Evelyn, almost spellbound by words and actions, gave a slow nod as she uncrossed her arms and placed her gloved hand in his. Ivan's fingers curled around hers and he gently guided her towards the dance floor.
All the people who witnessed the spectacle had their eyes nearly pop out of their sockets and would have rolled on the ground in shock if it were socially acceptable.
Grapes and murmurs echoed throughout the ballroom, for Prince Ivan had never taken any lady to the dance floor. What was happening now felt like one of those rare, once in a lifetime phenomena. Jealousy and envy radiated towards both Ivan and Evelyn, as even with both their faces hidden behind masks, they were undeniably the most beautiful couple one had ever seen.
Meanwhile, Drake who had been gleeful since the moment Evelyn had a sip of drugged wine was absolutely livid to see her being elegantly escorted by Ivan onto the dance floor.
His mind screamed only one thing, what the hell was Ivan doing here?
He had gone through every meticulous step to set the perfect trap to ensure Evelyn would be alone and vulnerable. He even arranged for Ivan to be summoned to a last minute emergency meeting set up by his father with other nobles to keep him away from the academy. His plan was flawless. Then how? How had he slipped through?
As Drake stared at them, rage boiled over until the glass in his hand shattered under the pressure of his grip. Blood trickled from his clenched fist. Kayla, who had just entered the ballroom after stalling Cece as long as she could, froze at the sight of Drake with blood dripping down his hand.
She rushed towards him and asked, "Drake! What happened?" She reached out to touch his hand, but he shoved her away harshly and growled through clenched teeth "Get away from me, you wh*re!"
Kayla was taken aback by Drake's sudden aggression and instinctively stepped away as he stormed out of the hall. While some students relished the drama that had just unfolded, others spared a fleeting moment of sympathy for Kayla, before their attention turned to something far more enchanting.
When Kayla recovered from her shock, she turned to look at where everyone else was looking. All eyes turned towards the center of the ballroom, where Prince Ivan was now leading Princess Evelyn to the dance floor. The two of them looked absolutely breathtaking together, like a dream brought to life.
For a brief second, even Kalya was dazzled by the sight. But as the moment passed and the memory of Drake's outburst resurfaced, a bitter realisation sank in, he had treated her that way because of Evelyn. Hatred swelled within her, festering deeper with each passing second. She clenched her fists and made up her mind that she would get back to Evelyn for this humiliation and without another word, she left the ballroom.
Music Recommendation: Emilio Piano ft. Lucie - Maison
Back on the dance floor, as Ivan led Evelyn further in, the couples instinctively parted to make way for them. When they reached the center, Ivan halted and turned to face her. Without letting go of her hand, he gave it a playful tug, pulling her flush close to him in one smooth motion. A ghost smile tugged his lips behind his golden mask as he leaned in slightly and murmured, "I hope you know how to dance, princess?"
Evelyn frowned at this question, as a thought flickered through her mind. 'After dragging me to the dance floor, now he asks me this?'
Lifting her chin with confidence, she replied in a low voice, "Yes, any princess would know how to. Besides," she leaned in ever so slightly, "weren't you supposed to ask that before pulling me into the spotlight?"
Ivan's lips curled into a smirk, "You never really denied it." With that, he slid an arm around her slender waist and pulled her a little closer, to hear the sudden flutter of her heartbeat.
"I hope… you are not getting any naughty ideas. Hm? Princess?" He whispered as he tilted his head a little.
Eve's blush deepened but she met his teasing with her own. "I think you should be the one worried, Prince Ivan. I haven't done anything to suggest otherwise when the same cannot be said about you." She narrowed her eyes at him a little.
His smile only deepened, and she could almost see it reflect in those molten red eyes. Evelyn felt a little heady again but she brushed it off as the effect of the handsome devil standing in front of her. She placed one of her hands on his broad shoulder and another one in his warm, waiting hand.
As a new melody rose from the orchestra, they began to glide across the dance floor. Eve was surprised to see Ivan move with the kind of effortless grace that only came from years of practice, or perhaps it was just how he was born to be: powerful, poised and regal.
She had only ever danced with her instructor, her father when she was young and occasionally with her mother when she was alive. Never before had she danced with a grown man like this and now that she had, she found herself enjoying it more than she expected.
As the music shifted, rising in tempo, Ivan twirled her with practiced ease. Her gown flared around them like stardust and when he caught her again, he pulled her in just a little closer, his hand firm on her back, his eyes locked on hers. And then he saw it, that smile, it bloomed across her lips, so radiant smile and mesmerising that it made him forget everyone else in the room.
Soon, it was time to twirl again. Evelyn spun gracefully and rolled back into his arms, her back against his chest, with both her hands held gently by his as they continued to sway to the music. They moved so seamlessly in sync that the onlookers were utterly bedazzled by their graceful dance.
On top of that Princess Evelyn's smile was so infectious, that not only men but even women were mesmerised. Just by watching them, one could tell how much she was enjoying this dance with the dark prince and all they could do was sigh in reverence.
Back on the dance floor, Ivan lowered his head until his lips were dangerously close to Evelyn's ear and murmured, "Tell me, Princess… have you danced with any other man before?"
Evelyn swallowed, her breath hitching slightly. "Only my father… and my dance teacher," she said softly.
He twirled her with elegant ease when she was back in his arms, he pulled closer that her chest brushed against his. His smoldering eyes searched hers and his voice like velvet "Is that so?...Then am I correct in assuming I'm the first male you've danced with, who isn't your family or an instructor."
Eve's cheeks sung with their close proximity, and she suddenly felt self-conscious so she lowered her eyes and said "Yes"
As she lowered her eyes, he leaned in further, his hand subtly tightened on her waist, "Then look at me when you say it," he whispered. "Never lower your gaze when you've done nothing wrong, princess. Confidence suits you far better."
Eve's eyes widened a little as she listened to him and when she looked up his gaze held her like gravity and the air between them felt electric. She suddenly felt a little heady and hot at the same time.
Seeing her comply he said, "Good.. now princess, let's make sure this first dance is something you'll never forget."
With that, as the tempo picked up, so did Evelyn's heart beat, fluttering wildly beneath her skin. She didn't know what she was feeling but it left her exhilarated. Her eyes never left Ivan's, drawn by the depth within them. And the longer she held his gaze, the bolder hands became. She wasn't sure if it was the wine she'd sipped earlier or his words that gave her this new found courage. All she knew was her hand clasped in his tightened instinctively and one on his broad shoulder brushed gently across the fine fabric of his coat almost as if wanting to feel those taut muscles beneath.
Eve didn't realise her face was more flushed than usual and her eyes dropped slightly as a strange haze settled over her. As the music reached its final crescendo, Ivan noticed the subtle shift in Eve how he had felt her lingering touch and unfocused gaze. He felt something was a miss.
After the final twirl, they came to a graceful halt, with the music fading around them.