Chapter 51 Lazy Grace

This bunos chapter is dedicated to @Sacogun and @Ivette_M11! TYSM for the supergifts! <3

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? As Elle watched Elijah sauntered off the dance floor as though all the earlier drama had not happened, she could not help but think how incredibly confusing this person was. Something in him truly make one wonder if he was actually a friend or an enemy. She could not quite tell if he was truly evil or not – even after being so physically close to him while they were dancing and conversing at the same time. r

This was the first time she had ever felt so comfortable with someone and at the same time, feeling as though she wanted to run away from him like her very life was in danger. This was the first time she had met someone that could scare her to bits and then make her feel so bad for him like this – all in the same breath. r

Her thoughts and gaze were immediately pulled away from Elijah's retreating back as Sebastian scooped her up into his arms in one swift movement. The action gave her a shock and she let out a small gasp before she could even have the presence of mind to hold it back.r

Elle naturally curled her arms around his neck and finally looked up at him. But she could not quite see his face clearly from this angle. All she could see was the tight set of his sharp jaw. r

"Seb… Sebastian… Elijah had asked you to stay on for a bit longer." She said out in a low voice because Sebastian had not brought her back to their table. He was striding swiftly towards the entrance instead. "I think we should stay back a little… even if it were just for a few more minutes. I mean… since you are here already." r

She had thought about the words that Elijah had said. That this was the first time ever that Sebastian had attended his birthday was the main reason why Elle was saying this. No matter what Elijah had done to her, he had already apologized for it. Furthermore, he had not hurt her. She still hoped that Sebastian would grant him his wish and stay even for a bit longer. r

"Sebastian…" she called out to him again and his hold on her tightened a little before he finally halted in his steps, making her breathe out in relief. r

Finally, he looked down at her. His jaws tight, his eyes cold and stormy.r

He was not wearing any mask as per the theme of the party. His dark hair was tousled as if he had driven over for miles with his car windows opened. And yet, that tussled dark hair did not make him look any less gorgeous. In fact, it even made him looked more attractive – like some rogue underground prince on the run. His intense metallic grey eyes bored into hers and she could not help that her heartbeats responded to that alluring picture he made by dancing around in chaos.r

"Please put me down… let's go back to our table…" she trailed off as he finally put her down.r

"Just fifteen minutes." He finally caved in. His dark mood did not seem to positively improve. Elle could tell that he had just forcefully buried and restrained whatever dark emotion deep within himself. r

He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards where the champagnes and wines were served. Grabbing a glass, he sipped on it first before handing it over to her. r

Elle blinked at him before she accepted the glass and slowly drunk it while looking at him over the rim of her glass. Why had he tasted it first? Could it be… that he was testing it for poison? Realizing that it might be the case, her heart skipped a beat as a warmth flowed through her. She tried to compose herself by sipping quicker on her wine. But why would someone put poison…r

"More?" He asked when he saw that she was almost done with her drink, cutting her thoughts off.r

When Elle shook her head, Sebastian led her back to their table. He sat quietly. His focus was fully on the dancefloor, but he seemed not to be watching. There was a slightly blank look in his eyes that Elle caught, telling her that he was lost in his own thoughts. He looked like he could not wait for the fifteen minutes to be over so they could finally leave the place. r

Then an unexpected announcement echoed within the hall. "Let's have our most special guests for tonight take the dance floor. Please give Prince Sebastian and his lovely wife an applause everyone!"r

Elle shot her eyes towards Sebastian, widening at the unexpected announcement. That was… certainly a surprise. r

Sebastian did not turn to look at her. He simply stared at the stage but then, he unexpectedly stood up, causing Elle's heart to pump uncontrollably hard. r

He faced her and offered her his hand. r

Elle stared down at his gloved hand as she tried to stay calm. She told herself that just like her, Sebastian must be thinking that this was their chance to shut down the rumor mill. Right, she still could not quite get over what Elijah had said earlier. There were already rumors flying around about them. So, they must shut it down now. This was a chance.r

Lifting her hand, Elle finally rested hers into his outstretched ones.r

When they stood there on the dancefloor, facing each other, Elle maintained her gaze on their hands. Her heartbeat was not calming down no matter what she told herself.r

A beautiful music started playing as she placed her hand on his shoulder and then their waltz began. r

Sebastian could dance! And he could dance really well! Well, she already knew that he could, because it was kind of expected as he was a royal – a crown prince even. But she had expected him to only be the type who mastered the textbook type of waltz, just like her. But dear, was she ever wrong. He may not be as mastered and choreographed as Elijah, but he danced with such lazy grace. The way he held her made the dance seemed so easy, so light, that she almost felt like she was flying. r

When Elle made the first turn, she was brought so much closer to him that the moment their eyes met, Elle felt like something had jolted her heart. r

But she smiled it out, trying to distract herself. She was trying hard to not get lost in those wonderful eyes of his. r

"Why… did you come over here?" she suddenly asked him.