The final, sharp, and incredibly precise movement of the dance brought Alaric and Ling Ying to a breathtaking halt. He held the tall, voluptuous heiress of the Ling Clan dipped low over his arm, their faces mere inches apart, the intense, smoldering heat between them entirely palpable in the humid air of the luxurious common chamber.
For a long, drawn-out moment, the room was suspended in absolute silence. The only sounds were the heavy, ragged breaths of the Imperial Princesses and Consorts, their eyes wide, entirely captivated by the display of foreign, romantic dominance.
Then, Noble Consort Shu began to clap. Her hands came together in a slow, rhythmic applause, soon joined by Imperial Consort Xian, Princess Huang Mei, and Princess Huang Hua.
