The dance flowed seamlessly, and Olivia couldn't help but notice the man in the corner who kept his gaze fixed on the prince as they danced together. It sent shivers down her spine, wondering why he was staring at the prince.
As the dance continued, Olivia's curiosity grew. The man's intense stare at the prince and her sent chills down her spine. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to his gaze.
Olivia's gaze wandered and met her father's fearful eyes. It was clear that he, too, had noticed the man's intense expression. The air was thick with tension as they exchanged worried glances, unsure of the man's intentions. The dance floor suddenly felt like a stage for a hidden drama, and Olivia couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay behind the man's haunting stare.
'But why is father scared?'
Olivia turned to look at the prince, her smile widened, but it quickly faded when she noticed his smile vanish as his gaze shifted beyond her. Something had caught his attention, and Olivia couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and curiosity.
The prince seeing Olivia for the first time, began developing feelings for her. Olivia has always being confined in the palace walls and never left or attended any parties outside Veeral. The only parties she ever attended, was her birthday parties.
The prince came specifically when he knew she was celebrating again.
The prince had never been able to attend any of Olivia's parties before, so he never had the chance to see her in person. However, he did have something special - a portrait of Olivia. His elder brother managed to get it for him during one of her parties. It was a precious keepsake for the prince, allowing him to admire Olivia's beauty and presence.
Every day, the prince would gaze at the picture of Olivia, finding solace and inspiration before starting his day. He would even pay homage to the portrait, a true symbol of his undying love for her. Now, finally holding Olivia in his arms, it feels like a dream come true, surpassing all his wildest fantasies.
But right then, The prince suddenly felt a wave of fear as he noticed the presence of the dreaded devil, Azriel, standing right behind Olivia. In the midst of his happiness and dancing with Olivia, he had completely forgotten about the lurking danger.
Azriel stood ominously behind Olivia, his face displaying an eerie calmness, while his eyes bore into the prince with an intense and threatening glare. Overwhelmed by fear, the prince's throat went dry as he swallowed hard, feeling his leg tremble uncontrollably. The presence of Azriel had truly shaken him to his core.
Olivia, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere and the intense presence behind her, felt a tingling sensation run down her spine. Without even needing to turn around, she instinctively knew who was standing there, making her heart skip a beat. The connection between them was so strong that she could sense his presence without laying eyes on him.
In that moment, the prince released Olivia's hand in a hurry, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a step back, his head bowed in submission. Azriel remained silent, but his eyes spoke volumes, conveying a mix of disappointment and warning. The prince loved Olivia deeply, but he knew that in order to protect his love, he had to prioritize his own safety.
Olivia, determined not to give in to the tension, kept her gaze forward, refusing to acknowledge the stares of the onlookers who had stopped dancing to witness the unfolding drama.
King Charles felt a lump forming in his throat as he held his breath, his eyes welling up with tears. The weight of the situation was becoming overwhelming for him.
Azriel's large, smooth hands gently landed on Olivia's shoulders, as he leaned in closely to whisper into her ear. The words he spoke were meant for her alone.
"May I have this dance?" Olivia's heart skipped a beat as Azriel's deep, masculine voice sent shivers down her spine. Caught off guard, she stood frozen in place, unable to react in time. Before she could gather her thoughts, Azriel swiftly turned her around to face him, his strong hand securely wrapped around her waist. With a gentle touch, he held her other hand, pulling her so close that there was no space left between them. The overwhelming sensation left Olivia's brain feeling like mush, unable to process anything else in that moment.
Her mind was in a haze as her gaze remained fixated on his captivating, red eyes.
Azriel's smirk widened as he effortlessly guided her through the dance, his movements filled with grace. As Olivia snapped out of the enchantment he had cast upon her, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and admiration. She averted her gaze from his mesmerizing eyes and instead found herself captivated by his lustrous, jet-black hair, which gleamed with a glossy sheen.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she gracefully followed Azriel's lead, marveling at his surprising talent for dancing. It was unexpected, considering he didn't strike her as someone who enjoyed parties or dancing. His effortless movements left everyone in the room awestruck, as they witnessed the sheer grace and elegance of the man before them.
This devil could actually dance this well?
Olivia's mind raced with questions as she observed Azriel's flawless dance moves. It seemed as though he had been practicing dancing since childhood, or perhaps his encounters with nobles in the past had honed his skills to this extraordinary level. These thoughts swirled in her mind as she continued to follow his every move, captivated by his expertise.
Olivia couldn't help but be in awe of Azriel's ability to effortlessly command attention, even without actively trying. She was certain that no other noble could captivate a room quite like he did, simply by his mere presence.
Olivia couldn't help but wonder about Azriel's true identity, especially since she had lied to him about being a maid. As she looked up at him, she could feel his penetrating gaze and mischievous smirk, sending a shiver down her spine. Suddenly, he opened his mouth and said,
"You've piqued my curiosity. What else are you hiding, Princess?"
Olivia's heart raced as Azriel's words hung in the air. She felt a mix of excitement and nervousness, unsure of how to respond. With a slight tremor in her voice, she replied, "I... I didn't mean to deceive you. I just wanted to experience something different, to be seen as a normal person. Please, understand. Don't say it out loud, I don't want father finding out I escaped the palace to go to the forest"
Azriel's smirk widened as Olivia revealed her secret. "Escaping the palace, huh? Sounds like quite an adventure"
Olivia's heart pounded in her chest as she met her father's gaze. "Look at me, princess," Azriel growled. "No one dares to look me in the eye, but you dared to lie to me. Quite daring, aren't you?" he chuckled darkly.
Olivia felt the hairs of her hand stand as she looked at him immediately.
'Oh god'
Damn, he still looked so good even in this situation! It's not fair! Who could he be that even The King fears him?
"You're not being obedient, princess. Stop looking away," he admonished.
She quickly snapped her head back to meet his gaze, and he chuckled once more. "How adorable," he remarked.