The dance that melted me

Thump. Thump.

It's dangerous.

My heart has never pounded this loudly—not even when I was excited by the sight of blood.

What is happening to me?

Why am I nervous? Why am I trembling, even though I'm wrapped securely in Lusav's arms? The cold wind doesn't even touch me, yet I feel as if I'm trapped inside a cage—one I can never escape. A sweet, intoxicating dream that refuses to let me wake.

Just as I was sinking deeper into my thoughts, a warm, masculine voice pulled me back to reality.

"My princess, are you cold?" His tone was gentle, yet there was something in it I couldn’t place. "I've ordered the servants to bring instruments for a song. Would you like to wait inside until then?"

His words broke through the haze in my mind, grounding me. There was something unfamiliar in his care, something unsettling.

Without thinking, I responded, "No... no, it's just that I’m excited for the ball."

I had no idea how much that single sentence would change everything.

Lusav’s grip on me tightened ever so slightly. His once-soft gaze darkened, a storm brewing behind his blue eyes.

"My lady... are you really that eager to partner with the Duke of Carter?"

His voice had changed.

The warmth was gone.

Now, it was deep—low and restrained, like a beast barely holding itself back from roaring.

"I—" Before I could answer, his voice trembled, desperate.

"My lady, I can't imagine you smiling at the Duke. My lady, my chest feels tight. My lady, help me!"

His hands clenched around me, his body tense.

I froze.

His eyes—usually sharp and calculating—looked almost glassy. His parted lips quivered as if he was holding something back. His furrowed brows made him look pained, vulnerable in a way I had never seen before.

What is this?

Why is Lusav reacting so strongly to something so simple?

Why does he look like he's about to break?

His voice trembled again. "My lady... comfort me, my lady."

His grip tightened further, pulling me against his warmth. His breath was uneven.

I had to say something.

"Lusav, my dear, I am excited for the ball because it has been so long since I last attended one. The Duke of Carter has nothing to do with it."

Why?

Why was I explaining myself to him?

Why was I soothing a mere servant?

Why was I indulging this strange, unexplainable behavior?

Even I couldn’t understand myself.

I clenched my hands into fists, trying to steady my thoughts.

It’s time to draw a line.

Lusav is changing—becoming stronger, more uncontrollable.

I cannot let him confuse me like this.

I am scared of this unfamiliar feeling.

Before I could gather myself, Lily's voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

"My lady, Lusav, the musicians have arrived."

Lusav turned to me, a slow smile curving his lips.

"My lady, every word that escapes your lips is as sweet as honey. I long to be intoxicated by your voice.

I want to drown in your gaze.

I want to burn in your warmth."

His words wrapped around me like a spell. He paused for a moment, then, with deliberate grace, extended his hand and bowed slightly.

"My lady," he murmured, his tone velvety smooth, "will you grant me your first dance?"

His eyes—calm, deep, and unwavering—held mine, as gentle as a flowing stream. The storm from earlier had settled, leaving behind a quiet intensity that pulled me in.

The hesitation in my chest melted.

His golden hair shimmered in the candlelight, framing his perfect features. Without a second thought, I placed my hand in his.

The music began, but the only sound I truly heard was the rhythm of two beating hearts and the uneven breaths we shared.

Lusav’s large hand enveloped mine, his other resting lightly on my waist. His touch was cautious, as if I would shatter under the slightest pressure.

Yet, beneath his gentleness, I could feel his strength—the solid muscle beneath my fingers as my hands rested on his broad shoulders.

We moved in perfect harmony, our bodies flowing together as if we had danced a hundred times before.

The world around us faded. The flickering lanterns, the swaying flowers, the distant murmurs of servants—all disappeared.

All that remained was us.

Lusav.

His touch.

His gaze.

His breath mingling with mine.

And the silent, unspoken emotions that neither of us could name.

No thoughts interrupted our moment.

Swaying, swaying—like flowers dancing in the evening breeze—I didn’t realize how much time had passed. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and now, darkness enveloped the garden.

The warm glow of scattered candles flickered around us, their golden light illuminating Lusav’s face, making his sharp features appear almost ethereal. His gaze never wavered, his eyes soft yet intense, following my every movement with a quiet devotion.

Lost in this dance, in the unspoken words between our glances, I felt a strange warmth settle within me.

Until—

“My lady, the Duke has come to escort you.”

The butler’s voice shattered the delicate atmosphere like a stone breaking the surface of a still pond.

I froze.

The music ceased.

Lusav’s grip on me tightened for a fleeting second before he suddenly let go.

His face darkened.

The butler took a few steps closer, bowing respectfully. “My lady, Duke Carter is waiting in the reception room for you.”

Father must have gone directly to the palace after his work, leaving the Duke to escort me.

I exhaled softly, steadying myself. “I see. Let the Duke know I’ll be there shortly.”

Turning back to Lusav, I expected him to offer his usual composed smile.

But instead—

He was frowning.

The light that had danced in his sapphire-blue eyes just moments ago was gone, replaced by something unreadable. Something heavy.

“Lusav?” I called gently. “Are you alright?”

Had I done something to upset him?

We had just danced—hadn’t I fulfilled his wish?

Then why… why did he look like this?

A strange silence stretched between us.

Then, breaking it, Lusav’s voice came, gentle but firm. “My lady, may I accompany you to the ball?”

I blinked.

His tone had softened, his lips slightly pouted.

He looked almost… childlike.

Where was the man I had just danced with?

The man who held me so confidently, whose eyes burned with something deep and consuming?

Before me now stood someone else—someone familiar.

My Lusav.

The shy, trembling boy who used to stand in my shadow. The one who hesitated whenever I spoke to him, whose nervous fingers would twitch at his sleeves when I looked his way.

“My lady… please.” His voice lowered to a quiet plea. “Please let me accompany you. Master, I’m just worried… master.”

His words weren’t spoken as a man asking his lady for a dance.

They were the words of a boy—an abandoned, anxious child clinging to the only security he had.

I stiffened.

Something about the way he spoke, the way his voice quivered—it made my chest tighten.

For a second, I almost—almost—considered it.

But no.

I cannot let Lusav step foot in the palace.

If anyone recognized him as a descendant of the traitor mage family, it would bring us unimaginable trouble.

I forced my expression to remain composed. “No, Lusav. You danced with me. That is enough. Stay home and wait for my return.”

I needed to remind him.

I needed to remind myself.

Lusav is mine. My obedient, quiet boy. Not the man from earlier.

For some reason, I had lost control of him for the past few hours. I didn’t know why—didn’t know what changed.

But now, the Lusav I knew was back.

The fragile, easily swayed boy who had always been under my command.

The way his lips parted slightly, as if hesitating to argue, made me feel reassured.

This—this was how it should be.

“My lady… can I really not come with you?” Lusav’s voice was smaller this time, his eyes glassy, pleading.

For a brief moment, I wished I could take him with me.

But I cannot.

I must not.

“No, Lusav,” I said, this time with unwavering finality. “You will not come to the palace.”

A flash of something unreadable flickered through his gaze, but he said nothing more.

Turning to Lily, I composed myself. “Lily, come. Let’s not keep the Duke waiting.”

And without another glance at Lusav, I walked away.