The ballroom shimmered under the golden chandeliers, casting a warm glow over the dancing couples. The music was soft yet intoxicating, pulling everyone into its rhythm. But for Adrian and Elias, it wasn't just a dance—it was an unspoken battle of emotions.
As Adrian held Elias close, his hands rested on Elias' waist, pressing slightly. Elias shivered at the unexpected pressure.
"Why are you dancing with me?" Elias asked, glancing up at Adrian with wide eyes. "Won't your girlfriend be angry?"
Adrian smirked, his grip tightening. "Who cares?" he whispered. "And who allowed you to ask questions? Just focus on the dance."
Elias gulped, his body tense, but Adrian continued to guide him effortlessly. His hands moved along Elias' waist, fingers grazing the soft fabric of his clothes. Elias' breath hitched. The warmth of Adrian's touch seeped through the fabric, sending an unfamiliar sensation through his body.
"Your face is red," Adrian observed, his voice low and teasing.
Elias quickly shook his head. "N-No, it's not."
Adrian chuckled, clearly enjoying his reaction. He leaned in, his lips hovering just inches from Elias'. Elias' breathing grew rapid, his heart pounding in his chest as Adrian's face inched closer.
The world around them blurred. For a moment, Elias felt as if he was drowning in Adrian's intense gaze.
But just as their lips were about to brush, Elias panicked. His heart screamed at him to stop. He immediately pulled away, breaking the dance, and rushed toward the wine table. His fingers trembled as he grabbed a glass, trying to steady his breathing.
Meanwhile, across the ballroom, Nao and Raviel swayed smoothly to the music. Unlike the other guests, who gossiped and stole glances at Raviel's striking beauty, Nao was lost in his own thoughts—until Raviel's deep voice pulled him back.
"Your body is so soft," Raviel murmured, his fingers pressing lightly against Nao's waist.
Nao's breath caught. "W-What do you mean by that?" he asked, flustered.
Raviel's lips curled into an amused smirk. "Soft… and so white."
Nao's face burned with embarrassment. He looked away, his fingers tightening around Raviel's shoulder. "T-That's enough dancing. Let's drink something," he stammered, quickly trying to escape the conversation.
In the corner of the ballroom, hidden behind the extravagant decorations, Issadora scowled at her servant, Wick.
"Why did those men fail?" she hissed under her breath. Her nails dug into her palm as she watched Nao, who looked completely relaxed in Raviel's arms. "How is he still standing there without a scratch?"
Wick lowered his head. "My lady, they were outnumbered. Adrian was looking for him, and the men panicked—"
"Enough!" Issadora snapped. "I need to start my next plan. This time, there will be no mistakes."
Adrian, who had been observing his mother from across the room, narrowed his eyes. Something was wrong. He could feel it.
Then, with a charming smile, Issadora clinked her glass, gaining everyone's attention. The hall fell silent as the guests turned toward her.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced, her voice smooth and elegant, "tonight is a very special occasion. My dear son, Nao, has turned eighteen. And now, he will officially take charge of our family business."
A wave of applause filled the hall. Nao stepped forward, feeling a strange weight settle in his chest.
"Come, my dear," Issadora said sweetly. "Cut your birthday cake."
At exactly midnight, Nao sliced through the cake as the hall echoed with cheers and clinking glasses.
Issadora, smiling warmly, handed him a special glass of wine. "Here, my son. A toast to your new beginning."
Nao reached for the glass, but before he could take it, Adrian swiftly intercepted, snatching the drink from his mother's hand.
"He's my brother too," Adrian said, his voice calm but firm. "Before he drinks, he should open the gift I bought for him."
Issadora's smile didn't waver, but there was a sharp flicker in her eyes.
"Of course," she said smoothly, though inside, she was seething.
Adrian's grip on the glass tightened. Something about this felt wrong. And for the first time, he realized—he couldn't let his guard down. Not even for a second.
Adrian's fingers curled around Nao's arm, guiding him toward the side of the room, away from the prying eyes of the guests. The tension between Adrian and Issadora was palpable, but neither of them gave any hint of what was truly happening beneath the surface.
Nao felt the weight of their eyes on him as he looked at his brother. "Thank you," he murmured, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong—something was coming.
Meanwhile, Raviel had turned to face the guests as they continued to stare at him, their curiosity unabated. Though he was far from being a normal guest, Raviel remained composed. His icy gaze swept over the crowd, making even the most confident of people shift uncomfortably.
In the corner, Elias stood alone, his gaze fixed on the dance floor. He had noticed the strange dynamic between Adrian and Nao and felt like an outsider. But something about the way Adrian had claimed him during the dance still lingered in his mind. Was it just a fluke, or was there more to the situation than he realized?
Adrian's protectiveness for Nao was something Elias couldn't quite understand. He felt a strange pull to Nao, but he couldn't make sense of the complicated relationships swirling around him.
As the night went on, Nao's mind wandered back to the men who had been chasing him, the ones who had tried to kill him. The questions gnawed at him—why had they targeted him, and what were they trying to stop?
As if on cue, a soft voice interrupted his thoughts. "Are you all right?" Raviel asked, his tone gentle.
Nao looked up to see Raviel's serious expression. "I'm fine," Nao said, though his words felt hollow.
But Raviel wasn't fooled. He reached out, his hand resting lightly on Nao's arm. "You're not fine. There's something you're not telling me."
Nao hesitated, his thoughts tangled. "I'm just… I'm just worried about the people who tried to hurt me."
Raviel's eyes softened, and he nodded. "I'll protect you, Nao. You're not alone anymore."
As Nao looked up at Raviel, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of comfort. For the first time that night, he allowed himself to relax, if only just a little.