The Ball

Chapter 5: The Ball

The grand ballroom felt like an old swirl of silk—judged, hated, and glared at.

Lirian stood at the edge, feeling like an island in a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Her heart pounded as whispers followed her like shadows.

"Is that her? The Duke's wife?"

"Poor thing, abandoned already."

Lirian clenched her fists, trying to drown out the murmurs.

Luckily, she was wearing a gown with a deep shade of emerald, which did little to shield her from the piercing gazes.

Gabriel had left her side almost immediately, absorbed in conversation with other nobles, leaving her to fend for herself.

Her chest tightened as the room seemed to close in around her.

Everything—the forced laughter, the music, the whispers—it was suffocating.

She needed air, a moment to gather herself.

Just as she turned to escape the overwhelming crowd, a voice came through the clamor.

"Lady Lirian, may I have this dance?"

She looked up, startled.

Standing before her was Crown Prince Raphael Lindgron.

Blue like the ocean eyes that would make you drown just by looking at them. 

Short, black hair that was perfectly styled.

Broad shoulders…almost the same height as Gabriel…he was handsome. 

His thick and well looked eyebrows seemed to be lifted. 

Raphael was curious.

His aura seemed commanding yet oddly comforting.

His eyes held a kindness she hadn't expected.

'That's a true male lead…' she thought to herself.

"Your Highness," she stammered, taken aback by his attention. "I—"

"Please," he smiled, extending a hand. "It would be my honor."

Caught off guard, Lirian hesitated, but the sincerity in his eyes coaxed her into accepting.

As they moved to the center of the ballroom, the whispers grew louder, but Raphael's calmness offered her an unexpected shield.

"You seem troubled," he observed softly as they began to waltz.

Lirian forced a smile. "It's nothing, just adjusting to my new life as duchess."

"Adjusting can be difficult," Raphael acknowledged, understanding her struggles. "Let them talk. They have little else to do."

His words felt like a balm to her frayed nerves.

As they danced, Lirian began to breathe easier, the anxiety slowly ebbing away.

Raphael's presence made her think that not everyone was against her.

But then, over Raphael's shoulder, she saw Gabriel.

He was focusing his eyes on her.

The intensity of his glare made her skin prickle.

"Is something wrong?" Raphael asked, noticing her distraction.

"No, it's just…" She hesitated, glancing back at Gabriel. "The Duke seems displeased."

Raphael followed her gaze briefly, then returned his attention to her.

"Let him be. Tonight, you are free to enjoy yourself."

Lirian nodded, grateful for his kindness, but Gabriel's glare haunted her mind.

It was like a warning she couldn't ignore.

As the dance ended, Raphael led her to the edge of the floor.

"Thank you for the dance, Lady Lirian. If you ever need an ally, do not hesitate to find me."

"Thank you, Your Highness," she replied, genuinely touched by his offer.

'He's such a gentleman…'

As Raphael moved away, Lirian felt the eyes of the evening return.

The whispers persisted, but now there was something else—curiosity, perhaps, or respect?

Gabriel approached. "I see you've made quite an impression."

"Only because of the prince's kindness," she replied, keeping her voice confident.

"Don't be fooled by appearances," Gabriel warned her in a low tone. "Not everyone is as they seem."

"Why do you care?" she challenged his perspective.

"I have my reasons," he replied cryptically, glancing around. "Just remember what I said—trust no one."

With that, Gabriel walked away, leaving her in the ball once more.

Lirian watched him go.

Her hands fidgeted in her lap, and her smile faltered as a twitch of her brow hinted at her rising frustration.

His words were both a comfort and a curse, leaving her more confused than ever.

As the evening wore on, Lirian found a quiet corner, away from the prying eyes and whispered rumors.

She needed to think, to plan her next move.

Freedom seemed a distant dream, but perhaps, with allies like Raphael, it wasn't impossible.

After getting enough oxygen, a man approached her.

"Lady Lirian, or shall I say, Duchess now?"

A man with long dark green hair and eyes like a serpent's.

"Yes?" Lirian flinched after seeing the man.

"Baron Meylo," he introduced himself.

He was tall yet slim; he had this evil grin on his face.

Lirian gasped. "You…" she whispered.

The man was like a snake… he was the one who gave Lucius the idea of torturing his daughter in front of crazy lords.

He manipulated her father into doing unspeakable things to himself and to his own children.

And when Lirian betrayed Gabriel, he was the one who forced Lucius to kidnap her daughter and sell her off to the slave market, where he wished to buy her.

Unlucky for Lirian, Gabriel found her first and took her life.

Yet later on in the story, Meylo was the one who took Lucius's head after the execution of Gabriel and Lirian's brothers.

He was a whisperer…

"Can I help you with anything?" Lirian asked.

"How is your new life going?"

"It's going great," Lirian replied back with absolutely no intimidation of this man.

He tortured Lirian, and she wasn't the real her.

'Two can play this game.'

"Is your husband pleasing you in bed?"

"Yes, he is."

"Better than the lord—"

A loud slap welcomed his cheek. The sound was more painful than a blade.

Lirian leaned closer. "You may manipulate my father, but you won't play me."

"Lirian, what are you doing here? I've been looking for you everywhere…" Gabriel looked at Baron Meylo.

"Oh… I didn't know you were the prey of the night predators here," he stated.

"Baron Meylo was just saying how much he enjoyed when a woman tortured him. So, I thought I'd make his wish come true."

Lirian picked up her dress and walked towards her husband.

Gabriel grabbed her by her arm. "Wait."

"Let's go. I want to go home now."

"I'm not finished yet." Gabriel took a rock and threw it at Meylo. Then he picked another one.

"You do it too," he said, giving one to Lirian.

She hesitated, not understanding him, but the real Lirian wouldn't give a second thought.

"Enjoy this!" She used her force, and the rock hit him right in his head.

"Hahahaha!" Both of them laughed and then walked away.

Meylo felt the blood drip from his forehead, straight to his cheek. He licked it.

"Interesting…"

<<<<<<<________>>>>>>>

After a while, Lirian decided it was time to leave the ball.

The whispers, the glances, and Gabriel's cryptic ideas were getting on her nerves.

She made her way towards the exit, hoping to escape unnoticed, but Gabriel caught her.

"Leaving already?"

She straightened her spine. "I've had enough excitement for one night."

Gabriel's eyes narrowed, and without another word, he escorted her to his carriage.

The ride was silent; both didn't say a word to each other.

As soon as the carriage door closed, Gabriel turned to her. "What were you thinking, dancing with the prince like that?"

Lirian arched an eyebrow, unbothered by his anger.

"I was thinking it would be rude to refuse the Crown Prince."

"You're my wife. You should know better than to draw attention like that."

"Why didn't you say anything at the ball, Gabriel? Were you afraid of causing a scene?"

His silence was answer enough, and she leaned back.

"You leave me to fend for myself and then get angry when I make the best of the situation. What do you really want from me?"

Gabriel's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Lirian pressed on. "You can't have it both ways, Gabriel. If you want me to be the perfect duchess, then start acting like a duke who cares."

She was no longer the timid woman lost in a world of whispers and expectations.

She was Lirian—reborn, modern, confident, and unafraid to challenge her fate.

The carriage stopped, and Lirian stepped out, casting a final glance at Gabriel.

"Good night, my dear husband. Perhaps tomorrow, you'll decide what you truly want."

With that, she walked towards the manor.

"Ouch…" something bit her hand.