Chapter 249

"Nothing happened. I just want to dance with you. Will you do me the honors?" Kendrick's voice cut through the music, and surprise flickered in my eyes.

"Dance?" I questioned, feeling strange about his request.

Kendrick extended his hand towards me, his expression earnest. Reluctantly, I placed my hand in his, allowing him to lead me onto the dance floor.

I didn't want to dance with him, but I also didn't want to create a scene.

As we began to dance, I couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that settled over me. Why had Kendrick wanted to dance with me?

"You look lovely," Kendrick commented as we moved with the music. "Your mask is stunning."

"Thank you." I tried to hide the shiver that went through me at Kendrick's compliment. I wasn't sure why he was being nice to me or why I was so uncomfortable by it.

I don't think I was used to this side of Kendrick... whatever side that was.

His eyes seemed to glimmer with an unsettling intensity, and I sensed a shift in his demeanor. It was as if the lively atmosphere of the party fueled his desires for power and attention.

A pang of anger burned through me as I realized Kendrick probably only wanted to dance with me to look interesting to the other guests here. I had come in with the Prince, so I was sure that guests were whispering about who I was.

Kendrick wanted to gain the same kind of attention for himself.

As we continued to dance, I couldn't shake the feeling that Kendrick's intentions were more self-serving than genuine.

"You did well earlier, when you arrived." His compliment felt hollow, and his eyes held a hunger that made me uneasy.

"I didn't really do anything," I said, avoiding his gaze. "I just walked in and curtsied."

Kendrick's smile widened, but there was a glint in his eyes that made me uneasy. "Oh, but your entrance made quite the impression, Shana. You have a way of commanding attention."

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, feeling a prickling sensation at the back of my neck. "I suppose so. It's all a bit overwhelming, to be honest."

"Of course, being in the spotlight can be daunting," Kendrick agreed, his voice smooth but his words carrying an undercurrent of something darker. "But you handle it well. Not everyone can hold themselves with such grace."

I forced a polite smile, trying to keep the unease from showing on my face. "Thank you, Kendrick. That's kind of you to say."

"We will need to be leaving soon," Kendrick commented, his eyes moving somewhere behind me.

"Leaving? So soon?"

"Yes, unfortunately," Kendrick replied, his tone betraying a hint of disappointment. "The jet has just landed and they're preparing it for our departure as we speak."

"I see," I replied, glancing around the room, searching for an escape. "Have you seen..."

Suddenly, a new figure appeared at my side, effectively cutting off any further conversation with Kendrick. It was Lucas.

Relief flooded through me at the sight of him, and I offered him a grateful smile as he extended his hand towards me.

"Do you mind if I take my girlfriend from you," Lucas said. It was a question, but it sounded more like a command.

"Oh my God, I've been looking all over for you," I said, a rush of relief flooding through me as I gratefully wrapped my arms around him.

Lucas returned the embrace, his touch warm and reassuring as he rested a hand on the small of my back, pulling me closer toward him.

His presence was a grounding force amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.

"Well, here I am," he replied with a soft chuckle, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

I pulled away from our hug and we began to move with the music, putting my hand in his.

"Why was my father dancing with you?" Lucas asked curiously, his blue eyes searching mine. "That was a bit weird to walk in on."

"I don't really know." I shook my head, recalling how uncomfortable the dance with Kendrick had made me.

"He just asked me to dance out of the blue," I explained, my brows furrowing slightly. "It felt... off, to be honest."

Lucas's expression darkened slightly at my words, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "I don't like the sound of that. Did he say anything strange?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to divulge about my conversation with Kendrick.

"Not really," I replied. "He was just being himself, I guess."

"I'm not surprised, but I'm also not too happy about that either." Lucas's hand felt warm against my back.

"I didn't want to, but I kind of didn't have a choice," I replied.

He tightened his grip on my hand, offering me a reassuring smile.

"Well, as long as you're okay," he said softly. "That's all that matters. I'm sorry that he put you in an uncomfortable situation like that."

I appreciated Lucas's concern, his words offering me a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of the ballroom.

"It's okay, really," I assured him, trying to push aside the lingering unease that Kendrick's dance had left behind. "I'm just glad to be dancing with you now."

Lucas's smile widened at my words, his blue eyes sparkling with warmth. "Me too, Shana. Me too."

"Are you okay?" I questioned, peering up to look into his eyes.

"Okay? Why wouldn't I be?" His gaze flickered with a mixture of emotions before he finally replied, "I should be asking you that."

Lucas's response caught me off guard, his concern evident from the sincerity in his eyes.

"I'm... I'm fine," I replied, though the words felt like a lie even to my own ears. "Just a bit overwhelmed by everything."

He studied me for a moment, as if trying to gauge the truth behind my words, before nodding slowly. "I understand. It's been a lot these past few days. I didn't know they would parade you around like that when you came in earlier."

"I'm grateful they did," I admitted. "I would've been too nervous to come in alone. The Prince was night enough to do that for me."

Lucas skipped over my mention of the Prince. "I'm just glad I could steal you for a dance before someone else did. I've seen a lot of guests eyeing you."

"Are you jealous?" I teased as he spun me in a circle.

I heard his laugh when he pulled me close to him again. "Of course I am. You're on the arm of a Prince and an entire ballroom full of wealthy suitors is wanting to steal your attention."

"Well, I'm not with them," I said, a smile tugging on my lips. "I'm here with you."

Lucas chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest as we moved gracefully across the dance floor.

"That's good to hear," he replied, a playful glint in his eyes. "I wouldn't want to lose my girlfriend to some fancy aristocrat."

I grinned at his words, feeling a warmth spread through me at his possessive tone.

"Besides," Lucas continued, his voice softer now as he looked at me, "there's no one else I'd rather be dancing with than you."

His words sent a flutter through my chest, and I felt a rush of affection for him.

"Likewise," I murmured, leaning in closer to him as we danced.