The music swelled as the waltz carried on, smooth and elegant.
Loralie followed Orion's lead carefully, her movements growing more confident with each step. He guided her effortlessly, one gloved hand firm at her waist, the other holding hers with practiced precision.

"I've never seen you around," Orion murmured. "Why's that?"

"I'm new," Loralie replied simply.

Orion's lips curved slightly. "Mysterious."

But his attention had already shifted.

Across the ballroom, a figure cut through the crowd.

Fast.

Focused.

Angry.

Orion noticed immediately, he was perceptive.

Without breaking rhythm, Orion's grip on Loralie tightened just slightly as he turned her, repositioning her so her back faced the approaching boy.

Loralie frowned faintly. "What are you doing?"

Orion leaned in just enough for only her to hear.

"Your friend doesn't seem very fond of me."

Loralie stiffened slightly. "What?-"

Orion's eyes flicked past her shoulder again. "Watch."

"I'm not here to play games—"

But before she could finish, Orion spun her again, pulling her closer than necessary.

The distance between them closed.

Too close.

Eyes locked on each other.

Noses almost brushing.

Lips too close.

Loralie's brows furrowed. "Why the hell are you doing that?"

Orion's voice dropped, calm and calculated.

"Because I want to see what he does."

That was enough to set her off.

Loralie pulled slightly against his hold. "Then let go." Her tone dropped to an irritated one.

But Orion didn't let go.

Not yet at least.

⸻

Across the ballroom, Haider had already stopped dancing.

His jaw tightened as he watched the scene unfold.

Too close.

Too controlled.

Too intentional.

Julia followed his gaze and sighed softly.

"You're staring again."

"I'm not," Haider snapped automatically.

Julia didn't argue.

She simply looked at him, calm and knowing. "Just go. Staring won't get her to like you."

Haider hesitated.

Just for a second.

He wanted to deny the fact he didn't like her. But something held his tongue.

Then he looked back at Loralie.

At Orion.

At the way the prince held her like he had every right to.

Something in him snapped.

⸻

Haider pushed through the crowd.

Fast.

Unapologetic.

Until he reached them.

"Let her go. She's clearly uncomfortable."

The words came out low, sharp.

Loralie turned quickly. "Haider?—"

Orion didn't move.

Instead, he slowly looked at Haider, his expression shifting into something colder.

"And you are?" he asked smoothly, a small smirk twitching up his lips.

Haider stepped forward and grabbed Loralie's wrist, pulling her slightly away from Orion's hold.

"That's not your concern."

The music around them began to falter.

People were starting to notice.

Orion tilted his head slightly, studying him.

Then, quietly:

"Ah."

Recognition.

Or maybe just confirmation.

His gaze flicked briefly to Loralie... then back to Haider.

"Upset," Orion said calmly, "that you're not the first choice?"

That did it.

Maybe it hit too close to home.

Haider shoved him.

Hard.

Orion stumbled back a step, more surprised than hurt.

Loralie's eyes widened and a scowl formed on her pretty features. "Haider, stop!"

But he didn't.

"I said back away from her!" Haider snapped, stepping forward again.

Orion straightened slowly, his composure cracking just enough to reveal irritation beneath.

Loralie's irritation and anger grew. How could he act like he cares one moment and the other he doesn't spare her a glance? Bullshit.

"I don't need you to save me, Haider!" Loralie snapped.

Haider didn't even glance at her. He was too busy glaring at the prince with anger and defiance.

"You don't seem to understand where you are," Orion replied coldly.

"And you don't seem to understand when to stop talking," Haider shot back.

Thats when the tension snapped.

Haider swung.

His fist connected with Orion's angelic nose.

A sharp crack echoed through the ballroom.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as Orion staggered back with a grunt, a hand flying to his face. Blood began to trickle from his nose, staining the front of his suit.

Silence fell.

Heavy.

Loralie covered her mouth and her eyes widened. "Orion!—"

Loralie ran to Orion to see if he's alright but Haider grabbed her wrist, hard.

Orion lowered his hand slowly, staring at the blood.

Something dark flickered in his eyes.

Not shock.

Not fear.

Humiliation.

That was worse.

He looked up.

And this time, there was no charm left in his expression.

⸻

Orion stepped forward suddenly, grabbing a fistful of Haider's suit and yanking him closer.

"You think this impresses her?" he muttered.

Haider didn't hesitate—he shoved him back again.

"Touch her again and see what happens."

For a split second, it looked like Orion might stop.

Might walk away.

But then his jaw tightened.

And something in him broke.

⸻

From inside his coat, Orion pulled a small blade.

The movement was fast.

Too fast.

Before anyone could react—

He lunged.

The blade sliced across Haider's face, catching just above his brow and dragging down toward his cheek.

Haider recoiled instantly, a sharp cry leaving him as he stumbled back, clutching his face.

Blood.

Too much of it.

"Haider!" Loralie rushed forward, grabbing his hands and pulling them away to see the wound. "Are you okay?!" Any anger she felt towards Haider faded in an instant when she saw the crimson liquid dripping from his face.

Her voice shook now.

Fear replacing everything else.

⸻

Behind them, the room erupted into whispers and panic.

Orion stood still, breathing heavier than before, staring at the scene he had just caused.

Then, coldly:

"Guards."

The word cut through the noise.

Hard and full of authority.

Heavy footsteps followed almost immediately.

"Take them away. Violent dogs are not welcome to my ball."