Ever since the “ankle capture incident” at Windsor Castle, Arthur hadn’t dared to look Shen Yanzi in the eye for several days.
The moment he saw that cold, handsome face, he couldn’t help but remember that warm, powerful hand beneath the tablecloth and that threat whispered in Chinese that had made his scalp tingle.
It was too shameful!
And… way too stimulating!
He needed time to compose himself.
As it happened, the Royal Family was hosting a formal charity ball, inviting members from various other European royal houses. As one of the hosts, Arthur was kept busy enough to temporarily suppress his fluttering and frightened thoughts.
On the night of the ball, Buckingham Palace was once again a sea of brilliant lights and elegant figures. Arthur, dressed in his most grand formal attire and wearing an impeccable smile, moved among international dignitaries and aristocrats. He was elegant in manner and refined in speech, perfectly playing the role of a royal mascot.
But inwardly, he was a bit annoyed. These occasions were full of rules, exhausting, and required constant attention to one’s image.
His eyes darted toward the entrance every now and then, wondering: Why hasn’t Shen Yanzi arrived yet? Will he not come? With his personality, he probably finds these social balls incredibly boring, right?
Just as he was thinking this, a small commotion broke out at the entrance.
Arthur instinctively looked over, and his eyes lit up instantly Shen Yanzi had arrived!
He was dressed in an exquisitely tailored black formal suit, his white shirt buttoned meticulously, his bowtie perfectly straight. He didn’t move about socializing like the others; he simply stood there alone, his gaze coldly scanning the room. His “keep away” aura created a small vacuum in the middle of the bustling crowd.
Handsome! So handsome it made one’s legs weak! The little drum in Arthur’s heart started beating again.
He was just about to find an opportunity to slip over even if just to say hello when an enthusiastic voice suddenly cut in from beside him:
“Arthur! My dear friend! Long time no see!”
Arthur turned his head, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. It was Prince Juan of Spain.
The man was around his age, blonde-haired and blue-eyed, and admittedly good-looking, but his personality was as flamboyant as a peacock with its feathers spread. They had met a few times at various events, and his interest in Arthur was practically written all over his face. Arthur felt nothing for him and even found him a bit noisy.
However, appearances had to be maintained. Arthur put on his professional smile and turned to respond, “Juan. Welcome to London.”
Prince Juan closed the distance naturally, placing a familiar arm across Arthur’s shoulder, his tone as affectionate as if they were long-lost brothers. “You look absolutely stunning tonight! That suit is perfect on you!”
Arthur stepped back half a pace without being obvious about it, avoiding the physical contact with a dry laugh. “Thanks. You too.”
Prince Juan seemed completely oblivious to the distancing and began to talk incessantly about his recent sailing adventures. His voice was loud and his body language exuberant, drawing many gazes from those nearby.
Arthur listened half-heartedly while using the corner of his eye to track Shen Yanzi.
With one glance, his heart sank.
Shen Yanzi had at some point taken a glass of wine and was standing with a British Duke’s daughter. Arthur knew her; she was famous for her beauty and intellect, coming from a distinguished family. She was currently looking up at Shen Yanzi with a gentle, charming smile, and Shen… Shen Yanzi was actually tilting his head slightly, seemingly listening to her intently. Though his face was still expressionless, his posture was relaxed!
The slight awkwardness and shyness in Arthur’s heart were instantly replaced by a surge of jealousy, bubbling up like fizzy water.
Fine! Here I am, stuck with this Spanish fly, while you’re over there having a grand time chatting with another girl?!
Prince Juan was still babbling: “…So, how about a dance? The first waltz?”
Arthur was feeling sour and stubborn; hearing this, he didn’t even think before agreeing: “Sure! Why not?”
After saying it, he even pointedly lifted his chin in Shen Yanzi’s direction, flashing an exceptionally radiant smile as if he were enjoying Prince Juan’s company immensely.
The music began, and the dance floor opened. Prince Juan unceremoniously pulled Arthur into the center of the floor.
The man was indeed a good dancer, but the hand around Arthur’s waist was a bit too tight, and he pressed too close during the turns, his gaze hot and direct.
Arthur followed the steps mechanically, his heart filled with bitter regret. He didn’t want to dance with this peacock at all! He wanted to find Shen Yanzi! But the words were out, and under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he could only steel himself and keep dancing, his smile becoming increasingly forced.
His gaze uncontrollably drifted toward the edge of the floor.
Shen Yanzi was still standing there, swirling his wine glass while talking to two other gentlemen. But his gaze pierced through the crowd, landing coldly and accurately on Arthur and Prince Juan in the center of the dance floor.
Specifically, on Prince Juan’s hand resting on the small of Arthur’s back.
That look…
Even from a distance, Arthur felt an inexplicable chill. It was like being targeted by a cold predator.
Shen Yanzi’s face still showed no obvious emotion, but the atmospheric pressure around him seemed to drop. The two gentlemen standing next to him seemed to instinctively move a bit further away.
Arthur’s heart skipped a beat; he felt a bit panicked, yet also… weirdly happy?
Is he… bothered?
When the song ended, Arthur almost immediately broke free from Prince Juan’s hand, said “Excuse me,” and tried to slip toward Shen Yanzi.
But Prince Juan wasn’t finished and chased after him to invite him for a second dance.
At that moment, Shen Yanzi moved.
He set down his wine glass, ignored the Duke’s daughter who still wanted to speak with him, and walked straight toward Arthur and Prince Juan. His steps were steady and unhurried, yet they carried an invisible pressure; people in his path instinctively moved aside.
Arthur watched him approach step by step, his heart starting to hammer wildly again.
Shen Yanzi arrived in front of them and first gave a cold, expressionless sweep of his gaze over the lingering Prince Juan. That look was as cold as ice; Prince Juan opened his mouth but actually didn’t dare say another word, rubbing his nose sheepishly.
Then, Shen Yanzi’s gaze fell on Arthur.
He looked Arthur up and down, his eyes lingering for a moment on Arthur’s cheeks flushed from dancing and his slightly disheveled bowtie. His tone was flat, devoid of any ripples, and even… polite?
“Your Highness’s dancing was quite good.”
Arthur: “…”
He stared blankly at Shen Yanzi, unable to tell if it was a compliment or a jab.
But in the next second, he saw clearly that the hand hanging at Shen Yanzi’s side had, at some point, clenched into a tight fist. The veins on the back of his hand were bulging from the force, and his knuckles were turning white.
Though his face remained calm and the corner of his mouth even managed a tiny, “polite” curve.
Arthur’s heart constricted.
He… he’s angry?
He’s very, very angry!
This realization hit Arthur like an electric current, filling him with fear, yet also an indescribable excitement and secret joy.
Shen Yanzi didn’t say another word. He didn’t even give Prince Juan a second glance; he simply gave Arthur a slight nod and turned to leave. His back was straight and rigid, but it radiated the oppressive weight of a coming storm.
Arthur stood there watching that stiff back, then looked down at his waist where the sensation of his dance partner’s touch still lingered. He suddenly found the dance he just had to be tasteless even a bit… disgusting.
He hurriedly told Prince Juan to “have fun,” and ignoring etiquette, he chased after Shen Yanzi with his heart in his throat.
But he had only taken two steps before being pulled aside by a familiar elder for some small talk.
By the time he finally managed to break away and looked around, he found that Shen Yanzi… was gone.
The ballroom was still bustling, but that most conspicuous black figure had seemingly vanished into thin air.
Arthur’s heart sank instantly.
Where did he go?
Is he really truly angry?