Nathaniel walked toward them, a smile appearing on his face when he finally spotted Jasmine.
"Oh, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."
Jasmine smiled. "Me too, brother. I almost got lost in this mansion, but he helped me."
She pointed toward Duncan.
Nathaniel turned to him. "Thank you, my Lord."
"The pleasure was mine," Duncan replied politely.
Nathaniel then turned toward Maya. "And this is my wife, Maya."
Jasmine's eyes immediately brightened.
"Good afternoon, Miss Jasmine," Maya greeted warmly.
"Oh, don't call me Miss Jasmine. Call me Sister Jasmine." She smiled at Maya. "Because from now on, we're family."
Maya laughed softly. "I suppose that's true."
The two women exchanged a smile.
Duncan watched them quietly. Something about Maya's behaviour surprised him. She seemed unusually comfortable with Jasmine, laughing and talking as though they had known each other for years. He couldn't help noticing it. She had never been this relaxed around his own family.
The atmosphere between the women felt warm, and Duncan decided it was best to leave them alone.
"I'll leave you all to—"
"Leaving already?" Jasmine called.
Duncan stopped and looked back, "Yes. I didn't want to interrupt."
"You aren't." Jasmine smiled. "Stay a little longer. What's your name?"
Before Duncan could answer, Nathaniel spoke.
"This is Lord Duncan Valcrest, the King's favourite lord."
Duncan gave him a sideways glance.
"Oh..." Jasmine studied him for a moment. "So you're Lord Duncan Valcrest."
"Apparently." Duncan smiled awkwardly. "Though I'm not sure about the 'King's favourite' part."
Jasmine's smile remained, but something in her expression changed.
"Of course you are. I've heard quite a lot about you."
Duncan's smile faded slightly.
There was something about the way she looked at him that made the back of his neck prickle. Standing between them were two pairs of striking green eyes.
"I suppose I should be flattered," he said.
"You should."
Before Duncan could respond, Jasmine caught his arm.
"Come. Let's leave these two alone for a while."
Duncan glanced at Nathaniel, who only smiled.
Jasmine pulled him toward the dance floor, and the musicians soon began another song.
The melody was slow and graceful, carried by the soft sound of violins. It was a traditional Valtherian dance, one familiar to the nobles of the kingdom.
Duncan extended his hand. "May I?"
Jasmine placed her hand in his. "You may."
He led her into the dance.
At first, their movements were simple. A step forward, a turn, then a graceful change of direction. Jasmine followed him effortlessly, never stepping on his foot or losing the rhythm.
Duncan raised a brow, "You know this dance."
"I told you I wasn't completely lost."
He smiled. "I meant the dance."
"So did I."
She turned beneath his raised arm, her dress sweeping lightly across the floor before she returned to him.
Duncan laughed under his breath, "You've danced this before."
"Perhaps."
He spun her again, this time faster. Jasmine followed the movement perfectly, and when he caught her hand again, she was already smiling.
Soon, the two of them moved more freely across the floor.
Duncan guided her through a series of turns before briefly lifting her during one of the dance's traditional movements. Jasmine landed smoothly, barely missing a beat.
A few nobles gasped.
Others began watching.
Gradually, couples stepped away from the centre of the floor until Duncan and Jasmine were dancing alone.
The music continued.
Duncan led.
Jasmine followed.
Their movements matched almost perfectly, as though they had rehearsed together before.
When the song finally ended, the room erupted in applause.
Jasmine smiled and gave Duncan a small bow.
"You're good."
"Not to brag," Duncan replied, straightening his coat, "but besides politics, dancing is one of my better talents."
Jasmine laughed, "I'll remember that."
Across the room, Nathaniel watched with an amused smile.
Maya, however, wasn't smiling anymore. She had tried to ignore the strange feeling growing inside her, but every time Duncan spun Jasmine, something twisted in her chest.
She looked away, "Why am I even bothered?"
She was standing beside Nathaniel. She was supposed to be happy. Yet she couldn't stop watching them.
Jasmine was beautiful. The way she danced with Duncan had attracted everyone's attention.
Maya swallowed.
She suddenly felt uncomfortable, "I'm going outside for some air," she murmured.
Nathaniel glanced at her. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. I just need a moment."
She left before he could ask anything else.
Outside, the cool evening air brushed against her face. Maya walked toward a bench beneath a large tree and sat down.
She took a slow breath.
"I am with Nathaniel..." she whispered to herself. "So why am I jealous of Duncan?"
She covered her face briefly, "This makes no sense."
After a few minutes, she stood, deciding it was better to return before Nathaniel wondered where she had gone.
She had barely taken a few steps when she heard voices nearby.
"Stupid girl. Why did you hold his hand?"
Maya stopped.
A woman's voice answered shakily, "I'm sorry. I won't do it again."
Maya frowned.
The voices sounded familiar.
She moved closer, but a tall tree blocked her view.
"Do you think I can marry you if you're going to behave like this?" the man snapped. "Would you hold every man's hand once we're married?"
"No!" the woman pleaded. "I wouldn't. I love you. Please forgive me."
Maya's eyes widened. She pushed past the tree.
"Sandra?"
Sandra immediately stood, "M-Maya..."
Maya stared at her, then at the man standing in front of her.
"What is going on?"
"Nothing," Sandra quickly replied, trying to straighten herself.
Stephen looked irritated. "Miss Ashbourne, this doesn't concern you."
Maya's eyes narrowed. "I could say the same about you. What are you doing with my friend?"
Stephen turned toward Sandra, "Kneel."
Sandra hesitated.
Maya's expression hardened, "She won't."
Stephen looked at Maya, "Stay out of this."
"No."
"Maya," Sandra whispered nervously.
"You can't treat her like this simply because she loves you."
Stephen scoffed, "And what exactly are you going to do about it?"
Maya folded her arms, "Try me."
His expression darkened, "Then perhaps you need to learn not to interfere in other people's affairs."
He stepped forward and shoved Maya.
She stumbled backwards.
Before she could hit the ground, a strong arm caught her around the waist.
Maya gasped.
Nathaniel.
His expression had completely changed, and the warmth that usually accompanied his smile was gone.
"How dare you touch my wife?"
Stephen jaw tightened, "Your wife? Then, keep her out of my affairs."
Nathaniel stepped forward, "Being angry doesn't give you the right to put your hands on a woman."
Stephen shoved him.
Nathaniel barely moved.
For a moment, neither men spoke, then Stephen swung. Nathaniel ducked.
The punch passed over his shoulder.
Nathaniel grabbed Stephen wrist, twisted it away, and shoved him backwards.
Stephen recovered quickly and charged.
Nathaniel stepped aside, caught him by the shoulder, and sent him stumbling past.
Stephen turned and threw another punch. This time, it connected with Nathaniel's cheek.
Maya gasped.
Nathaniel slowly turned his head back, and his eyes hardened.
"That was your mistake."
He struck Stephen's abdomen, and he man doubled over, gasping. Before he could recover, Nathaniel grabbed the front of his coat and drove him backwards.
"Enough!" Maya shouted.
But Nathaniel was furious.
Stephen tried to swing again.
Nathaniel blocked the blow, caught his arm, and struck him across the jaw. He fell to one knee.
Nathaniel moved toward him again.
"Stop!" Sandra cried. She rushed between them, "Your Grace, please!"
Maya grabbed his arm as well, "He's had enough."
Nathaniel's chest rose and fell heavily. He stared at Stephen for another moment before finally stepping back.
Just then, Jasmine and Duncan appeared.
Jasmine stopped dead, "Oh my God."
Duncan looked from Nathaniel to the man on the ground, then toward Maya and Sandra.
"What happened?"
Nathaniel answered coldly, "He pushed Maya."
Duncan's eyes immediately moved to Maya, "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
Sandra, however, was trembling, Stephen slowly got back to his feet, and Sandra rushed toward him.
"My love..."
Everyone froze.
Maya stared at her in disbelief.
After everything that had just happened, Sandra was still worried about him.
Stephen looked at Sandra, then at Nathaniel. "You'll regret this."
Soon, guards arrived after hearing the commotion. They separated everyone and escorted the man away.
Sandra followed them, crying. "My love! Wait!"
Maya stood frozen, Duncan looked equally confused, and Jasmine said nothing.
Nathaniel simply watched Sandra disappear into the distance. Nobody seemed to know what to say.
Maya finally broke the silence, "I don't understand."
Neither did anyone else.