Chapter 24: The Ball

Lucien stood before the mirror, adjusting his crisp white shirt and straightening his bowtie. The anticipation of the ball weighed heavily on his mind.

Blaise would be there.

He was much more excited now than he'd been before. He obviously wouldn't be able to dance the night away with him, but now he had someone to talk to. He wouldn't feel as alone as he usually did at social gatherings.

Just as he finished buttoning his silk waistcoat, the door creaked open, and his father entered the room.

Father looked at Lucien's formal attire and gave a small nod of approval. He himself was dressed similarly, and had his hair slicked back neatly and his mustache trimmed. But his eyes betrayed a little worry.

That was odd, thought Lucien. He seemed excited up till now.

"Lucien," his father began, "I heard some noise last night. Was Blaise in your room?"

Lucien turned to face his father, meeting his gaze squarely. He knew his father's disapproval of Blaise, and he needed to tread carefully. "Yes, Father," he replied calmly, "Blaise came to my room briefly. He was having trouble sleeping, and we had a short conversation."

His father's brow furrowed, his eyes searching for any sign of impropriety. Lucien continued, his voice steady. "We simply spoke, Father. There is nothing more to it."

"What did he want?" his father pressed.

Lucien hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "He needed someone to talk to, Father. I listened and offered some advice," he replied. Lucien wasn't a particularly skilled liar, and hoped that this excuse sufficed.

His father continued to study him, suspicion etched on his face. "I hope you understand the consequences of associating too closely with him," he warned.

Lucien maintained his composure, though inwardly his heart ached at the distance he had to keep. "I understand, Father," he replied with forced conviction. "Rest assured, I know my responsibilities and will conduct myself appropriately at the ball."

His father nodded, though the doubts lingered in his eyes. Lucien knew he would have to tread carefully to maintain his father's trust. As his father left the room, Lucien let out a sigh, feeling the weight of his secret desires pressing upon him.

"He doesn't believe I've changed... and why would he? I haven't. Even if I've resisted Blaise so far. I still seem only capable of giving my heart to men. What will Father do if he finds out the truth?" Lucien sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He hated the lies and the secrecy, but he had to keep up the charade no matter what.

***

The opulent grand ballroom of the mayor's mansion buzzed with excitement. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the space, casting a warm glow on the elegantly adorned walls. The polished marble floors reflected the twinkle of candlelight, while the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. The room hummed with the sound of laughter, lively conversation, and the melodies of a string quartet.

There, amidst the sea of gowns and tuxedos, stood Blaise, resplendent in his attire.

Blaise wore a tailored black suit, the fabric hugging his lean frame with precision. The crisp white shirt underneath accentuated his pale complexion, while a deep burgundy waistcoat added a touch of richness to his ensemble. As Lucien's gaze traveled upward, he couldn't help but admire the way Blaise's dirty blond hair was left loose and wild, unlike the other men at the event. It added an air of effortless charm to his appearance.

Lucien's eyes roamed over the elegant lines of his figure, the confidence emanating from his every movement. Blaise had an undeniable presence, drawing attention wherever he went. Lucien couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and desire, his own pulse quickening in response to Blaise's magnetism.

Blaise caught sight of Lucien and made his way through the crowd, effortlessly maneuvering with grace and charm. As he drew near, a playful smirk graced his lips, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

"Lucien," Blaise greeted, "You've cleaned up quite nicely, I must admit."

Lucien felt his cheeks flush. "And you, Blaise, are positively captivating tonight."

Lucien and Blaise found a quiet corner of the ballroom, away from the bustling crowd. Blaise leaned against the wall, his eyes playful as he locked gazes with Lucien.

"Quite the event, isn't it?" Blaise remarked, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Lucien chuckled, his cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. "Indeed. It's a grand affair, but a bit overwhelming, don't you think?"

Blaise shrugged nonchalantly. "Overwhelming? No, it's underwhelming. Everyone is on their best behavior since there are big important people here," he scoffed, laughing. "We should spice it up."

Lucien's eyes sparkled with amusement. "What are you suggesting, Blaise? That we cause some kind of mischief?"

Blaise grinned, a hint of wickedness in his voice. "Why not? Let's put whiskey in the punch. Or get the band to play something more scandalous."

Lucien laughed, his heart lightening in Blaise's presence. "You're relentless, Blaise. You know you'll get in trouble."

Blaise raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, am I being too much for you? My mother will kick me out? Perhaps I should tone down my wicked ways."

Lucien's smile widened, appreciating Blaise's audacity. "No, please don't. Your wickedness is part of what makes you so irresistible." He found himself blushing as he said it.

Blaise feigned shock, a hand placed dramatically over his heart. "Irresistible, you say? I might start believing your sweet words if you keep that up."

Lucien's gaze locked with his father's across the room, sensing concern etched in his stern expression. He knew he couldn't remain glued to Blaise's side indefinitely. Breaking his gaze away from his father, Lucien glanced around the room, searching for a distraction to ease the mounting tension.

Just then, a woman approached, her smile polite and inviting. "Would you care to dance?" she asked, extending her hand.

Lucien hesitated for a moment, torn between obligation and desire. He knew he had to comply. "Certainly," he replied, accepting her hand. "Excuse me Blaise."

Blaise nodded, expression turning icy.

Lucien joined the woman on the dance floor. The music and crowd enveloped them, and Lucien followed the steps with practiced ease. His partner chatted animatedly, but his attention kept straying towards Blaise, who stood in the corner, arms crossed. He did not look pleased.

In between the swirls and twirls, Lucien's eyes kept darting back to Blaise, observing him engage in conversation with an unfamiliar man. Their interaction was brief, and the man departed, leaving Blaise alone. Blaise cast a quick glance around the room before slipping away, his footsteps inaudible against the lively backdrop.

Lucien's heart quickened, a rush of curiosity and jealousy coursing through him. What was Blaise doing?

His heart sunk... of course he knew what Blaise was doing. He was going out to have some tryst with a stranger, like he used to do.

"I should just let him. We're not together or anything. He doesn't owe me loyalty," Lucien thought.

But the thought of it gnawed at Lucien, and at last he could bear it no more. He excused himself from his dance partner. "I apologize, but I must attend to something. Thank you for the dance."

Without listening to his dance partner's protests, Lucien made his way out of the bustling ballroom and into the night.