The hum of the ball resumed, but the court was no longer simply dancing. Eyes tracked Felix and Hyunjin like hunters watching a duel. Whispers bloomed across the gilded hall, swelling until they formed a low tide of scandal.
"Did you see the way Hyunjin touched him?"
"He kissed him twice. Twice!"
"Felix didn't resist."
"Or couldn't…"
Felix walked stiffly through the murmurs, jaw tight, refusing to let them see the tremor in his hands. Adrian followed at his shoulder, smirking as if scandal were a performance staged for his amusement. Asher trailed behind, brows furrowed with quiet worry.
Adrian finally spoke. "You do realize, Felix, that half the kingdom will be talking of nothing else tomorrow?"
Felix's voice was sharp. "Do you find this entertaining?"
"Terribly," Adrian replied smoothly. "Though I admit, if he tried that with me, I'd have broken a goblet over his head. You—" He tilted his head. "You trembled instead."
Felix spun on him, glare icy. "Say another word, Adrian, and I'll ensure your evening ends with wine staining your doublet."
Adrian laughed. "There it is. That lovely temper you hide so well."
Asher tugged lightly on Adrian's sleeve. "Stop teasing. Felix doesn't look amused."
Adrian softened slightly, though his smirk lingered. "Very well. But Felix, take heed: Hyunjin is dangerous. Not just to your reputation, but to your heart. He doesn't play fair."
Felix said nothing, though the warning echoed in his chest.
---
Across the hall, Hyunjin mingled with nobles as though nothing had happened. His laughter was rare, his words scarce, but his presence commanded every space. And every so often, he looked up—directly at Felix, unashamed.
Their eyes locked.
Felix tore his gaze away first, but not before feeling heat rise to his skin.
---
The queen entered then, her jeweled crown glinting like frozen fire. The crowd bowed. Felix lowered his head, grateful for the distraction—until a familiar baritone slid past his ear.
"You bow prettily," Hyunjin murmured from behind.
Felix stiffened, whipping around. "You—"
"Shh," Hyunjin silenced him with a finger to his lips, so brief the court didn't notice. "Respect the queen, Felix."
The insolence of it—the daring intimacy—made Felix's blood race.
When the queen moved deeper into the hall, Hyunjin finally withdrew his hand, but not his smile.
"You test me at every turn," Felix hissed.
Hyunjin's expression softened into something almost dangerous in its gentleness. "And you prove stronger each time. Why would I stop?"
Felix clenched his fists. "Because one day, I'll break you."
Hyunjin leaned closer, whispering. "Then break me beautifully."
---
Later, Adrian drew Felix aside to a quieter balcony, away from watchful eyes. Asher remained inside, unwilling to intrude.
Adrian poured them both wine, offering Felix a goblet. "Drink. You need it."
"I said earlier, I don't drink for appearances," Felix muttered.
"This isn't appearances. This is survival." Adrian clinked his goblet lightly against Felix's untouched one. "Hyunjin is fire, Felix. Burn too close, and you'll be ash."
Felix gazed at the night sky instead of answering. "And yet the moth still circles the flame."
Adrian studied him quietly, then smirked. "So you admit it—you're circling."
Felix finally turned, his eyes hard. "I admit nothing."
Adrian laughed under his breath. "Then allow me to admit for you."
---
Inside, Asher lingered near the dancers, but his gaze remained on Felix. When he finally stepped onto the balcony, he offered only a gentle word.
"Felix."
Felix's shoulders eased slightly. He always found Asher's voice grounding.
"You don't deserve their whispers," Asher said quietly.
Felix almost smiled. "Kind words. Rare, in this court."
"Not rare with me," Asher insisted. "You're not weak for what happened tonight."
Felix's throat tightened. "Then what am I?"
Asher hesitated, then answered simply. "Human."
It startled Felix more than Hyunjin's kiss had. Human. Not cold marble. Not untouchable. Human.
Before Felix could reply, footsteps echoed.
Hyunjin had followed them.
---
"You flee the ball, and yet you shine brighter here," Hyunjin said casually, stepping onto the balcony. His presence devoured the night air.
Felix's tone was biting. "Do you stalk me now?"
"If stalking brings me to you, then yes." Hyunjin closed the distance, his fingers brushing Felix's collar as though adjusting it. To others, it could look polite. To Felix, it was fire.
Felix slapped his hand away. "Don't."
Hyunjin only chuckled. "You prefer it when I don't ask, hm?"
Felix's cheeks flushed, fury and heat clashing. "You twist everything."
"I reveal it," Hyunjin countered. "And soon, Felix, you'll stop pretending."
Felix's breath caught as Hyunjin leaned in—close enough that only Asher and Adrian, watching from the shadows, could see the intensity. Hyunjin didn't kiss him this time. He whispered instead.
"Next time, it won't be your jaw."
Felix's heart hammered. He hated the promise. He hated the thrill.
Hyunjin smirked, brushing past him with deliberate slowness, letting his shoulder drag against Felix's as he reentered the hall.
Felix stood frozen, breaths shallow, chains tightening invisibly around him.
Adrian's voice finally broke the silence. "You're doomed."
Felix glared. "I'm not."
But Asher's quiet words lingered more: "He's not wrong."
---
The ball ended with more whispers than music. And as Felix left the glittering hall, he realized Hyunjin hadn't just kissed him. He had marked him.
The rivalry had begun.
And neither would walk away unscathed.