Sorry for the delay, I was very sick and couldn't write. I hope you enjoy the reading.
The sound of applause was still echoing when Violet appeared among the guests, almost floating in her lilac elegance. Her eyes sparkled when they found Lily.
— Lily!
She called, opening a radiant smile.
— That was wonderful! I didn't know you could play like that!
Lily blushed immediately.
— I just… tried…
— Tried?
Violet laughed.
— You left half the ballroom breathless!
Marvelous stepped back half a step, as if he didn't want to steal the attention, but Violet noticed — she always noticed.
Her eyes slid down to their still-joined hands.
— It seems you two are quite close…
Lily, red up to her ears, pulled her hand away quickly, stumbling over her own words.
— I-it's not that, it's just… Marvelous was just… helping.
Marvelous didn't react. His face remained serene, almost unreadable, but a silent glimmer in his eyes betrayed the truth: he missed the touch.
Lily was still trying to breathe properly when Violet moved closer, tilting her head as if studying a rare painting.
The ballroom remained alive around them — the music resumed from the enchanted orchestra, small sparks danced across the bewitched ceiling, guests chatted with crystal glasses glowing in blue. But to Lily, everything felt distant.
Her whole body still pulsed from the moment she had played the piano… and from the instant Marvelous's hand had held hers.
Violet, however, refused to give her a break.
— Helping, hm?
She repeated, with a sideways smile, crossing her arms delicately.
— Interesting. Very interesting.
Lily wished she could sink into the floor.
Marvelous, meanwhile, kept an impeccable posture: straight back, serene expression… but his eyes, always so calm, were a little softer, as if he still felt the warmth on his fingers.
— Violet.
He said, lowering his gaze respectfully.
— Lily was just nervous. I intervened so she could play more comfortably. That's all.
— That's all?
Violet raised an eyebrow.
— Marvelous, Marvelous… you know I'm excellent at reading body language.
Lily almost slipped from sheer embarrassment, but Marvelous simply breathed.
— Sometimes…
He replied, in his usual polite tone but with a look that seemed to devour souls.
— Perceiving too much is also a problem.
A shiver ran down Violet's spine, but then she felt a delicate touch on her shoulder.
— My lady, is something wrong?
He spoke with a certain seductive tone, his eyes seeming to shine along with the crystals.
— Thank you, Lysander.
— My lady, look toward the entrance.
Violet turned, and immediately saw a well-dressed man with gold rings impossible to ignore, carrying a wrapped package in his hands.
— Dad!
She ran and embraced him.
— Oh, my dear daughter, did you really think I wouldn't come to your birthday party?
— And what's that?
She asked like a curious child.
— On one of my trips to France, I found something you would love.
He unwrapped it and, upon opening the small box, her eyes gleamed at the necklace — elegant and full of diamonds.
The necklace shone like an encapsulated constellation, reflecting every color of the enchanted lights in the ballroom. Violet brought a hand to her mouth, genuine surprise erasing for a moment all the elegance she usually carried.
— It's… it's perfect!
She turned the box in her hands, delighted.
— Mom would love to see this…
Violet lowered her gaze a little.
— Ah, your mother always said you were born to shine.
Her father replied proudly.
— And I couldn't fail to gift my star with something worthy of her.
Lysander bowed politely.
— May I put it on you, Lady Violet?
She nodded immediately, turning her back and lifting her hair carefully. Lily watched the scene from a distance, still trying to steady her breathing. Marvelous remained close, silent like a protective shadow, but Lily noticed — his hands were slightly tense. A different tension. It wasn't jealousy. It was… alertness.
When Lysander touched the clasp of the necklace, a nearly imperceptible wave rippled through the air.
Lysander seemed to sense something; his eyes narrowed, but only for a second. So fast that no one else would notice.
Violet turned, admiring the necklace on her own neck.
— Dad… it's wonderful!
She hugged him once more. The man smiled proudly, but his eyes slid briefly toward Marvelous… and toward Lily.
Lily shivered. Marvelous stepped forward almost imperceptibly, an instinctive barrier.
Violet's father, however, simply raised his hands in a friendly gesture.
— And you must be… Lily, right?
— Y-yes, sir.
She answered, trying to maintain politeness.
But he continued looking at her in a strange way. An evaluating look. As if trying to remember where he knew her from.
He approached with a malicious smile.
— You're as beautiful as your mother.
He tried to touch her hand, but Marvelous, instinctively, grabbed his wrist and squeezed; the man tried not to scream.
— You do not have permission to touch my lady.
People around them stopped to watch.
Lily spoke in a low voice:
— Stop, you're embarrassing us.
Marvelous then released him; the man's wrist was purple.
Violet's father pulled his arm back, massaging it discreetly. He tried to hide the pain with a polite smile, but the bruise betrayed him.
— Tsk… how bold of you.
He muttered under his breath.
Violet rushed to him.
— Dad! Are you okay?
— Of course, my dear.
Marvelous didn't move. He simply held his gaze, firm and cold enough to freeze the air.
— Lord Vespera.
He said calmly.
— I apologize for my behavior. But as the lady's butler, I am obligated to ensure her safety. Always.
There was something in that last word that made even Violet's father lift his chin slightly.
The man observed Marvelous for a few seconds. It wasn't fear. It was… recognition. As if he were analyzing a creature difficult to classify, yet clearly lethal.
Lily tightened her fingers, nervous.
— Marvelous… enough.
She murmured.
— It's all fine.
But it wasn't fine. And Marvelous knew it.
He only stepped back, softening his gaze, but a shadow of distrust didn't leave his eyes.
— Come on, Dad.
Violet insisted, taking his arm.
— Don't mind it.
She led him toward the gift area and handed him a drink.
— I'm sorry for what happened.
Lily said quietly, looking at the floor.
— You acted like that because you wanted to protect me… but it ended up looking like I can't handle anything.
Marvelous tilted his head to see her better. His eyes were soft now, as if all the ice had melted.
— I will never allow anyone to touch the lady without permission.
His voice was low, almost a whisper.
— Even if they judge me for it.
Lily swallowed.
— I know… but you can't act like that all the time, I can defend myself too.
He opened his mouth as if to respond… but something behind them caught his attention.
Lysander.
Violet's butler was watching them from afar, with his arms crossed and an insinuating smile, like someone who sees more than he should.
He approached slowly, so quietly he seemed to glide.
— Marvelous, Marvelous…
He said with a smirk that made the crystal lights reflect in his eyes.
— Your impulsiveness almost ruined the Vespera family's evening.
Marvelous turned fully, raising his chin.
— I would do it again.
Lysander smiled even more.
— I don't doubt it.
He shifted his gaze to Lily, bowing his head in a politeness too perfect to be sincere.
— Lady Lily, I hope you weren't frightened. The ballroom can be… unpredictable at parties like this.
— I'm fine, thank you.
She replied, not entirely sure where to place herself.
Lysander took one more step, now speaking only to Marvelous, in a voice so low Lily could barely hear:
— You should be more careful.
Marvelous narrowed his eyes.
— What are you trying to say?
Lysander smiled. A slow, deliberate, almost cruel smile.
— Just… observe. Not everyone here is what they claim to be. Isn't that right, butler Marvelous, or should I call you by another title?
He walked away before Marvelous could answer, dissolving into the crowd as if he had disappeared.
Marvelous kept his eyes fixed for a few seconds, his muscles tense, posture rigid. That wasn't just any warning. Lysander rarely spoke in metaphors without reason.
— Marvelous?
Lily called him, touching his arm gently.
He turned to her immediately.
— Please be careful, my lady, I need to take care of something.
Before she could ask, he left, wearing a serious expression.