The party was ruthless in its elegance.
Strings swelled from the live quartet at the far end of the ballroom, golden lights dripped from the ceiling like melted stars, and the scent of money and expensive perfume filled the air like fog. It was a masquerade of power. Everyone here wore masks—some real, most metaphorical.
Ravenna stepped into the room, her midnight-blue velvet gown clinging to her curves attracting every beholder at first sight. Adrien hadn't offered her an escort. He didn't even look at her as she entered—just stood near the balcony, surrounded by men in black suits and women in darker intentions.
She was invisible to him.
But not to them.
Eyes followed her, hungry, curious. A few were familiar—men who worked for Adrien. Others were strangers: slick suits, cocky smiles, voices dipped in liquor and lust.
"You must be the new girl," one said, brushing close to her side. His breath was warm against her cheek. "Pretty little thing, aren't you?"
She stepped back, forcing a smile. "I'm not here for conversation."
"You sure? Because I think you're exactly the kind of conversation this place needs."
Another man joined them. "Adrien doesn't like to share. But he's not exactly... attentive, is he?"
Ravenna's eyes scanned the room. Adrien hadn't even glanced her way.
"Look, sweetheart," the second man continued, "if you're bored with the king, the pawns are available."
She wanted to run. Instead, she grabbed a glass of champagne off a tray and downed it. Then another.
They laughed, charmed by her boldness.
She was dizzy by the third.
They led her toward the balcony steps. Music swelled behind her. Heat burned her cheeks. A romantic dance started–was it salsa? she couldnt tell. A man offered his hand, she took it, with their bodies getting closer she swayed her hips to the rhythm of the music
Adrien still hadn't looked at her.
She twirled once, tossing her hair. The man placed a hand on her waist. "Easy there, don't get your master angry" he said his voi.ce dipped in liquor "Who says I belong to anyone?" she slurred, voice loud, echoing against the marble.
That's when she saw him.
Adrien. Turning.
His eyes landed on her with the weight of a gunshot.
The entire room seemed to still. The laughter faded. The smile slid from her lips.
He walked toward her with unhurried precision, the crowd parting like shadows afraid of the flame. The men near her stepped back instinctively. Adrien's cold gaze swept over them before settling on Ravenna—dark, unreadable, dangerous.
"Are you drunk?" he asked, voice deceptively calm.
She blinked. Her throat felt tight. "Maybe," she murmured, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Does it matter?"
He didn't answer. His hand shot out and gripped her wrist—not violently, but firm enough to make her gasp.
"We're leaving."
"I don't want—"
"Now."
He pulled her through the ballroom like a leash on fire. Whispers followed them, sharp as blades. The hallway outside the ballroom swallowed them into silence.
When he slammed the door to his study behind them, she jerked her arm free and stumbled back.
"You embarrassed me," he said flatly, his voice a blade on ice.
She straightened. "You ignored me all night. You left me alone with men like—like I was just another—"
"You are nothing to them," he cut in. "And they are nothing to you. Understand that."
"I'm nothing to you either!" she shot back, chest rising and falling. "You abducted me. You treat me like I'm your property—and then leave me to fend for myself like some—some object you don't even look at twice!"
Adrien walked toward her, slow and lethal. "Is that what this was? A tantrum to get my attention?"
She trembled.
He stopped just inches away, his breath cool against her cheek. "Congratulations. You have it."
Her eyes shone with unshed tears. "Why do you care, Adrien?"
Silence.
Then, colder than the grave: "I don't, you are just a mistake."
He turned and walked out, leaving her alone in the study, heart shattered and alcohol pounding through her veins.
But as the door clicked shut, Ravenna finally saw it—the way his jaw had clenched, the way his hand had trembled ever so slightly.
Maybe he didn't care.
What did it matter to her…she was alone regardless of the people around her.