-The Royal Ball. Main Palace Ballroom-
"THE ARRIVAL of Duke Ali and his Family" shouted the attendant, announcing their arrival. Duke Henry, Duchess Aurora, Ace and Natasha, step into the ballroom hall
As soon as they stepped into the ballroom hall, they were welcomed by the bright light and for a moment, the hall went silent. They were observing, the Duke Family. Some stared at them in awe, some stare at them with a hidden motive. Everyone here want to something to gain from them, since they're the most powerful family second to the Royal family.
Natasha is dressed in a sleeveless, off-shoulder sheath dress in a dark shade of blue. The silk fabric hugs her form, accentuating her figure beautifully. Her hair is styled in an updo, drawing attention to her neck and collarbone. The dress features sheer lace detailing on the back, which extends down to the top of her hips, adding an elegant touch. Her ensemble is finished with matching dark blue gloves.
Anyone who sees her now would agree that she is one of the most beautiful women in the room. The striking contrast between her silver hair and the dark blue dress, along with her red lips, makes her look both attractive and irresistible.
As soon as they moved to the center of the ballroom, the Emperor arrived and took his place at the center of the ballroom balcony one level, accompanied by Prince Asher, Crown Prince Maximillian, and Empress Reya. He then began his speech.
"All Of my loyal vasal. I want to thank you for being here today, celebrating the victory Of my son Prince Asher, who defeated the demon leader and bring peace to our Kingdom…"
From the floor below, Natasha took a glass of champagne from the tray an attendant was carrying and simultaneously looked up at the upper ballroom balcony where the Emperor was giving his speech. She sipped the champagne, and as she did, her eyes caught sight of Prince Asher, who did not seem particularly happy next to the Emperor.
Despite his apparent unhappiness, she found it impossible to look away from how handsome Prince Asher look today. He was wearing in a black coat adorned with a red cape, with white trousers and matching gloves. It seemed to her that with each passing year, Prince Asher only grew more appealing. It has been 7 years they have not met each other. 7 years is enough for feelings to feelings to fade away, right? She thought.
As she gazed at Prince Asher, her pale eyes locked with his beautiful hazel eyes. For several minutes, they stared at each other, oblivious to the Emperor's speeches and to their surrounding. Her eyes lingered at Asher's body, noting how it had become more toned over the years, his sharp hazel eyes, his lovely brown hair that she longed to run her fingers through, and his lips that she yearned to taste...She abruptly halted her thoughts there and quickly averted her gaze from the Prince. Spotting an attendant with a tray of champagne, she placed her empty glass on the tray and took another.
Shortly after, the Emperor concluded his speeches and the rest of the ball attendees, resumed socializing with each other. This is not the first ball that Natasha have attended. In fact she have attended one too many. This is also where she will be able to gather the information and gossip for her Intelligence Guild and even getting new connection. But today...today was different.
"Oh... so you were the adopted daughter of Duke Elias," says the woman, covering her mouth with a hand fan. The woman leers over the woman in front of her, who quivers uncomfortably.
Holding another glass of champagne, Natasha quietly sipped and observed the scene unfolding before her. Yes. Today is the day. Today is the day, where the game setting took place, this is why to her, today's ball is different. Today will be the day where The Female lead and the Male lead will meet and fell in love at the first sight. What unfold in front of her right now, was exactly as it happened in the game.
Adeline, was cornered by a bunch of Noble ladies who envy and hate her. Especially when they see how beautiful Adeline are. Adeline are Indeed beautiful. She have Pink hair with green eyes. The dress she wore today suited her perfectly—a princess-cut ball gown with puffy sleeves in a lilac color that complemented her braided pink hair. Adeline looked stunning, there's no way, people that have set eyes on her says otherwise. And that is also the reason that Prince Asher will fell in love.
"Lady Priscilla, do you agree that people ought to know their place? Because I notice that, there's some odd bunch was setting their foot, to where they did not belong. " Says the woman sarcastically, she then let out a small and condescending chuckle.
"You're absolutely right, Duchess Robert. Do they think this place is the place that anyone can enter? They're just lucky, by the mercy of some generous figure" Replied the other Lady. Still sipping her champagne, Natasha glaring at the ladies who were bullying Adeline. Should I help? Natasha thought.
One thing already different from the Games itself. Which Is the one who supposed to bully and disturbed Adeline, was supposed to be her. For now she doesn't want to get involved. She just want to let the destiny unfold for Adeline and Asher.
Natasha then sipped the last balance of the champagne and she get another one again. From a far, she saw Asher is walking towards this way, but of course, if its following the game, that's when he will rescue Adeline. And they will fall in love.
While observing and wait what will happen, she was approached by a really good looking gentleman.
"Lady Natasha," the man before her introduced himself, "I am Oliver Oswald. You look absolutely stunning today, and I find myself compelled to ask you for a dance." Count Oswald bow his head and extended his hand, inviting her to dance.
Count Oswald is the sole heir who inherited the Oswald name and took over the household after his father's passing a few years ago.
The man was one of the eligible bachelor, and currently looking for wife to support and carry on the Oswald legacy. He have a platinum Blonde hair with silver eyes. People would say that his outlook appearance is magnificent. He is indeed a really good looking man. While people saw him as attractive, Natasha see him as potential connections for her guild. Hence she cannot help but accepted his offer to dance. She then take the man hands and proceed to have a dance in the center of the ballroom.
Through out all these years, there's one thing about Natasha the villainess is true to the game. Which is the rumor about how she seduced all type of man for her gain. Although, its kind of true to some extent, but it is really not what it seemed to be. She didn't sleep with the man, they're just a connection she made, to gather all kind of information to sell albeit if she just need to have a tea or a drink with them.
-At the same Time, At the corner of the Ballroom Hall-
HIS STEPS quickened as his eyes scanned the crowd for the woman he had longed to see. Earlier, while his father delivered a speech, he had paid no attention to the emperor's words. Asher's focus was solely on one person. Seeing Natasha today made his heart race. When their eyes met, her pale blue gaze stirred a mix of emotions within him, but anger was the strongest. Throughout the years on the battlefield, he never missed a chance to write to her, yet not a single letter received a reply.
He waited everyday for her replies, only to be met with disappointment. In the battlefield, its not easy for him to go through the war, he was young and scared. He thought Natasha would be the one to offer him comfort, yet he received no communication from her. The only news of Natasha came through Duke Henry, her father, and later, Ace, her brother. Everyday, as he battling at the death door, he always fear that he can never see Natasha again. Before he knew it, 7 years had passed. And now, there she was, as beautiful as ever.
Asher finally spotted Natasha from a distance. As he made his way toward her, he noticed a man approaching her. He hurried his pace, trying to reach Natasha. However, before he could get to her, he saw a woman being cornered by a group of noblewomen, who appeared to be bothering her. He attempted to ignore the situation, but his legs refused to move. The cornered girl noticed him watching, and with tears in her eyes, she called out to Asher.
"My Lord, you wanted to discuss something with me, correct? I think now would be a good time," said the pink-haired girl, fibbing to escape from the noblewman.
"What? No..."
"My Lord, please. I think this definitely be a good time. " The pink-haired woman interjected, her eyes pleading for Asher's help. Asher then glanced around, hoping to catch sight of Natasha, but he saw that she was already dancing with the man who had approached her. As he turn to look at the group of woman, anger flared within him, yet seeing the desperate look on the pink-haired woman's face, he felt sympathy and chose to play along. With a sigh, Asher said, "Alright," and walked over to the group of women.
Towering over the group of the noblewoman, the noblewoman tremble in fear. "I believe, i have something to discuss with my companion here. You both ought to be somewhere else, or you want me to make you?" Threatened Asher. The women quickly shook their heads in fear and promptly left the area.
"That's that. I have somewhere to go" Asher said, attempting to leave the woman behind and catch up with Natasha, who had moved away while he was confronting the noblewomen. However, the pink-haired girl grabbed his arm, stop him from leaving.
"My...my name is Adeline White, My Lord. Thank you for saving me" Says Adeline bashfully, though she still held onto his arm. Asher frowned, and pulled his arm free from her grasp, and quickly moved away. He then continue leaving the woman behind and resume looking for Natasha.
- A few minutes later upper balcony, outside the Ballroom Hall-
IT HAPPENS. She witnessed everything between Prince Asher and Adeline unfold exactly as she had always hoped it would for Asher. But why didn't she feel happy? Instead, watching the scene from the game play out before her, shattered her heart. She took a sip of the champagne she had brought outside, tears welling up in her eyes.
She feels like, no matter how much alcohol she consumed, she still cannot get drunk. She still cannot stop herself from feeling the pain of seeing Asher with someone else. She know that this is the right thing to do. Sooner or later, as per the Game, both Asher and Adeline will fall in love, and by falling in love with Adeline, Asher can avoid the bad ending and be happy with the woman he love. This is the reason why, she doesn't reply any of the letters from Asher. She have a thought that, if she did not reply and cut off all communication with Asher, his feelings for her will fade away and he will get to be with his true destiny. But, in turn, she's the one who's hurt.
Resisting the urge to reply Asher's letter, as soon as it came, was not easy. She missed him everyday. Each day, as she thought about Asher, young and frightened, fighting for the Kingdom, she couldn't help but fear the worst...But she always believed that, Asher's life will unfold as in the game. And indeed what she believed was right. Asher did come back victoriously after killing the demon leader. Hence that is why, she believed that her decision to not interfere with the main scene and story in the game was the right decision. However, seeing Asher today, has made her doubt the decision.
She was about to take a sip of the champagne in her hand when a strong, large hand stopped the glass from reaching her lips. "This is your 5th glass," said a firm voice. The person speaking then took the champagne from her hand. "I think, its a good time for you to stop, before you get more drunk."
For a moment, she was startled to see the face in front of her. Wasn't he just with Adeline? Through her drunken eyes, she gazed at the man she had missed. Towering over her, Asher stared back. He took a sip of the remaining champagne he had taken from her and placed the glass on the balcony railing.
Asher began to back her up against the wall, trapping Natasha between his body and the wall behind her. He placed one hand on the balcony railing and the other on the wall behind her. Their faces drew closer, with only a small space separating them, and they could even feel each other's breath.
"Why didn't you respond to my letters? Why did you disappear on me?" Asher asked, his voice trembling. "I really miss you," he continued, tears beginning to fill his eyes. Trying to hide them, he lowered his head.
Maybe it was the alcohol, but she felt a warmth inside. All she could see was Asher's trembling head. Natasha gently cupped his cheek to lift his eyes to meet hers. A tear trickled down from his hazel eyes, and she softly brushed it away. She gazed deeply into those sorrowful eyes, and her heart sank. Asher had no idea how much she missed him and longed to see him. Yet, knowing how the game played out, she feared that if he didn't fall in love with Adeline, he might be headed for a bad ending. In every bad ending, Asher died, and she didn't want that to happen.
Then Natasha started to think, if her feelings for Asher remained strong after 7 years, how could she possibly think that, that his feelings for her could fade away in just 7 years?
Natasha leaned in and softly kissed Asher on the lips. This startled him for a moment, but he soon returned the kiss. After a few moments, they pulled away. Asher looked at Natasha and gently rested his forehead against hers, whispering, "You're a cruel woman." Prince Asher then pull her body closer to his, his hands gliding smoothly from her back to her bottom. Despite the barrier of clothing, Asher's touch felt intensely vivid on her skin. The sensation of the silk fabric brushing against her body, combined with Asher's firm hold, filled her with tremor.
They then continue to passionately press their lips together. The kiss that started soft, have turned ever so desperate. All the 7 years of waiting, missing and yearned for each other pour into that very kiss and channeled into this fervent embrace. Their tongues slip into each other's mouths, engaging in a rigorous dance of exploration. Asher's tongue ventures into her mouth, intertwining with hers, sending a shiver through her body. They pulled away to breath, leaving a string of saliva from each other's mouth.
He then proceeded to kiss, lick and suck on Natasha's skin, leaving a vivid dark pink mark all over her neck and collarbone. "Ahh, Your Highness..." Natasha moaned softly, her breath quickened. He then once again pressed his lips to hers, continuing to explore both the exterior and interior of her mouth with fervor. As they kissed, Asher grasped Natasha's body and lifted her onto the balcony rail. As Asher moved closer between her legs, they slowly spread to accommodate him. The wider her legs spread, the higher her dress rose, gradually exposing her thighs.
Asher then gently caressed her exposed thigh while showering Natasha with kisses. "Do you know how I felt when I saw you dancing with another man in this dress?" Asher whispered as he trailed his hand up to her arm. "This body is mine. How could you let another man hold you in his arms?" Asher nipped at Natasha's shoulder as he murmured. Natasha then clung to Asher's body.
"You were also with another woman," Natasha protested. She then proceeded to lick Asher's ear, sending a powerful shivers through Asher's body and eliciting a soft moan from him. "I wish this ear could just listen to my voice," Natasha whispered, drunkily.
"Now that's unfair. That woman was the one stopping me from coming to you," Asher replied. His hand, which had been caressing her thigh, slipped under her dress, tracing her bare skin with his fingers. They reached the hem of her panties, and he cheekily slid his middle finger underneath. Natasha gasped and let out a moan, her heart racing. "You're really wet," Asher teased, grinning. As he slipped his fingers inside Natasha's womanhood, she embraced him tightly.
"ts your fault" Says Natasha. Again, Asher was grinning. He then slip another finger inside her. His fingers probe deeply, trying to find her sensitive spot. Then, once again Natasha gasp, followed by moaning. found it...Asher thought.
Meanwhile, a thought crossed Natasha's mind: he was pleasuring her outside, even though they were in a blind spot. Were they crazy? Sensing Natasha's growing nervousness, Asher stopped and looked at her flushed cheeks. He then curved a smirk on his lips. "Oh no, someone is getting nervous. I better hurry," Asher teased. Simultaneously, his fingers pressed hard inside her, and he continued to rub her vigorously.
"Ahhh! Your Highness!" she moaned and gasped. Asher felt something released and her body shivered. As soon as Natasha climaxed, he stopped and withdrew his fingers, leaving her feeling a sudden chill inside. Asher then helped her down from the balcony rail. As he tried to set her down, her legs gave out, but luckily, Asher was there to catch her. He then helped stabilize Natasha, and she finally managed to stand up properly. However, the liquid from her climax was now trickling down under her dress.
"What did we do?" Natasha was in a daze. Hearing that, Asher chuckle a little.
"I just pleasured you for the first time." Asher whispered to her ear softly. His breath once again sending a shiver to her body.
"Now, what am I to do with all of this" Natasha asked, referring to the hickeys all over her neck and collarbone. Asher then took off his cape and wrapped it around Natasha.
"Problem solved." Asher then smile softly. "You're not that drunk to forget all of this tomorrow right?" Asher then thought suddenly.
"I am not crazy. This is the first time that anyone have ever done that to me" In this life, that is... In Natasha's mind.
"Really. I am glad. There will be a lot more I can do. So do not pretend that you forget and disappear on me again" Says Asher, then casually take Natasha hand into his. Then, they made their way to go in again.