CHAPTER - 192

  Narrator: During the ceremony, the view in the hall was majestic and unforgettable for all the guests.

  To the right of the King stood the legendary hero, the man who saved the human world and made more than a million monsters and even a divine calamity boss

  tremble, standing tall with composure and authority.

  To his left, the loyal Stefan, unmoving but always wearing that slightly amused expression, completed the image of strength and security.

  To the left of the Queen, instead, stood Selene, stunning in her new personalized Royal Guard uniform: an outfit with an elegant yet military cut, dark purple with black

  finishes, and the sword Myrrhya at her side emanating a powerful aura.

  Her hair was neatly styled, her face resolute, and her gaze proud.

  Selene, though composed, occasionally cast discreet glances to her right.

  She was searching for Dav, hoping to catch his eyes.

  A subtle gesture, but constant, like a nervous tic masked as control.

  She wanted to greet him properly. She wanted him to see her.

  After the lavish banquet, with everyone eating amid laughter, wine, and dazzling smiles, the King rose to his feet and, with a powerful voice, declared:

  “Let the dancing begin!”

  A murmur of excitement swept through the hall, as the music began to play and the first couples formed.

  The lights shifted in tone, and the atmosphere became more romantic, lively.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Dav, however, saw a tray of hors d’oeuvres on a side table and took the opportunity to silently slip away.

  No one noticed his stealthy departure.

  His incredible ability, skill to be noticed when he wished.. or vanish when he preferred.

  Selene remained in position, rigid, watching the others dance.

  The elegant movements, the restrained laughter, the hands brushing together.. it all seemed so different from what she knew.

  She brought her hands behind her back, nervously touching her fingers together, while her gaze grew slightly warmer, lightly flushed from curiosity and a strange

  sense of embarrassment.

  The King and Queen watched her.

  Their eyes met and they exchanged a faint, silent smile.

  Then, a man approached, someone who looked like he had stepped out of an ancient painting.

  Pale blond hair, straight and combed back with surgical precision.

  Grey eyes, devoid of light, more suited for a funeral portrait than a royal ball.

  Dressed impeccably, though in a fashion long out of style, and seemingly unaware of it.

  He approached Selene with measured steps, then knelt before her, eyes on the floor, and raised a gloved hand toward her.

  “Royal Guard Selene, my name is Lysander, baron of the noble port house of Van Aelstrom.

  It would be an honor and a true pleasure if you would grant me this dance..

  assuming I am not a disturbance, of course.”

  His voice was viscous, mellifluous, and the smile he raised on his face was already far too self-assured, as though he believed he had already obtained what he

  wanted.

  Selene was caught off guard. And visibly annoyed.

  But to refuse, there, in front of everyone, the proposal of a nobleman.. would have been less of a direct insult than to refuse his request to dance.

  If she had refused, she would have stained the public image of the royal family.

  She looked up, at the King and Queen, desperately searching for a sign that would free her from this trap.

  A drop of sweat was running down her temple.

  “I greatly appreciate your offer, Baron Lysander,”

  she replied with a diplomatic and controlled tone.

  “But I am merely a Royal Guard. I’ve never learned how to dance.

  There are many ladies here, elegant, refined, and.. far more suited than I am for this kind of moment.”

  She hoped it would be enough. She hoped the excuse would suffice.

  “I insist, my lady,”

  Lysander replied, tightening his grip slightly on her hand.

  “It matters not how perfect the dance may be. It is the honor of the company that makes it precious.”

  Then, behind his gaze, a venomous thought, clear to anyone truly observing.

  “She will accept.. and then I’ll win her over.

  With her, the royal family will be within reach.

  And I’ll never have to worry about anything for the rest of my life.”

  His smile was now sour, full of unspoken intentions.

  The King and Queen noticed it clearly. And said nothing, amused by the awkward courtship.

  Dav, meanwhile, slowly chewed a piece of meat off to the side, watching the scene from the corner of his eye.

  A slightly raised eyebrow, an attentive look.

  It did not seem like a pleased gaze but he saw everything.

  END OF CHAPTER - 192