The Blood of the Crown [BL]

The carriage moved through the cobblestone streets, the sound of its wheels echoing in the tense silence that hung between us. Lyra gazed out the window, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her dress. Valentina, seated beside me, seemed more interested in inspecting her nails than engaging in any conversation. Mateus, as always, remained silent, but his eyes observed everything intently.

"Boss," Mateus finally broke the silence, his voice low and restrained. "Are you sure provoking the crown prince tonight is a good idea?"

I smiled, leaning back against the leather seat. "Mateus, when did you start worrying so much about my decisions? I thought you were more of the 'obey and don't ask questions' type."

He frowned but didn't reply. Instead, his eyes met mine for a brief moment before he looked away. There was something different about him, a slight change that I couldn't quite decipher yet.

"Zephyr," Lyra interjected, her voice sweet but tinged with irritation. "Don't you think you're underestimating the prince? He's not as naive as you think."

"Oh, Lyra," I replied, leaning forward with a mocking smile. "Are you worried about him or about the fact that he might not fall for my charm like you did?"

She blushed but didn't answer. Instead, she crossed her arms and turned her face toward the window. Valentina chuckled softly, clearly amused by the situation.

"You really never change, Zephyr," she said, her amber eyes gleaming with amusement. "Always pushing everyone until someone snaps."

"It's what keeps me young and handsome," I replied, running a hand through my hair with a dramatic gesture.

Valentina rolled her eyes, but I couldn't help noticing the slight smile on her lips. She had always been one of the few people who could keep up with my teasing, and that made her a valuable ally.

When the carriage finally stopped before the palace, the sight was breathtaking. The grand building was illuminated by hundreds of candles, its majestic architecture reflecting the wealth and power of the imperial family. Nobles dressed in luxurious attire moved in and out, their laughter and chatter echoing through the night air.

"Boss," Mateus whispered, stepping closer as we descended from the carriage. "Remember, the prince isn't the only danger here. Many eyes are watching."

"Relax, Mateus," I replied, adjusting my gloves. "I know what I'm doing."

He didn't seem convinced, but he said nothing more. Instead, he followed behind me as I led our group toward the palace entrance.

The ballroom was a spectacle of lights, colors, and music. Nobles in extravagant attire danced to the orchestra's melody, their laughter and conversations filling the air with an electrifying energy. The scent of flowers and expensive perfumes mingled with the aroma of exquisite food, creating an atmosphere that was both luxurious and suffocating.

I moved through the ballroom, my gaze sharp and attentive to every detail. Mateus was at my side, his posture rigid and silent as always, but his eyes missed nothing.

"Boss," he murmured, leaning slightly toward me. "That man in green is the Duke of Valtoria. He's a close ally of the crown prince."

"Interesting," I murmured, observing the silver-haired man with a regal bearing. "And that woman in red?"

"Lady Isabella, one of the most influential ladies at court. She doesn't like you."

"Shocking," I replied sarcastically, but Mateus didn't react. He continued briefing me on the nobles present while I tried to memorize each name and face. Reincarnating into a world I barely knew had its downsides, and I needed all the help I could get.

As we moved, I noticed Bianca standing in a corner of the ballroom, conversing with a group of nobles. She was impeccable as always, her dark red dress standing out among the crowd. Her violet eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and challenge, and her smile was as sharp as a blade.

"Zephyr Delacroix," her voice echoed through the ballroom. "You finally decided to show up."

I turned to see Bianca walking toward us.

"Bianca," I responded, offering a deep, exaggerated bow. "Always a pleasure."

She laughed, but there was something calculated in her gaze. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"I've been told that a few times," I replied, keeping my tone light. "But I prefer to think of myself as… memorable."

She laughed again, but her smile grew a little tighter. Before we could continue the conversation, Lyra intervened, her voice sweet and innocent.

"Lady Bianca, you look stunning tonight."

Bianca didn't reply, but her smile tightened even more. Before any of us could say another word, a murmur rippled through the ballroom. All eyes turned toward the entrance, where the crown prince, Cassius, had just arrived.

He was impossible to ignore. His black attire, accented with red and gold, stood out against the ballroom's vibrant colors, and his crimson eyes burned with an intensity that was hard to overlook. His posture was regal, but there was something distant in his expression.

"The crown prince," someone whispered nearby. "He's even more handsome than they say."

"And more dangerous," another added, their voice tinged with admiration and fear.

I stood still for a moment, observing Cassius. He was indeed striking, but I couldn't help but notice the tension in his shoulders and the cold detachment in his gaze. It was as if he carried an invisible burden, something no one else could see.

"Boss," Mateus whispered, pulling my focus back to him. "You should go greet him."

"Of course," I replied, adjusting my gloves. "We wouldn't want to be rude, would we?"

I walked toward Cassius, feeling the curious gazes of the nobles around me. As I approached, he turned to face me, his crimson eyes shining with a fierce intensity.

"Crown Prince," I greeted, offering a slight bow. "What an honor."

"Zephyr Delacroix," he responded, his deep voice laced with disdain. "I expected you to be busy causing trouble elsewhere."

"And miss the chance to see you? Never." I teased, raising an eyebrow. "Besides, who else would brighten up this evening with their presence?"