Chapter 9

Assad maintained his usual half-smile, but his bright purple eyes were chillingly intense. It was the first time I'd seen him this serious, and it left me taken aback.

"He won't just object; he'll rip you to shreds. No matter how cunning you are, I expected you to be reasonable."

"Aha. So, are you concerned about me?"

"Let go of her hand. Sasha isn't someone you can casually toy with."

"How do you know whether I'm recklessly toying around or acting sincerely?"

Knoxus grinned, his voice dripping with coldness, and pulled my tightly clasped hand closer to him.

"I told you to let her go."

"Why does it matter?"

His golden eyebrows seemed to twitch, but in the next moment, Assad, closing the gap, extended his arm and captured my other hand—my free hand.

This wasn't something I had anticipated. The situation was starting to feel surreal.

"Really now. Do you still have any semblance of decency left?"

"You speak as though you're any different. Hyung, why do you care so much? Wasn't your beloved left all alone there?"

"I'm not sure who you're referring to, but the fact that you're a dangerous piece of trash compels me to care."

Two pairs of burning purple eyes clashed with fierce intensity. I could almost imagine sparks flying between them.

Both of my arms were starting to ache. As I glanced back and forth between these brothers, who were engaged in an intense standoff while holding my hands, I suddenly had an epiphany.

It had to be true... Yes, that's right. A prince consumed by his twisted mother complex and a warped hatred for his own brother, pursuing his sibling's lover.

Knoxus was precisely that twisted. I had played into his heart's darkest desires by conforming to his fantasies about me.

But that was only possible because that spark existed in the first place, whether consciously or subconsciously on his part.

However...

While Assad had retained a fleeting memory of me as a child and had played a role in our rescue, he was still entangled in feelings for the story's heroine.

The only divergence between our reality and the original narrative lay in the night I had hidden beneath the cart, and of course, my distinct personality as Sasha.

Even if it was merely a simple sense of sympathy...

"Your Highness."

Two voices sounded simultaneously – mine and Benya's. Benya stood about five meters away from us, observing the scene with his piercing sky-blue eyes, his lips curving into a chilling smirk.

"What are you two up to now?"

The ensuing silence was almost palpable, so much so that I could feel my left hand trembling slightly – a sign of Knoxus's lingering anger.

Luckily, he seemed to snap back to reality soon enough and promptly released my hand. Assad followed suit.

"My apologies."

As I was about to assure Assad that I was alright, Benya spoke up again, this time directing his words at me.

"Sasha. Come here."

His tone was unusually commanding. Benya rarely spoke to me in such a way. Whatever his motives, we worked together like a well-oiled machine.

Responding to his directive, I hastened away, acutely aware of Knoxus's gaze fixated on us.

Benya draped an arm around my shoulders in a manner akin to a casual embrace before turning and adding one last sentence.

"Your partner is looking for you, Your Highness."

I believe Assad said something in response, but I couldn't make out his words.

Regardless, I returned to the ballroom with Benya. The ornate statues adorning the high ceilings seemed to bear a knowing grin as they observed us.

"Are you all right?"

I could tell he wanted to ask more than just that. I raised my hand and gave a reassuring squeeze to his arm draped over my shoulder.

"Not really. I might starve to death."

"Good. I'm in the same boat as you."

"Didn't you eat anything?"

"My partner is nowhere to be found, so I don't want to be the only one nibbling on something."

"Apologies."

He shook his head playfully and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head. There were many questions we wanted to ask each other, but for the moment, we decided to remain silent.

We found a secluded table to avoid prying eyes, sat down, and indulged in a sumptuous feast.

Of the two of us, I was the one truly savoring the food. Oh, it was exquisite! Jose's cooking was undoubtedly superb, but the grandeur of a royal banquet was unrivaled.

While I devoured a plate of grilled vegetables, wine-marinated quail, and dainty pastries, Benya observed me attentively, intermittently sipping from his glass.

He seemed content to watch me eat and drink.

"You certainly have a healthy appetite."

"Why aren't you eating?"

"I don't have much of an appetite."

"But you said you were hungry."

"That's because you weren't here with me."

Doesn't that sound strange? I dabbed my mouth with a napkin and took a sip of champagne before wiping my hand and rising from my seat.

"Shall we?"

"…Where to?"

"To dance. It is a banquet, after all. I realized that I haven't had a dance with you since then."

"Is that so?"

"Is that a problem? Besides, if you look around, there are no other competent dancers here."

With a playful nudge, I playfully tugged at his hand, coaxing him away. Oh, our young master, is dancing causing you discomfort now?

"Why so anxious? You're my first dance instructor."

"My skills have probably rusted over the years. I might even step on your toes."

"That's a level of arrogance I've never seen in you."

"I'm not joking. I'm serious. I haven't danced in about seven years."

I paused and glanced up at him. His light blue eyes met my gaze somewhat awkwardly. Needless to say, dancing was out of character for him.

"Really? Never before? But you must have attended banquets frequently, haven't you?"

"Dancing and enjoying oneself is more under Hyung’s domain. I've been occupied with various other matters."

Well, I could easily imagine. Lethias might have made efforts in his own way, but without Benya, I doubt he could have accomplished as much as he has. Oh, dear...

How challenging must it have been for you during the years I spent at Vibrato?

I forced a broad smile to brush away the sting in my eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll help you remember."

Suddenly, the slow-paced melody transitioned, and a light waltz filled the air like the playful moonlight adorning the balcony. The dance floor wasn't crowded, yet every gaze seemed fixed on us.

Despite his seven-year hiatus from dancing, Benya was slightly awkward at the start but soon found his rhythm, gracefully moving his feet in sync with mine.

Thus, the potential disaster of him stepping on my toes was averted. He must have been someone who had learned to dance from such a young age.

"Look, you remembered it in a matter of seconds."

"You seem far more adept than I recall."

"Naturally! How stern was the school you sent me to! This style is far too messy; if our formidable Teacher Maetel were here, I'd probably be over her knee by now."

"Hmm, that's a sight I wouldn't mind witnessing."

"What kind of thoughts are you harboring!"

I blushed and feigned hitting his shoulder, to which he responded with a mischievous chuckle before drawing me closer by my waist.

His light blue eyes twinkled like stars, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.

Was it the enchanting music or the fact that we were together, dancing at the very court banquet we had imagined in our discussions years ago?

As the music concluded, leaving a bittersweet afterglow, we clasped hands and made our way to the refreshment table.

Just as I received a glass filled with a yellow, sweet liquid, the table trembled abruptly. In the ensuing commotion, some of the drinks splashed onto the tablecloth, creating vivid stains.

"Hey, what's with all the dancing! I take pride in you! You've grown up!"

"…Hyung."

"Huh? What's up with you?"

"Are you drunk?"

"What? What are you saying! What do you take me for…! I only had juice!"

Benya had been glowering at Lethias for quite some time, but as soon as Lethias's face turned bright red and he vehemently protested his innocence, Benya finally burst into laughter.

"Or maybe you just did not."

"Hey!!! You, don't judge people like that! I was just shocked by how..."

"There's nothing to be shocked about. So, why are you getting all flustered?"

"But you're adept at pointing out nonexistent blunders! Hng, Sasha, I've been living like this while you were gone!"

Sure thing, but it's impressive that you're breaking this week's record, you punk. I patted Lethias's broad shoulder, trying not to burst out laughing.

While someone seemed to be enjoying our spectacle, it was clear that another person wasn't pleased at all with the scene.

"Oh, really. I can't stand your pretentiousness!"

Crash!

The lively atmosphere in the banquet hall was shattered by screams and the shattering of glasses. Which house caused this incident now? There have been too many disturbances today.

Lethias, who had been hanging onto my arm, looked up quite startled. The Duke of Flame and Fury sighed in a self-deprecating manner.

"I think I've done a good job quitting drinking as well."

"You're growing up, Hyung. Now you know how to reflect on your actions."

"But what's wrong with him?"

"Why do you want to know?"

While Benya consistently responded with extreme indifference, Juan seemed particularly interested in Benya today, regardless of his state of drunkenness.

Staggering in our direction, his face had transitioned from red to an unnatural waxen pallor.

"Hey! Hic, acting so noble all by yourself, you snake bastard! Aren’t you good at pointing out what’s wrong and right?! Huh?! Hic!"

A hushed silence descended upon the hall as if someone had poured cold water over it. While everyone stared with dazed expressions, Juan continued his tirade, spewing incomprehensible curses.

Whether it was due to his failed attempt to cause an accident or his awareness of someone's presence, he persisted in his drunken rant.

"Hey, are you really that virtuous?! Huh?! Do you think you're some kind of deity? You're a snake that'll plunge into hell! I'll kill you, even if it means going to hell myself! No, I'll drag you to hell and kill you! This nauseating..."

"Juan!"

Adriana's piercing scream reverberated through the room, sending shivers down our spines. Undeterred, Juan continued his verbal assault, paying no attention to his Noona's attempts to stop him.

"M-My head. Noona, step back. Hey! Got something to say? If you do, don't just sit there, come at me!"

Around the same age as Benya, Juan had a slender, boyish build. If he were to attack Benya, he'd likely end up battered within minutes.

Perhaps that's why everyone seemed secretly eager for a fight. Indeed, other people's conflicts tend to be a lot more captivating.

"Come on! You wretched snake! Or do you want me to come after you?"

"Juan!"

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Table of Contents

Chapter 4

Chapter 1