This World Can't Handle A Cultivating Bad-boy.

About two month ago.

Alex sat in his office as usual, documents splayed across his desk in a haphazard manner.

His tie was pulled to his chest, the top buttons of his shirt were undone and beads of sweat threatened his, unwise tight composure.

He'd been stomped by several officials and financial matters, the creation of the new hall was slow and things weren't moving particularly well.

Running a hand down his face, his eyes drifted to a figure across from him. Sprawled on the chair like he owned it.

Alex gritted his teeth subtly. It'd grown incessantly annoying how comfortable Aegon became in his office.

Like right now, there was no mission, it was mid-afternoon, so he probably had class.

And yet, here he was.

"What are you doing here, Dhalar?" Alex added finally, narrowing his eyes. "There's no mission for you."

"I know." Aegon answered without looking his way. "Just bored."

"Bored?" Alex repeated. "How the hell is that my business? Get the hell out of my office."

"..."

"...?"

He ignored him and continued to stare at the ceiling, unthinkingly.

Alex placed his hands on his temples and rubbed furiously. Then he focused back on the documents on the table.

While thinking about the gala, a thought popped up and he asked, "Do you know how to dance?"

Aegon turned to him. "That was unexpected. What for?"

"There's gonna be a dance in the gala, so prepare accordingly."

Arching a brow, Aegon asked. "What dance?"

"A ball dance."

***

Two months of preparation and the results?... Spectacular.

He needed to speak with Alex personally at least once, but was pondering on how he could capture his attention in a room filled with so many rich people.

He had associated with Alex enough to know what type of person he was. Alex was a greedy fucking bastard.

He wasn't the type to kill someone for money, but he'd most definitely wouldn't oppose it outright.

For now, he set those thoughts aside.

"I suppose I can't refuse," he said.

He reached out, taking her hand.

The lady's smile widened as she led him toward the dance floor. The lights shimmered as it reflected off their masks.

——♬♫♪♩

And just like that, the two began their slow waltz.

Despite everything, she moved with natural elegance. Her steps were both fluid and refine.

——♬♫♪♩

Aegon was no less skilled. Though not someone who often indulged in ballroom dances, his movements were never clumsy.

Their steps mirrored one another, neither overstepping as they synchronized to the melodious tune.

"Mr Dhalar, I've certainly heard a lot about you." She gave a sly smile, her amethyst gleaming in the chandelier light. "Both gracefully and scandalous."

He adjusted his hand to her lower back and spoke, voice barely above a whisper. "And what part do you believe?"

Her smile stretched. "The part where you killed a very important associate of mine—" she rolled her eyes and added. "More accurately, my father's."

"...And you are?" He said smoothly.

"Ashlynn Moretti." She said as if the name alone was an ability. "Yes, from that Moretti family."

Aegon nodded, seamlessly twirling Ashlynn in a graceful arc as they danced.

This was the last thing he wanted to worry about at the moment but apparently problems don't wait for his convenience.

He finally found his voice as they danced. "Ms Moretti?..." He called her elegantly. "Your affairs and mine do not intertwine—"

"Is that so?" She cut in without raising the tone by a decibel. "That's not how it looks, especially when you're going around killing heroes."

He didn't react, at least not outwardly. On the surface, he kept his surprise that the minimum but inwardly, he was already sweating buckets.

He'd been discreet. Avoiding camerad streets, subtly was what it demanded and that was what he provided.

And yet, she knew.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He lied smoothly. "I'm a student who's not allowed off academy grounds unless with the appropriate documentation," He lowered his eyes to meet her. "And if you're talking about the recent hero deaths, I suggest you tread carefully... vigilantes don't care about power."

Flick—!

The lights dimmed momentarily before brightening again as everyone paused briefly.

Then, the music changed.

——♬♫♪♩

The once-melodious tune shifted into a livelier, more rhythmic beat, signaling the natural transition of the dance.

It was time to switch partners.

Around them, nobles moved in elegant rotations, stepping away from their previous partners to greet a new one.

Aegon released Ashlynn's hand as she gracefully moved into another's embrace.

But before that, she stepped closer to him, slid a card into his blazer pocket and patted it twice.

She rose to the top of her toes, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and whispered into his ear. "There's a reason why heroes and villains stay clear of the Mafia.

We're not afraid to spill blood. Nor do we shy away from the difficult circumstances.

I'd suggest you contact that number as soon as possible for a... positive way to settle your differences. At least, before he comes for you himself."

Placing a gentle kiss on his cheek, she lowered herself and stepped away.

And before he could even register who stood before him, his eyes widened.

"Ah…?"

Even beneath the masquerade mask, from the big blue eyes alone, it was obvious. He could never mistake her face.

Miss Mira Stark. The other transmigrator.

Dressed in elegant black that highlighted her beautiful eyes and uniquely blue hair.

Aegon blinked, his mind briefly stalling before he exhaled and regained his composure.

Last he saw her, she made it explicitly clear she wanted nothing to do with him, and now here she was. Asking for a dance.

Then, with a slight bow, he extended his hand.

"Will you offer me this dance, my lady?"

"I— W-Well, I suppose it would be rude to refuse…!" she said, hurriedly placing her hand in his.

Still playing the part of the shy powerful princess.

The moment their fingers intertwined, the music swelled once more, guiding them into motion.

"Thought you didn't want anything to do with me?" He asked.

"And somehow, you suck everyone into your fucking orbit."

----

[ A/N ]: Happy Holidays to all my faithful and fantastic readers, however few you may be🥲

Thank you for always reading and I promise to always strive to make better stories.

This is my first webnovel and I'll see to write it to the end. You could always motivate that process with a gift or two, *cough* I'm broke.

Thank you for reading at all.