Jackson stood there speechless, his face filled with shock and surprise at the sudden announcement. He had never expected this turn of events, especially not after his previous engagement had been called off just moments ago. The idea of being engaged to Evira Althan, the stoic and icy second princess, was something he had never even considered
he couldn't help but glance over at Evira. She stood there, her expression as composed and unperturbed as always, giving no hint of her thoughts or feelings about the situation. He tried to read her face, searching for any sign of her reaction to the announcement, but it was as if she wore a mask, concealing all her emotions beneath a facade of cold detachment
"And you two will dance—tonight," Elodie declared with a mischievous smile, her voice carrying across the ballroom. "A proper first dance for your new engagement!"
Jackson blinked. *Dance? Now?* He glanced again at Evira, who hadn't so much as flinched. Her icy gaze remained fixed ahead, as if the entire situation were beneath her notice.
He offered a shallow bow, playing the part of the obedient nobleman despite the chaos in his mind. "Your Highness... would you do me the honor?"
Evira finally turned to him—slowly, like winter wind shifting course—and placed her hand in his without a word.
No smile. No protest.
Just silence... and cold elegance that sent an unexpected thrill down his spine.
As the music began, Jackson led her into step—careful not to slip up—and murmured under his breath with a wry smirk:
"Well... this certainly wasn't in *any* version of our childhood agreement."
Jackson found himself drawn to Evira—not just because they were now engaged, but due to the subtle nuances of her demeanor. As they moved gracefully together across the dance floor, his eyes lingered on her face, captivated by her cold beauty. She moved with poise and grace, as effortlessly as a snowfall. Her skin was a flawless alabaster, her eyes a piercing blue like glacial ice, and her long hair a midnight black cascade that contrasted starkly with the white dress she wore..
He found himself mesmerized by the slight shift in her expression as she moved, the only hint of life on her otherwise stoic face. The more he watched her, the more intriguing she became—like a puzzle waiting to be unraveled.
As they glided across the floor, his fingers brushed against her slender waist, a fleeting touch that sent an unexpected shiver down his spine. He had never been this close to her before, and there was something about the coolness of her skin that felt strangely... *thrilling*.
As their dance ends, Evira bows gracefully. With a calm, steady voice, she says,
"Thank you for the dance, fiancé,"
before turning and walking toward the door -leaving the entire hall stunned into silence.
Jackson watched as Evira excused herself, his mind racing with a mixture of feelings. The way she walked away so calmly, with barely a word of emotion... it was baffling—and oddly intriguing.
As the other guests began to chatter around him, he stood there, still trying to wrap his mind around what had just happened. The unexpected announcement, the quick dance, the coolness of Evira's demeanor. Everything felt surreal, like a dream.
He knew he should mingle and play the part of the dutiful fiance, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the spot where Evira had just been.
Jackson's thoughts were interrupted as he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Elodie standing there, a small smile on her face. He quickly composed himself, trying to hide the mix of emotions swirling within him.
"Elodie," he greeted, his voice a little strained. "What is it?"
"I know it's sudden," Elodie whispered, her voice low and sincere as the ballroom hummed around them. She glanced toward the door where Evira had disappeared, then back at Jackson. "But please... trust me. There's more to this than it seems."
Jackson crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "More than *what* seems? One minute I'm a free man, the next—engaged to your ice-queen sister without so much as a warning?"
Elodie bit her lip—guilty, but resolute. "Evira isn't what you think she is... and *this* wasn't my idea alone."
He froze. "Wait... you mean *she* agreed to this willingly?"
A faint nod.
Jackson exhaled sharply, staring at the marble floor as if it might give him answers.
"And here I thought today would just be about awkward goodbyes," he muttered with a dry chuckle. "Instead, I get traded like a royal treaty document."
Elodie touched his arm gently. "You'll understand soon... just don't judge her too quickly."
He looked up—and for the first time since the announcement—he felt not resentment...
But curiosity.
"Guess I'll have to survive one dance with Princess Frostbite before passing judgment."