Rina froze in place.
Her gaze flicked quickly across the faces around her, searching for one last way out, one reason to retreat. Then she drew in a deep, long breath, as if preparing to plunge into cold water.
She took a step forward…
Then another…
And finally, she reached out and took his hand.
She moved closer, with steady steps she tried to convince herself of before anyone else.
Damian straightened calmly, placing his other hand on her waist slowly and deliberately, as if giving her time to adjust. Rina placed her hand on his shoulder, and as the gentle melody began, they moved together.
One step…
Two…
In perfect rhythm.
Eyes gathered around them without intention; some were astonished, some resentful, others observing with cold curiosity. The tension pressed on Rina's chest, and she automatically lowered her gaze to the floor.
Damian leaned close to her ear and whispered softly: "Lift your face… don't worry about those eyes."
She swallowed hard, then nodded lightly and raised her eyes to him. Her cheeks were flushed without her realizing it.
His focus was entirely on the dance; his steps were calm, confident, as if the floor knew him. He leaned slightly and whispered again: "It seems this is your first dance… isn't it?"
She almost replied, but an old memory caught her. Her features softened, and she laughed lightly: "When I was five, my uncle danced with me… I remember almost fainting from spinning too much, and he laughed at me… then my father shouted at him."
Damian smiled, as if the scene were vivid before him. "Expected… you're your father's only child, and he clearly fears for you."
Then he added, with a perceptive tone: "But it seems you're not focused right now."
She was surprised and hurried to correct her steps. She tried to regain rhythm, but her foot lightly stepped on his. He pulled her back quickly, she flustered… then stumbled backward.
In an instant, he drew her toward him firmly enough to keep her from falling. He leaned slightly, and they came closer than either intended.
Rina's face turned red, and she shook her head quickly, trying to push away unwanted thoughts.
A mysterious smile appeared on his lips…
Was it mockery? Or a deliberate tease?
He leaned closer to her face, while she froze in place, then suddenly pushed his face away.
"Ah… stop. That counts as assault, you know?"
She stared at him sharply: "You're the one who should stop!"
He tilted his head, that crooked smile never leaving him: "And why should I stop?"
Rina suddenly halted the dance, standing silent. "Are you really asking?"
He chuckled softly: "I'm just joking… relax, you seem harsh."
She resumed dancing, her expression calm, a small smile on her lips.
Damian… deliberately kept her slightly tense. He had never seen her like this before; laughing yet unsettled at the same time.
He said softly: "You seem tired… or deep in thought."
She was startled by his accuracy, straightened, and whispered: "Nothing's on my mind… just tired from training."
He said nothing. The rhythm between them calmed a bit, they flowed with the music… then—
She separated from him lightly, executing a short, elegant, smooth turn, then returned to him again. Eyes were on them, as they were on other nobles, but their presence drew attention with quiet authority.
At the end of the song…
He bowed to her.
She bowed to him.
Applause echoed in the hall, while in a corner, someone was taking meticulous notes; of every graceful move… every mistake.
After that, Rina and Vicky reunited, laughing and chatting quietly.
Rina sighed: "I'm so tired… days of training and studying. I just want to sleep."
Vicky replied: "I haven't trained that much. I've been dancing alone since I was little."
Elsewhere, Sienna had achieved her goal. She approached a group of nobles, satisfied, continuing her chatter with the girls. She remained in contact with her mother… still smiling.
Because she had not been defeated.
After dinner, the noble carriages gathered, and everyone returned to their palaces.
As for Rina…
Once she returned, she threw herself onto the bed without discussion. Fatigue outweighed any thought.
She sank into a deep sleep.
…
The morning sun rose over a quiet day, as if the palace itself was waking slowly.
Rina woke late. The slight shadows under her eyes were the remnants of a long night. She ate breakfast alone, then left quietly.
As usual… her father was in his study.
She knocked lightly and entered: "Good evening."
Theo looked up: "Good evening."
His eyes fell on the stacked newspapers. "I heard you played beautifully… behaved gracefully… and danced as well."
She smiled lightly, but he added: "So why ruin it by running through the halls?"
She gasped unintentionally.
How did he know?
"Ah… Father, it's nothing serious…"
He exhaled deeply: "Months of training, and then you forget the rules. Stop running… it's unacceptable."
She remained silent, shame weighing on her chest.
He closed the newspaper and stood: "What's your solution then?"
She replied honestly: "I apologize… and I won't do it again."
He nodded slowly, his expression softening.
…
In the following days, San was unusually quiet.
As for Sienna… she was distracted, smiling for no reason.
Rina knew the road wasn't over yet. But exhaustion was stronger than any plan.
Until an idea came to her.
Victoria's birthday memory…
And the ball.
In the library, she paused in front of a single book:
Klybia Academy
An academy for veterinary studies.
Dedicated to nobles.
She smiled.
This was it.
She closed the book decisively and headed to her father's office.
But before she could reach it…
The door opened.
San came out… then Sienna.
Their eyes met.
San's gaze was cold, hateful.
As for Sienna… she smiled… it wasn't an ordinary smile, but…
A small, evil… malicious smile.
A smile of someone who knows more than they say.
Rina stiffened for a second… then composed herself.
She said nothing.
But her heart did not calm…
That smile… reminded her of her past event…
When it was Rina's last moments.