"Are the preparations going as planned?" A deep voice asked.

"Yes, master." An army of cloaked individuals answered in unison as they all kneeled before the reflection.

"Good. We shall strike when the time is right and rid this world of evil," he muttered as he paced around.

"Your will is our will, master," they praised.

"Be vigilant; the artifacts I have sent are soon to arrive. Make sure to utilize them to isolate the target," the man warned.

"It will be done without trouble," a red-cloaked individual answered with six slits on his mask. Symbolizing his rank within the order.

"What about the other heir? Our intelligence has said that they hold affection for the target," the red-cloaked individual pointed out.

"Subdue all that gets in your way. At the end of the day, these are but brats," the master answered before the transmission ended.

"You heard the master. MOVE!" the leader of the army commanded as the men vanished into darkness.

***

Three days before the Serenity Ball.

Samael silently sat by the balcony of his room as he watched the starry night sky and the tantalizing glow of the moon.

He actually just escaped his dancing lessons, and there is no doubt that his teacher was looking for him. Luckily, he can hide his presence with ease.

Twirling Crimson Raven in his hands, Samael caressed the ruby crystal nesting in his neck. His eyes lost in memories.

This was how he often spent his days. Thinking. Reminiscing about the past. Sometimes, the future.

"Samael!" His tutor roared from below.

Samael could only sigh as he replied. "What?"

"Don't what me! Come down this instant and let us finish your dancing lessons!" The man roared.

"I keep telling you, I'm not dancing!" Samael answered.

The man gasped as he roared back. "That is unacceptable! Come down now!"

"Or what?" Samael taunted.

"Or I tell Master Icarius!" The man answered.

Samael could only click his tongue as he dropped down, startling the man as he stirred the dust.

"How reckless! Now your clothes are dirty!" He berated as he hastily dusted Samael.

"Relax, it's just dust," Samael answered.

"Not just dust! Any form of imperfection is not tolerated for a candidate for the ball!" He said before dragging Samael back inside the manor.

"Now, I've been teaching you how to dance, but this time, I got you a partner," Dominic mentioned.

Samael's brows furrowed as they arrived at the ballroom hall, where a woman dressed in white sat quietly. She had fair white skin alongside her orange curly hair and green eyes.

Upon seeing the two, she immediately rose up and gave an eloquent bow. "Greetings, mister Dominic, and...?" She said as she slowly shot a look at Samael.

"Samael." The boy answered without care.

The girl's cheeks flushed as she stared at Samael's face. After his transformation, his look was definitely worthy of praise. That, paired with his frame and confidence, made Samael undoubtedly charismatic.

"Bah! Where's your manners, Samael?" Dominic said as he bowed down.

"I'm sorry for this terrible behavior, lady Trix. I swear he's not that bad," Dominic apologized. However, Samael simply did not give a care.

"It is okay, mister Dominic," Trix said as she slowly approached Samael and gave him her greetings.

"Sir Samael, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Trix Geoffrey, daughter of Vishir San Geoffrey," she introduced.

Vishir, so her family is second ranked in the hierarchy, Samael thought as he gave the girl a nod.

"You!" Dominic opened his mouth, but noticing the looks on Lady Trix's face, he halted his words and sighed.

Samael was indeed fairly handsome, perhaps more so than 70% of the nobles and bachelors they currently have. But what made him stand out the most was the confidence he emitted. Trust in yourself that you can't just get so easily.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Sure, some nobles may have some confidence, but only based on their looks and family prestige. Samael had this air around him—that unbending trust in himself and in his power.

Clapping his hands together, Lady Trix and Samael shifted their attention to the man as he spoke. "Now, enough with the introductions, and let's get this whole thing started."

Lady Trix's face flushed red as she stood there, waiting. But nothing came.

Samael did not move an inch from his position. He simply stood there, watching Dominic with a gaze full of resolve.

"What are you waiting for? Go! Ask for her hand!" Dominic said.

"No," Samael defiantly uttered, silencing the room at once.

Lady Trix's face dimmed as she held her chest, shame welling in her heart at the boy's stone-cold response.

Dominic's face paled as he saw the girl start to lose faith.

Dragging Samael, he spoke. "What are you doing?!"

"What do you mean?" Samael dodged.

"This! Why aren't you cooperating?!" Dominic asked.

"I am cooperating. I read what you ask me to read, answer when you question me, and even heed your advice whenever you give one," Samael said.

"Not that! I mean... this!" Dominic said.

"Dancing?" Samael asked.

"Yes! Your actions are ungentlemanly!" Dominic berated.

Samael remained silent.

"You should have come up to her and asked for her hand! That's what you should have done!" Dominic said. But Samael's response was all the same.

"No."

Dominic's brows rose at the kid's answer. It was so resolute that it nearly made him give up convincing him all together.

"Why? Trix is a noble with great backing and beautiful to boot! She's one of the flowers of aristocratic society," Dominic explained.

A soft sigh escaped Samael's lips as he broke free from the man and approached the lady waiting in the middle of the room.

Dominic released a sigh of relief as he saw Samael close the distance. But what followed next shocked him.

"Lady Trix... right?"" Samael asked.

"Yes." She answered in a low tone as she felt her heart bang in her chest.

Reaching for his neck, Samael untied the necklace given to him by Lilith as she held it before the girl.

"I know you're a lady with great backing. I know you're attractive and that you're doing this out of obligations," Samael said as he caressed the necklace in his hand.

"But... I can't; I can't dance with you," Samael answered.

The girl's face flushed red as she ran away, tears trailing down her cheeks.

For a lady, her first dance was personal. Much like Samael, she was also here to prepare for the ball. A rejection such as this was a great disgrace for her honor as the daughter of a Vishir. It was basically the same as saying she was not beautiful or good enough for him.

"Ah! Lady Trix—no!" Dominic said, but Vishir's daughter had already left.

"Samael!" Dominic roared in disappointment.

A sigh escaped Samael's lips as he spoke. "I'll talk to her. Stay here."

Dominic was about to respond when Samael's figure vanished.

Lady Trix ran without stopping until she reached the garden. Sitting down, she sobbed. She wouldn't have reacted this violently over something so meager, but she actually liked Samael.

He was different from the rest. He held no form of desire for her that other men had. There was no lust in his eyes. What she saw was simply her reflection in his pupils. Samael saw her for who she is.

To have that man reject you twice was nothing short of a disgrace for her. It made her question whether she was lacking something.

Not only that, but Samael's response was solid. He said it with so much conviction that it hurt.

However, her sobs were soon hushed as a hand extended out to her, holding a white silk towel.

"Here," Samael said.

Lady Trix took the towel with hesitation before wiping off her tears.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Casting a glance at the moon, Samael spoke.

"I am sorry for rejecting you," he said.

Lady Trix couldn't help but feel as though Samael's tone held a form of longing she could not explain.

"I will forgive you if you tell me why," she said.

The ethereal glow of the moon shone on Samael's face, his figure appearing so distant when he was simply there.

"You see, I found a girl," Samael said.

"Someone so kind and beautiful that it is blinding."

Remembering all the time he and Lilith spent together, Samael resumed.

"Someone who looked at me as an equal and recognized me for who I am. Not for the scars I had or my past but simply... me."

"She was my light when I was at my lowest moments. She served as my guide when I was lost and helpless," Samael said.

Lady Trix could feel the emotions in Samael's voice—the sincerity and genuine adoration he felt.

"Unfortunately, I was too weak to protect her. In that weakness, I almost lost her," Samael said.

Lady Trix could feel the deep regret in Samael's tone as his face warped.

"So, we made a promise bound by blood—one I can never break," Samael said as memories of their oath played like a disc in his mind.

"A promise that whenever I feel hopeless and weak, I will remember her, and she will serve as the guiding light keeping my demons at bay," Samael reminisced.

"I promised that the next time we meet again, I will be worthy of her. and that we will go on an adventure of our own."

Lady Trix watched Samael gently touch the ruby-red crystal in his neck.

"So I'm sorry for rejecting you. It's just that I simply wish to do the things I want with her and her alone," Samael said.

Lady Trix's gaze lowered as she felt ashamed of herself. How can she be so blinded by honor?

Looking at Samael, she spoke.

"It's... okay. I understand."

Tapping the space beside her, she called for Samael.

"I'm sure whoever she is, she is wonderful. To tame someone's heart is a miracle we don't often see in this cold world," she said.

"So, do not worry. I won't hold any grudges, but can you accept one of my requests?" she asked.

Samael shifted his gaze towards Lady Trix as he spoke. "What is it?"

"Can I be your friend?" she asked.

A small, imperceptible smile made its way to Samael's lips as he gave a nod.

"If you say so," Samael said.

A chuckle escaped Lady Trix's lips as she rose up. "Let's return. Mister Dominic might get worried for us."

"Can't we stay here a little longer? He's just going to nag me about how important the serenity ball is," Samael said.

"Well, he isn't wrong," Trix said.

"Even you? I'm starting to regret this friendship," Samael jokingly said.

"Hey! No takebacks!" She said before going ahead, leaving Samael no choice but to follow.

Arriving back at the dance hall, Dominic approached Samael and dragged him away.

"So? Is everything okay now?" he asked.

"Yes, yes," Samael answered.

"Thank goodness!" Dominic exclaimed.

"That would have been bad for your reputation!" He followed.

"Me and Lady Trix are okay now. But we aren't going to dance," Samael said, prompting Dominic to jerk his head towards him.

"And why is that?" he asked.

"Personal reasons," Samael answered.

Dominic was about to scold Samael when Lady Trix spoke.

"It's okay, Mister Dominic. Samael has already explained why he refuses to dance, and I understand." She calmed the man down.

"Thank you for your considerations, my lady. I swear I'll straighten him for you," Dominic replied.

"Oh, I will be glad to see that," Lady Trix responded as the two erupted in laughter.