7:45 P.M.

We were late.

And I knew exactly who to blame.

"Urgh! We’re late because of you!" I hissed, glaring at Gawain as we hurried down the corridor.

"I told you not to rush me!" he shot back, dodging slightly when I raised my hand. "And don’t hit me! You’ll crumple my outfit!"

I froze mid-swing.

"Oh, so now you care about your outfit?"

"Yes!" he snapped. "Do you know how expensive this looks?!"

"I paid for it!"

"Exactly! Which is why you should treat it with respect!"

I clicked my tongue, resisting the urge to wrinkle his perfectly ironed collar out of spite.

"Unbelievable," I muttered. "You were whining five minutes ago, and now you’re acting like a noble."

"I look like a noble," he corrected smugly.

"You look like someone I’m about to trip."

"Don’t you dare—"

Before our argument could escalate into physical violence and financial regret, we stepped inside the Function Hall.

The hall was breathtaking.

It reminded me of the grand banquets I used to attend—but this...

This was something else entirely.

The ceiling stretched high above us, adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast warm, golden light across the entire space.

The floors gleamed like mirrors, reflecting the movement of elegantly dressed students who looked like they had stepped straight out of a noble gathering.

Music drifted through the air—soft, refined, and smooth, the kind that made everything feel slower and noble.

Tables lined the sides, filled with food that looked too expensive to touch and too perfect to eat.

And the students were dressed even more elegantly.

"...Wow," I muttered.

Beside me, Gawain went unusually quiet. "...We’re underdressed," he whispered.

I immediately turned to glare at him like he had just insulted my entire existence. "You were the one who said to keep it simple."

"And it worked," he said without missing a beat, flashing a satisfied smile like he had just won an argument I didn’t remember agreeing to lose.

I sighed in defeat.

"Come on," I said, grabbing his arm and dragging him forward. "Let’s go try the foods!"

He resisted like a child being forced into responsibility. "...Do we have to?"

"Yes."

"...Can we just stand here for a while and then leave?"

"I’m hungry."

"I can cook you—"

My eyes widened.

"—something later—"

"No! Hell no!"

He blinked at me like I had just rejected his entire bloodline. "...What?"

I straightened immediately, clearing my throat. "What I mean is—no. I can’t wait. I have to eat. Right now. Immediately. Urgently."

He stared at me.

"...After you’ve had your fill then we can leave?" he tried again cautiously, like he was negotiating with a wild animal.

"Of course!" I said instantly.

"Let’s go fill our stomachs then," he was now the one dragging me excitedly.

"Wait—why are you excited now?" I asked, trying to keep up.

He didn’t even look back.

"Because if feeding you is the fastest way to leave this place," he said, voice full of determination, "then I will personally make sure you eat everything in sight."

Sure enough, the moment we reached the buffet, Gawain transformed into a starving menace.

He grabbed a plate and started piling food onto it like he hadn’t eaten for a whole year.

Meat, pastries, fruits, things I couldn’t even name—nothing was spared.

"I’m not sure I can eat all of this while standing," I said, watching in mild horror as the plate reached structural instability.

"Go find us a seat then," he ordered, not even looking at me as he added more.

I slowly turned to him. "...Are you ordering me right now?"

"N-No...?" he said, suddenly very aware of his tone. "Why would I My Lady?"

I stared at him for a second longer then clicked my tongue. "Fine. But be quick."

I marched off, scanning the hall for an empty seat, already imagining the mountain of food I was about to conquer.

Unfortunately fate had other plans.

I bumped into someone soft, light, and pink.

...Pink?

’Vivienne?!’

Time slowed for exactly half a second.

Before she could fall, I reacted on instinct—one hand catching her waist, the other grabbing her hand to steady her.

"Are you alright, Miss Vivienne?" I asked smoothly, as if I hadn’t just internally panicked at running into the female lead.

"Y-Yes, I’m sorry, I didn’t notice you—"

She didn’t get to finish because she was suddenly yanked away from me causing me to lose my balance from the sudden movement.

Before I could embarrass myself and kiss the ground, a hand steadied me from behind.

I sighed in relief. "Thank you—" I turned around and immediately regretted existing.

"Be careful," Ravian said lightly, his voice carrying that same amused tone I absolutely did not trust. "You seem to run into trouble quite easily."

I straightened immediately, stepping away from him like proximity alone was dangerous.

"Hey, new student," Stephano snapped, his voice sharp with irritation. "Can’t you see where you’re going? You almost tripped Vivienne."

I raised a brow.

’Is this guy blind or just plain stupid?’

Because from where I was standing, I had literally just saved her from face-planting into the floor.

Vivienne, bless her conscience, looked a bit flustered. "Stephano, it wasn’t her fault, I—"

"You’re too kind, Viv," Stephano cut in immediately, glaring at me like I had just committed a crime punishable by exile.

I almost rolled my eyes.

’Oh, please.’

She was the one walking like she owned the floor while I was literally slowing down to find a seat. If anything, I should be the one offended.

Not that this was new to me since I’ve dealt way worse scenarios than this but it still gets on my nerves.

I exhaled quietly, smoothing my expression into something... civilized.

If he wanted drama then I will give him class.

"Pray, forgive my intrusion," I said, turning my full attention to him, voice calm and refined, "but might I inquire if you were the one involved just now?"

Stephano blinked like his brain needed a moment to catch up.

A small, polite smile formed on my lips as I continued, every word carefully chosen like I was threading a needle.

"Kindly allow Miss Vivienne to elucidate the matter first, before you proceed with your accusations and claims of my culpability."

"..."

Even I was impressed.

’Did I just say all that?’

I think I just used every single brain cell I had left.

Vivienne gently tugged on his arm, clearly trying to de-escalate the situation. "I-I was the one not paying proper attention and accidentally bumped into her, Steph."

Stephano stiffened, his grip loosening slightly and for a moment, he didn’t speak.

Ravian, meanwhile, was definitely enjoying this. I could practically feel his amusement radiating from behind me.

And me?

I was already regretting leaving the buffet table.

Stephano finally clicked his tongue, looking irritated—but now with no solid ground to stand on.

"...Tch."

The universal sound of someone who lost an argument but refused to admit it.

I gave a small nod. "Then I shall take my leave," I said smoothly, stepping back. "Do enjoy your evening."

’I refuse to stay here any longer than necessary.’

I turned around, only to make eye contact with Ravian.

’Why is this man still here?’

"If you’ll excuse—" I started, taking a sidestep to move around him.

He stepped at the same direction.

"...Excuse—" I tried again, shifting to the other direction.

He took a step too.

I stopped.

He stopped.

I moved again.

So did he.

At this point, we weren’t even trying to pass each other anymore—we looked like two idiots accidentally rehearsing a dance neither of us signed up for.

"What do you want?" I hissed, glaring at him.

He smiled.

"May I have this dance with you, Miss Blanca?" he asked, holding out a hand like he had just stepped out of a romance novel and not directly into my personal nightmare.

My eyes narrowed at him. "...How did you know—"

"I remember your friend saying your name."

That was oddly annoying and also slightly flattering but mostly annoying.

"That’s touching," I replied flatly. "But no."

He tilted his head slightly. "No?"

"No. I will not dance with you."

"...Ravi?"

Vivienne’s voice floated toward us and I immediately regretted every choice that had brought me to this moment.

She and Stephano were clearly watching us now, probably wondering why Ravian was still standing there talking to me like we were old acquaintances instead of accidental enemies.

Ravian leaned closer, his voice dropping just enough to make my eye twitch.

"Dance with me," he murmured, "or I’ll spread rumors that you were watching a live documentary."

"..."

I stared at him. "Are you threatening me right now?"

He didn’t even blink.

"No," he said lightly. "I’m just stating your choices."

"..."

This man.

This shameless man.

I forced a sweet smile that probably looked more like a warning sign.

"Just this once," I muttered, "and we bury that secret to our graves. Got it?"

His smile widened at once. "Of course."

Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned towards Vivienne and Stephano with that same charming expression. "I simply asked this lady for a dance so you two can go first."

Vivienne looked startled. "What? No, Ravi, we still have—"

It was already late because the moment the music shifted, he pulled me straight into the center of the hall.

I barely had time to process anything before his hand settled at my waist, the other holding mine, positioning me like he’d done this a thousand times.

Even the music shifted—slow, sweet, and elegant—like the entire hall had collectively decided to make my life more difficult.

And just like that, we started moving against my will in front of everyone.

I could already feel the eyes, the whispers, and the attention.

’The attention I was specifically trying to avoid.’

I glared at him. "What is really the reason why you wanted to dance with me?"

He chuckled softly, completely unbothered. "I just wanted to dance with the most beautiful person here right now."

"Cut the lies," I flatly said and without warning aimed for his foot but unfortunately—he turned me around smoothly—like he already expected it, missing my shot.

"I’m hurt you think so little of me," he said, tone light, like we weren’t engaged in a silent war.

"I think exactly enough of you," I shot back and tried again.

Missed.

Again.

He let out a quiet laugh. "Are you trying to step on my foot right now, or are you just bad at dancing?"

"How lowly you think of me."

Stomp!

My attempt number three failed effortlessly.

At this point, I wasn’t even sure if I was dancing or participating in a very elegant assassination attempt.

He twirled me and before I could regain balance, I ended up right back in his arms.

"...I hate you," I whispered.

"You’re doing quite well for someone who didn’t want to dance," he replied casually.

I glanced up at him but he was already looking at me that same amused, knowing look like he was enjoying every second of this.

"I changed my mind," I said flatly. "I still hate you." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He laughed quietly.

Meanwhile, somewhere at the edge of the room, I could practically feel Gawain’s soul ascending from witnessing this.

Stephano? Probably plotting my murder.

Vivienne? Somehow... anxious? But why?

And me? Trapped.

In the middle of the dance floor with a blackmailing menace.

’...Fantastic.’