Chapter 1 Heart Between Two Destiny
"Would you dance with me?" asked a charismatic young man, extending his hopeful hand toward a girl sitting pensively in the corner of the room, nervously swirling her glass as if trying to dispel her uncertainty. This masquerade ball, where everyone wore masks and concealed their identities, intended to allow guests to feel freer in their interactions despite mingling with those who held high social status. This atmosphere, brimming with possibilities, strengthened social bonds among attendees and made each moment feel profoundly significant.
"I'm afraid I'll disappoint you," the girl replied, reaching for another glass of red wine. She took a sip and gazed at the young man, hoping he would stay away. Even though their faces were hidden behind masks, which added to the evening's mystery, a barrier of uncertainty separated them.
The young man smiled gently at her, smoothly taking the glass from her hand and placing it on the table in an uncomfortable silence.
"That's quite a reaction. You shouldn't be drunk on such a beautiful day, especially if you're only pretending," the young man said, extending his hand once more with enthusiasm. The girl ignored him, prompting him to continue, "Isn't it embarrassing for a young man to have to ask the same woman twice?" His voice rose slightly, revealing his frustration, as if he hoped she could sense the genuine concern beneath his words.
"I think I want to stop drinking this rosella tea," the girl replied, accepting his invitation to dance—a bold move that created an unexpected and tense moment for both of them.
The young man led the girl to the center of the stage, where everyone stepped back to focus on the exhilarating main event. One of the party guards released thousands of fireflies, which began to swirl around them like stars in the night sky, creating a magical atmosphere that enhanced their moment. It was as though time had stopped, allowing them to savor the beauty and warmth together, crafting a memory that would endure in their minds long after the night was over.
The other guests whispered to one another, as if they were aware of the connection between the two.
"Even fireflies sacrifice themselves to amaze others. Aren't you happy?" asked the young man.
"Happy, you say... right now, what crosses my mind is how you can waste the short life of a firefly for fleeting pleasures that lack meaning," the girl replied skeptically, expressing her dissatisfaction with the selfishness of humanity, which often overlooks the suffering of other creatures.