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Dae and Rayshel stood next to the buffet, though only Rayshel was enjoying some food. As she ate, her eyes were fixed on the dancing crowd.
"Do you know how to dance?" Dae asked, glancing at her.
She finished her meal, set the plate down, then grabbed a glass of water and drank it in one go.
"I never learned how to dance, sadly. You?"
"When I was young, I used to dance. I saw people do it on TV and thought it looked nice. So I gave it a try."
"Must have been a good childhood, I see."
"Wasn’t yours?"
Rayshel clasped her wrist with her other hand and lowered her head.
"Well… it could have been better."
"I’ve heard a lot about you, but the person you are now—"
"Is weird?"
"No, I like it. The you on the battlefield is great too, but now… it’s like you've lowered your guard."
"Well, we’re not on a battlefield right now. Aside from those creepy humans who keep smiling, I haven’t felt anything strange."
"Yet. But yes, those smiling people… there's something off about them. That’s why we need to stay alert."
"So, you're not going to dance? You’re just going to be on watch all evening?"
"Why the whole evening? We’re not staying long anyway."
Rayshel stared into Dae’s eyes, as if searching for something. Dae tilted his head slightly.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," she replied, then strode to the dance floor. Her steps were slow and graceful, her hips swaying with an elegant, almost seductive rhythm. Her strong legs moved with confidence, drawing attention. She stopped in the middle of the floor, alone among laughing couples, and turned to Dae with a smile.
That was all it took.
Dae stepped forward. As he approached, his eyes scanned her form just as hers did his. Their gazes locked as he reached her. He placed his hands on her waist, and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
They began to dance to the slow jazz music—elegant, fluid, captivating. Some couples paused just to watch them. Still, Rayshel’s eyes never left Dae.
"You’re a good leader," she said softly.
"Thank you."
"This is my first time dancing, and it’s with a man, no less. But if it’s you… I don’t mind. Have you ever been in love?"
"Yeah, my—"
"Family doesn’t count."
"Hah, you know me too well. Then no, I haven’t. You?"
"No. But that might just change."
They spun, and Rayshel leaned back, supported by Dae’s steady hold.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Take a guess, Dae."
Their spin slowed to a graceful stop, and they resumed their dance. Suddenly, a man entered the room.
He had long, blond hair, pale skin with a golden sheen, wore a white blouse, and had eyes that shimmered black and gold. Everyone bowed as he walked in.
"Welcome, King!"
(Dae: So that’s the King!)
Temphael walked past the crowd. As he neared Dae, he caught sight of Rayshel and his eyes gleamed. He bowed slightly and placed a hand over his chest.
"Everyone calls me King, but you, mademoiselle, may call me Temphael."
He rose and reached for Rayshel’s hand—but Dae caught his wrist. Temphael’s eyes narrowed into slits, though a smirk followed quickly.
"The blood of the King flows through your veins."
"What are you talking about?"
"So, you don’t know? Interesting."
In the next moment, Dae felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if struck by a powerful force. His face turned red and he dropped to his knees.
"You think you’re just a normal human and dare to sully me?"
Slap!
Everyone froze, speechless, as Rayshel slapped Temphael clean across the face.
"Sully you? Someone as dirty as you can’t be sullied any further."
She turned to Dae, who was gasping for air.
"Dae, what’s wrong? Are you alright? Dae?"
Soldiers rushed to Dae’s side. Behind Temphael, several humans and smiling men stood at the ready. Temphael touched the spot where Rayshel had struck him.
"A woman who knows how to swing her hand. I like that."
"Well, I don’t like you, mister," Rayshel snapped.
Temphael stepped toward her, but once again Dae placed himself between them.
"Haven’t you learned enough?" Temphael asked, smirking. But his grin quickly faded. He looked down at his fist—stopped mid-air by Dae—and looked up just in time to take a punch to the face that sent him staggering back.
"She’s my woman," Dae declared.
Somewhere in Dafton City
"Okay, from where will we attack?" Sarah asked Michael. She held a bow, while Emilia wielded a spear.
"I know Temphael. Most of his soldiers are probably stationed around Paradise, even beyond its borders to avoid chaos. That’s why we’ll land right in the center. From there, we eliminate the smiling men. Then, we kill Temphael."
"And that’s the plan?" Sarah questioned. "We’re not going to tell the people what the smiling men really are? Or what Temphael is?"
"That won’t work. I was blind myself until I saw the truth—and only when I was on the verge of death. Trust me, the people down there won’t believe a word. Some have already been killed just for speaking against Temphael. We don’t have time to waste."
"Yes, but still… Isn’t this plan too reckless? Is there something—or someone—you need to reach? Why not wait?"
"I’m not forcing anyone to follow me. If you're ready to fight, come. But I won’t promise an easy victory. People will die. It’ll be fucking ugly. But that’s why I’m going—to give this world back even a glimpse of beauty."
He stepped in front of a mirror.
In Paradise
The people began to shout and storm toward Dae and the others—until Temphael raised his arms.
"I’ll kill these intruders myself."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjKkXZjzQT
