CHAPTER 3 – The Ball of Fate
1007 Words
The grand ballroom glittered like a dream.
Crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling like frozen waterfalls, casting golden light over polished marble floors. Music swelled from an orchestra tucked neatly in one corner, filling the air with soft, elegant notes.
Everywhere I looked, nobles were dressed in jewels and silk, laughing behind their jeweled masks of politeness. The scent of roses and fine wine mixed into a dizzying sweetness.
It was beautiful.
And terrifying.
Because I knew how this night was supposed to go.
I stepped through the entrance with careful grace, my silver gown trailing like moonlight. Eyes turned toward me—curious, judging, wary. I felt their gazes like needles against my skin.
They were expecting the Seraphina they knew.
The sharp-tongued, cold-hearted girl who picked fights just to feel powerful.
I forced myself to keep my chin high, even as my palms felt clammy inside my silk gloves.
Don’t speak. Don’t draw attention. Just stay quiet.
But then—
“She’s here.”
The whisper cut through the soft hum of conversation.
I turned slightly.
Across the ballroom, standing at the center of a small crowd, was the heroine.
Aria.
She was radiant in a simple pale gold gown, her soft brown hair pinned with tiny pearls. Her smile was warm but shy, and her doe-like eyes made her look like something pure in this sea of predators.
Just as the novel described.
People whispered around her—not unkindly, but with that mixture of fascination and disdain that came with someone of lower birth stepping into a noble’s world.
And beside her stood him.
Darian.
My heart skipped a beat.
The second male lead.
My favorite character.
He was even more handsome in person than I imagined—tall, with gentle hazel eyes and soft golden-brown hair that framed his warm smile. He radiated calm and kindness, like a beam of sunlight in this cold room.
In the story, he was the only one who ever truly protected Aria without expecting anything in return. He loved her quietly, without selfishness. He was the kind of character who made readers ache because they knew he wouldn’t be chosen in the end.
Seeing him now made something flutter in my chest.
But I couldn’t linger on that thought.
Because the original Seraphina would have already walked straight up to Aria, sneered at her dress, and called her a social-climbing nobody in front of everyone.
That was the moment Darian would step in to defend Aria, and Seraphina would snap—throwing wine on the heroine’s gown.
I needed to avoid that. Then, I think I can avoid getting engaged tonight.
I took a step back, intending to blend into the background.
But someone called my name.
“Lady Seraphina!”
I froze.
A group of noble ladies approached me, their smiles sharp and fake.
“It’s been ages since we saw you,” one of them said sweetly. “You look… breathtaking tonight.”
“More like dangerous,” another murmured with a giggle.
They were watching me like cats waiting for a mouse to twitch.
I gave a small smile, careful. “Thank you. I hope you’re all enjoying the evening.”
The women blinked.
That… wasn’t what they expected.
“Why, yes,” one said, recovering quickly. “But you’re not going to welcome the star of the evening? She’s over there, you know…”
Their eyes slid toward Aria.
Ah. They wanted a show.
They were waiting for me to play my part.
I felt their stares like poison, waiting for Seraphina to lash out.
My throat felt dry.
“I have no business with her,” I said lightly, forcing my voice to stay even. “Enjoy the ball.”
I walked away before they could trap me with more words.
It was small, but I could already feel the tension ripple. Nobles who overheard were whispering.
Why is Seraphina ignoring her? Isn’t she supposed to hate the girl?
I didn’t care. I was not going to start the chain reaction that ruined everything.
I drifted toward the refreshment table, keeping my distance from Aria’s group. My fingers curled around a glass of sparkling water, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
That’s when the music suddenly stopped.
A trumpet blared, cutting through the chatter.
Everyone fell silent.
At the top of the grand staircase, a herald appeared. His booming voice echoed across the hall.
“His Majesty, the Emperor!”
The crowd parted instantly, bowing as an older man in regal robes entered, flanked by guards.
And behind him—
My breath hitched.
The crown prince.
The male lead of the story.
He was exactly as described—tall, regal, with dark hair and piercing eyes that held quiet strength. He carried himself like a man born to rule, charming yet distant. Nobles whispered his name with awe.
And I remembered…
The real Seraphina was obsessed with him.
In the original story, she clung to him shamelessly, desperate for his attention, even though he only had eyes for Aria. Her obsession was pathetic, a part of why she became such an easy villainess to hate.
I tore my gaze away, reminding myself I was not her.
The emperor stepped forward, raising his hand for silence.
“Welcome, my loyal subjects,” he began, his deep voice carrying through the hall. “Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate the prosperity of the Lucent Empire but also to honor the bright future of our people.”
Polite applause rippled through the crowd.
The emperor’s sharp eyes scanned the room, his expression unreadable.
“And now,” he continued, “I have another announcement… one that will bring great joy to the empire.”
The room fell even quieter.
“By royal decree,” the emperor said, his voice calm but firm, “Lady Seraphina Valentine shall be betrothed…”
The pause stretched like a blade.
“…to His Highness, the Second Prince, Caelum Lucent.”
.
.
.
shock. Gasps. Murmurs.
_
- Writer
