As Valentina danced with Signor Rossi, she couldn't help but glance around the room, her eyes wandering in search of a familiar face. She spotted a woman with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair, surrounded by a cluster of admirers, it was the woman she had bumped into earlier. Her gaze continued to roam, curious about the whereabouts of the mysterious stranger she had met the night before- Leon.
Signor Rossi, noticing her distraction, smiled charmingly and spun her around, drawing her attention back to him. Valentina smiled politely, focusing on the dance, but her eyes still flicked around the room, searching for a glimpse of Leon.
Signor Rossi's voice cut through the music, his words dripping with curiosity. "So, tell me," he said, gaining Valentina's full attention. "You're a courtesan, aren't you?" His eyes sparkled with intrigue, his gaze roaming over her face as if searching for secrets.
Valentina chuckled lightly, her lips curling upward in a gentle smile. The sound was like music, husky and alluring, sending a shiver down Signor Rossi's spine. "I am," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Signor Rossi's gaze lingered on her face, his expression admiring. "A truly beautiful one," he complimented, his words spilling out like a lavish gift. Valentina's smile deepened, her eyes sparkling with amusement, as she accepted the praise with a gracious nod.
As they danced, Valentina's gaze drifted across the ballroom, taking in the whirl of colors and the hum of conversation. The room was alive, pulsing with the energy of the guests, each one vying for attention and admiration. Candles flickered, casting shadows on the walls, while the orchestra's melody wove a spell of enchantment.
Meanwhile, a pair of eyes watched her from the crowd, never leaving her face. Leon's eyes, intense and focused, seemed to burn with an inner fire as he observed her every move. His gaze was a palpable force, a gentle caress that sent shivers down Valentina's spine, though she didn't know she was being watched.
Valentina's smile faltered for a moment, her gaze drifting back to the crowd as if sensing the weight of someone's attention. Signor Rossi, oblivious to the subtle change, continued to chat amiably, but Valentina's responses became slightly distracted.
The pair of eyes, belonging to Leon, remained fixed on Valentina, his expression unreadable. He stood by the refreshments, a glass of wine in hand, his eyes never leaving her face. The music, the laughter, and the chatter faded into the background as he watched her, his focus solely on the courtesan who had captured his attention.
As the dance came to an end, Signor Rossi bowed low, and Valentina curtsied, her eyes meeting Leon's for a brief moment. A spark of recognition flashed between them, and then Valentina turned back to Signor Rossi, smiling politely then curtsied, her skirts fluttering around her like a delicate flower. A tall, dark-haired man, his eyes gleaming with interest, approached her. "May I have the pleasure of the next dance, signorina?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.
Valentina smiled, her lips parting slightly as she considered his request. Before she could respond, a loud creaking sound echoed through the ballroom, making her heart skip a beat. The chandelier above them began to sway ominously, its crystals trembling like leaves in an autumn breeze.
In a flash, Leon appeared beside her, his eyes fixed on the chandelier with an unnerving intensity. Without a word, he grasped Valentina's waist, his fingers wrapping around her like a vice. He pulled her close, shielding her with his body as the dark-haired man stumbled backward, his eyes wide with fear.
Time seemed to slow as the chandelier's chains snapped, and it plummeted toward them. Leon's grip tightened, and he leapt to the side, avoiding the falling debris by mere inches. Valentina felt a rush of wind as the chandelier hurtled past, its crystals shattering on the floor like a thousand tiny diamonds.
The ballroom erupted into chaos, with guests screaming and running for cover. Leon and Valentina stood frozen, his arms still wrapped around her. Their faces inches apart, they shared a moment of raw intensity, the world around them melting away.
As the chandelier's crystals stopped shattering on the floor, a stunned silence fell over the ballroom. La Rosa, her black locks disheveled and her silk gown rustling, hastened to Leon's side, her porcelain complexion now pale. "Milord, dear heavens, are you injured?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling like a leaf.
Valentina, still reeling from the close call, turned to behold the lady she had accidentally bumped into earlier. La Rosa's sapphire eyes, wide with concern, locked onto Leon's face, her slender fingers reaching out as if to touch his arm.
Leon's gaze, weary and enigmatic, settled on La Rosa, his dark eyebrows furrowing slightly before turning to look at Valentina. "It seems, Bella, that fate has a peculiar sense of humor, drawing us together in the most...unsettling circumstances," he remarked, his deep voice low and mysterious, with a hint of wry amusement.
Valentina's curiosity was piqued, sensing a complex meaning behind his words.
As the ballroom's occupants began to stir, whispers spread like wildfire, fueled by Leon's unexpected heroism. "Who is this mysterious woman?" "Why did he risk his life for her?" "Is she his secret mistress?" The air was electric with speculation, as Leon's reputation as a man immune to feminine charms made his actions all the more intriguing.
Val's gaze darted around the room, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, as if she felt the weight of the gossip.
"Milord?" La Rosa's voice was like a gentle breeze, soft and sweet, as she called out to Leon. She plastered a bright smile on her face, as if reminding him that she was still there, waiting for his attention. "Are you hurt?" she asked, her concern laced with a hint of desperation, her eyes sparkling with a desire to be noticed.
Leon's shoulders shrugged lazily, his eyes scanning the crowd with a mixture of disinterest and disdain, as if the audience's gaze was a mere annoyance. He ignored La Rosa's question, his focus elsewhere, and Valentina felt a pang of embarrassment on his behalf. She was, after all, the reason for the commotion.
Valentina bit her lips, feeling a surge of discomfort as she realized she was in the spotlight, and not in a good way. She didn't like being the center of attention, not like this. She was an acting courtesan, yes, but she was also a private person, and this...this was not good.
Leon still held her waist firmly, his hand burning with a gentle heat that seemed to sear her skin. She cleared her throat, a subtle hint for him to release her, but instead, he held her hand tightly, his fingers intertwining with hers in a grasp that was both possessive and protective.
For a moment, they stood there, frozen in time, as the crowd watched with bated breath. La Rosa's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing in frustration as she realized she was being ignored once again. She had always wanted to gain Leon's attention, to be the one he noticed, the one he desired. But he had never spared her a glance, never given her a moment's consideration.
And now, he had risked his life for a low-ranked courtesan. It didn't make sense, not to La Rosa's mind. She had seen the way he refused to let go of Valentina's hand, the way he held her close, as if she was precious, as if she was his.
With a slow, deliberate movement, Leon turned and walked away from the crowd, pulling Valentina along with him. La Rosa's eyes widened in embarrassment as she was left standing alone, her smile faltering for a moment before she regained her composure.
She watched as Leon and Valentina disappeared into the crowd, her mind racing with questions. Who was this girl, this...this courtesan who had captured Leon's attention so completely? What made her so special, so deserving of Leon's protection and affection?
With a determined stride, La Rosa walked away from the crowd, her heels clicking on the marble floor. She had to find out more about the courtesan. She followed Leon and Valentina, her eyes fixed on the way they moved together, the way they seemed to be in their own little world.