CHAPTER - 193
Narrator: Baron Lysander Van Aelstrom pressed on, theatrically invoking his family's honour.
"My house will not be pleased to learn that a Royal Guard has refused the son of one of the ten families that uphold the prestige and power of the Crown year after
year, through their trade routes and business across the human world!"
Selene, caught off guard, stiffened.
Her hand trembled, and sweat beaded on her forehead.
The thought of damaging the royal family's reputation or worse, embarrassing them made her falter.
Lysander, meanwhile, savoured the moment.
His smile grew increasingly grotesque, convinced he had secured what he wanted.
Selene lowered her gaze, uncertain, her lips quivering.
She closed her eyes, ready to yield, resigned.
"Very well then-"
But before she could finish the sentence, a familiar voice made itself heard in front of her.
A hand rested firmly on the baron's shoulder.
Dav, emerging from nowhere, silent as a shadow, stood taller and far more imposing than Lysander.
His voice was serious, steady, and sharp.
"Get the fuck out of here. She's already taken."
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Lysander turned abruptly, furious, swollen with wounded pride.
"Who is the rude bastard who dares interrupt a conversation between a baron of House Van Aelstrom and a Royal Guard, and in front of the Royals, no less?"
His anger froze instantly when his eyes met Dav's flaming red ones.
The scars across the man's face made him even more frightening, a living monument of battles and pain.
Dav tilted his head slightly, his voice even darker and mockingly serious.
"Did you say something? Could you repeat that?
I didn't quite catch it."
The baron swallowed hard.
His face turned pale, his eyes vacant, his expression comically terrified, mouth agape in silent scream.
Selene couldn't suppress a smile.
Her heart pounded, but this time, it wasn't from fear.
Dav tightened his grip on the baron's shoulder.
The message was clear.
"S-Sir!"
Lysander stammered, sweating profusely.
"I didn't know.. that you had made the proposal first!
I would never have dared..
I beg your pardon! I swear on my family's name!"
His pleading tone and trembling body turned him into a comical caricature, completely drained of arrogance.
The King and Queen, seated nearby, watched the scene with pleased expressions.
They had anticipated this and found the turn of events highly amusing.
"Selene is taken"
Dav concluded, fixing him with piercing eyes
"not just tonight, but even beyond death. Remember that well."
Dav's menacing aura crushed the baron like a boulder.
Lysander fled in tears, in humiliating silence.
Selene, her face flushed, remained still, staring at the floor.
Those words "Selene is taken" burned sweetly in her chest.
The Queen addressed Dav with a radiant voice.
"Oh, so now you'll have to dance with Selene. You can't back out anymore."
The King laughed, bringing a hand to his mouth.
"Indeed.. it's settled."
Dav slowly turned to Selene.
An expression between perplexed crossed his face.
Then, with an elegant yet awkwardly spontaneous gesture, he knelt and offered his hand.
"Would you like to dance with me, Selene?"
Selene didn't hesitate.
She grasped Dav's hand and stepped close to his chest, her heart in turmoil.
Concerned about embarrassing Selene, Dav whispered softly:
"Sele.. I don't know how to dance.
I don't even know where to start.."
She whispered in his ear, her voice warm and reassuring.
"I do.
The Queen trained me since I was a child, hoping I'd become as elegant as she is.
I'll guide you. Just follow my steps.. and trust me."
Dav nodded, entrusting himself to her.
That evening, under the golden lights of the royal hall, amidst the guests' smiles and the gentle music floating in the air, Selene and Dav moved together.
With simplicity. With trust. With something that dangerously resembled the beginning of something real.
END OF CHAPTER - 193
