chapter 47

The grand palace shimmered under the golden lights, its towering structure exuding an air of royalty. The entrance was bustling with guests arriving in luxurious gowns and tailored suits, each eager to attend the most prestigious event of the year. Among them, a striking figure stepped out of his car—Nicolo.Dressed in an impeccably tailored black tuxedo, he radiated power and dominance. His sharp gray eyes scanned the grand entrance as he adjusted his cuffs, holding his son’s small hand in his. Justin, in a small yet equally refined suit, mirrored his father’s elegance, though his eyes held innocent curiosity rather than cold indifference.As they stepped forward, Nicolo’s eyes flickered toward the crowd. For a fraction of a second, he saw a face—a face he never thought he’d see again. His breath hitched, and his heart pounded against his ribs."Amaira…"The name barely formed in his mind before the woman disappeared into the crowd. His gaze sharpened, searching frantically, but she was gone."Stay with the guards," he instructed Justin, who simply nodded, used to his father’s authoritative tone. Without wasting another second, Nicolo pushed through the guests, weaving through the crowd. He didn’t care for the greetings, the whispers, or the curious stares. He had to find her.But he never did.At that very moment, in a secluded hallway behind the entrance, Amaira stood still, her breath uneven. She had seen him. Even though it was brief, there was no mistake. The man who had once ruled over her heart—the man she had left behind—was here.She closed her eyes for a second, trying to calm the storm within her. Then, she turned to her son, Alex, who was watching her with his wide, expressive eyes."Mom?" he asked, his small hands holding onto the hem of her dress.A soft smile touched her lips as she knelt down. "We need to be careful, sweetheart."She took out her phone and quickly dialed a number. Within seconds, the call connected."Evelina" Amaira whispered, her voice urgent yet composed. "Make the event a masked ball."There was silence for a moment before Evelina’s amused voice responded, "You’re hiding from someone, aren’t you?"Amaira didn’t answer, and the queen sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Consider it done."A smirk tugged at Amaira’s lips. "Thank you."Hanging up, she grabbed two elegant masks from the nearby dressing room—a black and gold one for herself and a matching one for Alex. With a deep breath, she straightened her gown, composed herself, and took Alex’s hand."Let’s go, darling," she whispered as they exited through the secret passage, stepping into the grand ballroom just as the announcement rang out."Ladies and gentlemen, by the Queen’s request, tonight’s event shall be a masked ball!"A murmur of excitement spread through the crowd, but among them, Nicolo stood still, his gaze sharp. He clenched his jaw.A masked ball?Something wasn’t right.And he was determined to find out what.Amaira stepped into the grand hall, her gown flowing like liquid silver under the dazzling chandeliers. The masked ball was in full swing, the air filled with soft melodies and laughter, yet her mind remained alert.Before she could take another step, a familiar voice called out—one she could never mistake."Am_lilyt!"Turning, she barely had time to react before Evelina, the regal Queen of England, gracefully made her way toward her. But despite her royal aura, the moment she reached Amaira, her expression melted into something far from majestic."You! You left me alone in this party of boring people! Do you know how much I had to smile and nod?" Evelina huffed, folding her arms dramatically.Amaira chuckled. "I figured you'd manage, Your Majesty.""Oh, shut up. You know I hate when you call me that," Evelina whined, before turning to Alex, who stood beside his mother in a charming little suit. "And my favorite little prince! Come here, let me squeeze you!"Alex grinned and held up his hands. "I just got dressed! No ruining my suit, Aunty Eve!"Evelina gasped. "Betrayal! How could you deny me a hug?"Amaira took this as her chance. With a sly smile, she said, "Well, as much as I’d love to see you fight over a hug, I think I'll—""Oh no, you’re staying right here," Evelina interrupted, looping her arm around Amaira’s. "We have so much to talk about!"Amaira groaned internally. She loved Evelina, but when she got clingy, there was no escaping her. However, she couldn't stay in one place for too long. Nicolo was somewhere in this hall, and she wasn’t ready to face him yet.Just then, a group of ministers approached, bowing respectfully to the Queen. Evelina sighed dramatically, knowing she had to entertain them.Taking her chance, Amaira slipped away.She weaved through the crowd and made her way toward the lavishly arranged food court, her keen eyes scanning the masked guests. She needed to be careful. Nicolo was here. If he recognized her, everything she had built for six years would crumble.Adjusting her mask, she picked up a glass of wine and pretended to be just another guest, all while keeping a sharp watch for a certain man she both feared and… once loved.