Chapter Ten: Beneath The Masks
382 Words
The palace had never looked more beautiful.
Which meant it was at its most dangerous.
Lanterns glowed like stars, chandeliers dripping gold light across polished floors. Music filled the grand hall, soft and deceptive—like everything else here.
Li Yue stood at the edge of the masquerade, her mask hiding just enough of her face to make her feel both seen and unseen.
Tonight, no one was who they appeared to be.
And that made it easier to lie.
“Enjoying the performance?”
She didn’t need to turn.
“I prefer honesty,” she said.
“Then you chose the wrong place.”
Xiao Zhen stepped beside her, dressed in black and gold, his mask darker, sharper—fitting.
Even hidden, he was unmistakable.
“You shouldn’t be here alone,” he added quietly.
“I’m not alone.”
His gaze shifted to her.
“Is that so?”
Before she could answer, a hand appeared in front of her.
“May I have this dance?”
A masked nobleman stood before her, voice polite—but unfamiliar.
Too unfamiliar.
Li Yue hesitated.
Across from her, Xiao Zhen went still.
Not outwardly.
But she felt it.
Watched it.
And made a choice.
She placed her hand in the stranger’s.
“I’ll return,” she said calmly.
Xiao Zhen didn’t stop her.
But his eyes followed.
Every step.
Every movement.
The dance began.
The stranger pulled her into the crowd, movements smooth, practiced—but something was off.
Too controlled.
Too intentional.
“You came to the western wing,” he murmured.
Her pulse spiked.
So this was him.
“You wanted me to,” she replied.
“And yet you brought him into this.”
“I didn’t bring anyone.”
A soft chuckle.
“Are you sure?”
The music swelled.
The man leaned closer.
“You’re being watched more closely than you think.”
Her grip tightened slightly.
“I’m aware.”
“No,” he said softly. “You’re not.”
Before she could respond—
The music cut.
Abrupt.
Silence filled the hall.
And then—
A hand closed around her wrist.
Familiar.
Unmistakable.
Xiao Zhen.
He pulled her away without a word.
The stranger didn’t follow.
Didn’t need to.
Because the damage was already done.
- Writer
