The grand ballroom shimmered under crystal chandeliers, their glow scattering like fragments of stars across polished marble floors. Strings of violins floated through the air, mingling with the low hum of noble conversations and the clink of jeweled goblets. Felix, dressed in silver-threaded velvet, lingered near the edge of the crowd, his calm eyes scanning faces but never settling.
He hated these events.
"Another ball, another night of empty laughter," Felix muttered under his breath.
A servant bowed low beside him. "My lord, the wine selection tonight is exquisite. Would you prefer the crimson or the—"
"Neither," Felix cut in, his voice soft but final. "I don't drink for appearances."
The servant hesitated, then retreated.
From across the hall, Adrian caught sight of Felix and nudged Asher. "See him? Standing like a statue again. Felix was born to haunt ballrooms, not enjoy them."
Asher chuckled nervously. "At least he looks composed. I always feel like I'll trip in front of everyone."
"You won't," Adrian reassured, though his smirk betrayed amusement. "If you do, I'll fall with you."
Asher's cheeks flushed. "Don't joke about that."
Before Felix could retreat further into shadows, a hush rippled across the hall. Heads turned.
Hyunjin had arrived.
He was impossible to ignore—dark hair swept back, a sharp jawline catching light, eyes glinting like blades beneath the chandeliers. His stride was measured, owning space without needing to demand it. Every noble seemed to lean unconsciously toward him, as though gravity itself bent his way.
Felix's fingers tightened around his glass.
"Lord Hyunjin," someone whispered, almost reverently.
Hyunjin's gaze swept the room—and landed squarely on Felix.
They didn't blink.
---
Hyunjin moved through the nobles effortlessly, brushing aside greetings with curt nods. When he reached Felix, the music seemed to hush, as though the violins themselves were holding their breath.
"Lord Felix," Hyunjin said at last, his voice smooth but edged with challenge. "You prefer walls over dance floors, I see."
Felix tilted his chin, expression calm. "And you prefer entrances that silence entire halls."
A ripple of laughter and gasps spread around nearby nobles. Hyunjin's lips curved.
"Sharp tongue," Hyunjin murmured, stepping closer. "I'll admit, I expected indifference. Perhaps even awe. But defiance? That's… unusual."
Felix's heartbeat quickened, though his face remained impassive. "Then perhaps you don't know me."
Hyunjin leaned slightly forward, lowering his voice to something only Felix could hear. "Perhaps I'd like to."
The words brushed against Felix's ear like velvet, sending heat rushing to his skin.
Felix stiffened. "You're too close."
Hyunjin smirked. "Am I?"
His hand brushed against Felix's gloved one—deliberate, fleeting. Felix pulled back, but the nobles nearby whispered excitedly at the subtle touch.
---
Adrian muttered to Asher, "He's provoking him."
Asher's eyes widened. "Should we—"
"No," Adrian interrupted firmly. "Felix can handle him. And frankly, I want to see how far Hyunjin dares to go."
---
Felix steadied his breath. "If your goal is to unsettle me, you'll be disappointed."
"Oh?" Hyunjin tilted his head. "Because your pulse suggests otherwise."
Felix glared. "You presume much."
"I observe well." Hyunjin's voice dropped lower. "And I find I don't dislike what I see."
Before Felix could retort, Hyunjin suddenly leaned in, lips brushing the corner of Felix's mouth—lightning-quick, scandalous, unmistakable.
Gasps erupted. A lady dropped her fan.
Felix froze, shock coursing through him.
Hyunjin straightened, expression calm as if nothing had happened. "Consider it… a greeting."
"You—" Felix's voice faltered. His composure cracked, eyes narrowing in both fury and something he refused to name. "That was—"
"Unforgivable?" Hyunjin finished smoothly. "Or unforgettable?"
Felix's cheeks burned despite his struggle for control. "You mock me."
Hyunjin leaned closer again, but stopped just short of touching. "No. I tempt you."
---
The crowd buzzed with whispers.
Adrian exhaled, half-laughing, half-shocked. "He really did it. Bold as fire."
Asher covered his mouth. "Everyone saw…"
"Exactly," Adrian said, eyes glinting. "That was no accident. Hyunjin just claimed Felix in front of the court."
---
Felix turned sharply, moving away from Hyunjin, but Hyunjin followed with deliberate steps, not letting distance grow.
"You'll regret this," Felix hissed under his breath.
"On the contrary," Hyunjin murmured, brushing past so close their shoulders touched. "You'll remember it."
The contact sent another wave of heat through Felix, betrayal of his own body. He clenched his fists, refusing to look back.
But he could still feel Hyunjin's gaze burning into him, chains invisible yet unyielding.
---
The ball continued, but its rhythm had changed. Every glance, every whisper circled around the two men at the center of the storm.
Felix's quiet luxury had been shattered.
Hyunjin had made sure of it.
And deep inside, Felix hated the part of himself that didn't hate it enough.