[Mature content warning, read at your own discretion.]
As they stopped, Evelyn felt her body burning from within. A sudden warmth pooled beneath her skin, it was unfamiliar. She blinked, trying to steady her breath, she told herself maybe it must be from dancing after so long. Slowly, she stepped away from Ivan and the two of them exchanged a courteous bow, marking the end of their mesmerising dance.
Ivan's gazed her intently, but before he could say anything, Eve muttered something about needing fresh air and hurried towards the exit. He was going to follow her when he was stopped by Headmaster Charles for praising him for his graceful performance on the dance floor.
Meanwhile, Evelyn rushed towards the exit under everyone's watchful gaze. Just as she was about to step out, a voice called from behind,
"Evelyn!"
She paused and turned, Cece's crimson eyes widened in alarm as she took in her friend's flushed face. "Oh my….you seem so flushed!" she said. She quickly closed the distance between them and asked "I saw you and Ivan dancing but, are you alright? Did something happen or did he do something?"
Eve blinked, still unfocused, with her body heating up, she said quickly, "No! I-I just need to get some fresh air alone, I'll be back quickly, okay?"
Cece didn't look convinced and asked "Do you want me to come with you?"
Eve quickly shook her head and replied, "No, just stay here and enjoy the ball. I'm fine, really." She turned and rushed off before Cece would press her further.
Cece stood there, watching Eve disappear with a frown on her face. She wondered what had happened and decided to ask Ivan. As she turned, she almost bumped into Ivan, when he was on his way out and asked, "Where is she?" His eyes scanned the hallway, as he searched for Eve.
Cece's frown deepened and asked with quiet accusation, "Why? Did you do something to her?"
Ivan removed his mask and gave her a confused look, "What makes you think I did anything?"
Cece crossed her arms in a defensive stance and responded, "I don't know, I am asking you because she just finished dancing with you and ran off looking so flustered. Did you say something to her?"
Ivan's jaw tensed and glared at her. His voice dropped to a dangerous low. "What exactly do you think I would say to her, Cece?"
Cece didn't flinch, she held his gaze firmly and answered, "I don't know, Ivan. But I do know what kind of relations you prefer to have with other women and then leave later. Evelyn is my dear friend and I will not let her be another one added to your long list. She is not like them and won't take it well if something like that happens to her."
She started to walk away before she paused and looked at him over her shoulders "I hope you remember that, Ivan."
He didn't wait to hear her say more and walked towards the direction he thought Eve must have gone to.
Damien strolled over with a smirk tugged at his lips. "Well, well…sister, I must say, watching you throw a threat at Prince Iceberg himself was thoroughly entertaining. You did something others can never even dare to even think about."
Cece's frown deepened, "I hope he takes it seriously."
Damien raised an eyebrow, "Oh I am sure he will. You sounded like you were about to duel with him in the courtyard."
She sighed and muttered, "I'm just worried about Eve. Did something happen when I wasn't around?"
Damien tilted his head and said, "Hmm...last I saw, she was talking to Edward when I was on the dance floor and later with Ivan. Next thing I know, they're dancing like a fairytale couple while half the ballroom forgot how to breathe."
"Oh there was also this scrawny looking guy who was trying to talk to Evelyn but bolted the moment Ivan showed up."
"And who might that be?" Cece asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I think I've seen him hanging around with that grey-haired cockroach who approached Evelyn that time she choked on her tea during breakfast that day."
They stared at each other, the situation was beginning to feel a little too suspicious. Damien then said, "Let go back inside and wait for them to return. You know Ivan would never take advantage of her, he loathes people like that"
"I know." Cece let out another sigh and walked back in with Damien.
Light but hurried footsteps echoed across the lonely corridor. Eve didn't realise how far she had drifted from the ballroom. She kept walking until her legs could carry her no further. Her breathing was uneven and her unfocused eyes landed on a garden attached to the building, with a dragon fountain at its center. The moonlight gleamed over it, giving the statue an eerie glow.
Wall lamps flickered along both sides of the pillars that led to the garden. She took a few unsteady steps and made her way to the far side of the towering dragon fountain and finally sat on the stone boundary that enclosed it.
She didn't know what was happening to her, but in that moment, she desperately wished for someone or something to free her from this strange, burning ordeal.
As she panted she looked up at the moon and she took another deep breath to calm herself, but nothing seemed to help.
The garden was large, filled with blooming rose bushes and tall trees scattered throughout the space. Since Eve sat on the far side of the entrance, hidden behind the massive dragon fountain, she was completely out of the view.
Her breaths came shallow and quick as she thought to herself, 'What is wrong with me? This has never happened before when I drank…or is my body reacting differently because of my recent powers?' She felt extremely uncomfortable. Closing her eyes, she tried to steady her breathing again, only to freeze when she heard hushed footsteps approaching from the other side of the fountain.
Not wanting to be seen in this state, she quickly slipped behind a giant tree and hid herself. As she peeked out slowly, she saw a young, drunk couple that looked like humans, giggling softly as they stumbled toward the fountain. They paused near the spot where Eve had been sitting earlier. And what she saw next made her eyes widen in shock and she instinctively covered her mouth.
She watched, stunned as the young couple began making out wildly, as if there were no tomorrow. Their scandalous moans echoed through the quiet garden. The girl momentarily pulled away from the man, her eyes dark with desire and let her hand trail boldly down to his crotch. She gave it a slow rub and murmured seductively, "Oh, Ed, please… I can't hold it anymore, let's do it right here."
The man looked at the woman with lust and urgency and he said, "Okay, let's go a little further inside so no one sees us." As he spoke, he gave her butt a firm squeeze, making her moan again. To Eve's relief, the couple moved in the opposite direction from where she was hiding. Soon, soft moans and grunts of the couple echoed faintly from the other side. She wasn't sure whether she should risk leaving now or wait till they were done. But as she heard them, a strange warmth pooled low in her belly. She was utterly scandalised by the whole situation.
As let out a shaky sigh and turned her head to rest it against the tree truck, as she did, her breath hitched when she saw a tall shadow looming beside her. Before a scream could erupt from her mouth, a warm hand shot up and covered it swiftly. Her eyes widened in panic as her fingers gripped the stranger's wrist. Her heart thudded widely in her chest.