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The grand ballroom was dazzling with light and grandeur. Glittering chandeliers shimmered above while nobles in their finest gowns and uniforms danced gracefully across the polished marble floor.
Tonight, the royal family was hosting another grand ball to celebrate their return to the capital. Everyone was in high spirits.
Everyone… except Aiden.
He stood near the refreshment table, awkwardly picking at a fruit tart. His hair was neatly styled, his see-through bangs softly brushing his lashes, and the sheer elegance of his white and silver outfit clung delicately to his fragile frame. More than once, passing nobles turned to stare — but Aiden ignored it all.
Then he felt a familiar presence.
He turned, and there stood Shinomi, dressed in deep navy and black, exuding quiet power and grace. His sharp gaze softened as he looked at Aiden.
"Dance with me," he said.
Aiden blinked. "Now? With everyone watching?"
"Exactly now." Shinomi extended his hand.
Aiden hesitated only a second before placing his hand in Shinomi's.
They moved onto the dance floor, and as the music changed into a gentle waltz, the crowd naturally parted around them, drawn in by the unusual yet breathtaking pairing of two men — one elegant like moonlight, the other dark and regal like midnight.
Their dance was smooth, fluid. Shinomi guided Aiden effortlessly, their steps perfectly in sync. As the music built, so did the tension between them. They leaned closer — too close for propriety.
Aiden's eyes flicked to Shinomi's lips.
He shouldn't.
He couldn't.
But he did.
Their lips brushed — softly, uncertainly.
The room went quiet.
Gasps echoed. The orchestra faltered.
And then, before either of them could register it fully, Shinomi leaned forward again — this time with certainty — and kissed Aiden.
It was slow. Deep. The kind of kiss that silenced even scandal.
Aiden didn't pull away. He melted into it, his hand tightening around Shinomi's collar, his body trembling under the weight of emotion.
But before the moment could last—
"RENNARD!!"
The commanding voice cracked through the silence.
Shinomi and Aiden broke apart, startled, as the crowd turned. A tall, stern man stormed through the ballroom — Duke Rael, Aiden's father.
He grabbed Aiden's wrist and yanked him away from Shinomi with force.
"What do you think you're doing!?" Duke Rael hissed, voice loud enough for all to hear. "Have you lost all shame? Making a spectacle of yourself in front of nobles, clinging to another man?!"
Aiden stumbled. "F-Father, I—"
"You disgrace our family! Wearing that, dancing like a harlot, kissing a man in front of the court! What were you thinking!?"
He turned his fury toward Shinomi. "And you—Prince Shinomi. Is this your idea of entertainment? Seducing someone beneath your station just for amusement?!"
The crowd watched in stunned silence. Whispers exploded like wildfire.
Aiden's hands trembled. His cheeks burned not from embarrassment, but from helpless anger. Shinomi stepped forward, but Aiden quickly shook his head, eyes silently pleading.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Aiden whispered.
But Duke Rael wasn't listening.
"You're coming with me. Now."
He dragged Aiden away, and Shinomi stood frozen, fists clenched tightly by his sides.
All around them, nobles watched with judgment in their eyes… and curiosity. The royal gossip mill would feed on this moment for weeks.
But in the far corner of the ballroom, a few younger nobles — especially those of the newer generation — looked on not with scorn, but admiration. They had seen a prince and a boy brave enough to kiss. Brave enough to defy everything.
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