8.
1100 Words
đź“– Chapter 8: A Dangerous Claim
The air on the balcony turned heavy.
No one spoke for a few seconds.
Adrian’s words still echoed in the silence.
«“She is with me.”»
Elara stood still.
Her mind was racing.
“Why did he say that…?”
She didn’t understand.
She didn’t ask for this.
She didn’t want attention.
---
But now.....
Every eye was on her.
Seraphina’s smile remained.
Perfect.
Gentle.
But her eyes.....
Cold.
Sharp.
“With you…?” she repeated softly.
---
Adrian did not change his expression.
“Yes.”
---
Simple.
Clear.
Final.
---
Seraphina felt something twist inside her chest.
-l
She had planned everything.
Prepared everything.
Waited for this moment.
---
And now—
A stranger had appeared.
And taken his attention.
---
Unacceptable.
---
“I see,” she said quietly.
---
Her voice was calm.
But inside—
Her thoughts were moving quickly.
---
“Who is she?”
“Where did she come from?”
“Why is he interested in her?”
---
Seraphina took a small step closer.
---
“Elara Vance,” she said softly. “That is your name, correct?”
---
Elara met her gaze.
“Yes.”
---
Seraphina smiled.
---
“It’s a lovely name.”
---
Her tone was sweet.
But her eyes said something else.
---
A warning.
---
Elara understood.
---
But she didn’t react.
---
She only stood there.
Calm.
Quiet.
That only made Seraphina more irritated.
---
“You’re not from the capital, are you?” Seraphina asked.
“No”
-
“Then how did you receive an invitation to such an event?”
-
The question was light.
But the meaning was clear.
You don’t belong here.
-
Elara answered simply.
“It was given to me.”
Seraphina’s smile tightened.
“By whom?”
Elara paused.
Just for a second.
“That is not important”
The answer was calm.
But firm.
Seraphina’s eyes darkened slightly.
She was not used to being spoken to like this.
Not by someone like her.
Before she could speak again....
Adrian stepped forward.
“That is enough”
His voice was low.
But it carried authority.
Seraphina turned to him.
Her expression soft again.
“I was only curious, Your Grace”
Adrian looked at her.
Cold.
“I am not”
Silence.
---
Elara felt the tension rise.
“This is getting worse,” she thought.
---
She took a small step back.
“I should go” she said quietly.
But before she could move.....
Adrian spoke again.
“No”
The word stopped her.
She looked at him.
Confused.
“Stay.”
It wasn’t a request.
It was a command.
Elara hesitated.
She didn’t like this.
---
She didn’t like the attention.
The pressure.
The danger.
But something.....
Something about his voice—
Made her stop.
“…Alright,” she said softly.
---
Seraphina watched everything.
Every word.
Every reaction.
Her nails pressed into her palm.
---
“He’s choosing her” she realized.
And that thought....
Was unbearable.
“Your Grace” she said gently, “the dance is about to begin again.
Adrian didn’t look away from Elara.
“I’m not interested”
Seraphina’s smile froze again.
“But this is a royal event” she insisted softly.
Adrian finally turned to her.
“Then enjoy it”
His tone was calm.
But dismissive.
Seraphina lowered her gaze slightly.
“As you wish”
She stepped back.
Graceful.
Perfect.
But the moment she turned......
Her expression changed.
Cold.
Dark.
Dangerous.
“This isn’t over” she thought.
Not even close.
Back on the balcony....
Elara finally spoke.
“You shouldn’t do that”
Adrian looked at her.
---
“Do what?”
“Say things like that”
Her voice was calm.
But serious.
“It brings attention”
Adrian stepped closer again.
“You’re already noticed”
Elara frowned slightly.
“That’s exactly the problem.”
Adrian studied her.
“You don’t like attention.”
“No”
“Why?”
Elara looked away.
Toward the dark garden.
“Because attention brings trouble”
Her answer was simple.
But it carried weight.
Adrian noticed that.
“Trouble?” he repeated.
Elara didn’t answer.
Silence fell again.
Then......
Adrian spoke quietly.
“I can handle trouble”
Elara looked at him.
“I don’t doubt that”
Her eyes were calm.
“But I’m not you”
That made him pause.
For the first time......
He had no immediate reply.
A soft wind passed between them again.
The sounds of the party continued behind them.
But out here.....
It felt like a different world.
“Then leave” Adrian said suddenly.
Elara blinked.
“What?”
“If this place is dangerous, and you don’t belong here… then leave”
His tone was calm.
Logical.
Elara stared at him.
For a momen.....
She almost laughed.
“If it were that easy” she said softly. “I would have left already”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What’s stopping you?”
Elara hesitated.
Then she shook her head.
“That’s not something I can explain”
Adrian didn’t push further.
But his interest grew.
“You’re hiding something” he said.
Elara met his gaze.
“So are you”
A pause.
Adrian looked at her.
Then.....
A faint, almost invisible smile appeared.
“You’re bold”
Elara’s lips curved slightly.
“I’ve been told that too”
For a brief moment.....
The tension between them softened.
But only for a moment.
Because suddenly......
A servant rushed onto the balcony.
“Your Grace” he said urgently.
Adrian turned.
“What is it?”
“The Emperor is requesting your presence”
Silence.
Adrian’s expression returned to cold.
“I’ll be there”
The servant bowed and left.
Adrian looked back at Elara.
For a second....
Neither of them spoke.
Then....
“Don’t leave yet” he said.
Elara frowned slightly.
“Why?”
Adrian didn’t answer directly.
“I’ll find you”
And with that.....
He turned and walked away.
Leaving her alone on the balcony.
Elara stood still.
Her heart was still beating fast.
Her mind filled with questions.
“Why me…?” she whispered.
Inside the hal.......
Seraphina watched Adrian approach the Emperor.
But her eyes.....
Moved again.
Toward the balcony.
Toward Elara.
Slowly.....
A smile appeared on her lips.
Cold.
Sharp.
“Let’s see how long you can stay calm” she whispered.
The night was far from over.
......
And the real game....
Had just begun.
---
- Writer
