A gentle twilight cloaked the skies as the Eleanora Ball commenced. Gilded chandeliers gleamed. Music, soft as clouds, drifted through the air. But nothing in that grand hall sparkled more than the pair who entered, dressed in quiet majesty.
Rudra, the blindfolded boy, and Saki, the radiant woman who walked by his side like moonlight reborn.
Every eye turned. Every whisper stirred.
"Is she his caretaker? "How did a blind guy get into Eleanora? "He looks noble, but something's off…"
But none of those murmurs escaped the ears of Prince Varuna Surandha, the Crowned Prince himself.
His glazing golden eyes locked onto Saki — and in that instant, desire was born. Love at first sight? Perhaps. Or maybe something even more, or is it just a pure desire?
The ball began with a powerful speech from the Dean, Selenus Eleanora, regal and composed.
Saki leaned in, whispering to Rudra, "She's the one who took our viva test." Right?
"Really? She had that kind of breath…" Rudra replied, his tone soft and voice.
"Congratulations on entering Eleanora academy the journey of student is not easy path and also it is not impossible but be practical on what you wish and don't be delusional about your dreams there are something you always wanted or you need to reach but life is something too valuable if it is not to you there is always someone values your life more than you hmmm anyway talking more than this makes party sour but knowing our limits never harm us and Enjoy the feast kids ..."
The speech ended. The music soared.
Rudra is so confused that he can't choose what to eat. His focus on food is wholly different level, and these items are totally new for him.
And he went with the flow and ate, looks beautiful, and Saki is serving him, which tastes better, and she is totally laughing about this inside...
Couples twirled onto the floor, laughter mingling with the melody. But Rudra stood still, sipping juice at the edge of the room.
Saki with a cunning smile. "Why aren't you drinking wine?" Do you become another person if you drink master? Huh?
"Mom said I shouldn't drink alcohol without her. And… we're still students, right?"
Saki burst into a light laugh, eyes twinkling. "You're such a boy." Master.
She reached for his hand. "Let's dance."
"I don't know how…"
"I'll lead you." Her fingers were warm, firm. "Trust me."
And so, they danced. Slow, elegant. His steps were clumsy at first — but her rhythm made up for everything. And across the floor…
Varuna watched. His heart — no, his ego — caught flame. Jealousy, raw and consuming, burned in silence.
When the music slowed, he approached Saki, offering his hand with a princely smile.
"Will you grant me the honor of a dance, fair lady?"
Saki tilted her head. Her tone was calm — yet icy.
"Forgive me, gentleman. I don't offer my hand to strangers. Perhaps if fate lets us meet again… we'll speak."
She turned without another glance — and walked away with Rudra.
Outside, beneath the moonlight, they strolled through the academy gardens. Saki leaned in, teasing, "See anyone as pretty as me tonight?"
Rudra chuckled. "No… but I saw someone kind. "I can't see anyone, though." Her heartbeat and emitting heat are so warm and pure.
"Kind?"
He pointed, even blindfolded. "There — beneath the Moon. The demon girl on the cradle swing. Her horns shimmer — one ruby, one sapphire."
Saki followed his gaze. A girl sat alone, gentle and dreamy, her crystal horns catching the silver glow of moonlight.
"Is she beautiful…?" Rudra whispered.
NO, she is not beautiful, she looks like. Like you don't need to know.
Am I smelling jealousy here
"Want to dance with her?" Saki smirked.
"I do… but I don't want to disturb her peace and solace."
Without warning, Saki scooped him up in her arms and jumped out the window.
"W-Wait, Saki—!!"
They landed lightly in the garden.
"There. Do as I say," she grinned. "Approach from behind, hold the swing's ropes, and say: 'May I serve you, lady?' Got it?"
"H-How do you know she'll say yes?"
"Just go. And don't mess it up, Master."
She pushed him forward. Rudra removed his blindfold.
He stepped through the grass. The lilies trembled under the stars. The demon girl, so still on her swing, seemed like a painting in motion.
He reached the swing. Gently, he held the ropes. She turned, eyes wide with surprise.
And Rudra asked softly—
"May I serve you, lady?"
"Under the Moon, Envy Danced"
Beneath the moon-kissed sky, where the lilies swayed with the breeze and silver clouds parted like velvet curtains, a boy with stars in his blindfolded eyes approached the demon girl on the cradle swing.
Her crystalline horns shimmered like shattered dreams frozen in time. The swing creaked gently, and the girl turned, meeting a smile warmer than the moonlight itself.
"May I serve you, my lady?" he asked softly, his hand gently grasping the ropes of her swing.
She blinked, stunned.
In his eyes, she didn't see fear. Nor disgust. Nor pity. She saw stars. A whole galaxy spun within his sightless gaze. For the first time in her life, someone looked at her like she was beautiful.
"…Yes," she whispered.
Rudra smiled. "I'm honored, Lady."
With grace and gentleness, he pushed the swing. Even the wind seemed to ask permission to pass between them.
"May I know your name?" he asked.
Asking name without introducing yourself is not gentlemanly, My sir.
Pardon my negligence, my Lady. "My name is Rudra Agathes."
"Agathes"? She asked, Yes, Agathes is my family name.
She hesitated. "Crystal," she said at last. "I named myself that. I… don't know who my parents were. I grew up alone in the demonic woods, near the borders of the Demon lands."
"That's a beautiful name," he said. "But if I may… allow me to give you something else."
She tilted her head, curious. "And what is it you plan to give me, gentleman?"
He smiled again, sunlight blooming in his voice. "If you have no place to go… then my home is yours."
"That is so fast, Young master, "Saki said to herself while biting her lips.
Crystal's eyes widened, a spark flickering in their depths.
"I was already planning that," she whispered playfully. "But for now, why don't you give me a good dance, sir?" while the song was going.
"I'm honored, madam."
He took her hand, and she giggled. "No problem—I'll lead you."
And under that blessed moon, they danced.
The trees rained petals. The air whispered music. A single cloud veiled the moon… then moved aside, spotlighting only the two of them. Even the lilies bent as if bowing to a pair of forgotten deities reunited at last.
Every student watched from every window, spellbound.
Some eyes shimmered with awe. Some burned with envy. Some wept with emotion. Some clenched with jealousy.
But the moment they saw his eyes—his true eyes—every heart faltered.
"How can he be so beautiful? "Was his mother a goddess? Did she eat gardens of stars and flowers to birth him?"
And yet, Rudra danced on, blind and divine, swaying with the girl whom the world cast aside.
At last, their feet met the grass again, and both lay beneath the stars, breathless.
"I'm in the scholar division," he said, "but Sundays are free… if you are."
Crystal smiled. "Then Sundays… are now my favorite."
From a balcony, Saki watched, eyes warm.
"Young Master… you've grown so much." But this is only starting, I'm going to drill you on how a gentleman behaves....
But from beyond the glass and stone, behind the lights and songs… something else was watching.
Not students. Not teachers.
Something darker. Something heavier.
And the twisted fate of the Destroyer… quietly began to unfurl.
The Envy of someone already reached his eyes....