The Ice Queen Who Wouldn’t Leave
Fortunately, Selene Aurevale finally made her entrance.
A gust pushed the MoonDrift Club’s entrance wide, slicing loud beats mid-breath. Light bled from glowing walls, painting her shape in streaks of electric color. Her dark hair trailed like smoke behind each step forward. Eyes bright with icy edges scanned the space without pause. A stillness followed close, unlike the sticky warmth clinging to everyone else. Slls of drink and sweet sprays did nothing to cover how different she carried herself.
She walked straight toward the number one high platform.
Every head turned.
Conversations faltered. A few n stared openly, stunned by her beauty. So gathered courage and stepped forward with smiles and opening lines already prepared. One even tried to walk alongside her, determined to impress.
But when they saw where she was headed—when they recognized the exclusive platform, the seat reserved for the elite—they slowed. Hesitated. Backed off.
She didn’t even spare them a glance.
"Julian!"
Her voice cut cleanly through the noise.
Upstairs, Julian D’Aurelius lifted his gaze slow, arm resting across Lina Ashford’s narrow hips. Spotting Selene frozen in place - glare sharp at seeing him tangled with soone else - a small smile tugged one corner of his mouth.
"What?" he replied lightly. "Here to talk about breaking the engagent?"
[See this? I’m holding such a beautiful woman, can you still tolerate it?]
[Don’t hesitate, get angry. I’ll even let you throw a drink in my face today!]
[Co on, don’t pity just because I’m a delicate flower. Show your dignity as the female lead!]
Selene heard every word in his head.
So that was his plan.
Release the video. Provoke her. Force her to explode. Push her to call off the engagent.
Hmph.
Did he really think she was that predictable?
Her anger cooled—not vanished, but refined. Like steel tempered in ice.
Instead of slapping him, instead of creating a scene—
She walked forward.
Sat down beside him.
"What engagent?" she said calmly, even gently. "We’ve co so far together. What are you thinking?"
Julian’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second.
"I saw you drinking alone here," she continued, pouring herself a glass as if nothing were wrong. "So I wanted to join you."
Mike Valquin blinked in disbelief.
What was happening?
The Selene Aurevale he knew—the aloof Ice Queen of Valemont—could tolerate her fiancé openly hugging another woman?
And speak so calmly?
Had the world ended?
Julian stared at the glass she poured for him, then at her serene expression.
[You’re not following the script?]
[Girl, your dignity is already compromised and you can still endure this?]
[Quick, follow your instincts. Rember who you are? You’re Selene Aurevale, the Ice Queen!]
[How about this—today I’ll make an exception and offer a big discount.]
[I’ll let you slap and call shaless, then we can break off the engagent, okay?]
[Don’t hesitate. This is a golden opportunity to prove yourself.]
[If you don’t, how will Lina report to the Obsidian King that we’re just friends?]
Selene’s grip on the champagne glass tightened almost imperceptibly.
He was really trying hard.
Julian suddenly tightened his arm around Lina and leaned in with exaggerated shalessness.
"Then go drink sowhere else," he said, voice deliberately crude. "You’ll disturb Miss Lina and here."
He pulled Lina closer, his hand resting at her waist in a way ant to provoke.
[See this? This is what a shaless beast looks like.]
[If you can’t stand it, just leave.]
[Don’t force to go further. My moral bottom line is very flexible. I can do anything.]
Lina’s jaw almost clenched.
This bastard.
Using her like a prop.
If he wanted to act like that, she could act too.
She softened instantly, letting her body lean into Julian more obviously. Her fingers slid lightly over his shoulder as if claiming him.
Selene watched.
Her heart twisted—not because she believed the act, but because he was trying so desperately to push her away.
And that made it worse.
"This guy," she thought, almost amused, almost furious. "Does he really think I can’t see through him?"
She set down her glass and spoke gently.
"Go ahead and drink. I won’t interfere." She looked at him steadily. "When you’re done, let’s go ho together, okay?"
Julian’s expression blanked completely.
"..."
"???"
For a mont, he genuinely wondered if he had entered so parallel dinsion.
Selene slid her hand around his arm, fingers light but firm.
"Don’t look at like that," she said softly. "I’ve thought it through."
"In the past three years, to test you, I made you suffer too much."
"But from now on, I want to make you the happiest man in the world."
"You can do whatever you want. I won’t bla you."
The music thundered below. Glasses clinked. Laughter rose from the dance floor.
And yet, at this table, the air felt suffocatingly still.
Julian inhaled slowly.
His legs almost went weak.
This woman.
She was going to be the death of him.
[You want to play for real? Fine. Let’s see who has the lower bottom line.]
[Damn it, I’ll—forget it. I can’t live with that.]
[Sigh. Better take Lina away first. If she keeps listening, we really can’t continue this performance.]
He suddenly sneered.
"Suit yourself," he said coldly. "Drink slowly."
"Miss Lina and I are going to the restroom. Don’t disturb us."
He stood, arm still around Lina, and led her away from the number one high platform.
Mike sat frozen.
Damn.
Even as the self-proclaid king of nightclubs, he had never seen sothing this chaotic.
Was tonight cursed?
Was everyone possessed?
Selene did not follow.
She remained seated, lifting her champagne slowly to her lips. The bubbles fizzed against the glass. Her reflection shimred faintly in the golden liquid.
She felt... strangely happy.
Happy because she knew Julian wasn’t truly indulging. It was all an act.
But conflicted.
Because his resistance toward her felt real.
The distance.
The avoidance.
The desperation to push her away.
Could it be...
Were his three years of affection nothing more than a performance?
The champagne tasted bitter.
And for the first ti that night, the Ice Queen felt sothing dangerously close to doubt.
User Comments
0 comments from readers