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"There she is,

" I uttered in delight and stared at the dazzling woman who caught everyone's attention.

nWas it because she's late? That is also one of the reasons, yes. And it's all my fault.

nI sent a carriage to pick her up, anonymously of course, and purposely told the coachman to delay the departure. If she did came here as early as everyone, my plan won't be aa effective and foolproof.

nYou see, I wanted her to stand out. So that she would gain all the attention of the people here, and that includes those three gorgeous people over there. She needs to catch their eyes!

nIt sucks because Lukas is still not around to witness the debut of this pretty woman.

nAnother reason is because she looked so darn beautiful. Her golden hair flows behind her like molten rays of sun.. Her small jaded face scoured a pair of forest green eyes that could charm a prince.

nShe looked like a forest nymph, period.

nShe's also wearing that infamous Elen designed dress. During this whole ball thingy, only two designs are offered. Those two were bidded by Rosamunde and the youngest daughter of the Shai family.

nMine is a special case because it's entirely dedicated only for me. Then what would happen if someone else comes barging in with a dress which is not included in the brochure? That would definitely create a buzz!

nA never seen before woman, wearing an Elen design, is she also her muse now? Hohohoho~

nIt drove the noblewomen mad and were probably raging in their heads as to how did she got that dress and stuff. The intrigue of her blew up just as I expected.

nAnd how does one determine if a dress came from Elen or not? It's the print. There's a pattern in the fabrics that are used which symbolizes Elen, so there's that.

nSo now, my real muse is here. How will it go?

nAnyway, why do I keep stressing about these dresses, seriously? I feel so repetitive. Next time, let's not talk about these things, alright? They are painful to the ears.

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"Who's that?

"

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"I never seen her before…

"

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"Look at what she's wearing…

"

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"It's Elen's!

"

nThose are the few comments that can be heard.

nThe music didn't stop, not as dramatic as how the movies portray it to be, but she got their attention fair and square.

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"Do you know her Nads?

" Eon whispered when he noticed that I was staring at the newcomer.

nThis newcomer, Estelle, was taken aback from the sheer pressure of being watched. She must have never considered that she would be the center of the people's attention, so she was just standing there near the dancefloor in uncertainty.

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"Hmm? I don't,

" I lied through my teeth.

nIf I said yes, he would only ask how and when I met that woman.

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"Then why do you look so happy looking at her?

" He pressed on.

nI met his eyes and grinned,

"What? Don't you feel happy when you see a beautiful person?

"

nEon blinked,

"Beautiful?

"

nHe then proceeded to check Estelle out, to my amusement, before looking back at me again.

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"Is she?

"

nI mentally hit myself.

nSeriously, what is wrong with this man? Other men are even looking at Estelle with clear interest in their eyes and he's out here questioning her beauty.

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"I think that you're more beautiful though,

" he muttered and looked away.

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"Ah? What is that? I didn't hear you right,

" I teased him.

nSeeing him all flustered like this brings me joy.

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"E-excuse me, can I have Nadia?

" Kai suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

nI looked at him in surprise and almost laughed out loud. The way he said that, it's like he's borrowing me like a toy.

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"You can dance with her but you can't have her,

" Eon corrected him and stepped aside to let Kai.

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"Sorry. It's because I am nervous,

" Kai pardoned.

nHe really is nervous. His hands were shaking that I can't even hold my laugh in. After a while though, he relaxed and cutely smiled at me.

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"This is my first time dancing in a formal event. Pardon me please,

" he said.

nI patted him on his shoulder. I actually wanted to ruffle his hair but he made an effort to fix it, hence I feel guilty if I ruined it.

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"You're doing great,

" I beamed at him.

nI peered at the direction of the three to see their reactions. It would be impossible that they won't notice the latecomer when almost everyone here are openly looking at her.

nOne nobleman even went up to her and asked for a dance. Estelle was overwhelmed thus accepting it in bewilderment.

n'Come on, you guys are smitten right? I know you do.'

nI gazed at them and saw the three looking at Estelle in curiosity. The grin I had broadened.

nI knew it. Fufufufu~

nI don't care who among those three would make a move and approach Estelle but they better hurry because I don't plan on staying long in the dancefloor.

nWhile I was merrily observing them. Janus, for some reason, glanced at me. Both of our eyes met which startled my well-being.

nI am clearly lost among the sea of people in the middle so how could he spot me that quick?

nWell, he's a magician and all but… that kind of scared me a bit.

nHe was still looking straight into my eyes when he suddenly smiled. It was so blinding that I felt like there was a big ass magnifying glass, being subjected under the rays of the hot sun, and it was directed at me.

nWhy is he smiling like that? And why do I feel like he knows what I'm planning? He's so suspicious!

nNot long after, Nathan and Ezekiel also scanned the gathered crowd, and it took them a moment to see us. The two said something to him before they left, for wherever it is.

nI snatched my hand which was placed atop Kai's shoulder and put it in my chest. My heart was literally beating in an insane speed.

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"That was scary,

" I mumbled.

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"Hmm? What is?

" Kai inquired with that innocent tone of his.

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"Nothing. Are you enjoying the ball?

" I said just to redirect the topic.

nKai grinned, signifying that he is indeed, enjoying it. That's great!

nThe center of the dancefloor cleared off and both of us joined the others at the side, forming a circle. Ezekiel was there and he was holding Rosamunde's hand. They were about to dance.

nI glanced at Bea who was just motionlessly standing there on our table and watching it unfold. I don't know what she's thinking because her face is not giving anything away.

nClearly, Prince Ezekiel's first dance is Rosamunde. I don't give it any meaning but to others, it's like a sign. They must be thinking that Rosamunde has the greatest chance of being the Crown Princess.

nAh, really. I don't care about these things. All I want is to see whatever Estelle would do. Politics is not my cup of tea and never will be.

nThe two of them looked good together. Maybe because Ezekiel's handsome and Rosamunde's beautiful. But there's something there that I can't explain.

nI don't know. I just feel like Rosamunde doesn't act the same smitten girl she is from way before.

nIn the past, her eyes were always glued to Ezekiel. She obviously likes him so much but now, it seems to me as if she's doing this because she have to and not because she wants to. I see it in her eyes.

nShe doesn't hate him and undoubtedly doesn't hold contempt either. It's just, she's like dancing with an acquaintance you know.

nWhat is happening these days?

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