Rosa stared at the mirror for a while, she couldn't believe all this was happening. Her father thought she didn't know the purpose of this party, but Rosa knew. She knew everything.
About her father hooking her up with Ash Valeheart.
Rosa never knew about Ash. She never even saw his face. He was just like another secret admirer Rosa had. Although, this admirer was crazy, even killing for her.
Someone lightly knocked at the door, pulling Rosa out of her deep trance, "Coming!" She spoke hurriedly and set her hair one last time.
She was nervous, this was not some random party, but an engagement party with someone she never saw, only heard from afar.
Rosa stepped out of her room and walked through the hallway. Her heels clicked softly against the wooden floor. She reached the top of the stairs and stopped for a moment. The sound of music and quiet chatter floated up from below.
She took a deep breath and began walking down.
The lights in the hall dimmed slightly, and a spotlight turned toward the staircase, landing directly on her. People looked up. All eyes were on her now.
Rosa gripped the railing lightly and kept her gaze forward. She tried not to show her nerves. Each step felt slower than the last.
She could see her father at the bottom, smiling. And next to him, someone stood tall and still—Ash, she guessed. He wasn't smiling. He was just watching her.
Rosa finally reached the last step. She stood still for a second, unsure what came next.
Rosa's father, Victor Aldrin, walked up beside her and turned to face the crowd. With a proud voice, he called out, "May I have everyone's attention!"
The room quieted at once, all eyes shifting to Victor—and to Rosa.
"I am pleased to announce," Victor said with joy swelling in his chest, "that today is my beloved daughter's eighteenth birthday!" A ripple of applause passed through the crowd. "And that," he added with a wide smile, "is the very reason for this grand banquet!"
The guests nodded and clapped, some raising their glasses. But then, a voice rose from the crowd — a bold, older man with a mischievous grin. "Ha! Old man Victor! Your daughter's already of age — why not marry her off to my son? He's quite the capable young man."
"Father," Rosa spoke softly, her eyes flicking up to him in warning. But Victor either didn't hear or chose to ignore her.
"I'm sorry, my friend," he said politely but firmly. "She has already been promised to someone else."
Rosa's cheeks flushed a deep crimson at the word promised. Her eyes instinctively found Ash across the ballroom.
He wasn't looking at her.
Instead, he was deep in political conversation with a pair of nobles, his expression unreadable. Not a single glance in her direction.
If he liked me… wouldn't he be watching? she wondered. Why won't he look?
Victor clapped twice with a grin, and suddenly music swelled in the hall — romantic and graceful.
Couples began to pair off, gliding to the rhythm. Rosa watched her father take her Step-mother's hand and lead her into a slow, elegant dance. Around them, the ballroom spun into motion. Still standing alone, Rosa glanced back at Ash's side — and sighed. A small crowd of women had surrounded him, each vying for his attention, begging for a dance.
She couldn't help but chuckle. It was absurd, really.
Just then, a tall man with slicked-back hair stepped in front of her and gave a dramatic bow. "Would someone as lovely as you dare to dance with this poor, lonely soul?" he asked with a smirk.
Rosa's smile vanished. "Thank you, but I'm good," she said firmly.
"Ah, come on," he said, not budging. "One dance won't kill you."
Her patience thinned. "I really am not in the mood." The man didn't listen as he moved closer, and Rosa backed up.
He laughed, clearly enjoying pushing her boundaries, and extended a hand toward her.
Before Rosa could take another step back, a firm hand gripped the man's wrist.
Ash.
He stood between them now, his eyes hard and voice low. "She said she's not interested."
The man scoffed, yanking his arm back. "Tch. Didn't realize she needed a guard dog."
Ash didn't move, didn't flinch. "Walk away." He said in a calm manner.
With a scowl, the man turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Rosa stared at Ash, her heart thudding. She hadn't expected him to notice — let alone intervene. A flicker of embarrassment warmed her cheeks.
"Thank you," she said quietly. Her eye's lowered, avoiding the man's gaze.
Ash glanced at her at last, his eyes unreadable but his tone gentle. "You looked uncomfortable."
She nodded, glanced at Ash, but his face was covered by the mask, then she looked away, trying to steady her breath.
Around them, the music played on. But suddenly, the room felt just a little less crowded.
"Ahem." Ash cleared his throat awkwardly. "Would you... uh, like to dance?" he asked, his voice a little hoarse.
Rosa looked him dead in the eye and said, "No."
Ash froze. For a full second, he just stood there, blinking. Then, clearly panicking, he scratched the back of his head and took a tiny step back. "Right... yeah. Okay. Well... have a great day then."
He turned halfway, as if ready to retreat into the crowd and disappear forever.
Rosa bit her tongue, trying to stay in character—but she couldn't hold it. The moment he said "have a great day", she burst out laughing.
"Silly! Haha, I'm just joking! Of course I'll dance with you!"
Ash turned back slowly, eyes wide with confusion. "Wait, what?"
Rosa grinned. "You should've seen your face. You looked like you were about to run straight into the ocean."
Ash let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. "Great. First public rejection, now emotional damage."
Rosa just laughed, offering her hand with a eyes shaped as a crescent. "Come on, before I change my mind again."