Moments ago…
Alex stepped out onto the balcony—he was exhausted just from hearing all the noise inside.
As he breathed the fresh night air, Marina approached him.
"Alex," she called.
"Yes?" he replied.
"I don't know what's gotten into you over the last month, but I think it's time you get your head out of your ass," Marina said bluntly.
Alex turned toward her. "Are you looking for a fight?"
"No," Marina replied, unfazed. "But you've been plenty rude to Vanessa already. You seem to forget that, just like you, she was disappointed with the trial result. And mind you—the result happened because of your approach."
Alex froze at her words.
"The reason the royal guard's investigations don't fail," Marina continued, "is because even though we take more time, when we strike, the threat is removed immediately. And now, not only does Vanessa have to fix a group made specifically for your twisted sense of justice, but she also has to walk on eggshells around you because you act like everything is her fault."
Her words hit harder than he expected.
"You know," Alex said slowly, "for being such a dickhead, you actually speak some sense."
"Hah." Marina didn't fall for the bait. "Try helping her for once. Start by getting her out of all these noble shenanigans. You're her aide, after all."
With that, she turned and walked back inside.
Alex remained alone, giving her words serious thought.
'She's right. Vanessa did look as disappointed as I was… yet I lashed out at her anyway. She's been tiptoeing around me while dealing with a mess I caused.'
The realization made Alex earn a newfound respect for Vanessa's patience.
So he made a decision.
He stepped back inside and saw Vanessa awkwardly dodging Vynn's parents. He began walking toward her.
She noticed and approached him.
"Princess," he said.
"Mm?" Vanessa replied.
"May I have a dance?" Alex asked, extending his hand.
Vanessa blinked in shock. He had rejected her not long ago—this was the last thing she expected. Still, she put on a soft smile.
"For sure," she said, placing her hand in his.
Alex guided her to the dance floor, ignoring the murmurs around them.
He placed one hand on her waist, held her other hand, and began to dance—taking the lead without hesitation.
Every hour he spent training his steps on the orphanage resurfaced flawlessly, so he gave it his all.
Vanessa, on the other hand, was having the time of her life.
'Yes! This is it! This is how it's done!' she thought, ecstatic.
Alex grasped the essence of dancing perfectly.
His movements accentuated hers with elegance, highlighting her natural grace while keeping the rhythm sharp and fluid. His lead was confident and energetic, guiding her without a single misstep.
She was certain this was the most enjoyable dance she'd ever had, so she extended it for as long as she could.
When the song ended, Alex bowed briefly. Vanessa lifted her skirt slightly and returned the gesture.
Clapping erupted around them.
"That was a magnificent display!" one noble cheered.
"The way he accentuated her charm was delightful," a woman said. "That is how a true gentleman dances."
Vanessa couldn't stop smiling. Even Marina, watching from a corner, looked genuinely impressed.
As they stepped off the floor, Vanessa said, "I don't know what got into you, but… thank you. I had a lot of fun."
"Don't worry," Alex replied. "I had a little chat with Marina and realized some things. I'm trying to fix them."
Vanessa almost tripped from shock. Marina? Convincing Alex? She'd ask her about that later.
They moved to the appetizers and ate—dancing had made them both hungry.
As they ate, nobles approached.
"Congratulations, princess, your dance was splendid," a man said.
"Yes, truly magnificent," a woman added. "May I know who the gentleman is?"
"Oh, he's my aide, Alexander," Vanessa replied.
"Oh? Then he must be from a notable house," the woman said.
"Actually, he's a commoner," Vanessa answered.
The woman's eyes sparkled—then she turned to Alex.
"May I have the honour of a dance?"
Vanessa felt irritation spark inside her.
Alex didn't hesitate. "No. Sorry."
Short and brutal.
Vanessa smirked internally. 'If he'd given her a dance so easily, after all it took me to get one…'
And then she realized something.
She liked this feeling—of having something all the other women wanted but couldn't have. Every time Alex rejected another lady, that strange warm sensation in her chest grew.
So, curious, she tested a theory.
With a mischievous smile, she looked at him and asked,
"Before the ball ends… may I have another dance?"
Alex saw the look in her eyes—he knew she was up to something—but nodded anyway. He guided her onto the floor once more.
Vanessa caught the envious glares of the surrounding ladies and basked in them.
After the second dance, the ball neared its conclusion. They prepared to leave.
On their way out, Alex received multiple invitations—from noble ladies inviting him to future balls, and some even for tea.
They seemed to admire his loyalty toward the princess, interpreting his selective acceptance as noble restraint, and wanted that for themselves.
He rejected every one of them.
Once outside, he exhaled deeply.
Vanessa chuckled. "Seems you became the talk of the town."
"Not like I wanted to," Alex said flatly.
"That's what you get for being such a good dancer," Vanessa said.
They walked toward the carriage. Once inside, Vanessa immediately removed her high heels and massaged her tired legs.
"Does it hurt?" Alex asked.
"Yes. Even as a martial artist, heels still make me sore," she said.
"Then let me." Alex knelt and extended his hands.
Vanessa watched as his fingers—and then his arms up to the elbow—glowed bright yellow.
"May I?" he asked, stopping a few centimeters from her calves.
"Go ahead."
Alex began gently massaging her calves, sending healing radiance into her sore muscles.
"Oh… that's nice," Vanessa sighed. 'Having a healer really is a luxury.'
Alex chuckled. "This is what I usually do for the kids at the orphanage when I volunteer."
By the time he finished, Vanessa felt completely renewed.
And unbeknownst to her…
A seed had quietly taken root in her heart today.