The whisper of curiosity grows louder in my mind, but I don’t have time to ponder on it though, because a moment later, I feel a muscled arm curling around my waist.
“You look so beautiful tonight,” Raph’s voice in my ear sends shivers down my spine. But I’m well aware of where we are and of the eyes on us. I jerk away instantly and Keller stifles a grin. Raph, however, doesn’t look amused.
“I hate this,” he says with a sigh.
Thankfully, I’m saved from having to come up with a response as Baron bounds over with Lance in tow. I look across the ballroom to see Ivy standing with Layla among a group of nobles. But no Dani. She mentioned that she probably wouldn’t come, even though Lance did ask her to go. She seemed pretty elusive about her reasons, though, and it’s definitely something I plan on grilling her about later.
“Where are your dates?” Keller asks, eyeing Baron and Lance.
“Or did you two finally admit how crazy you are about each other and decide to come together?”
“Ha. Ha.” Baron replies, rolling his eyes.
“If you must know, I’m taking a break from all this dating business,” he adds.
Keller’s eyes look like they’re about to fall out of her head. Raph looks equally baffled, and I’m pretty sure my expression is similarly confused.
“You don’t date girls—you only sleep with them, remember?” Keller says slowly, as if she’s talking to a lost child.
Baron looks genuinely offended, which baffles everyone even more, because he’s usually so proud of this reputation when it comes to the opposite sex.
But he doesn’t say anything, stalking off to the other side of the ballroom instead.
“What’s up with him?” Keller asks.
Lance just shrugs.
“He’s been acting really weird since the beginning of winter break.”
I notice Lance’s own downcast expression then.
“I guess Dani decided not to come along then?” I ask.
“Yeah, she said she had stuff to do with her parents, but I’m not sure if there was some other reason, too. We haven’t had a chance to speak much lately.”
“She probably is just busy with her parents,” I say. “It definitely sounded that way when I spoke to her last anyway.”
Lance’s frown eases a bit at that. He turns to talk to Keller, and Raph takes the opportunity to pull me aside.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.
This is definitely not the time or the place to be having this conversation. Especially when I can feel Jethro’s eyes on us from across the ice ballroom, watching us like a hawk. I’m also all too aware of Magnus’s watchful gaze and the troubled expression on his face. I stifle the groan of frustration working its way up my throat.
I told Raph that Magnus has been less than pleased about finding us together. I didn’t go into any detail about why exactly. I certainly didn’t repeat Magnus’s words about the St. Tristan Dynasty being toxic and not to be trusted. But I got the feeling that I didn’t need to. I may be new to this world and the web of power and politics that weaves it together, but Raph certainly isn’t. He clearly doesn’t seem to care about any of that at the moment, though.
“I’m fine,” I reply, forcing myself to meet those vivid blue eyes, schooling my face blank.
His frown deepens and he opens his mouth to say something, but I don’t let him. I need to get as far away from him as possible right now, otherwise I’m certain that I won’t be able to stop myself from kissing him right in the middle of the ballroom, with the entire goddamn world watching.
“I’m going to go check on Baron,” I say finally, moving to walk away. Thankfully, Raph doesn’t follow, but I feel his eyes on me every step of the way.
“How about you ask me to dance?” I ask, as I reach Baron on the other side of the ballroom. His expression lightens, and he holds his hand out to lead me across the ballroom in a waltz.
I see Raph across the dance floor, finally deciding to play along as he leads Layla in a waltz. Except, as I watch them together, it’s difficult to remember that he is only just playing along. God, I hate how perfect they look together. Like a golden prince and his princess, right out of a fairy tale.
I turn back to Baron, because if I let myself look at Raph and Layla together for a minute longer, I won’t be able to stop myself from scratching my own eyes out.
“So, what’s up with this break from dating thing?” I ask.
He lets out a long sigh.
“I guess I’m just tired of people thinking that’s all there is to me,” he replies. There’s no sign of his usual carefree expression. I’m surprised by it, but at the same time, glad for him.
“That’s good,” I say gently, and he smiles slightly in response.
We’re silent for a long while as Baron continues to lead us through the waltz.
“What made you finally trust Raph?” he asks finally. The question surprises me, and I’m not sure of the answer at first.
“I guess it’s because he showed me that there’s more to him than the arrogant prick that he makes himself out to be,” I reply.
Baron flashes a grin at that, which makes me break into a smile, too.
My expression turns solemn then.
“Whoever she is, she’s a lucky girl,” I say. I don’t know what makes me say that. But I guess I just figure that it has to be because he’s finally found someone worth taking that step for. I have no idea who, or whether I’m jumping to conclusions. I don’t think I am, though—because I know from experience that it’s only when you feel something fierce for someone that you’d risk losing yourself just to find them.
Baron looks surprised by my knowing words, but he smiles in response. The waltz ends, and as I walk off the dance floor, I’m intercepted by a group of nobles who tell me they knew my father. I’m not entirely comfortable with the conversation, but I do the best I can to veil my emotions the way that everyone here seems to do so well.
When I finally manage to excuse myself from the group, I’m intercepted by another and the night goes on like that. Magnus comes to join me on a few occasions, and he seems to be glad that I’m getting the hang of this meeting and greeting the nobles thing. But the whole thing is entirely exhausting.