Sunny looked directly at the Count, his brown eyes observing the strange wooden mask covering half of the man's face. He grabbed Cassie by the back with his left hand, pulling her closer and stabilizing her against his chest.
'This fool...what is he planning?'
Sunny was relieved that Seishan had cooperated quickly. He guided her toward the center of the room, making some random dance moves toward Cassie and the old man. Luckily for Sunny, Seishan was a skilled dancer and knew exactly how to play her part. What caught him off guard, though, was when he quickly caught Cassie.
'I should've let her fall.'
He glanced to his left, his face showing annoyance as his golden hair fluttered against his face, a soft breath tickling his neck.
'I should push her off me.'
His hand grabbed her shoulder, ready to shove her away.
"You came..."
Sunny's eyes widened slightly at Cassie's unexpected words. Her body was trembling. He instinctively wanted to step back to get a better look at her face, but before he could, Cassie slid her arm under his and locked herself against him, securing her hand onto his shoulder.
Sunny froze for a moment. Cassie's other arm wrapped around his back, and she buried her face into his neck. He looked at the Count again and then at the girl who had taken his freedom.
"You called."
Sunny remembered the illusion he had during Count Vounchem's speech. He couldn't forget the chains that had bound him, the shackles that took his breath away, or the words Cassie had uttered in those moments.
'Sunny... have you come to kill me?'
He remembered her words clearly. Almost on instinct, his other hand slid down her spine, stopping at her hip and pulling her closer.
"Mmh...!"
He felt Cassie's head bob slightly against his shoulder, her hair brushing against his face. Fortunately, the snake mask covered his expression.
'What were you planning to do, putting on a brave face?'
Sunny frowned as he stared at the Count.
'Who does this man think he is? I'm the only one allowed to make her suffer... how dare he?'
His thoughts raged between accusations and jealousy—jealousy that this man had made Cassie tremble like this.
'You don't have the right... only I do!'
He exhaled slowly, trying to calm the venom in his heart, a venom that had accumulated over months of plans, situations, and what-ifs.
'I need to find out why she's here.'
Thankfully, Sunny's judgment wasn't clouded by his emotions. He took a breath and spoke.
"I'm sorry, Count."
His voice echoed through the room, causing the symphonic melody of the piano and violin to suddenly stop.
"I'd like to dance with this lady."
Though his words were spoken with respect, his tone was filled with venom.
'Don't you dare touch her again.'
That was the unspoken message the Count and everyone in the room understood from Sunny's statement. Whether the meaning was the same for Sunny himself, he would find out later.
Sunny watched as the Count bit his dry, cracked bottom lip, yellow teeth showing as he glanced around the room before glaring back at Sunny.
"Mr. Sunny... it would be mindful and courteous to first ask the lady's opinion in such matters."
The Count sneered, raising his chin, confident that his words would unsettle Sunny and make him release his grip on Cassie. Unfortunately for him, Sunny wasn't the type to feel embarrassed.
'You...'
"I'm sorry, Mr. Count, but the girl is mine."
'You aren't worthy of punishing her mistakes.'
The Count's eyes widened as whispers began to circulate around the room.
"Oh my..."
"Is the Count trying to steal that man's girlfriend?"
"Now that I think about it, the girl didn't look happy while dancing with him."
"Is this an affair?"
"Poor girl..."
The Count clenched his lip so hard it seemed like it would bleed from the embarrassment Sunny had caused. He straightened his clothes and lifted his chin again.
"Hmph. Do what you want."
The Count's voice was cold as he walked away.
"What are you all doing? Let the music continue!"
The Count's tone turned sweet, as though the confrontation with Sunny had never happened.
Sunny let out a small sigh as the melody resumed, mixing with the sound of Cassie's breathing. His eyes narrowed as he tried to push her away, removing his hand from her lower back and placing it on her shoulder.
"Get off me—"
"Thank you."
Sunny stopped at her words, letting out a small growl along with a sigh before looking away.
"Why are you here?"
He asked as the people around him began to dance again to the soft rhythm of the music, embarrassment finally creeping into his mind.
Seconds passed, but there was no response. Sunny glanced toward Cassie's face, but they were too close. He stepped back, but Cassie unexpectedly followed.
Cassie stepped forward as she felt Sunny's body move away from her. The sound of his shoe echoed in her ear, quieter than the slow-tempo music in the background. She felt his body freeze as she mirrored his movements.
'The right foot.'
Cassie saw Sunny's next movement in the future—his right foot moving to the side—so she moved her foot to match his. She could feel his body stiffen, his hands trembling, and she sensed the annoyance in his whispered hissing.
'Like a child.'
Cassie smiled, nuzzling her nose against the back of his neck.
"What the—"
His quiet confusion made her smile even more. She closed her eyes and raised her hand to grab Sunny's arm, the one holding her shoulder.
"You told the Count you'd dance with me."
She took his wrist, gently brushing it off her shoulder, then slowly intertwined her fingers with his, clasping his hand in hers.
"Y-you—!"
Her sharp hearing caught the small gulp Sunny made, followed by his mumbled protests.
'A step back, then one to the right.'
Seeing the future, Cassie prepared for Sunny's next move. She tightened her grip on his shoulder, feeling his body shift again. She followed his movements without hesitation.
'Left foot, right foot, two steps back, repeat.'
Cassie focused on the movements, though this time, the music seemed faint. His confused yelps and muttered complaints echoed in her ears as she mirrored him precisely.
"Agh, wai—"
"Wh-why?"
"Where are you putting your hand?!"
"Stop following!"
"Agh!"
Cassie, with her ability to see three seconds into the future, followed each of Sunny's steps with perfect precision. The beautiful slow-tempo song had likely ended, but it didn't matter to her. She felt her body spin, a controlled and confident pirouette, as Sunny's hand gripped her waist. She leaned into him, leaving the comfort of his neck as she extended her chin, feeling her hair fall and obey the laws of physics.
Pant, pant, pant
Cassie's eyes scanned her surroundings, as if trying to lock onto Sunny's gaze.
'Don't smile, don't smile, don't smile.'
She tightened her grip on his shoulder, trying to keep her face neutral. A warm smile threatened to break through, but she knew if Sunny saw it, his hatred would only grow.
'It will only fuel his anger...'
But she didn't want this moment to end. In fact, she was terrified of it ending. She didn't mind the hatred, the bloodlust he directed at her. If he wanted to kill her, so be it. If he wanted her to suffer, she could accept that. But if he wanted to let her go, to leave her alone in the dark abyss with people she didn't know, she would rather die.
So, she let go and smiled—a soft, happy smile, mixed with shallow breaths. Her pupils, which had been darting around, now fixated straight ahead. She could feel Sunny's hand on her waist tighten, a confirmation that she had locked onto her target.
Clap clap... BADUMP... clap clap... BADUMP... clap clap... BADUMP
Cassie's hearing was one of the best in the cohort. Many times, she had saved them by warning of approaching storms or hordes of nightmare creatures. Now, amidst the faint clapping of the people around them, she heard two hearts beating at an unexpected rhythm—one with longing and the other with hatred.
Though neither of them realized it, at that moment, their hearts followed the same rhythm. The rhythm of love.