The carriage moved slowly through the cobblestone streets of Aeloria, approaching the castle that shimmered beneath the glow of candelabras and torches. From the window, Amara watched with her heart racing. Although she tried to remain calm, the imposing building brought back memories of the days when that place had been her home—a time that now felt as though it belonged to another life.

  Asier, seated across from her, did not take his eyes off her. He noticed the tension in her jaw and the way her hands nervously played with a fold of her dress.

  “Amara,” he said softly, drawing her attention. He reached out and held her hand firmly, his touch warm and reassuring. “I’m with you. No matter what happens, you’re not alone.”

  Amara looked into his eyes and nodded with a small sigh, letting his words calm her.

  When the carriage stopped in front of the massive doors of the ballroom, a page opened them with a bow. Asier stepped down first, offering his hand to help her descend. Amara accepted and stepped out, her midnight-blue dress shimmering with golden embroidery that seemed to reflect the stars.

  Inside the hall, the air was thick with elegant music and the murmur of conversation. The arrival of the emperor of Nivara did not go unnoticed. Eyes turned toward the entrance as Asier and Amara appeared. The murmuring grew louder when they recognized the young woman beside him.

  “Is that Amara?” some whispered.

  “What is she doing here after everything that happened with Prince Anwar?”

  “And why is she with the emperor of Nivara?”

  Amara felt the gazes pierce her like daggers, but she stood tall, gripping Asier’s hand. Aware of her discomfort, he gently drew her closer, offering support with a subtle squeeze.

  Prince Anwar, who had been speaking with a group of nobles, turned at the sound of the murmurs. His expression hardened when he saw Amara. With a tight smile, he approached them.

  “Emperor Asier,” he said, bowing his head slightly. “What a surprise to find you here. I’m pleased you could attend this event.”

  Asier returned the gesture, though his tone was cold and calculated.

  “Prince Anwar, the pleasure is mine,” he replied, not releasing Amara’s hand. “I’m sure you already know Amara, don’t you?” he added, letting the weight of his words fall heavily. “She is my fiancée.”

  Anwar’s eyes narrowed, and although he tried to maintain his composure, his contempt was evident.

  “Well, how unexpected,” he said, looking at Amara as though she were a piece of merchandise. His voice dripped with venom as he added, “It seems you jumped from a prince to an emperor like some common woman.”

  Before Amara could respond, Asier stepped forward, placing a protective hand on her waist and pulling her to his side.

  “Prince Anwar,” Asier said, his voice low but filled with authority. “Amara is my fiancée, and I will not tolerate any disrespect toward her. I hope that is clear.”

  The two men locked eyes, a silent exchange of challenge and fury. Finally, Anwar broke the tension, changing the subject with a false smile.

  “In any case,” he said dismissively, “I already have a new fiancée.” He gestured toward a young woman with light blond hair standing nearby. “Sofía Duval, daughter of the Marquis of Aeloria.”

  Sofía approached with quiet steps and offered a slight bow.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Emperor Asier, Miss Amara,” she said sweetly, though her eyes glimmered with barely concealed malice. She looked at Amara and added, “I’ve heard many stories about you. I’m surprised to see you here tonight.”

  Amara maintained a flawless smile, though her gaze was firm.

  “I’ve heard many stories about you as well, Sofía. It’s a pleasure to finally put a face to your name.”

  The comment, delivered with perfect courtesy, carried a hidden edge. The rumors about Sofía’s tactics to secure her position as Anwar’s fiancée were well known among the noble circles.

  Sofía stiffened slightly, but before she could reply, Amara turned her attention back to Anwar.

  “Prince Anwar,” she said with cutting subtlety, “I hope the rest of your life is as good as the way you treat others.”

  Anwar’s smile froze, and before he could respond, Amara took Asier’s hand and guided him away from the center of the hall.

  When they reached a quieter corner, Asier inclined his head slightly toward her, his eyes shining with approval.

  “That was… impressive.”

  Amara let out a soft laugh.

  “I couldn’t stay quiet.”

  Asier smiled faintly and, noticing Duke Lucas and Marchioness Barbara entering the hall, gave a barely perceptible nod. The message was clear: it was time to act.

  Lucas and Barbara, dressed with elegance and composure, began to mingle with the guests, discreetly observing and exploring their surroundings. Nico, along with the other attendants, also spread out across the hall, approaching servants with casual questions, trying to gather information.

  Asier and Amara danced as the music filled the hall, both immersing themselves in the moment. Still, Asier, with a curious look, asked her about her parents.

  “How are they?” he asked softly.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Amara shrugged, her expression turning melancholic.

  “I haven’t heard anything from them since I escaped. I know they should be here, but I haven’t seen them yet.”

  Asier watched her with understanding, and for a moment, the glow of the lights seemed to blur. However, when Amara looked around, she noticed Anwar watching them from the side, his gaze filled with envy. She felt uneasy but tried to remain calm.

  When the dance came to an end, Asier, ever attentive, said,

  “I’m going to the restroom. Will you be alright on your own?”

  Amara nodded with a forced smile, watching him disappear into the crowd. Just as she was about to relax, she felt a hand on her arm. She turned, her heart skipping when she saw Anwar standing before her. He grabbed her arm and dragged her into a room away from the ballroom.

  “How dare you be here?” he said, his voice filled with contempt and fury.

  Amara tried to free herself, but he wouldn’t let go.

  “What happened between us was a mistake,” she replied, trying to maintain her composure. “I’m here because Emperor Asier was invited, and we’re simply socializing.”

  Anwar stared at her, his expression baffled.

  “I don’t understand how an emperor could be interested in you after everything that happened,” he said mockingly.

  Fear seized Amara for a moment, but she took a deep breath and stood firm.

  “Asier is different,” she replied. “He is kind, and he understands me—something you never did.”

  Anwar, still wearing a cold smile, stepped closer, pressing her toward him defiantly.

  “Do you really think that changes anything?” he said arrogantly. “No one escapes their past.”

  Startled by his closeness, Amara tried to step back, but Anwar grabbed her arm and shoved her against the wall.

  “You know, after tasting your body last time, I was hoping to do it again,” Anwar said, his gaze sadistic.

  On the verge of tears, Amara begged him to stop, but Anwar ignored her and began unfastening her dress. No matter what she did to resist, Anwar’s strength left her at a disadvantage, and all she could do was scream for help.

  Asier realized immediately that Amara was gone. The crowd had swallowed her, and despite searching the entire hall, he couldn’t find her. Alarmed, he decided to look beyond the ballroom. He moved quickly, wondering whether she had gotten lost—or whether something worse had happened. When he reached a secluded room, the door was ajar, and that was when he heard voices.

  Amara was there, with Anwar in front of her. Without hesitation, Asier shoved the door open. His heart pounded, and a knot of rage formed in his chest at the sight before him. Anwar was undressing Amara, forcing her against the wall with an arrogant expression, while she cried and begged him to stop.

  Without thinking, Asier rushed forward and shoved Anwar hard, throwing him away from Amara. He shielded her with his body, wrapping his arms around her to make sure she was safe.

  “Don’t ever touch her again!” Asier shouted, his voice deep and commanding. “If you ever lay a finger on her again, I swear you will regret it.”

  Instead of being intimidated, Anwar smiled disdainfully. His laughter echoed through the room as he recovered from the force of the shove.

  “You’re overreacting,” Anwar replied casually. “I’m sure Amara was waiting to be alone with me. What happened between us wasn’t an accident.”

  Asier stared at him, his eyes blazing with fury. Without another word, he raised his hand and used his magic. The room seemed to darken for an instant as an invisible pressure slammed Anwar against the wall.

  Anwar, however, did not submit easily. He used his own magic to counter Asier’s force, and although he couldn’t fully break free, he managed to remain upright. He smiled with contempt, enjoying the challenge.

  “Think carefully about what you’re about to do,” he said, as if it were all a game.

  Asier clenched his teeth, magic boiling around him, but in that moment, Amara gently took his arm, worry in her eyes.

  “I’m fine, Asier,” she said shakily. “We should just leave.”

  Asier looked at her, hesitating for a moment. The tension in the air remained palpable, but his trust in her gave him the strength to let Anwar go. With one last furious look at the prince, Asier withdrew the magic pinning him to the wall.

  “This isn’t over,” he said, his tone firm, though his body was still tense with anger.

  Anwar only smiled, as if nothing had happened, and looked at them with cold amusement.

  “Whatever. Go enjoy yourselves,” he said dismissively. “I have my own matters to attend to.”

  Asier nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the prince before turning back to Amara. He draped his coat over her shoulders and, taking her hand, led her back to the ballroom.

  The atmosphere resumed its course, but something had changed. The tension between the three of them was far from resolved.

  Asier watched Amara closely, genuine concern reflected in his eyes. He had felt a surge of rage at what he had witnessed, but now only a deep worry for her remained. Unable to help himself, he stepped closer and gently touched her arm.

  “Amara, are you alright?” His voice was soft, almost anxious, as if he feared something was still wrong.

  Amara, still trembling slightly from the intensity of what had happened, lifted her gaze and gave him a reassuring smile. Despite everything, she didn’t want Asier to feel guilty.

  “I’m alright, Asier. Don’t worry. I’m by your side now, nothing bad will happen now,” she replied, her calm slowly replacing the tremor in her body.

  He studied her for a few seconds longer, his concern not fully fading, but he understood her words. Then his expression softened, and with a sigh, his shoulders relaxed slightly.

  “I’m sorry for leaving you alone,” he said almost in a whisper. “I shouldn’t have.”

  With those words, he opened his arms to her, the sincerity of the gesture making warmth flood through Amara. His eyes, once filled with tension and worry, now showed softness and vulnerability. In them, Amara saw honesty, protection, and affection.

  After a brief moment of hesitation, Amara embraced him, feeling the tension slowly dissolve. At first, the crowd murmured, and a faint blush spread across her face. But in Asier’s arms, the opinions of others no longer mattered. All that mattered was that, in that embrace, she felt safe. With him, nothing could harm her.

  When they finally pulled apart, the music still played in the background, but the atmosphere no longer felt as heavy. The ball was drawing to a close, and Marchioness Barbara and Duke Lucas, along with the attendants, approached them. Duke Lucas, with his usual serious demeanor, spoke first.

  “Emperor Asier, we have completed our mission. Everything is in order,” he said with a slight bow.

  Asier nodded, the tension finally easing, and relief crossed his face. A small glimmer of satisfaction appeared in his eyes, as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

  “Good,” Asier replied, his smile growing more confident. “Then it’s time to return to Nivara.”

  With the mission accomplished and the atmosphere finally calmer, Asier took Amara’s hand and, with one last glance at the ballroom, began walking toward the exit. The marchioness and the duke followed, and the attendants of Nivara ensured everything was in order. Once they reached the carriage, Asier looked at Amara once more.

  “Ready to go home?” he asked gently, his voice acknowledging the bond between them.

  Amara nodded, smiling faintly.

  “Yes, I’m ready.”

  Together, they departed back toward Nivara, leaving the tension of the ball behind.