Chapter 142: The Dance
The music continued softly, flowing like water through the open garden. Beneath the canopy of enchanted lights and flowering trees, Veyron and Livia moved across the white quartz dance floor with practiced grace.
Noel stood a short distance away, one hand resting loosely in his pocket, the other holding a half-empty glass. His gaze followed the two figures in the center—not with admiration, but with something quieter. Detached.
’This isn’t for me.’
He watched as Livia allowed Veyron to guide her with ease, her expression soft, even peaceful. It was strange. She looked nothing like the cold, bitter girl he remembered when the engagement was announced. The tension in her shoulders was gone. The stiffness in her jaw had faded.
Then, movement beside him drew his eye.
Elena stood nearby, her hands clasped in front of her, eyes fixed on the couple with an expression that was nothing short of joyful. It wasn’t about the politics, or the ceremony. She simply looked happy to see her brother enjoying himself.
Noel glanced at her, then back to the dance floor.
He didn’t think about it much. Just acted.
"Do you want to dance?" he asked.
Elena blinked, turning toward him as if pulled from a dream.
"Me?"