Chapter 204: A dance

The party continued late into the night, with the hour slowly creeping towards morning as food and drinks continued to flow. Laughter filled the grand hall, mixing with the soft music playing in the background and the constant murmur of conversations.

The crystal chandeliers cast a warm golden glow over the room, their light reflecting off the polished marble floor and the countless glasses raised in celebration. The dance floor had opened to the guests, and couples were already moving gracefully across it, their footsteps following the rhythm as colourful gowns swept over the floor.

The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, expensive perfume, warm candle wax and the rich aroma of the food being served.

Aevia and Alexander continued making their rounds around the hall, stopping whenever important guests approached them. Alexander appeared perfectly at ease as he exchanged pleasantries and accepted congratulations, while Aevia remained at his side with a graceful smile.

Yet Yuki noticed that her sister’s attention occasionally drifted towards the entrance and the darker corners of the hall, as though she were expecting someone she desperately hoped would not appear.

At their table, Eloise was eating and chatting happily, her voice occasionally ringing above the surrounding conversations whenever she became particularly excited.

The brothers, however, had refused to let her take another sip of wine. It was a stark contrast to Yuki, who had barely eaten anything beyond cake while steadily emptying one glass after another without a care in the world.

Yuki took another bite of cake, chewing slowly as she savoured the sweetness. She glanced around the table and realised she wasn’t the only one who had barely eaten. Aside from Eloise, who seemed determined to enjoy every dish placed before her, everyone else had hardly touched their meals.

Kieran and Kaden had taken a few bites out of courtesy, enough to maintain appearances, while Killian had apparently decided that cake was all he needed. Eloise wiped her lips with a napkin after finishing her last bite and glanced towards the servants moving around the hall.

"I wonder what other desserts they have," she said thoughtfully, her eyes following a passing tray.

Killian raised his hand and beckoned one of the servers over. "Bring me another plate of desserts," he instructed calmly. After the server bowed and prepared to leave, Killian glanced around the table. "Does anyone else need anything?"

Nobody answered. His gaze moved from Kieran to Kaden before finally settling on Yuki. She was holding her ninth glass. Yes, her ninth. Killian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the glass in her hand.

"Are you not eating anything?" he asked, his voice calm but firm enough to make Yuki look up.

She blinked, caught off guard by the sudden attention. "I’m not really hungry," she answered.

Killian’s gaze dropped briefly to her wine before returning to her face. "You should have something to eat. Even if it’s only soup. You’re on your ninth glass, Yuki. Your stomach might not be able to handle that much alcohol without food," he suggested, concern lingering in his voice.

Before Yuki could respond, Declan leaned slightly towards her. "She has been eating cake," he pointed out mildly, as though that somehow settled the matter.

Kieran turned his head towards him, his expression flat as he chirped in irritation at Declan’s nosiness. "Killian wasn’t talking to you."

Declan’s lips twitched, but he wisely said nothing. Kieran then looked towards the server. "Bring her some soup as well. And don’t give her any more wine," he ordered.

Yuki’s fingers tightened around her glass. "What?" she demanded, her voice rising slightly. "You have no right to stop me from drinking."

A pleased smile slowly appeared on Eloise’s face. She seemed almost delighted that Yuki was finally getting irritated. Kaden scoffed and took a leisurely sip of his own wine.

"What exactly are you trying to prove?" he asked, his tone deliberately taunting. "Your cheeks are already flushed, and you’re still drinking."

Yuki’s jaw tightened. She hated the infuriatingly calm look on his face. Before she could snap back, Declan reached across and gently took her hand. His thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles as he leaned closer.

"Just take the soup," he whispered coaxingly, his voice soft and warm. "Please."

Yuki blinked, mesmerised by his voice. There was something about the low warmth of his voice that made her anger lose some of its force. She stared at him for a moment before sighing.

"If it’s you, I’ll have the soup," she murmured.

Kaden looked away, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. The server bowed and left to retrieve the food. Declan then reached for Yuki’s wine glass and quietly moved it farther away from her.

"For now, you have your cake," he said with a small smile.

Yuki gave him an unimpressed look but didn’t argue. She picked up her fork and took another bite, though her attention soon drifted towards the other side of the hall. Her eyes settled on Aevia and Alexander. They were still making their rounds, smiling and speaking with their guests, but Yuki couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with her sister. Aevia’s smile looked perfectly convincing to everyone else. Yuki knew her too well. Something was bothering her.

A little while later, the server returned carrying a tray filled with desserts and a steaming bowl of soup. He carefully placed the soup in front of Yuki before setting the desserts down for Eloise. He then placed a glass of whiskey beside Killian.

"Your whiskey, Your Highness," he said respectfully.

Killian gave him a small nod. Eloise immediately reached for one of the desserts and took a bite. Her eyes widened with delight.

"Oh, this is good," she exclaimed, already reaching for another piece.

Yuki stared at her soup. She honestly didn’t have much of an appetite anymore. Still, she picked up the spoon and dipped it into the steaming broth. She lifted it towards her lips, only for Declan to reach over and stop her.

"Careful," he warned gently.

Yuki looked at him in confusion.

"It’s piping hot," he explained, nodding towards the soup.

Her hand froze. She glanced at the bowl and noticed the steam still curling from its surface. "Oh."

Declan chuckled softly. "Give it a minute."

Yuki nodded and set the spoon down. Her gaze drifted across the hall again, following the movements of the guests. Declan watched her for a moment before asking,

"Would you like to have a dance while we wait for it to cool?" Yuki looked at him, surprised.

"We haven’t danced yet," he reminded her with a faint smile, ignoring the sudden plunge in temperature.