The Gamer's POV

’My oh my. She’s breathtaking.’ Cedric licked his lips.

To be honest, even though Aika was not his bond, seeing this woman ask for a dance, he would have still folded immediately!

After a few seconds, he recovered his composure and smiled. He cast a brief glance at Vivienne and said, "It seems my evening has just been claimed. Enjoy the rest of your night, Vivienne."

Leaving her stunned, he turned back to Aika and accepted her hand. Then, he bent down slightly and kissed the back of her knuckles. When he looked back up, he offered a charming, lopsided grin. "I’d be honored, My Lady."

Aika smiled and began leading him away.

Meanwhile, Vivienne was stunned beyond words. She couldn’t believe what had just happened.

"His bond? He chose his bond over me?" she scoffed, and her eyes narrowed in irritation. "I get that she’s beautiful but... still."

She glared at their retreating backs, and her jaw clenched as her pride took a sharp sting. After a few seconds, she snorted softly and smoothed down her dress, trying to regain her composure before anyone else noticed the rejection.

"Tsk."

***

Now out on the dance floor, Cedric placed his hands gently on her waist, pulling her close as the music swept around them.

At the same time, Aika wrapped both arms around his neck, lacing her fingers together behind his head as she closed every inch of distance between them.

For a brief moment, both just stared into each other’s blue eyes. Then, Cedric smirked, and settled his hands a little firmer at her waist. "I knew you were stunning, but tonight? It’s almost unfair to everyone else in this room."

The corner of Aika’s blood-red lips curled upward, but she didn’t say anything.

As they began moving in steps, Cedric tilted his head, eyeing her with amused curiosity. "What happened? I thought you weren’t interested in coming to the gala. Couldn’t stand the thought of me dancing with someone else?"

Aika let out a soft, breathy chuckle, leaning in just enough for her lips to brush his ear. "Don’t flatter yourself. I simply came because I realized how insufferable you’d be if I left you to your own devices."

"Ah..." Cedric chuckled. "Just admit it. You couldn’t stand the thought of me in another woman’s arms. My hands on another woman’s waist. And her face this close to mine."

As he spoke, he could feel her fingers dig slightly into the back of his neck, and her composed expression cracked for a fraction of a second as the mental image hit her. She briefly imagined another woman standing in her place, and the sheer irritation of that thought made her pulse spike.

She quickly masked it, and her composure slipped right back into place. "And if I say yes?"

Cedric smiled. This time, he was the one who leaned in close, tilting his head until his warm breath tickled her cheek. "Don’t worry. I have yet to meet a woman in this realm who could ever hold my attention like you do."

After saying that, he could visibly see her exhale in relief.

’God. She’s so cute,’ he suppressed a chuckle.

They continued on for a moment, completely ignoring everyone else, completely immersed in their own little bubble.

After some time, Aika lowered her eyes, then asked sheepishly, "Are..." She paused. "Are you still upset with me?"

At that question, Cedric’s expression dropped and his grip on her waist tightened just a fraction, the playful mood suddenly evaporating.

Aika flicked her eyes back up to him, nervous for once about how he might answer.

Truth be told, there was another reason for her sudden appearance at the gala.

After waking up from her rest, Cedric had been all moody and avoidant, barely looking her in the eye.

She knew that even though he didn’t say it, he was upset with her and she knew why.

She didn’t like it when he was upset with her, and wanted to make things right between them before the night was over.

So, she looked into his eyes, waiting for his answer.

However, rather than answering her right away, he exhaled. Then, he said softly, steering her toward the side doors, "Let’s head out for a smoke and some air."

Aika’s expression was uncertain for a brief moment. Then, she nodded slowly.

***

A short moment later, both of them could be seen standing out on the grand marble balcony overlooking the quiet, moonlit gardens.

The light from the chandelier-lit hall inside didn’t spill this far, but that was complemented by the cool light of the moon, which cast long, gentle shadows across the marble floor.

Cedric took a drag from a black smoke pipe in his hand, then exhaled a large plume of gray smoke. Then he offered the pipe to Aika, who took it and brought it to her own lips.

As she exhaled, Cedric leaned back against the balustrade and looked out at the sprawling grounds. After a moment, a small diamond-like crystal appeared in his palm from his inventory. This was a muffler he had acquired some time ago.

After activating it, he exhaled a soft sigh.

"That creature you fought. The demon. That’s a citizen of Xinthrea, right?" he muttered with his gaze still fixed on the quiet estate below.

Aika was quiet for a few seconds before exhaling.

"Yes."

Of course, it wasn’t hard to figure that out.

During the fight, Cedric, who had been watching the whole thing, had overheard their conversation. From then, he had guessed that a few humans had likely found out a way to become demons in order to escape the plague.

’It also seems that after they became demons, they gained long lives, which explains why most of them are still alive even to this day and why the Chiliarch is still alive till now.’

While he was still mulling over the implications, Aika spoke again.

"After setting eyes on that demon, I suddenly remembered a few things about my past life."

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