"May I have the next dance?" asked Yhwach.

Esmeralda looked at his hand. On the other hand, Bradley had a serious expression on his face. "Yhwach, the young lady is tired."

"I didn't ask you, King. I asked the young lady."

Esmeralda could feel the tension between the brothers. She did feel a bit tired from dancing with Bradley, but she knew that Yhwach would not leave the situation alone until he had what he wanted. "He wants a dance, that's all. There's no harm in it," she thought to herself. "Mr. Bradley. Mr. Yhwach asked nicely. I don't want you two to be angry at such a nice event. Afterward, I would like to try some delicious food!"

Bradley looked at Esmeralda and let out a sigh. He then lowered his head and whispered to her. "If he does or says something that makes you uncomfortable, you can give me a sign, and I will stop it immediately. If you finish the dance, come to me immediately. I don't want you to be alone with him."

A chill went down Esmeralda's spine. Bradley didn't want her to be alone with Yhwach. It made her wonder why, but she thought it was best not to question it. "Thank you, Mr. Bradley! I look forward to tasting the food!"

Then, Yhwach got a hold of her hand, surprising Esmeralda, but she didn't say anything as she was led to the dance floor. With every step she took, Esmeralda couldn't help but be nervous. The musicians paused for a moment to rest, and they all began to play a song called "To Death, we Dance by Peter Gundry."

The music sounded soft and calm but had a dark theme. Esmeralda couldn't deny that she liked the tune. Yhwach held her right hand and put his other hand behind her waist. Yhwach pulled her closer to him, but Esmeralda ensured her body didn't touch him. To her relief, the song had a soft and slow tune.

Yhwach began to move slowly, as did the other dancers. "I know you must be tired from dancing with Bradley, so I'll be sure to dance slowly."

"I-It's no problem. This is a beautiful song."

"It is. From what I hear, the composer is popular on YouTube. I heard his music, and it's quite soothing." Yhwach asked her more questions about the genres of music she liked. Esmeralda began to calm down as Yhwach led her.

.........................................

Jugram and Sosuke were drinking glasses of champagne as they looked at the festivities. "It has been a while since we have been together like this. How's life treating you?" asked Jugram.

"The same. Nothing has changed in the past year. What about you? I heard you would be promoted within Father's company. Congratulations."

Jugram merely nodded.

"Although, I hear there's a catch. Is it true that father is pressuring you to get married?" asked Sosuke. The young man noticed his half-brother flinch.

Jugram glared at Sosuke. "It could be true or not. Since you work for Uncle King's company, it shouldn't matter—quite a pity. There's a possibility that you might not inherit anything since all our uncles have children of their own. You could have joined our father."

"You can think what you want, Jugram. Uncle Bradley and Auntie Amelia was the one who raised me, while my father had his issues. Uncle Bradley raised me to become a strong man with values. If I stayed with Father, I would probably have become like him, destroyed and immoral." Sosuke drank his glass of champagne. "You chose to follow him because you wanted recognition and love that you were deprived of. However, you must wear the responsibilities when you want to wear the crown. Besides, I know why your father wants you to marry. Everybody knows, and no one finds how you feel for the one you love wrong. Don't follow in your father's footsteps. Enjoy the party, brother." With Sosuke put his glass on a table and went away.

Jugram watched as he gulped his drink, asking a server for another.

................

Sosuke went to Bradley and his wife Amelia, who sat at a table. "We saw you with Jugram. Hope he didn't cause any problems," said Bradley.

"None, we just talked. Where's Esmeralda?"

"See for yourself," Bradley motioned his head towards the dance floor.

Sosuke turned to where his uncle was looking at. He stood still as he saw Esmeralda dancing with his father. He noticed how Yhwach smiled as he danced with her. The smile was different; it was genuine. Esmeralda was also smiling. The young man didn't know why, but it made his stomach hurt a bit.

The music ended, and everyone applauded. "You were good. I thank you for dancing with me," said Yhwach.

"You were also a wonderful dancer, Mr. Yhwach. Anyway, thank you. I need to go to Mr.Bradley." As she was about to walk away, Yhwach grabbed her hand. "I hope you haven't forgotten that we will eat together one day."

Esmeralda forgot. "Oh, yes, as professionals, right?"

"Correct. I can pick you up tomorrow afternoon; consider it an early dinner. Besides, there is something important I would like to discuss with you."

"Oh, um, sure."

"Also, don't tell anyone. They will get the wrong idea, and I may never have the opportunity to speak to you. I also don't want you to get the wrong idea about me."

Esmeralda nodded. "Of course, Mr. Yhwach. I look forward to our professional dinner. Enjoy the party." She got her hand free and walked to Bradley and the rest.

Bradley stood. "I hope everything went well. Did he try anything?"

"No, Mr. Bradley. He acted professionally. I made sure to keep my distance."

Bradley and Sosuke eyed one another. "Very well, dinner will soon start. You will sit with us as well as your friends."

Before Esmeralda sat, Sosuke held her hand and led her by a stairway. "Esmeralda, I saw that he spoke to you by the end of the dance. What did he say?"

She remembered what Yhwach had told her. Bradley and the others tell her one thing, and Yhwach tells her another. The young woman didn't want to think badly of anyone. Esmeralda was the type of person who judges a person by knowing them personally than by words. If she told Sosuke, then he might convince her not to go. "He wanted me to give him another dance. I told him that I was tired. I commented that he had good dancing skills and to dance with others. That's all."

Sosuke eyed her. Esmeralda felt that he didn't believe her. "Don't worry, Billy Goat! Besides, I can take care of myself. Let's go have fun and not be party poopers!" She got ahold of his hands and led him to the table where they all could enjoy the rest of the festivities.