Chapter 120 The Night of the Green Velvet Dress
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, feeling like waiting for a death sentence I knew was coming.
Now, that night had finally arrived. The double doors of the Grand Ball's main hall swung open wide with a loud creak of their golden hinges, leading straight into the little hell waiting for me inside.
Instantly, all conversation in the hall died away. Hundreds of pairs of noble eyes, which moments ago had been admiring gowns, snapped toward the entrance. Every single one of them was fixed on me.
The dress Gisella had given me was truly striking. Deep green velvet hugged my body, revealing curves I usually tried to hide, and the high slit in the skirt made every step feel awkward. I wanted to run away, but she caught my hand, her grip firm while the tight corset restricted my breathing.
Beside me, she walked with her chin held high, full of confidence, her hand linked securely to Viscount Julian Vance's arm. He wore a crisp military uniform that matched her gown perfectly.
It was obvious they weren't here as ordinary guests; they wanted high society to know they were officially a couple. Gisella's face radiated happiness, uncaring of the disdainful glances and whispers from the edge of the room. At least tonight, I wasn't the only one being talked about.
My attention didn't linger on them for long as my gaze caught two figures across the room—two people who always managed to get under my skin.
In a row of seats to the left, Prince Kurt immediately stood up. The blond man grinned widely, his gaze mischievous and unbothered by the stares around him. He looked as though he were waiting for a package to arrive rather than a girl about to be swept into scandal.
Farther away, near the main stage where the royal family sat, Claus stood tall without blinking.
His eyes were locked onto mine, completely unflinching.
A possessive aura surrounded him, so intense that not a single sane noble dared come within two meters of him.
The murderous energy he radiated was terrifying.
Nearby, Lysandra looked visibly anxious.
Wearing a pristine white gown, she stood close to Claus despite her own fiancé being right beside her.
She tried to strike up a conversation, gently touching the sleeve of his cloak and putting on a sweet, fake smile to draw his gaze away from me.
But Claus's response was absolute nothingness.
He didn't even glance at her. With a cold, effortless movement, he brushed her hand away, leaving the crown prince's fiancée standing there humiliated in public.
Her face turned pale as she realized she'd been ignored, while my stomach churned, imagining what Claus might do next.
If he lost his temper here, I was done for.
The scraping of violins from the orchestra's opening waltz signaled that the ball had officially begun.
The young nobles who had been silent moments before now sprang to life, advancing in droves with charming, forced smiles to ask for the first dance.
My new status as the center of scandal only made them more curious for a taste of the spotlight.
"Miss Varannes, it would be a great honor if you would," one young baron offered, extending his hand.
Before his fingers could even brush the hem of my dress, someone moved faster than lightning.
Prince Kurt cut them off, all manners forgotten as he strode boldly through the crowd. In seconds, he was right in front of me, grabbing my hand with a wide grin.
"Sorry, gentlemen," Kurt said casually, winking at the rejected suitors without an ounce of guilt. "This lady already promised me the first dance."
Before I could protest or refuse, he pulled me by the waist onto the dance floor. From across the room, I could feel Claus's gaze burning straight into me.