Chapter 83 – Banquet – VI
The romantic, elegant melody filled the hall like a seductive whisper, flowing over the gold-adorned walls and mirrors. The violin wept sweet notes, intertwining with the deep chords of the piano, while the lights dimmed gradually, leaving only an ethereal glow over the center of the hall. Glenn and Lesley danced, immersed in the music and the golden half-light.
My steps were firm, guiding Lesley with precision, yet also with a care that bordered on devotion. Her dress twirled with each turn, sparkling like a living constellation under the flickering lights. The lady's soft perfume mingled with the faint incense in the air, creating an almost hypnotic haze around them.
But no matter how captivating the dance was, my mind wandered to another moment, to another woman. I remembered Selene's intensity, the way our bodies moved in perfect harmony, as if fate itself guided us. Her touch wasn't merely physical; it burned, claimed, seared into my soul with something impossible to ignore.
Unintentionally, my gaze lifted, seeking her on the raised throne. There she was—Selene, motionless, shrouded in shadows, her inscrutable eyes like an abyss. There was a weight to her presence, a silent dominance that pulled me away from reality.
It was only when I felt Lesley's gentle touch on my face, our foreheads connecting, the warmth of her body, her soft texture, that I returned to the present. Her eyes searched mine with a mix of sweetness and restrained pain.
"Glenn..." Lesley whispered, her voice soft as a breeze yet laden with an emotion I couldn't ignore. Her eyes, usually so confident, now shimmered with a vulnerability I'd never seen before. She hesitated for a moment, as if fighting her own words before letting them escape.
"Just for this moment... focus on me. I know I'm not... I'm not her. But here, now, I'm also a lady. And I... I deserve your attention, even if just for this dance." Her voice trembled slightly at the end, almost imperceptibly, but enough to make a knot form in my chest.
There was pain there—an insecurity she had never shown before. Lesley, always so strong, so imposing, now seemed small in my arms, as if afraid I would compare her to Selene and find her lacking.
Her words echoed in my mind, and something shifted in my posture. I let go of all distractions, my eyes locking onto hers. The connection between us deepened, as if the world around us had vanished.
Our movements grew more intimate, more synchronized—every step and turn conveying an energy that broke down Lesley's defenses. I pulled her closer, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. Her hand rested lightly on my shoulder while the other intertwined with mine. I held her gently, my hand firm on her waist—an intimate yet respectful touch.
I spun her with precision, making her dress flare like a blooming flower, and when she returned to my arms, our eyes met again.