Chapter 14: A Dance That Was Never Meant to Be
Leslie adjusted the stack of crates in Daniel's arms.
Leslie: "Daniel, take these to the storeroom."
Leslie: "After that, bring me everything on this list."
Daniel: "Yes, Mother."
He lifted the crates and walked toward the back corridor.
As he passed the grand staircase, he noticed Aurelia standing at the top, motionless.
Lost.
Her eyes were distant, unfocused—until they met his.
She blinked, as if waking from a dream.
Daniel smiled and bowed his head slightly.
Daniel: "Happy Birthday, Aurelia."
Her lips curved into the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
For a moment, the world froze.
If someone had captured that instant, they would have seen two people standing worlds apart.
She—radiant, elegant, untouchable.
Him—mud-stained, unnoticed, someone whose absence would only be felt by one person.
Daniel looked away.
Daniel (thought): I wanted to attend your party.
Daniel (thought): But our worlds were never meant to overlap.
Sensei: "You're overthinking."
Daniel: "Sensei… do you think Count Sebastian will try something tonight?"
Sensei: "Unlikely."
Sensei: "The Baron aligned himself with the king."
Sensei: "Few would risk offending royal favor."
Daniel clenched his jaw.
Daniel: "I'm worried about my mother."
Daniel: "If the king approaches her… or worse, ignores her—"
Sensei: "Leslie is stronger than you think."
Sensei: "Her greatest fear isn't the king."
Sensei: "It's him discovering you."
Daniel exhaled.
Daniel: "You're right."
He finished the work quickly.
Daniel: "Sensei… when I saw Aurelia earlier—she looked sad."
Sensei: "Emotions are rarely misplaced."
Daniel shook his head.
Daniel: "Probably my imagination."
---
Inside the Mansion
Octavia stood before the mirror.
Octavia: "How do I look?"
Dean smiled.
Dean: "Beautiful, as always."
Dean: "Tonight, we must be perfect."
Dean: "The king and his family are coming."
Octavia nodded.
Octavia: "I'll take care of the queen and children."
Dean: "Good."
Dean: "Tell Aurelia this—many will ask her to dance."
Dean: "She must first approach the king's eldest son."
Octavia froze.
Dean: "After that, she may refuse anyone else."
Dean: "This entire celebration was arranged for that purpose."
Octavia hesitated.
Octavia: "What if she wants to choose for herself?"
Dean frowned.
Dean: "This isn't about love."
Dean: "This is about her future."
Octavia sighed.
Octavia: "I'll talk to her."
---
Aurelia's Room
Octavia entered softly.
Octavia: "Aurelia."
Aurelia turned.
Octavia smiled.
Octavia: "My little princess… you're stunning."
Octavia noticed the hair clip.
Octavia: "You're wearing Daniel's gift."
Aurelia blushed.
Aurelia: "I always loved it."
Aurelia: "I just didn't want to damage it."
Octavia smiled warmly.
Octavia: "Aurelia… the king is coming."
Aurelia's eyes widened.
Octavia: "Your father wants you to ask the first prince for the dance."
Aurelia stiffened.
Aurelia: "Is this my birthday… or a negotiation?"
Octavia hurried.
Octavia: "No—no."
Octavia: "It's just for appearances."
Octavia: "You're not being sold."
Aurelia swallowed.
Aurelia: "Alright."
Aurelia: "I'll do it once."
Octavia kissed her forehead.
Octavia: "Thank you for understanding."
---
The Corridor
Aurelia stood alone.
Aurelia (thought): So that's why my heart feels heavy.
Aurelia (thought): This party isn't for me.
Aurelia (thought): I have to dance… just not with the person I want.
A familiar voice broke her thoughts.
Daniel: "Aurelia."
She turned sharply.
Aurelia: "Daniel?"
Daniel: "Are you alright?"
Aurelia: "Yes."
Daniel studied her.
Daniel: "No, you're not."
Daniel: "I've been calling your name."
Daniel: "You didn't even notice."
Silence.
Daniel reached out.
Daniel: "Come with me."
Before she could protest, he took her hand.
---
Daniel's Room
Soft lights glowed.
Quiet music played.
The space was small—but warm.
Daniel: "Let's practice."
Aurelia's breath caught.
The music swelled.
He guided her gently.
Their movements synchronized.
Her hand slid from his shoulder to his neck.
His thumb traced slow circles against her back.
They stopped seeing the room.
Only each other.
Her glance toward his lips was a question.
His tightened jaw was restraint.
His pull closer was an answer.
Then—he stepped back.
Daniel: "Happy Birthday."
He handed her a small pastry.
Daniel: "Cut it."
They shared it.
Daniel: "Better than a three-tier cake."
He placed a wrapped gift in her hands.
Daniel: "Open it after the party."
Daniel: "I thought you didn't like the hair clip."
Daniel: "But I'm glad I was wrong."
Aurelia wanted to tell him.
I loved it too much to wear it.
But he took her hand again.
Daniel: "Let's go."
---
Aurelia's Point of View
When Daniel spoke, it felt unreal.
He noticed my sadness.
No one else did.
Not Mother.
Not Father.
Only him.
When he took my hand, my heart raced.
In his room, the world slowed.
We danced.
Not for nobles.
Not for influence.
Just us.
That small pastry tasted sweeter than any cake.
As we left, I realized something terrifying.
I would rather stay in his small room—
Than stand in that grand mansion.
That was the moment.
The moment my world turned upside down.
I fell in love with Daniel.
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