Chapter 349: Belinna and Orlando
Gloria glanced toward the dance floor.
"Attending such a ball alone is quite unusual."
Her comment made Li Meng narrow his eyes slightly.
It seemed this woman was trying to gauge him.
"Madam, are you here alone as well?"
Gloria smiled gracefully and nodded.
"Yes, I'm by myself."
Hearing this, Li Meng stood up and gave a courteous bow, his hand over his chest.
"May I have the honor of you being my dance partner tonight?"
Gloria chuckled lightly at his invitation.
"Why not?"
She rose to her feet and took his arm with a playful elegance.
"Come on, little one, let's dance."
Though Li Meng appeared quite young, Gloria seemed to think so too.
With that, the two walked toward the dance floor.
---
"Who is that young man with Mother?"
Sandra, standing at another part of the hall, noticed her mother walking toward the dance floor arm-in-arm with a young man.
A flicker of doubt flashed in Sandra's eyes, though she didn't dwell on it.
It wasn't unusual for her mother to find a dance partner at such a lively event.
However, the age difference between the two struck her as a bit odd.
---
Li Meng and Gloria stepped into the dance floor.
Without hesitation, Li Meng placed his hand around Gloria's waist.
The two began to move gracefully in rhythm with the music.
"Madam, you don't seem to be entirely human," Li Meng remarked with a smile as he admired her flawless, porcelain-like face.
Gloria met his gaze and chuckled softly.
"Does that bother you?"
"No, I'm not one to care about bloodlines. I'm simply astonished that such beauty could exist beyond humanity."
Gloria laughed, her laughter like a delicate melody.
"My, you certainly know how to flatter, don't you?"
"Madam, while I may be younger than you, I would appreciate it if you called me 'sir.'"
"Alright, alright, Limeng, sir!"
As the two danced, they chatted and laughed, Gloria occasionally bursting into fits of laughter that made her whole body tremble.
Li Meng's hand, initially placed respectfully on her waist, began to slide lower toward her hips.
Gloria didn't stop him. Instead, her cheeks flushed slightly as a trace of curiosity flickered in her eyes.
The young man's scent was intoxicating, stirring a strange restlessness deep within her.
It wasn't the cloying scent of perfume, but rather the raw, masculine allure of hormones—though his scent was unlike any other man's.
Even with his hand on her waist and hips, she felt no resistance in her heart.
On the contrary, an inexplicable anticipation and excitement bubbled within her.
As the dance progressed, the distance between them narrowed further.
By the end, Gloria's soft body was pressed entirely against Li Meng.
"Limeng, sir, do you want to kiss me?" Gloria asked suddenly, her voice sultry, her gaze smoldering.
Li Meng froze for a moment, his hand on her waist twitching slightly before he pulled it back.
Could this be the power of the Ring of Lust?
All it took was one dance to stir Gloria's desires so vividly.
"I'll kiss you if you agree to bear my child," Li Meng replied boldly.
His words startled Gloria, and she burst into laughter.
"Limeng, sir, that's a far bolder request than a kiss."
At that moment, the music ended.
Li Meng and Gloria parted gracefully, bowing to each other before leaving the dance floor together.
---
"Limeng, sir, I'll wait for you at the garden pavilion after the ball," Gloria whispered as they returned to the resting area.
Leaning close, she brushed a kiss against his cheek and winked playfully before walking away, her hips swaying seductively.
Watching her retreating figure, Li Meng was momentarily at a loss.
Was this a date?
No… it seemed more like a secret rendezvous.
Li Meng scanned the hall, searching for Sandra's father.
Could it be that Sandra's father was already dead, leaving Gloria to attend alone?
"Whatever, there's no need to concern myself with such trivial details."
As long as she could bear his children, nothing else mattered.
---
"Looks like Sandra's keeping herself busy," Li Meng mused, glancing at her.
Another noble had invited her to dance, and the two were heading toward the dance floor.
Meanwhile, Earl Mors was still chatting with other nobles.
Li Meng didn't understand the nuances of this world's ballroom etiquette, but it seemed that Sandra's dance partners were all esteemed guests.
---
"Excuse me, Limeng, sir, may I have this dance?"
A sweet and melodious voice suddenly spoke from beside him.
Li Meng had sensed someone approaching but hadn't paid much attention.
After all, this was the resting area—it wasn't unusual for people to pass by.
But this woman had stopped and extended an invitation.
Who could it be?
Turning toward the voice, Li Meng looked up at the speaker.
It was her.
She wore a pale blue, low-cut, tight-waisted gown.
Her golden hair was styled elegantly atop her head, and her dress hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her alluring curves.
Li Meng recognized her immediately—it was Nara's mother.
Though he was curious why she would approach him, it would be rude to decline.
Rising to his feet, Li Meng gave a polite bow.
"It would be my honor, madam."
Nara's mother smiled warmly and took his arm, and the two began walking toward the dance floor.
As they moved, Li Meng glanced around the hall, searching for Nara.
It didn't take long to spot her.
She was standing on the far side of the dance floor with a man—likely her father.
Nara blushed when she noticed Li Meng's gaze and quickly hid behind her father.
Her father, however, smiled politely and nodded in Li Meng's direction.
Seeing this, Li Meng silently wondered to himself.
Could Nara's parents have taken a liking to him? Were they hoping to make him their son-in-law?
Judging by their attire, they appeared to be merchants rather than nobles.
Before he could think further, Nara's mother stopped walking.
Li Meng naturally placed his hand around her waist, and the two began to dance.
"Never mind. Let's set aside serious matters for now and enjoy the pleasures of a human ball," he thought, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
---
"My name is Belinna. I'm Nara's mother. The gentleman beside her is my husband, Orlando."
Belinna introduced herself and her family as they danced.
So, they were indeed a family of three.
"A pleasure to meet you, Madam Belinna," Li Meng replied politely.
Belinna smiled and glanced toward her daughter.
"I think I finally understand why Nara likes you so much."
Li Meng followed her gaze toward Nara.
"Nara is still a child. She doesn't understand what love truly means."