Chapter 148
Small orange streetlights glowed along the road.
They looked like ripe oranges hanging from invisible branches.
Lexi closed her eyes and breathed deeply.
For the first time in a long while, she felt completely free.
Just let her be a princess for one night.
Just one night.
At least until the dream ended, she wanted to be happy.
She wanted no regrets.
The carriage turned a corner.
Frank’s estate came into view.
Frank was waiting at the entrance.
The moment he saw Sebastian, a knowing smile appeared beneath his mask.
Tonight, as the host of the masquerade, Frank had chosen to dress as a vampire.
His face was painted ghostly white.
His lips were crimson.
The costume gave him an elegant but sinister appearance.
Perhaps he’d gone slightly overboard with the makeup.
He looked more terrifying than seductive.
“Welcome, my friend p>
Frank opened his arms, clearly intending to embrace Sebastian.
Sebastian immediately pushed him away.
Frank laughed.
Unlike Sebastian, he was naturally comfortable with Western customs and theatrics.
Their relationship had always been complicated.
Sometimes allies.
Sometimes enemies.
Sometimes both at once.
But one thing was undeniable.
Frank admired Sebastian.
He was constantly looking for opportunities to challenge him.
To test who was stronger.
Unfortunately for Frank, Sebastian usually won.
And Frank hated losing.
If the two men could ever set their rivalry aside and work together, their combined influence would be formidable.
But perhaps some rivals were simply born to challenge each other.
Frank’s gaze shifted toward Lexi.
Then back to Sebastian.
Sebastian’s expression had returned to its usual coldness.
“You didn’t bring me here just for a costume party p>
His voice was detached.
“So say what you have to say p>
His hand tightened around Lexi’s.
He held her as though he wanted to keep her hand permanently fused with his.
Frank smiled mysteriously.
“Don’t be so impatient, Sebastian p>
He snapped his fingers.
“You’ll find out soon enough p>
He gestured toward the estate.
“Why don’t you take Miss Lexi around and enjoy yourselves p>
His smile widened.
“You might even find a surprise waiting for you p>
With that, Frank disappeared into the crowd to greet his other guests.
Lexi watched him go.
Then she looked at Sebastian.
“What did he mean by that p>
Sebastian’s lips curled.
“Are you scared p>
There was a hint of wicked amusement in his eyes.
Lexi shook her head.
“I’m not scared p>
She hesitated.
“I just don’t like surprises p>
Especially when the surprise was coming from a man like Frank.
Sebastian laughed softly.
“Didn’t I tell you p>
He looked down at her.
“Tonight, you’re my carefree little princess p>
His expression was bright and relaxed.
“Do whatever you want p>
He gently squeezed her hand.
“Forget all those unnecessary worries p>
Then he leaned closer.
“Your prince will always be right behind you p>
Even a simple sentence from Sebastian was enough to make Lexi’s heart tremble.
“My beloved princess, may I have this dance p>
Sebastian slowly bent at the waist, one hand tucked behind his back as he extended the other toward her.
His pale, elegant palm was open to her, carrying nothing but sincerity and an unspoken tenderness.
Something stirred inside Lexi.
She placed her hand in his, almost reverently, as though she were surrendering her heart without reservation.
Sebastian smiled.
Then he led her onto the crowded dance floor.
Most of Frank’s guests were wealthy foreigners with blond hair and blue or green eyes.
People like Sebastian and Lexi were rare among the crowd.
Naturally, they drew attention.
The handsome man in white and the breathtaking woman beside him looked like they had stepped straight out of a fairy tale.
Unfortunately, Lexi’s dancing skills were nowhere near Sebastian’s.
She repeatedly missed his rhythm and stepped on his shoes.
And because she was wearing thin high heels, every misstep hurt.
Yet each time she stepped on him, Sebastian merely frowned and continued dancing without complaint.
That only made Lexi more nervous.
“Sebastian, are you okay p>
She glanced down at his feet, worry creasing her brows.
“Take off your shoes p>
Sebastian loosened his hold around her waist.
“Just step on my feet p>
Lexi stared at him.
It was probably the only way he could keep dancing with her without having his toes crushed.
Although walking barefoot in front of an entire ballroom wasn’t exactly elegant, Lexi lowered her eyes and thought about it.
Then she nodded.
She bent down, slipped off her heels, and placed them in the grass beside the dance floor.
The moment she did, an image flashed through her mind.
Cinderella.
At midnight, the magic disappeared, and the girl returned to her ordinary self.
All that remained of the princess was a single glass slipper.
But when Lexi looked at Sebastian’s handsome, determined face, she knew she wasn’t Cinderella.
Midnight had already passed.
And she was still standing on the prince’s feet, dancing beneath the lights.
She hadn’t run away.
She hadn’t turned back into someone insignificant.
That thought gave her a strange kind of courage.
Maybe she should take one step closer to Sebastian.
Just one.
The more they danced, the more naturally their movements fell into sync.
Lexi gradually caught his rhythm.
Soon, the people around the dance floor began clapping along with their steps.
The couple dancing beneath the lights looked like the happiest lovers in the world.
Lexi’s white skirt floated around her legs, light and delicate, like a young girl’s most beautiful dream.
When the song ended, she and Sebastian remained hand in hand as they bowed to the guests applauding around them.
People from all over the world surrounded them, speaking languages Lexi couldn’t understand.
But she could understand the warmth in their eyes.
The admiration.
The sincere blessings.
Then, without warning, the lights above the dance floor began to dim.
Frank walked onto the floor, clapping slowly.
He laughed.
“I never knew you were such a talented dancer, Sebastian. I already knew you were formidable in business, but apparently you can hold your own on the dance floor too p>
Sebastian’s smile disappeared.
He subtly moved Lexi behind him, shielding her from Frank’s bold gaze.
His voice turned cold.
“Frank, whatever game you’re playing, get it over with tonight p>
His eyes narrowed.
“I don’t have the patience to stand around while you waste my time p>
“Fine p>
Frank wasn’t offended.
Instead, he spread his arms with the exaggerated generosity of a gracious host.
“Then prepare to be surprised p>
His words rang clearly through the ballroom.
Frank stepped onto the small stage and addressed the guests.
“First, I’d like to thank everyone for honoring me with your presence tonight. Since I want everyone to enjoy themselves, I’ve prepared a little game p>
He gestured toward the dance floor.
“All the male guests will stand on one side. All the female guests will stand on the other p>
A murmur of excitement spread through the room.
“Then I’ll turn off every light in this ballroom. Within the allotted time, if you can find your assigned partner in complete darkness, you’ll prove that the two of you are destined lovers p>