Encounter with the Devil

The air in the ballroom was heavy with the scent of lilies and the hum of polite conversation. Yulianna McGregor walked behind her stepmother, Madame Veronica, feeling the familiar sting of anxiety prickling at her nerves. The Grandeur Villa was the center of the season's social world, a place where reputations were built or shattered over the pursuit of marriage.

Madame Veronica moved with confidence, her posture perfect and her smile polished to perfection. She glided through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with nobles dressed in their finest. Yulianna, however, felt out of place. Every step she took seemed awkward, her attempts at grace stiff and unnatural.

"Yulianna," Madame Veronica said, her voice low but firm. "You must remember that tonight is not merely a social gathering. It is an opportunity—a chance to secure your future."

Yulianna nodded and forced a polite smile, though her discomfort grew with each passing moment. Her stepmother meant well, but the pressure she placed on Yulianna felt suffocating, like the laces of her corset pulled too tight.

"And remember," Madame Veronica continued, her tone conspiratorial, "Lord Hawthorne is here tonight. He's an excellent match—wealthy, well-connected, and charming. Make sure you leave an impression."

Lord Hawthorne. The mention of him sent a shudder down Yulianna's spine. The man was undeniably handsome and impeccably mannered, but he seemed to view people as little more than trophies to be admired and displayed.

Yulianna's gaze drifted across the ballroom, landing on a group of young women laughing together. Their carefree smiles and elegant movements made her feel even more out of place. How easy it would be to slip away, unnoticed, and leave the weight of expectations behind.

"Madame Veronica, what a sight. Splendid as ever, aren't we?"

The sudden interruption came from a tall, charming figure whose gender was difficult to place at first glance. The individual's confident smile and flamboyant presence drew stares from those nearby.

Madame Veronica's lips curled into a polite, restrained smile—one Yulianna recognized as thinly veiled displeasure. "Vein, what a surprise. I thought you couldn't attend, given your other engagements."

Vein laughed, the sound light and carefree, before linking an arm through Veronica's and pulling her closer. "Oh, I took care of that already. Besides, I bring good news. Let's grab a glass of wine first." Without waiting for a response, Vein led her away, leaving Yulianna momentarily forgotten.

Before disappearing into the crowd, Vein glanced back at Yulianna with a mischievous wink before turning away.

Yulianna stood frozen for a moment, then exhaled in relief. Whoever Vein was, he had bought her a reprieve from her stepmother's watchful eyes. Her heart raced as she scanned the room for an escape. Once she spotted the nearest exit, she gathered her skirts and moved quickly toward it.

She had far more pressing concerns than enduring another evening of forced smiles and shallow conversations. She needed to figure out why she had awoken in this body, in this era—a time so far removed from anything she understood.

"Yulianna McGregor."

The deep, icy voice behind her stopped her in her tracks. A wave of dread washed over her as if she had heard that voice before. It was unsettlingly familiar, though she couldn't place where or when.

She turned slowly, her breath hitching when she saw the man addressing her. He was tall, his suit tailored so perfectly it seemed almost unnatural. His face was impossibly handsome, his sharp features drawing every gaze in the room. Yet his presence sent shivers down her spine—there was something undeniably dangerous about him.

"I've been looking for you," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.

"Me?" Yulianna stammered, pointing at herself in confusion.

He raised a brow, his piercing gaze sweeping over her from head to toe. "Yes, you."

"I'm sorry, but do I know you? Or do you know me?" she asked, her voice tinged with impatience. "Because I don't think we've met before."

His lips curled into an amused smile, though his eyes held a glint of something far more serious. "Oh, I know you very well. And I know you're pretending, trying to escape the consequences of what you discovered. But the only way is death,"

Yulianna's chest tightened as fear took hold. His beauty was undeniable, but so was the menace in his words. She felt the air around her grow heavy, her thoughts clouded by panic.

Then she noticed a side door, partially hidden behind a large potted plant. Light spilled through a narrow crack, offering a slim chance at escape.

Summoning her courage, she met his gaze. "Look. I don't know what this woman did to you or what crime she committed, but I have my own problems to deal with. And don't talk to me about death—I've already died once."

Before he could respond, she turned on her heel and walked away, her steps brisk. The door led her to a balcony, not the escape she had hoped for.

"Damn," she muttered under her breath.

With no time to double back, she acted on instinct. Climbing over the balcony railing, she jumped.

The impact jolted her as she hit the ground, but she rolled quickly to lessen the blow. Dirt clung to her dress, and her feet were bare, but she wasted no time. She stood, dusted herself off, and walked into the darkness.

Yulianna didn't know where she was headed, but one thing was certain—she had no intention of crossing paths with that man again. 

On the other hand, Caspien stood motionless, his towering figure framed by the soft glow of the moonlight. From his vantage point, he watched Yulianna as she walked barefoot into the darkness, her form growing smaller with each step. His expression remained composed, almost serene, but his sharp, unyielding gaze betrayed a hint of unease.

His lips pressed into a thin line. He wasn't one to let emotions cloud his judgment, but tonight's encounter had left him unsettled. For a moment, he allowed himself to linger there, watching the shadows swallow her retreating figure. Then, with a deliberate step, he turned away.

"She won't get far," he said to himself, his voice steady and resolute.

Without another glance, he disappeared into the villa's shadows, already planning his next move.