” he muttered.

“And tonight gives them plenty,” she replied. “Too many targets. Too much chaos if things go wrong, and too many chances to slip away afterward.”

She lifted her gaze to meet his as they turned together.

“So I’m here to watch,” Alina stated. “To listen. To see who’s nervous, who’s pretending not to be, and who keeps checking exits instead of enjoying the dance.”

The tempo slowed, and they fell into an easy sway.

“And you?” she asked.

“Why are you really here?”

Gray didn’t answer right away. He guided her through another turn, slower this time, his grip steady as he caught her again.

“I was invited,” he said.

Her eyes searched his face.

“That’s not everything.”

“It isn’t.”

He held her gaze.

The music softened, and for a brief moment, the noise of the ballroom faded.

“I wanted to see you,” he added.

Her lips twitched before she could stop them. A faint tremor ran through her fingers where they rested on his shoulder, and she had to take a breath to steady herself.

“…You’re bad for my composure,” Alina murmured.

“I’m not trying to be,” he replied calmly.

She clicked her tongue softly, recovering her usual poise.

“Dangerous words,” she said, even as a small smile lingered.

The final notes of the set stretched out, slow and long, and Gray felt the cue before it fully ended.

He eased his grip and guided Alina into a clean stop, their steps coming to rest exactly as the music faded.

Polite applause rippled through the hall.

“Well,” Alina said lightly, stepping back into proper distance, “that’s our two.”

“Give me a warning when you’re ready to turn the palace upside down,” Gray gave a small nod.

“No promises,” she replied with a faint smile.

Then, before he could say anything else, she leaned in close, puckering her lips before planting a quick kiss on his left cheek.

“For tonight,” she whispered sweetly, “stay alive.”

She turned smoothly and strolled back into the crowd, her black gown disappearing among silk and jewels as if nothing unusual had happened at all.

Gray stayed where he was for a moment, his expression unchanged, eyes calm and cold, as if the kiss had never happened.

That was when Gloria approached.

She stopped in front of him, clearly hesitating, her fingers curling together for a second.

There was a hint of embarrassment on her face, but when she saw that his expression was the same distant calm he’d worn since entering the ballroom, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“…Shall we dance now?” she asked, extending her hand.

Gray looked at her hand first, then at her face. He studied her for a brief moment, unreadable, before finally reaching out.

His fingers closed around hers.

“Sure,” he said simply.

Gloria’s lips curved into a small smile as she turned, gently pulling him along.

Together, they stepped back onto the dance floor just as the third piece of music began to play, the rhythm rising to welcome them into the next dance of the night.

Except that now, Gray had already marked countless objects in the ballroom, as even if he fought, he was going to make sure that hide most of his power.

’Jasmine… give me a warning when you feel even a little amount of Divinity,’ he spoke inwardly.

[Sure… but why?]

’Obviously because of you, no? I can’t let such a strong authority like Destruction go unused after experiencing a delicacy like it.’

[Ohh…]

Jasmine nodded, feeling quite grateful for Gray. And just that little exchange overshadowed the other Gray by quite a lot.

Because, unlike him, who spent most of his time dating his girlfriend, this Gray directly wanted to make her recover her power…

Even if it is for his own gain…

It was already plenty better than the other Gray.

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