CHAPTER 36: THE ANNUAL AUTUMN GALA 4

Silence rippled through the crowd.

Talia stared at Aegis’s outstretched hand like it might explode. But, Aegis kept firm, confident in her own actions.

"You’re joking."

"Do I look like I’m joking?"

"You must have lost your mind, then." Talia’s voice dripped venom. "Why would I, heir to House Stone, dance with a nobody commoner like yourself?"

[Right. Why would you? There’s no real reason... Aside from...]

"Because you want to." Aegis kept her hand extended, smile never wavering. "I can see it in your eyes."

"The only thing in my eyes is contempt. Though it seems the person on the receiving end of that contempt is not aware of it."

"Mm, sure. That’s definitely what that is."

A noble girl beside Talia gasped.

"Your Highness, you don’t have to acknowledge this... person."

"I’m aware." Talia’s jaw tightened. "Run along, Starcaller. Before I have you removed."

"By who? The guards who watched me save Lady Roseheart?" Aegis tilted her head. "Or maybe you’ll do it yourself? Though that would require you to actually touch me."

"You insufferable—"

"Come on, Princess," Aegis’s grin widened. "Are you truly so scared of one little dance?"

The temperature dropped ten degrees.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me." Aegis wiggled her fingers. "Unless Valdria’s crown princess is afraid of what people might whisper? That she couldn’t handle a commoner on the dance floor for three minutes?"

[Hook, line—]

"Afraid?" Talia’s eyes blazed. "Of YOU?"

[—and sinker.]

"You mean, you’re not? Then prove it~"

The orchestra held its breath. Every eye in the ballroom locked onto them. Someone dropped a champagne flute.

Talia set down her glass carefully.

"Fine. One dance." She said that with the finality of a judge sentencing someone to death. "And when you embarrass yourself, remember you asked for this."

"Looking forward to it."

Their hands met. Talia’s fingers were cold, her grip punishing. She clearly planned to crush Aegis’s hand.

[Cute. She actually thinks I’m going to back down.]

Aegis pulled her onto the dance floor as a new waltz began. The crowd parted like they were contagious. Whispers chased them.

"—lost her mind—"

"—the Princess actually—"

"—scandal of the century—"

Perfect.

They assumed position. Aegis’s hand on Talia’s waist, the other holding hers. The princess stood rigid, maintaining maximum distance.

[Nah. We’re not doing the wooden soldier routine.]

The first note played. Aegis stepped forward, using the movement to pull Talia flush against her.

"What are you—"

"Dancing, clearly." Aegis guided them into the first turn. "Try to keep up."

Their bodies pressed together from chest to hip. Aegis felt Talia’s sharp intake of breath, the way her body tensed.

"You’re holding me too close."

"Am I?" Aegis spun her out, then reeled her back in even tighter. "Didn’t notice."

"Y-You worthless cur! Everyone’s staring."

[AAAAAGH! She said the thing! My favorite insult of hers from the game!!!]

"Good."

"This is completely inappropriate—"

"You agreed to dance." Aegis dipped her slightly, their faces inches apart. "Not my fault you didn’t negotiate terms."

Talia’s cheeks flushed.

"When this is over—"

"You’ll what? Declare war?" Aegis pulled her up, keeping their bodies molded together. "Challenge me to a duel? Admit you actually enjoyed it?"

"I’ll destroy you."

"Promises, promises."

They moved through the waltz, bodies pressed tight. Too tight for propriety.

Aegis pulled her even closer, their chests crushing together.

"I could turn you to ash right now."

"Kinky."

"I’m serious, Starcaller."

"So am I." Aegis dipped her low. "But you won’t."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because you’re curious." Their faces hovered inches apart. "About what I’ll do next."

Talia’s magic crackled between them. For a heartbeat, Aegis thought she’d actually do it. Then the princess yanked them upright, using the momentum to throw Aegis off-balance.

"EEK!" Aegis yelped.

For the first time since they locked together, Talia was smiling victoriously.

[Ah, now, here we go.]

Aegis stumbled. Talia smirked, leading now. The princess spun her hard, making Aegis’s head swim.

"Not so confident now, are you? Heh, I’ve seen through your game. You aim to diminish my skills by embarrassing me? Let me remind you what talent and training actually look like."

Another vicious turn. Aegis’s feet tangled.

"Oh, careful, commoner. Dancing requires actual skill."

[Right. She’s been doing this since she could walk.]

Talia dipped her backwards, holding her suspended.

"Ready to admit defeat? Or must you actually fall before you surrender?"

"Never." Aegis activated her new technique.

[Seductive Swing, don’t fail me now.]

The shift was instant. Aegis’s body moved like water, flowing back up and into Talia’s space. Her hips rolled with the music.

Aegis was nowhere near the dancer that Talia was, but a skill was a skill.

"What are you—" Talia’s words died in her throat. She was absolutely right, of course. Aegis’s plan was to embarrass her into submission. And she wasn’t about to give up so easily.

Aegis spun them, but slowly. Deliberately. Their bodies grinding together with each movement. She let her hand drift lower on Talia’s back.

"Still want me to admit defeat?"

Talia’s face went pure scarlet.

"S-Stop that."

"Stop what?" Another roll of her hips. "Dancing?"

The crowd’s whispers grew louder. Someone’s fan dropped.

"This isn’t dancing! Y-You’re rubbing yourself on me!"

"Sure it is." Aegis pulled her into a slow spin, their thighs sliding together. "Just a different style."

[Scandal Points +10! Current: 35]

"You’re—this is—" Talia couldn’t form words.

"Use your words, Princess."

"I despise you."

"Your blush says otherwise."

Before Talia could respond, a shadow fell over them.

"Talia."

The voice could’ve frozen hell. Duchess Evangeline Stone stood beside them, expression carved from marble.

"Mother." Talia went rigid.

"I believe this dance has concluded."

That was not a request.

Aegis released Talia, curtsying low.

"Duchess Stone. Your daughter dances beautifully."

"Indeed." Her voice was cold as ice. "Talia, I seem to have forgotten my purse back at my office. Can you get it for me?"

"But the gala—"

"Now."

Talia’s jaw clenched. Without another word, she turned and strode toward the exit. Her mother followed, radiating disapproval.

[Wait.]

Aegis blinked.

[She’s... heading out?]

Aegis watched Talia go.

[On her own? Onto the academy grounds? Just like that?]

She looked at the clock. Still plenty of time before the gala ended.

[It’s going to happen now.]

Aegis took a step after her. The assassination. She had to—

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"

Varyn’s voice boomed across the ballroom. He stood near the orchestra, violet eyes gleaming.

"I’m afraid we have a THIEF among us!"

The crowd gasped. Aegis froze.

[Are you fucking kidding me right now?]

"Someone has stolen a precious Midnight Orchid from Lady Roseheart’s greenhouse!" Varyn’s gaze found Aegis. "And I know exactly who did it."

Every eye in the ballroom turned to her.

"Guards!" Varyn pointed dramatically. "Search the commoner!"

[I’m going to kill him. But first, I need to get out of this.]