The Dark Knight's Desire – Volume 4: The Enchanted Masquerade
The kingdom of Lumeria buzzed with excitement. Tonight was the annual Enchanted Masquerade—a night of glittering gowns, masked dances, and unpredictable magic. Kael grumbled at the idea. Masks? Dancing? Diplomacy disguised as frivolity? He was the Dark Knight, not a ballroom ornament.
Elara, of course, was thrilled. "Kael, you'll love it! It's romantic, magical… possibly dangerous!" She winked.
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Romantic or dangerous, the line's usually blurry with you."
The masquerade was a whirlwind. Enchanted masks revealed hidden thoughts, dancing floors shifted underfoot, and a chandelier briefly sprouted wings and flew across the ballroom. Amid the chaos, Kael found himself reluctantly enjoying Elara's radiant laughter.
They danced—or at least attempted to—until Kael's stoic composure collided with a flailing guest. "I… don't do graceful," he muttered, straightening.
"You do silly remarkably well," Elara teased, tugging him toward a quieter corner. Her mask shimmered, revealing only her amused eyes.
Just when Kael began to feel… comfortable, the clock struck midnight. A swirl of shadows swept the ballroom, and in an instant, Elara vanished, leaving only a sparkling, cryptic note:
"The heart you protect is not yours alone. Seek me where magic sleeps."
Kael's pulse raced. The Dark Knight was used to fighting monsters, not losing the one person who made his armor feel unnecessary. He clutched the note, glancing around the chaotic ballroom. Someone—or something—had taken Elara.
Despite the absurdity of dancing dragons and talking chandeliers, Kael's mind focused solely on the mage who had stolen his attention, and perhaps, his heart.
"Who dares?" he growled, drawing his sword, armor glinting in the moonlight.
The shadows flickered, the magical air hummed, and Kael realized this was no ordinary kidnapping. Somewhere in Lumeria, danger awaited—and only he could follow.
Some dances ended with a bow. This one ended with a chase.