Chapter 253 - 252: Ballroom
And with that, they finally entered the grand ballroom together, hand in hand, moving with a quiet confidence that didn’t need words or explanation. The moment they stepped past the arched doors, it was as if the entire room shifted. The glittering chandelier lights cast a soft glow over them, the music faded into the background, and all eyes naturally drifted toward the striking pair who looked like they belonged to another world.
She, radiant yet composed, carried herself with the grace of someone who had weathered storms and refused to break, her expression unreadable but eyes sharp, hiding the chaos behind a perfectly practiced smile. And beside her, Rex, tall and absurdly handsome, had that unbothered calm about him, the kind of man who looked like nothing could ever shake him.
Together, they made such a striking picture that for a moment it truly felt like a scene from a fantasy novel—like a powerful princess and her mysterious knight had just stepped into court, every movement measured, every glance calculated, making the rest of the world fade into insignificance.
The guests didn’t whisper openly, but the curious glances, the brief pauses in conversation, and the subtle shifts in posture said enough. People were watching. And that was exactly what she needed. Let them watch. Let them wonder. Let them realize she wasn’t someone who could be broken quietly and discarded behind closed doors. Not now. Not ever.
As they moved deeper into the ballroom, every step she took in her heels felt steadier than the last. The music picked back up, glasses clinked, laughter resumed, but the shift was undeniable—like they had thrown a pebble into a still pond and ripples were spreading.
She plucked a glass from a passing waiter’s tray like it was second nature, the motion graceful, almost careless. The chilled drink touched her lips before Rex could say anything, and she downed half of it in one go.
Rex blinked, mildly impressed—and maybe a little concerned. With a resigned shrug, he grabbed a glass himself, swirling the liquid, taking a few casual sips just for show as he followed her to a quieter corner of the ballroom. It was dimmer here, tucked near one of the towering marble columns, away from the main crowd but still in view. People were glancing their way occasionally, some trying not to look too obvious, others failing entirely.
Her cheeks were already starting to flush, that soft pink glow settling in fast against her perfect skin. Rex glanced at her, amused. "Hey... do you even know how to drink?"
She turned to him with a raised brow, the confidence in her voice a little too firm to be entirely sober. "Of course I can," she said proudly, like it was a matter of honor, then proceeded to take another generous gulp, as if to prove her point.
"Whoa, whoa—okay, I get it," Rex said quickly, leaning in a little, trying to ease the glass out of her hand before she finished the entire thing.