Kieran adjusted the cuffs of his coat as he glanced at Lunette, who was fidgeting with the tie of her tailored male outfit. The ballroom loomed ahead of them, grand and buzzing with nobles clad in extravagant silks and jewels. The air was thick with chatter, laughter, and the tinkling of crystal glasses.
Kieran, though famously laid-back and dismissive of noble duties, had spent weeks ensuring everything was perfect. Every detail was meticulously planned—from the impeccable tailoring of Lunette's male attire to the subtle tweaks in the ball's guest list. It wasn't for the sake of appearances or power, but for her, to ensure her safety and the success of their shared secret.
As they approached the grand entrance, Kieran leaned down slightly to whisper to her, a teasing grin on his face. "You know, I can see it in your eyes—you'd much rather be wearing that dark blue gown you were eyeing in the wardrobe earlier."
Lunette smirked, adjusting her jacket as she tucked a strand of her now shoulder-length hair behind her ear. "Oh, come on, this isn't so bad. Besides, I make this look good," she said, her voice carrying her usual confidence. Her hair, styled like Eren Yeager's from Attack on Titan, only added to her convincing male disguise.
Kieran chuckled, his expression softening despite himself. "You're right. You could make a sack look good. But remember, we've got a plan, and it starts with you blending in. No drawing unnecessary attention, okay?"
"Relax, Father," she replied with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I can be the perfect noble son if I want to."
As they stepped into the ballroom, all eyes turned toward them. Whispers rippled through the crowd—Duke Kieran, infamous for his carefree attitude and elusiveness, had finally brought his son to a public event.
"Let the games begin," Kieran muttered under his breath, smiling at the onlookers.
Lunette gave him a sidelong glance, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I'm ready for this. Let's see who falls for the charm of Ciro, the Duke's perfect son."
"Just don't overdo it," Kieran warned, though his tone carried more amusement than concern.
As they descended the staircase into the heart of the ballroom, Lunette's sharp blue eyes scanned the crowd, her posture poised and her confidence radiant. For all the doubts Kieran had about involving her in such a grand scheme, at that moment, he felt a twinge of pride.
"Let's see how this unfolds," he thought to himself, his usual sarcasm giving way to quiet determination.
Lunette froze in place as her sharp blue eyes settled on four familiar figures across the ballroom. Her stomach churned with unease as she recognized them—two from the bakery, one from the shapeshifter's shop, and the last, the merman from her ocean escapade.
Her face paled, and she muttered under her breath, "Oh no, oh no. Please don't recognize me."
Kieran noticed her sudden tension and leaned closer, whispering, "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Lunette tugged nervously at her collar. "Actually… you know when I snuck out a few days ago?"
Kieran raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me—"
"I might have met those four," Lunette admitted in a rushed whisper, gesturing subtly toward the boys.
Kieran followed her gaze to the group and let out a low whistle, his expression shifting from surprise to amusement. "Well, you certainly have a knack for trouble. Did they see your face?"
Lunette shook her head quickly. "No, I was wearing a mask the whole time. But they might recognize my voice or my powers. I—"
Kieran interrupted with a casual shrug. "Relax. If they start piecing things together, just use your mind-control ability. It'll be fine."
"But who are they?" Lunette asked, her voice edged with curiosity and dread.
Kieran smirked. "Oh, just the crown princes of the four dukedoms. No big deal."
Lunette blinked, stunned. "Crown princes? All of them?"
"Yep," Kieran said, clearly entertained by her growing panic. "The angel is from Duke Aurelius's house, the human is from Duke Rainer's, the shapeshifter is Duke Varron's heir, and the merman represents Duke Triton's line."
Lunette groaned, rubbing her temples. "This is a disaster waiting to happen. Why didn't you warn me that I was running into the royalty club?"
"Because I didn't think you'd bump into all four of them in one reckless outing," Kieran teased, patting her on the shoulder. "Honestly, you've outdone yourself."
She huffed, throwing him an exasperated glare. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Immensely," Kieran replied with a smirk. "Now, calm down and act natural. You're supposed to be the perfect noble son tonight, remember?"
Lunette took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Right. Ciro. I'm Ciro. Totally not the masked girl who raced a merman, baked cookies with strangers, and turned coal into diamonds last week."
"That's the spirit," Kieran said, guiding her further into the ballroom. "Now, keep your head high and avoid those boys."
"Yeah, easier said than done," Lunette muttered, her eyes darting nervously back to the group as they began to glance in her direction.
Lunette stepped forward, maintaining her composure despite the fluttering unease in her chest. She straightened her shoulders, casting a polite smile as she introduced herself.
"I am Ciro Everhart," she said, keeping her voice steady and controlled.
The four boys turned to her with curious gazes, all looking strikingly regal in their formal attire. The angel, Amias Aurelius, was the first to respond with a smile that could melt anyone's resolve.
"Nice to meet you, Ciro Everhart," Amias said smoothly, his wings tucked neatly behind him as he bowed ever so slightly.
Mateo Rainer, the human boy with striking red eyes and messy dark hair, nodded in acknowledgment. "I am Mateo Rainer. Pleasure."
"I am Ziven Varron," the shapeshifter added, his sharp ears and the hint of a smirk playing on his lips as he gave a respectful nod. His green eyes shimmered with a subtle knowing glance, like he had figured out something that no one else had.
"And I am Arvan Triton," the merman concluded, his once aquatic features now fully human, though his legs still held a slight sheen that hinted at his origins. He stood tall, his posture just as royal as his title. "It's an honor to meet you, Ciro."
Lunette's heart skipped a beat as she processed the sudden rush of formal introductions. All four of them were impossibly handsome and poised, exuding an air of nobility that made her feel almost out of place. Still, she pushed the nerves aside and forced herself to smile.
"You are going to be our classmate," Mateo said, his smile warm but with a hint of mischief. "I guess it'll be interesting having you around."
"Yeah, for sure," Lunette—Ciro—replied with a small chuckle, trying to keep the tension out of her voice. "It seems our lives are going to be filled with trouble."
The boys exchanged glances, clearly intrigued by her response. Amias's smile widened, and he chuckled softly. "I'm sure it won't be that bad. Trouble can be... fun."
Ziven, ever the playful one, raised an eyebrow. "I'm looking forward to seeing how you handle things around here, Ciro. You seem like you can handle your own."
Arvan's gaze softened as he studied Lunette—Ciro—carefully, though there was still that gleam of curiosity in his eyes. "I don't think we've met anyone quite like you before."
Lunette's mind raced, trying to keep her story straight, all the while maintaining her calm exterior. "I'm just a regular guy," she said, feeling the weight of the mask she wore, both physically and metaphorically. "Just trying to survive in this crazy world."
Mateo grinned. "Survival is definitely going to be interesting with us around."
Lunette smiled back, though it was a little strained. "Looking forward to it."
The boys exchanged another round of glances, sensing that Ciro—Lunette—wasn't quite as regular as she appeared. But for now, they seemed willing to play along.
As the conversation continued, Lunette felt a strange mix of unease and excitement. It was only the beginning, but she already knew things were about to get complicated. And yet, there was no turning back now.
"Well, let's make the best of it," Lunette said, her tone light but firm. "I'll be seeing you around, boys."
With that, she excused herself from the conversation, the weight of the evening starting to feel heavier on her shoulders. But she knew one thing for certain: this ball would be the start of something much bigger than she could have ever imagined.
Under the moonlight, Lunette—dressed in her blue gown—twirled gracefully in the secluded garden, the soft fabric of her dress billowing around her with each spin. She felt free, the weight of her dual identity momentarily lifted as she allowed herself to simply be. The garden was tranquil, with the faint scent of flowers lingering in the air, and the only sound was the rustling of leaves as the wind whispered through the trees.
As she danced, lost in the moment, she felt completely at peace—until she noticed a presence at the edge of the garden. Her heart skipped a beat as she caught a glimpse of someone watching her from the shadows.
Arvan stood there, his eyes wide with awe as he watched her graceful movements. He had wandered into the garden absentmindedly, trying to clear his mind after the chaotic night at the ball. But the sight of the girl in the blue gown caught him off guard, leaving him frozen in place.
Who is she? Arvan thought, his gaze locked on her. She's... gorgeous.
He couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty—her elegance, the way she moved so effortlessly through the night. He felt a pull in his chest, as if something inside him recognized her, though his mind couldn't make sense of it. There was something so familiar about her, yet he couldn't place it.
Wait... isn't she the girl I saw earlier? Arvan's mind raced, connecting the dots. The one who was wearing a mask...
He frowned, unsure. The mask had hidden her features, and in the hustle of the ball, he hadn't had time to really look at her. But now, seeing her in the garden, he couldn't deny the effect she had on him.
Should I approach her? he wondered, unsure of himself for the first time in a long while. His usual confidence was nowhere to be found as he stood there, contemplating his next move. But what if she's not the same person?
His thoughts were interrupted as Lunette, sensing his presence, quickly spun on her heel and disappeared into the shadows, vanishing from sight as if she had never been there. Arvan blinked, his heart racing as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.
He took a few cautious steps forward, scanning the garden for any trace of her, but she was gone.
What was that? he thought, a sense of longing filling his chest. He couldn't shake the image of her from his mind, the way she had danced so freely, the way her hair had glowed under the moonlight, her presence leaving an undeniable mark on him.
She was... incredible.
Arvan stood there for a long moment, feeling a mix of confusion and fascination. He didn't know who she was, but he knew one thing for sure—he couldn't stop thinking about her.
Was she really the girl I saw earlier? His thoughts raced. Could it be her?
He was unsure, but whatever it was, he couldn't ignore the strange pull he felt towards her. His heart thudded as he found himself longing to know more about her, to understand who she was. But for now, all he had was the fleeting memory of a girl in a blue gown, her beauty forever etched in his mind.
And so, Arvan turned and walked away, his mind occupied by the mysterious girl, unaware that the person he had fallen for at first sight was none other than Lunette—his classmate, and the very same Ciro who stood before him just hours ago.