WILD SEDUCTION

●⁠♡ SIX ●⁠♡

-SIX-

Ivar and I met two stops back and revised our mission for tonight. We're not making any major attacks, just marking routes for the d-day.

I have to admit, stealing a carriage and the identity of someone else was fun. A smile formed on my face. The noble wouldn't even realise because we covered our tracks well. All we have to do later is make him, that is me, drunk during the ball tonight with a touch of hypnosis. My smile turned to a frown when I remembered that incident. Ivar needs to be careful. We don't know when the owner of that aura will bless us with a surprise presence again and although I'm scared, I am ready to fight it. Can't be caught lacking twice, hopefully, we don't face whoever it is tonight.

"How long till we arrive?" I asked, pulling the neck of my waistcoat forward.

"Soon your Grace." My horseman said and the carriage came to a halt. "Give me a moment to sort out our invitation." He said and I waited.

This is taking longer than usual.

"Do we have a problem?" I asked calmly then heard footsteps approaching.

"No your Grace. We've been granted a pass." I nodded despite knowing he couldn't see me then relaxed my shoulders when we started moving again. Pushing the curtain slowly to the side, I gazed at the palace walls. As I guessed, their defence is weak. Too open that my job will be easy. I squinted when I noticed a figure running on the walls. He's almost too noticeable but that's only because I'm aware he's here. Good. Ivar has already blended and infiltrated inside already. A curl formed at the end of my lips. I let go of the curtains and untied the leather strap from my arm. Her hair pin. I exhaled when I noticed the thin line of lightning still linking my body to it. I can't even stress my head about this anymore. My whole body is already tensed by what I'm about to do. One wrong move could kill us faster than the bearer of dark magic would.

I suddenly feel choked. I almost can't breathe. Ripping the cravat tie and scarf around my neck off, I gushed in a lot of air and tried to clear my head.

"We've arrived, your Grace. I shall ensure your carriage is safely escorted and the horse kept in the stable." The horseman said and I frowned. Already?

I groaned when the door came open and tucked the tie around my waistcoat shabbily but decent enough. It's rough but just the right amount of roughness that screams highly respected gentleman. With my invitation letter in between two fingers, I handed it to my horseman along with my coat. "Have fun, but not too much. We'll be leaving early." I said huskily and he bowed, taking the invitation from me. I sauntered up the stairs with a smirk on my face.

Attention. I have it already. Every woman by the door and in the passage, both innocent and not have been captivated by my charms. Just the right amount of distraction I need. This should be entertaining.

"This way your Grace." A palace escort said, directing me to the ballroom. With my eyes scanning every single angle and furniture and passages and windows with each step I took forward unsuspiciously, I peered at a painting on the wall. It was of a woman dressed in armour graciously posed like a warrior in a battlefield. With her body crouched lower and a foot firmly stuck in the ground she had a fierce look on her face. One hand held her sword forward, just above her forehead and the other arched back, still holding a sword forward. My brow was raised in amusement. Not bad at all.

Something about the way she looks makes me want to fight her. I've never been defeated by a woman before. I've never fought nor trained with one to begin with. It would be nice to experience it first hand but that's a dream that'll have to wait. Till after tonight of course.

I stopped in front of a large door. My escort pushed the double doors open, revealing an extravagantly designed ballroom. I didn't expect less from a palace, but this room screams wealth. From the golden chandeliers and high walls to the golden pillars and wall engravings. It reminded me of a part of me I thought I'd forgotten. A part I wish I had. For some reason, all I am filled with is hate and grief. I clenched my fist as I made my way in, taking a glass of wine. Men and women from around the kingdom and beyond are present. This is the perfect chance for revenge but not yet. Everyone here will definitely pay for what they did to my family. Just not tonight.

I cleared my throat and inspected the ballroom for anything suspicious. A smile formed on my face when I saw the magic user I stumbled across during my quiet time on the tree branch. He was talking with a woman who looked a bit like him. I scoffed, averting my gaze. I can already tell they're siblings. According to our plan, Ivar and I are supposed to come in contact in exactly a quarter an hour after stepping in the ballroom. Being here is exhausting. Aside from the flirtatious glances from women I'm least interested in, every other thing seems boring. And I'm not in the mood to play.

I glanced around the room looking for someone dressed in a royal attire. Someone that one will know is the king by just the hair or smell of shampoo. Sensei gave no description nor gender specification. This makes this my hardest job yet. Yet my blood boils in excitement for some reason. I drank from my cup again.

Trumpets were blown, gathering everyone's attention to the door and an elve made an announcement after thanking everyone for attending the ball. My ears were everywhere but in what she was saying. Where's Ivar? We're supposed to meet now. I studied the room for a signal. There was none.

The elve continued talking and I actually listened. She was the sibling of the man I spotted earlier. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome her royal Highness as she blesses us with a traditional dance performance on the dancefloor." She curtsied and gave way. Everyone applauded. Strange music played and everyone gave room, standing close to the walls as a group of women made their way to the center, moving their waists and hands and body slowly yet seductively.

Each lady was adorned in jewelry. From head to toe. Veils secured their nose and lips blocking parts of their faces but didn't fail to reveal the nose rings. Each lady wore a two piece outfit, the top of the outfit is a white off-shoulder bandeau with a translucent lace material linking their wrists to the shoulder cloth and the bottom is salwar breches with slits and veils surrounding it, revealing just the right amount of skin to attract awareness. Golden waist beads enclosed their waist along with matching bangles and ankle rings. I watched their body movement spin and sway on the dancefloor. The reason behind the performance was obvious. I expected more.

Moving through the crowd unnoticed, I circled the dancers, looking for something to pique my interest. That's when I saw her. A lady at the center was dressed differently. In similar clothing but with way more extravagant material and more skin revealed. Her royal highness. Like a moth drawn to a flame, I was attracted to her and my eyes studied every bit of her body, down to her toes. My jaw tightened. Her body movement worked my body and it wasn't just one of a dancer. She was the most skilled amongst them, no doubt about that.

With a content smile, I sipped the last bit of wine and dropped my wine cup, making my way to the front. I haven't forgotten my mission, but why not have fun while I'm at it? Suddenly, the music became rhythmic in my ears as it synced with her movement. Her eyes are green and eye lashes long. Her hair is reddish brown.

There's just something about the smile on her lips as she moved that made me want to do things to her. She was on fire tonight. The lady spun forward as well as every dancer, leaning their body against any man they came across while twisting their hips and trailing their fingers all over the men's faces.

I locked eyes with her and all I can think of doing right now before leaving here is getting her name. The one no one knows about aside from close friends and relatives. Taking gentle steps to the side, she slid past me and her scent filled my nose.

Forgive me if I am wrong, but this is definitely not the kind of dance I thought a royal would do in front of a crowd.

"Join in Everyone." A voice echoed softly and everyone invaded the dancefloor. Skillfully, elegantly and charmingly, all taking a partner. I was about to leave when a finger poked my jaw, pulling me forward. The princess. Why shall I refuse?

I joined, letting her lead on purpose. I most definitely enjoyed the envious stares headed my way but I still can't find the heir. Where is he?

Plus, Ivar is nowhere to be seen.

"Is something distracting you, your Grace?" She asked. My eyes glinted. Even her voice is sultry.

I chuckled, firmly placing my hand on her waist. "Would you rather I answer honestly?" I answered with a question.

"I'd rather you not speak at all." Spinning back and swapping dance partners for a second, she was back in my arms. The grin on her face proved she was confident and knew how much effect she had on everyone else. I'm tempted to question her choice of clothes but it's not in my place to do so.

"As you desire." I said, glancing at her then across the room. My brows creased when I spotted a figure that seemed like Ivar but my chest hurt. In fact, where I tied the pin on my hand hurt as well.

I need to take this pin out. And fast. Luckily for me, we split. Moving far from each other with our eyes locked, I undid the knot on my hand and dug the pin in my hair quickly. Not a great choice, but that seems like the only body part that it doesn't seem to hurt.

Reuniting with this damsel in distress, I smiled, hiding the burn I feel in my chest. She moaned, like someone in pain. Am I holding her too tightly? I loosened my grip and she smiled.

"Are you new? You've never attended a ball." She questioned, dipping her leg between mine. It was then I realised it was all part of the dance.

"They never intrigued me." I responded. With the way she stares at people, one would mistake it as a pass.

"That's quite odd. Considering you're a good dancer."

"Perks of being noble, I presume."

She laughed.

"Do you always do this? Talk to everyone this way."

The princess stuck her tongue out. "What way?" She asked, using the same tone.

My lips parted. The ache on my lungs became unbearable. I want to know her name.

"Where did you get that?" She asked with a rather harsh tone. I could tell she was referring to the hair pin.

"Family heirloom." I replied in couth.

Disbelief was written all over her face. "I beg to differ."

I raised my brow. Should I be offended? I would be if I didn't sense that dark presence again.

"Answer me. That crystal belongs to just royals. And only my family has that. Have you come to steal?"

I didn't reply and spun her around.

"Answer me or I'll call the guards this instant!" She charged but shockingly I remained calm, dancing casually.

Something seems off. And I don't mean the hair pin. I still need to find the future king.

"Calm your nerves and I'll explain later."

The music was coming to an end and I new I'd be out of here sooner than I came in. A dark presence choked the environment and I could barely breathe.

She gasped for air, leaning on my chest. For someone who seemed displeased, that's a rather funny act. I noticed a shadow speed past the corner of the room. I blinked, just to be sure I wasn't imagining it.

My lungs bled and I felt the hair pin slide out of my hair. Out of reflex, I crushed her hand and the pin fell back in my pocket. I'm not letting the only thing capable of luring me closer to the answers I require slip out of my care just because some princess claims the crystal exclusively belongs to members of 'her' family.

My eyes widened. This might just be a starting point as to where I can find the owner of this pin.

That's when something strange happened. As the sharp tune ending the music bled my ears, a crack disturbed my thoughts as well as how fast I heard it shatter. Like someone rushed past me on purpose, breaking rocks into pieces, just without rocks. My question is, what on earth made that disturbing noise that no one else seems to notice?

I would've thought myself crazy if she didn't look as petrified as I did. Seeing the direction of the thin line of lightning divert from the hair pin, linking my body to hers, my brows creased.

Does she- .....does she have anything to do with what's been going on with me for these past few days? I suddenly want to know her. Study her and find out everything there is to know about her but I don't have time.

I heard a crow caw and noticed that was Ivar's signal. I need to leave. My job here is done, despite spending it unwisely.

"What- What is this?..." She asked, gazing at the space separating our bodies from contact.

"You can see it?" I asked carefully, confused. Her reaction to my question gave me an answer. The enclosed hall was swept to disruption by a massive amount of breeze, forcing its way in. Despite the few hums that arose, I fixed my eyes on hers, asking the only question bugging me. "Who are you?" And what more do you know about this hair pin?

Just then, the music came to an abrupt end and taking this as my signal, I darted away.