Chapter 302 - 288: Sitting Alone Together (Part 2)

Chapter 302: Chapter 288: Sitting Alone Together (Part 2)

Thanks to the solid Basic foundation he’d built from diligently practicing the woman’s steps, Gray led his partner with movements that were exceptionally smooth and rhythmic.

He had the young lady giggling uncontrollably, her face flushing crimson.

Zelir shook his head as he watched their flirtatious glances and the intimate way their noses nearly brushed against each other.

Tonight, it looked like Gray was in for a vigorous battle.

Pulling his thoughts back, Zelir’s gaze shifted to the other side of the dance floor.

Bev was sitting there.

At that moment, her eyes happened to meet Zelir’s.

"Huu..."

Zelir let out a soft breath.

’The results of all my training come down to this.’

He stood, the hem of his formal attire tracing a clean arc as he started walking toward Bev.

Seeing Zelir weave through the crowd, drawing closer step by step...

Bev subconsciously clenched her fists, and her heart began to race.

THUMP... THUMP...

’Ah...’

’The scene I’ve dreamed of countless times is finally happening today...’

’What do I do, what do I do? I’m still so nervous.’

Bev could feel her palms starting to sweat.

’Is my makeup and hair okay?’

’Will it look strange up close?’

’And my dress...’

Bev took a deep breath and held it, trying to make her figure seem even more slender and trim.

’And the dance steps...’

’The steps Madam Lorraine taught me.’

Bev quickly ran through them again in her mind.

’Mmm...’

’It’ll be fine!’

’I can definitely do this well!’

When she looked up again, Bev met Zelir’s gaze.

At such close range, faced with Zelir’s impeccably handsome features and his elegant, composed posture...

Bev’s mind suddenly went blank.

Even her breathing grew unconsciously softer...

Amidst the many subtle, watching eyes from across the hall...

Zelir came to a stop. He placed his left hand behind his back, drew his long right leg back slightly, and bent his knee.

He then extended his right hand, palm open toward Bev.

The entire motion was as fluid as it was natural.

"My..."

However, before Zelir could finish his line, Bev had already placed her hand in his palm.

"I do."

Bev’s eyes were filled with joy and delight.

His left hand made contact with Bev’s palm.

According to the etiquette Gray had taught him, he was supposed to have gently closed his hand over hers.

But Bev took the lead, her fingers aggressively slipping between his to interlock their hands.

It was an act full of possessiveness.

’Bev’s palm... is so warm, so soft.’

That was Zelir’s first sensation.

Bev used the momentum to rise, and as Zelir straightened up, the pull brought their bodies instantly close.

He then placed his right hand slightly above her slender waistline.

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination.

But Zelir felt he could sense a scorching heat right through the fabric.

It was her scalding body heat, radiating through the silk of her dress.

She was trembling slightly.

...

Anyone who dared to dance on an occasion like this had undoubtedly been professionally trained by an etiquette teacher.

Their movements were elegant, their positioning precise.

Every step was as meticulous as a diagram drawn with a ruler and compass—light and perfectly coordinated.

However, as one particular pair entered the dance floor, the surrounding Nobility, both men and women, seemed to slow their rhythm.

All eyes, whether intentionally or not, came to rest on Zelir and Bev.

It was simply impossible not to look.

Even the light from the Crystal chandeliers seemed to favor the stunning couple, making them shine all the more dazzlingly.

Without a doubt, Bev was the most beautiful young lady of the Nobility present tonight, the absolute center of attention.

And Zelir’s dashing presence made many of the meticulously dressed young masters feel inadequate in comparison.

Although their steps were a bit raw and couldn’t compare to the rigorously trained members of the Nobility...

...based on looks alone, the two of them completely outshone every other pair on the floor.

And soon... the issue with their dance steps was resolved as well.

After a few beats, their dancing began to sync up.

Perhaps because of their incredible chemistry, Zelir and Bev’s coordination grew more and more skillful.

Zelir didn’t even need to consciously think about the next step; every move seemed to be etched into his mind, flowing out of him naturally.

He would step forward, and Bev’s slender legs would immediately follow.

He would step back, and Bev’s soft, graceful figure would press close.

There were no words, only the warmth transmitted through their fingertips and their mingling breaths.

When the music reached a slight variation, Bev’s left hand, which was resting on Zelir’s shoulder, loosened slightly.

Zelir immediately understood the cue.

He created a bit of distance, then sent her out with a push from his right arm.

Bev used this gentle force to spin into a light, magnificent twirl, the hem of her moonlight-white dress fluttering as tiny blue diamonds scattered dazzling reflections of light.

At the very last moment, as the momentum of the spin died, she returned to Zelir’s embrace.

The two moved as if they had been dance partners for years, every action perfectly in sync.

On the second-floor viewing balcony, Duke, who had long since left the dance floor, watched this scene with a gratified smile.

"Huff... huff..."

The song wasn’t even over, but Bev was already panting softly in Zelir’s arms.

It was likely due to her overwhelming excitement.

A few stray strands of golden hair fell beside her cheeks, making Bev look all the more endearing.

"Zelir... I didn’t know you were so good at this."

Bev lifted her gaze, her blue eyes filled with a mixture of dreaminess and surprise. "Isn’t this your first ball?"

"It is my first, but I’ve practiced it many times," Zelir replied with a light smile.

"Is that so?"

He only felt their interlocked fingers tighten slightly as Bev, maintaining a sweet expression, asked.

"And who did you practice with?"

"I practiced in my head..." Zelir answered sincerely.

"Hmph... You really have a way with words, Zelir."

Though she feigned annoyance, the corners of her lips couldn’t help but curve upward.

That small pang of jealousy in her heart instantly turned to sweetness.

With a final, light turn, the music finally came to an end.

The lighting changed once again.

The men and women on the dance floor bowed to each other and dispersed.

「It was intermission.」

This gave the guests time to rest and also gave those who missed the first dance a chance to invite a new partner.

"Wait for me for a moment."

Bev reluctantly separated from Zelir.

As she left, she gave Zelir a wink that seemed to hold a special meaning.

...

"Nicely done, Zelir!"

In the rest area, a flushed and excited Gray slapped Zelir hard on the shoulder.

"You completely stole the show just now! My lessons weren’t for nothing."

"It was alright..." Zelir said with a modest smile, taking a glass of water from a tray to wet his throat.

’Compared to practicing with Gray on the training grounds, my performance just now was indeed far beyond my usual level.’

"This trip was definitely worth it. I had a great haul myself," Gray said, rubbing his hands together, his face alight with glee.

Just as he spoke, a sweet, delicate female voice called out to him from behind.

"Gray~ What are you waiting for?"

Zelir peeked over.

It was Gray’s dance partner from before. She was leaning against the door of the grand hall, her eyes filled with tender affection.

"Oh! Coming, coming, babe!"

Gray immediately straightened his bow tie, his expression switching back into playboy mode.

He shot Zelir a wink and a suggestive smile.

"Alright, alright, I’ve got important business to attend to... I hope you don’t stay idle tonight either."

"Ha... You’re something else."

Zelir could only shake his head and laugh, at a loss for words at Gray’s comment.

Zelir watched Gray and his dance partner disappear around a corner of the hall before retracting his gaze.

He subconsciously glanced toward the ladies’ lounge area on the other side of the dance floor.

’Hm...?’

Zelir’s eyebrow rose slightly.

’Why isn’t Bev in her seat anymore?’

’And I can’t see a trace of her anywhere else.’

Just as Zelir’s eyes were still searching for Bev...

...a middle-aged woman in a maid’s uniform, her hair impeccably styled, approached his side.

Her every movement exuded the calm competence unique to a core servant of a great house.

"Hello, Mr. Zelir."

The woman curtsied to Zelir, then leaned in with a smile and spoke softly in his ear.

"Miss Bev asked me to inform you that she would like to invite you to the Rose Room on the east side of the third floor for a private chat..."