The grand hall of the Astral Palace shimmered under the glow of a thousand enchanted lanterns, their golden light reflecting off the polished marble floors. Nobles from across the kingdom had gathered for the annual Celestial Ball, an event where the elite mingled, alliances were forged, and secrets whispered behind silk fans.
Nyx, a commoner with no title to her name, had no business being here.
Yet, thanks to her best friend Joey a mischievous lady's maid who had "borrowed" a noblewoman's invitation, she got in.
She stood at the edge of the ballroom, wearing a borrowed emerald gown she got from a tailor named Chronos. She adjusted the delicate silver mask covering the upper half of her face, her heart pounding.
Just one dance. One glimpse of this world, then I'll leave.
But fate had other plans. [Fated]
The eldest son of the duke, Xnz standing near the entrance of the hall, a man who carried an aura of intensity around him. Tall, with silver hair tied back in an elegant ribbon, wearing a suit and tunic befit of his stature. With his piercing violet eyes he scanned the room like a predator. He had no interest in the frivolities of the ball, until he saw Nyx.
A woman with pristine facial features, shining yellow eyes and midnight-blue hair, wearing a somewhat cheap emerald coloured gown, standing awkwardly near the refreshments at the edge of the hall, as if unsure whether to leave or stay.
Curious about her, he approached.
"You seem out of place," he murmured, his voice smooth as velvet.
Nyx stiffened. Caught already? She forced a smile. "And you seem like a man who enjoys stating the obvious."
Xnz's lips twitched. 'A speech without an ounce of elegancy... Unfitting for a lady of her caliber... How interesting...'
"Would you care to dance?" he asked, extending a gloved hand.
Nyx hesitated—but the music swelled, and before she could refuse, his hand was at her waist, guiding her into the waltz.
At this moment they caught the attention of a marquis, Hen. With tousled golden hair and a grin that could melt steel.
He was the kingdom's most notorious flirt and was flirting with some noble women, when he spotted Xnz, dancing with a beautiful blue haired woman who looked uncomfortable and would rather be anywhere else. 'Oh, this was too good of an opportunity to miss..' he thought.
He excused himself and cut through the crowd in a flash. Reaching in front of them in mere moments.
"Xnz, you dog," Hen drawled, cutting in without permission. "Stealing the most beautiful woman in the room for yourself?"
Nyx blinked with a dumbfounded expression 'Who is this, and why is everyone so interested in me... I should've never came here.' she thought. At this moment Hen spun her away from XNZ, his hold loose and playful. "And who are you?" she asked, wary.
"Your next dance partner," he winked.
Xnz's glare which could have frozen lava, stared at Hen and with demanding tone said "Hen. Unhand her."
Hen only laughed. "Make me."
Nyx, caught between them, felt the weight of noble egos clashing.
And it's at this moment that a young viscount makes his appearance. His name was Szell and he was also the most dangerous of the three.
Szell was a scholar, a tactician, and a man with many secrets. He observed everything unfold since the start from the second floor of the ball. When he saw Hen intervene he decided to make his way down to the main hall. As Xnz and Hen bickered over the masked lady, he quietly approached.
He stepped forward, his presence commanding silence. "Must you two embarrass yourselves in public?"
Nyx's breath hitched. 'This man... he was different... Cold, calculating, with sharp amber eyes that dissected her in seconds.
"You.." he said, with a deep tone. "You don't look like you belong here."
Her stomach dropped. 'Does he know!?'
But before she could bolt, Xnz's hand clamped onto her wrist and said "She's staying."
Hen seeing this smirked "Oh? Since when do you care, Xnz?"
Szell, whose gaze never left Nyx's, asked "Who are you... really?"
Nyx swallowed. "No one you should know about..."
End.
Chapter 2 soon...
Join sc and make fun of Nyx together with the rest of us: https://discord.gg/ZnAPPXtgbA