The music swelled, soft and deep, like ripples moving across a lake.
Tessa stood frozen at the center of the hall, her heart hammering louder than the drums of war.
Hundreds of eyes were on her. On them.
Jasper turned, his gaze steady, calm — like a wall she could lean on. He bowed low, every inch the crown prince, waiting. Her knees trembled but somehow, almost instinctively, she mirrored him, the hem of her gown brushing the floor in a graceful curtsey.
When she rose, Jasper leaned in slightly, his lips dangerously close to her ear.
"Look at me," he whispered. "I will lead. You just have to follow." Her eyes widened, but she nodded quickly.
"And trust me," he added, his voice low but firm.
She met his gaze — those silver eyes gleaming beneath the chandelier lights. For a second, the noise of the crowd, the music, the heavy weight of being watched… it all vanished. There was only him, as for her Jasper Blackthorn was her dream man which she imagined everytime while embodying someone she would love.
The first step came, smooth and flawless. His hand at her waist was steady, his other hand guiding hers like a silent command. She stumbled once in her mind, but her feet… followed him as if enchanted.
"He's carrying me through this"… she realized. I practiced for hours, but nothing compares to this. He's… perfect.
Jasper smirked faintly, having heard her thoughts, and pressed just a little closer. "See? You're dancing beautifully," he murmured. Tessa blushed, gripping his hand tighter. "It's because you're—" she almost said you're perfect but bit her tongue " good "
The music rose. Their steps grew faster, elegant twirls and turns filling the floor. Gasps rippled through the nobles watching. For the first time in the empire's history, Jasper Blackthorn wasn't just cold and unreachable — he was… alive. Glowing. Paired with a girl who matched him beat for beat.The dance ended in a flawless spin, Jasper lowering Tessa just slightly before pulling her up again. Applause erupted like thunder. But Tessa hardly noticed the envious glares of countless noblewomen piercing her back. She only noticed how Jasper's hand lingered a second longer on hers, before he finally released her.
One after another, nobles came to greet them.
Among them, a tall man with streaks of silver hair, his aura sharp yet noble.
"The King of Torf," Jasper introduced smoothly.
Tessa bowed politely, her voice steady though her nerves screamed.
"The sun of Torf , I am Tessa Malven, granddaughter of late King Seron's aide."
The king's eyes flickered with interest. "Ah… a sharp tongue and graceful manners. Not bad at all."
A younger man stepped forward next, his bearing noble yet wild, like a wolf barely chained.
"Theodore Enclid," Jasper said, "First prince of Torf ."
Tessa already remembered what she had read. Torf… land of pure werewolves. Famous for mining and craftsmanship… She lowered her head respectfully, and the king gave a small approving nod.
"We will meet again soon, Lady Malven," the King said before departing with his son.
Soon after, Duchess Hun approached, her smile radiant. "Lady Tessa allow me to introduce my children. Fiona Hun, and Felix Hun."
Fiona bowed politely, her warm smile instantly putting Tessa at ease.
"I've heard of your brave deeds from my mother. You have my respect, Lady Tessa."
" I have heard about you too Lady Fiona. It's my pleasure to meet you . "
" No the pleasure is mine .. my mother always talks about you that how gentle mannered you are ... I know how boring etiquette classes are.."
" Really? "
" Yes, from the core of my heart I hate them .
They don't have any other works.. but they are useful when it comes to tea parties held by nobel ladies. I hate their ulterior motives of gossiping and spreading rumour but if the food is good I'm in . "
" Oh my goodness we are alike. We must be departed sisters . I think we can be good friends.. please come with teacher next time so we can talk more freely."
" 😊 Sure. "
Tessa smiled back, relieved at her kindness.
But Felix — tall, had a good face, with a slightly soft sweet smile — took her hand and kissed it before she could react.
"Hello My lady" he said softly."I'm Felix Hun. Nice to meet you . May I have a dan—"
"Felix." Fiona quickly cut him off, her tone sharp. " Sorry lady Tessa, he is very energetic. "
" Sister why are you always introduce me like that? "
Jasper's eyes darkened like storm clouds. "She is tired," he said coldly. "We will be taking our leave."
Tessa quickly smiled to soften the tension and excused herself politely. Together, she and Jasper left the hall. " It's still early, can we go the garden? " Jasper nodded.
The night air outside was cool and refreshing. The moon hung above, bright and pure, bathing the palace gardens in silver light. Tessa sighed in relief, slipping off her heels the moment they stepped on the grass.
"Ahhh, freedom. I swear these shoes are weapons."
Jasper chuckled softly, watching her wiggle her toes in the cool grass. The sight… strangely warmed him *pffft* .
She turned to him then, her eyes soft.
"Thank you, Jasper… for earlier. I would've ruined the whole ball without you. You are really good at dancing. "
" Mention not , I'm learning dance from a very young age alongside of other things."
The moonlight fell across his face, painting him like a figure out of a dream. Tessa caught herself staring, entranced, before shaking her head.
Then she remembered. "By the way… about that night. When you collapsed… what happened to you? Jasper's expression shifted immediately, his usual calm hardening into something guarded. He didn't answer at first. "Should I tell her ? My deepest secret... would it be safe to do ... "
Tessa bit her lip, realizing she pushed too far. "I… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. Tell me only when you feel comfortable and if you don't want to then no force. I should have known the lines."
For a moment, silence. Then Jasper let out a slow sigh.
"You risked yourself to save me. You deserve the truth. But promise not to disclose to anyone at any means"
" Ok " Her heart raced as he continued.
"I am a vampire, yes. But not like the others. My life doesn't rely on blood… it relies on moonlight.". Tessa's eyes widened."What?"
"From childhood, my parents thought I could live like others, even I thought too.... Blood once a month.I was doing fine to be honest. But the truth was revealed the night I collapsed and… regained everything under the moonlight. I… am different. I possess multiple abilities, unlike normal vampires. But the usage of those abilities… depends on the phases of the moon."
" Really? "
" Yes .. let me tell you more clearly. Normal vampire and werewolves mostly have 1 ability..but the imperial families of 4 kingdoms and Velmor empire.. have sacred powers so they mostly got more than 1 ability.. but my case was different.. that's why I have multiple abilities when others don't have much. "
He paused, his jaw tightening. "The night I collapsed was moonless. I had to use my powers in order to save those children.. the usage of too much power drained my life exilire and without the moon to restore me, my life exilire nearly burned out. That dagger… the one you gave me, fueled with my moon-charged power… it kept me alive."
Tessa listened silently, "Oh… that's why Sir Alex agreed on my plan , because he knew moonless night was coming and on the journey he kept looking at the moon. He also rushed to save you when he heard you went to fight..." she whispered. "He knew about this , right? He was continuously saying about finding the moon that night..."
" Yes , my parents, my brother and Alex ... Only these people know about this .. but now you .."
Then her eyes lit up with an idea. "Why don't you store your energy in things? Like a blood bank—"
Jasper shook his head. "Sacred powers cannot be stored like that. They fade unless kept in contact with a living being."
"Then… give it to those you trust. Your family, Sir Alex—"
"No," his tone sharpened. "I tried. My powers drain their life exilire instantly. My brother had to take blood thrice that time to revive himself...Only you… you alone could hold that dagger without harming your lifespan because you are not from this world. "
She straightened, eyes firm. "Then give it to me again. I'll be your power bank in case of emergency."
Jasper turned to her sharply. "Why? Why would you do that?"
She smiled softly, eyes glimmering under the moonlight.
"I don't know either. But… I understand you. You have a loving family, yes, but also this burden, this loneliness you carry as crown prince. You don't show it but I can feel it . I know how uncomfortable you felt everytime those nobel young ladies looked at you with greed and lust rather than love. You risk yourself every day. As your friend, Jasper… I'll stand by you. Just like you stood by me on the day when the hunter first attacked me ."
He stared at her, stunned.
"She doesn't crave my attention. She doesn't care for my crown, my power, my wealth… not even my body. She only sees me. Jasper Blackthorn. Me." ( He remembered the last night conversation when Tessa said that to her he is not a crown prince, he is Jasper Blackthorn, his dearest friend) His chest tightened, something unexplainable stirring inside.
" Tessa Malven…I never thought a girl like you could exist.....in this world, you are a fantasy too. My fantasy...."
But aloud, he only said, "Thank you, Tessa."
She gave a little grin. "No sorry, no thank you between friends, your Highness. You need to practice this harder."
Jasper let out a rare laugh, soft and real.
And under the silver glow of the moon, two figures sat side by side — the crown prince and the girl from another world — bound by a secret and a promise. The air was cold but warmth they shared but unmatched.