had been a unique experience, something inside her kept her uneasy. What had that dance really meant? It was impossible not to notice h

owner, had asked her to dance just for fun, as a passing amusement. Perhaps it had been nothing more than a moment of rebellion for him, a way to entertai

ing in his gaze s

only deceiv

. This time, his invitation was even more unexpected-he

as take

ome as a guest; he was doing it openly, without worryin

of their separate lives. What would her mother think if she found out? What would the o

. Something inside her, a part she could no lo

into a world where she didn't belong. The grand hall was filled with aristocrats, all elegantly dressed, speaking in refined tones, their laughter controlled and me

t the weight of the gazes turn

ihai ap

ly among the guests, his posture confident, his expression unreadable. But when he saw her, his featu

id, a genuine smile

uld,"- Loana admitted, g

ai's gaze didn't waver.- "Come

, leading her to a quie

ld get far, Loana o

nd women, had been watching. Their expressions r

nterested in?"- one of them whispered

ow charmingly scandalous

urning sensati

but hearing it spoken so

sharply in their direction. His expression hardened, hi

- he murmured u

ana co

s surroundings, the prying eyes, t

uieter than she intended but fil

game for you

xpression became unreadable, but in his eye

?"- he r

Inviting me here, knowing how people would look at me

p closer, his ga

irmly.- "This isn

elieve him, but

his voice softer now.- "We are

t a quiet, b

on't have to prove anything to anyo

jaw ti

s you don

ead, pulling her

And deep down,

ce stretched

est of them. He wasn't like the others wh

said, no matter what he wanted, the world

begged her to stay, her

,"- she said,

e way he looked at her, the regret i

ar

word, she turned

d home, the echoes of the

ncere. She had se

sincerit

r truly understand what it m

inst everything th

't have th

thing wa

care for Mihai, the harde

fied her more