Song recommendation: Earned it (thirty shades of gray
The weakened
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Kat had spent the past two days under Sabastian's instruction, learning little new but picking up a few refined details here and there. As always, Sabastian had been his delightful, polite self, which made the lessons bearable, even enjoyable. During that time, Kat had made it a point to avoid Lucian altogether. He didn't seem to notice or care, as far as she could tell.
The weather had grown colder, hinting at the approaching winter. On this particular morning, Kat was already dressed and in the middle of styling her hair when a knock came at her door. The maid who entered bowed and greeted her, "Good morning, my lady."
"Good morning," Kat replied, her eyes drifting from the maid to the large box she held. It seemed heavy, and the maid appeared slightly out of breath from carrying it. Their eyes met for a moment before Kat cleared her throat, noticing the maid had briefly been staring.
"Sir Sabastian asked me to bring you this dress and requests your presence in one of the grand halls," the maid said, her voice a little stiffer than earlier.
"Am I to wear the dress now?" Kat asked, standing up to get a better look at the box.
"Yes, my lady. I shall assist you in getting ready." The maid placed the box on the bed and started to open it.
Kat frowned as she glanced at herself in the mirror. "I see. Though I've already struggled enough with this dress as it is, I should probably talk with Sabastian about a change of wardrobe. It's exhausting wearing all these dresses all the time," she muttered to herself, casting a skeptical look at the new outfit. She began undressing, and thankfully, the maid didn't stare, making the process easier. The new dress, however, was another story.
Unlike the usual dresses Kat wore, which she could manage on her own, this dress was much more complicated. It was adorned with layers of ruffles and puffed sleeves, making movement cumbersome, though the dress was undeniably beautiful. Its soft yellow color was elegant, and the crochet design tied at multiple points around her waist and back, complicating the process further.
As Kat struggled with the adjustments, she caught the maid glancing at her, almost in awe. "You look wonderful, my lady," the maid complimented, seeming genuinely surprised.
Kat smiled. "Thank you." It was rare for any of the maids to speak to her beyond their duties, and the unexpected comment made her pause.
"What's your name?" Kat asked as she fiddled with her hair.
"Hazel, my lady," the maid introduced herself, offering to help with Kat's hair. Kat accepted, and Hazel quickly pinned up the remaining strands with skill. She draped a yellow shawl over Kat's shoulders to shield her from the cold weather. Once they were finished, the two left the room, with Hazel leading the way through the corridors and past several ornate hallways.
When they arrived at the grand hall, Hazel bowed and gestured for Kat to enter. With a whispered thanks, Kat pushed open the heavy door.
The grand hall was a breathtaking sight. High ceilings, three ornate balconies, and neatly arranged musical instruments, including violins and a grand piano, filled the room.
Sabastian stood nearby, and upon noticing Kat, greeted her. Kat responded with a polite, "Morning, Sabastian."
Curious, Kat asked, "What's the lesson for today?"
"Today, we'll be focusing on the Balon Waltz. It's a key dance for the upcoming ball."
Kat sighed. "I see," she muttered, her gaze dropping to the frilly dress. "And the dress?" she asked, swaying slightly with a pout.
Sabastian chuckled. "Most dresses for the ball are... extravagant. It's best to practice in something similar to what you'll be wearing."
Kat opened her mouth to protest, but a soft sound interrupted her. To her surprise, Lucian was standing in a corner, his right hand casually plucking at the strings of a violin, while his left hand was tucked in his pocket. He had been so quiet, she hadn't even noticed him until now.
Her eyes narrowed as she turned to Sabastian, her voice low. "Why is he here?"
"His Majesty will be your dance partner," Sabastian replied calmly.
Kat's face twisted in a brief grimace, and she groaned inwardly. Sabastian shot her a pointed look, nodding as if encouraging her to comply.
Kat sighed, beaten. Lucian's gaze didn't leave hers. In a more surprising turn of events, Kat gracefully bent her knees, lifting the hem of her dress slightly to avoid it dragging on the floor. "Good morning, Your Majesty," she greeted Lucian, her tone measured and surprisingly polite.
Lucian seemed taken aback for a moment, not responding immediately. Kat half-expected a witty remark but was was thankful he simply replied, "Good morning."
Kat watched as Lucian calmly approached her, with both hands tucked in his pockets. When he reached her, he extended his hand.
Sabastian had already moved into place, lifting his violin and preparing to play the waltz. Kat hesitated briefly, glancing at Lucian's hand before taking it. Her fingers were icy to the touch, a result of the cold weather, and the dress she wore was hardly enough to keep her warm, even with the shawl draped across her shoulders.
To her surprise, his hand was warm—remarkably so for someone with such a cold demeanor. She couldn't help but wonder how someone so cold could possess such warmth. Lucian's eyes flickered to her cold hands for a brief second, but he said nothing. His grip was firm.
He led her to the center of the room. "Shall we?" he asked, his voice low but clear 'you seem in haste to get on with it' Kat thought to herself.
Kat nodded, her heart fluttering slightly, unsure if it was from the chill in the air or from Lucian's unexpected closeness. His left hand moved smoothly to her waist, gripping it firmly as he tugged her forward, closing the gap between them until only a few inches separated them. The sudden nearness made her breath hitch for a moment.
His other hand held hers, warm and steady, as she placed her right hand on his chest. Beneath her palm, she could feel the slow, rhythmic beat of his heart, steady and calm—unlike her own, which felt erratic in contrast.
Kat kept her gaze firmly averted, choosing to look anywhere but at Lucian, though she could feel his eyes on her, something she could never get used to. The music began, and with it, they started moving in unison. Kat didn't know the steps by heart, but she did her best to follow Lucian's lead, letting him guide her. The pace was slow at first, giving her time to adjust. Gradually, she began to pick up the rhythm, her steps becoming more confident as they moved across the floor.
She glanced up briefly, noticing his hair was slightly tousled, strands falling out of place as though he had just been outside. 'Was he out before this?' she wondered. The thought distracted her for a moment, but before she could dwell on it, the faint breeze from the open windows caught her attention.
The wind drifted through the hall, subtle but noticeable, causing the curtains to flutter and lifting a few loose strands of her own hair. Even inside, the chill of the coming winter was present, and with it, the distinct scent of Lucian's rosewood cologne grew stronger. It wrapped around her with each step, as if the wind was carrying it to her, surrounding her in the warmth of the fragrance. It contrastasted with the cold atmosphere, and she couldn't help but wonder again how a person who seemed so distant could have such a warm scent.
After a brief silence, Lucian spoke, his tone neutral, almost detached. "I didn't expect you could be so ....graceful." His words were calm, as though an observation.
Kat's brow furrowed slightly, her lips tightening as she glanced at him before looking away again. "Your guidance makes all the difference"
Lucian chuckled softly, still keeping his movements steady as they glided across the floor. After a beat, he added, "I suppose Sabastian deserves some credit. I never thought he could make you so... well-behaved. He must have indulged some grace in you."
Kat's face heated at the comment, and in the end, she let out a small sigh. "He didn't have to indulge anything if it was already present."
Lucian smirked, though she didn't see it. Kat's fingers glided slightly on his chest, feeling the warmth through the fabric.
Lucian's grip on her waist didn't falter, but there was a brief pause in his steps before he continued leading her across the floor. "How come I never came across it until now?" he asked, his tone laced with false curiosity.
Kat glanced up at him. "No surprise there. Maybe if you'd been even the littlest bit respectful, polite, or a gentleman, you would have come across it long before."
Lucian's lips twitched. His voice was smooth, almost amused, as he repeated her words, his head titled slightly "Polite?" He let the word linger in the air, raising an eyebrow as if it were something foreign. "I thought I'd been... quite polite."
"Considering all you've done in the past month," Lucian continued, his tone darkly teasing, "and how you've still managed to keep your head attached to your neck... I'd say I've been rather polite," his voice dipping slightly as he glanced at her from beneath dark lashes.
His hand briefly left her waist, trailing up her neck, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin. The touch sent a subtle shiver down her spine, and just as quickly as it had wandered, his hand returned to her waist, holding her firmly again.
Kat shot him a sharp look, but he continued before she could speak, his tone unbothered. "And as for all those glares you've been throwing my way… honestly, with the looks you've been giving me, your eyeballs should have been gouged out and at the tips of my fingers by now." His eyes gleamed with fleeting amusement, perhaps enjoying the reaction he was pulling from her, as she held back her glare. "But no, there they are, still in the sockets of your eyes, staring at me like always."
He paused, and leaned in just a little closer, voice lowering. "Now, if that isn't being polite, Katherine, then I really don't know what is."
Kat's lips parted as if she were about to snap back at him. But then, she hesitated. Sabastian's words from the day before echoed in her mind.
-----
"Miss Kat," Sabastian had said, his tone as calm as always, "I admire your free spirit and how you express yourself. It's refreshing." Kat had blinked, wondering where this was coming from.
"But," he had continued thoughtfully, "with everything going on, you will be around society a lot more... it might be wise to hold back your comments a bit, especially around His Majesty. He's still the king, after all. It's better to be a little more restrained when others are around."
Kat paused for a moment, before nodding. "Mmm, I understand. But he gets on my nerves far too often, and I feel he does it deliberately."
Sabastian had smiled, a knowing glint in his eye. "What exactly displeases you about him?"
She had struggled to find a specific answer. "It's everything!" she had finally muttered.
Sabastian had tilted his head slightly, giving Kat a thoughtful look. "If that's the case, then perhaps you should think of something," he said calmly. "Something strong enough to hold you back whenever you feel the urge to retort. Like a memory or thought that will remind you not to engage."
Kat's expression had faltered just a bit. She didn't have to think long before something came to mind. Her face turned more serious as she answered, "That is easy to remember."
"Oh?" Sabastian asked, intrigued. "What is that?"
Her voice had been blunt, emotionless, as she recalled it. "I think the time he decapitated two people right in front of me should be enough of a restraint."
Sabastian paused, and he gave a slow, measured nod. "That... is certainly a strong memory," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "Not exactly a pleasant one, but it'll do the trick."
---
Kat blinked, her mind pulled back to the present as the gruesome image of that day flashed before her eyes. The blood. The heads. The cold, calculating look in Lucian's eyes, he enjoyed every bit of it. 'Bloody psychopath,' she reminded herself. "Well, your manner of being polite is quite disingenuous."
Away from them Sabastian's lips tugged into a grin, still majestically playing the violin, perhaps in response to Kat's comment.
Not wanting to dwell on the topic further, Kat spoke again. "I'm also surprised."
The wind blew again, this time a little stronger, sending more of her hair dancing in the breeze. She reached up instinctively to tuck it behind her ear but caught herself, feeling Lucian's gaze on her, probably waiting for her to continue. His grip around her waist tightened just slightly, and his hand slid downwards a bit. Kat could feel every touch of his on her body, and her breath hitched. Was he doing it on purpose because she was keeping him waiting? she wondered.
The rosewood scent lingered between them, more noticeable with every step. Kat could feel it in the air, mingling with the cool draft from the windows. For a moment, it was almost comforting in a way she didn't want to acknowledge. She somewhat liked the feeling of keeping him waiting; for once, he seemed curious. Again, she felt Lucian's palm move further down.
Unable to resist, she looked up at him again, her eyes alert. "I'm surprised you even agreed to any of this. Quite unlike your cold, indifferent self. Sebastian really has a way of convincing people." She said quickly, Her breath hitched at the end.
Lucian's eyes met hers, his expression thoughtful. Kat couldn't tell if it was genuine or not.
He released her hand for a moment, letting her sway away from him gracefully as they followed the rhythm. The soft music carried her a few steps back, but just as quickly, Lucian's hand found hers again, pulling her gently back into his arms and closing the distance once more. His gaze, however, had shifted. He was no longer looking at her but instead out the window, his expression
Back it's usually indifference.