chapter 70
“let us go” I forced my voice to be as placid as possible. I did not see the look on his face but I did not need to, or at least that was what I told myself. i took in a deep breath as
He led me into the room, my smile appearing just in time for the door to be open.
Third person p.o.v
The grand ballroom glittered with opulence, bathed in the soft glow of a thousand candles. Nobles and dignitaries from far–flung realms mingled beneath the vaulted ceilings, their laughter and conversation filling the air with an aura of extravagance. Yet, amidst the sea of faces and shimmering gowns, a tense undercurrent simmered beneath the surface.
Lucia, moved with an effortless grace through the throng of guests, her smile concealing the steely resolve in her eyes. With each delicate step, she exuded an air of regal elegance, her every movement a testament to her indomitable spirit. Yet, despite her outward composure, a storm raged within her, threatening to engulf her in its tempestuous embrace.
Helios stood at her side, his presence a palpable force in the room. Though he blended in with the rest, or at least tried to, there was no disguising the aura of power and authority that surrounded him. Yet, for all his regal bearing, Lucia treated him with a cool indifference, her gaze flickering past him as if he were but a mere shadow in the night.
He sighed, kind of expecting this to be the consequence of how he treated her earlier, but it still hurt. But this was in the long run better, maybe he could find problems that were arising as a result of them being together and him developing more and more feeling for
her.
As the night wore on, Lucia found herself the center of attention, it was expected since the ball for her, to announce her as the new queen of their kingdom and more. From the corner of Lucia’s eyes, she noticed a man from the corner of her eyes. he approached Lucia, his eyes alight with an unmistakable spark of desire.
“Milady,” the prince murmured, his voice as smooth as silk as he took her hand in his own and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “You are more radiant than the stars themselves.”
712
chapter 70
Lucia’s lips curved into amused smile, her eyes glittering with amusement ass shie regarded the prince buffore lur. She flicked her eyes over to Helios who was already looking att her and buning holes at the prince’s head. In that moment,, she felt a surge power coursing through her weins, a heady intoxication
D
“Thank you,, Your Highness,” she replied with a playful lilt to her voice,,hen worts dripp with honeyed charm. “But I fear flattery will get you nowhere.” She saidliin altowwoice, getting closer tolim. Hirom the angle Helios was, he could only interprett itt ass Iluzia getting am interest in him.
The prince chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on Lucia’s face as iff memorizing every cu and contour.“Methups mottonight,” he conceded, “but I shall not rest until I have won your favon.
“you know Il aim with a mate, right?” she said, amusement fresh om her face.
“and saum II, but that wouldn’t stop me from tasting a rare gemass yourself” she was b repulsatianiliintrigued by his response but she couldn’t do anything, especially since Helios was staring intently at them
Witth affinil fflourish, the prince bowed low before Lucia,, taking the back of her palm a gently kissing it, his eyes sparkling with determination,, before dissappearing into the annwil. Yet, even as he vanished from sight, his presence lingered liike a phantom in the aii, casting a shadow over the proceedings..
across her, King Helios stood rigid and unmoving,, hiss jaw clenched in barely restrained ffury. Though he made no move to intervene, Lucia cault sense the storm brewing with him, attempest of emotions ready to unleash its funny att any moment. Yet, she remained mesolute in her defiance, refusing to acknowledge his presence or the power he wielded
(over her.
Astthe music swirled around them and the reveliny nandhed iits (crescendo, Lucia and Kin
Helios remained locked in a silent battle of wills, their masks (concealing the tumultuo
emotions that raged beneath the surface..
He ground his teeth as he maintained eye contratt, desiring the brain of the man who h dared to lay a kiss on her, even though it was just canther palm.
And as the night wore on and the shadowss grew llong, Lucia (could only wonder what th dawn would bring, and whether she woullenwerge from the darkness unscathed.
