As the music swelled and the dancing swirled around the hall, all eyes were on the heirs and princesses as they exchanged roles. However, Princess Camellia of Hell remained wide awake. She noticed that Saruto, the mastermind behind the ball, stayed seated, out of the spotlight, simply observing.
She rose from her seat with confident strides, the hem of her fiery black dress flickering faintly with every movement, causing the other guests to part ways. When she reached him, she gave him no time to think: she suddenly reached out and firmly grasped his hand, looking at him with a bold smile. "Is this the host of the ball?" she said. "Sitting alone while everyone else dances? I won't allow it."
Saruto didn't resist, offering only a small, enigmatic smile as he rose with her. As she pulled her into the center of the hall, all eyes fell silent, and even the music slowed for a moment, as if acquiescing to the new atmosphere.
The two assumed a dancing stance, hand in hand, their gazes locked.
The Hell Princess smiled confidently, tiny flames dancing at the ends of her hair as if challenging all who looked.
Saruto, unusually, seemed relaxed, his eyes glowing with a half-smile that unsettled many of the attendees.
With his first step, whispers of surprise rose:
"Impossible… he's never danced at a ball before!"
"How did the Hell Princess get him to join her so easily?"
The Star Princess felt a pang of jealousy, gripping her drink tightly.
The Light Princess offered only a warm smile, but couldn't hide her curious expression.
Selina and Lucian, the Sea Princesses, stopped dancing and began watching Saruto dance with Camellia.
The other heirs, especially the Dragon Prince and the Storm Prince, exchanged glances:
"Saruto… he doesn't let anyone dance with him easily. Why did he let her?"
The music gradually increased in volume, and Saruto suddenly led the dance with an unexpected move that sent the Hell Princess spinning back into his arms, eliciting applause and amazement from everyone present. The spark between them seemed real, a blend of fire and darkness.
Then, at the end of the piece, the Hell Princess stood close to him and whispered in a low voice, barely audible:
"I enjoyed dancing with you, Dark Heir. What about you?"
Saruto smiled enigmatically, offering no reply, but his eyes spoke volumes:
"Yes, I enjoyed it."
The entire hall erupted in applause and cheers, making the scene the highlight of the ball, even more so than the princesses themselves.
After Saruto and Camellia's dance concluded amidst thunderous applause, the princess withdrew with quiet steps, her head held high with pride. But suddenly… Star approached Saruto hesitantly.
She stood before him proudly, raised her hand shyly, and said in a clear voice that most of the hall could hear, "Will you grant me this dance, Saruto?"
Everyone was surprised. It was customary for the man to ask the lady to dance, but Princess Star broke the mold at that moment.
Some of the guests whispered, "She's so bold..."
Others said, "No one can refuse Princess Star."
Saruto, however, didn't hesitate for a moment. He smiled slightly, took her hand, and began to dance with her to the rhythm of soft music filled with cosmic melodies. Her movements were light, like a star twinkling in the sky, while Saruto guided her with confident steps.
As soon as the dance ended, Saruto stepped back slightly, his gaze falling upon Princess Eliza of Light. She was surrounded by a number of nobles who were pleading with her for a dance, but she repeatedly shook her head in refusal, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Then, Saruto stepped quietly through the crowd, bowed slightly before her respectfully, and extended his hand, saying in a soft voice,
"Would you do me the honor of this dance, my princess?"
Her face flushed even more, her heart nearly leaping from her chest, but this time she didn't hesitate. She placed her hand in his and whispered shyly,
"Y-yes."
The whispers rose again, and the surprise grew:
"It's the first time you've agreed to dance!"
"Only with Saruto… that says so much."
The two began to dance with slow, synchronized steps, but it was clear that Eliza was flustered, while Saruto led her gently, as if putting her at ease. In her eyes, an unmistakable spark of gratitude shone.
While everyone was captivated by Saruto, who had once again stolen the show, Lucien danced with the sea princess. He smiled inwardly, thinking,
"As usual… you've taken the spotlight, Saruto. But this isn't the end; we've only just begun."
Then he stepped back slightly, taking a decisive step, and lightly stamped his foot on the ground, causing ice to form beneath his feet. In an instant, the frosty crystal covered his feet and Selena's, creating perfectly coordinated ice skates.
He looked at her with a smile and a wink, saying,
"Ready for a different experience?"
She nodded enthusiastically, and with a powerful burst of speed, the dance floor transformed into a dazzling ice rink beneath their feet. They twirled together with fluidity, leaving behind shimmering streaks of blue ice that drew applause and cheers from the audience.
"What a legendary dance!" some exclaimed.
"It's like a moving work of art!" others remarked.
While Saruto stole the show with his dances alongside the three princesses, Lucien created a heated rivalry with his unique performance with the Sea Princess, as if the party had become an unspoken competition between the two.