The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Rael Viridian

As the music swirled around them, Skye allowed Selinthra to lead him further into the heart of the dance floor, where couples swirled elegantly in their own worlds. His gaze briefly flickered to Lucian’s retreating figure, but then his attention focused entirely on Selinthra, who was expertly guiding him through the steps of the waltz. Their bodies moved fluidly, though there was an underlying tension to their movements—a silent understanding that this dance was not just one of grace, but of power and manipulation.

With a soft, mischievous smile, Skye leaned in, his voice low enough to be heard only by Selinthra. “I suppose I should introduce myself properly, though I doubt anyone here knows me by my true name,” he murmured, his eyes scanning the crowd before landing on Aeliana for a brief moment. “I am Rael Viridian, cousin of Lucian… and, like him, I’ve inherited a certain… charm.” His words were smooth, calculated, the undertones of flirtation evident as he subtly adjusted his posture, allowing himself to be closer to her.

Selinthra’s lips curved into a satisfied smile at his words. “Rael,” she repeated, the name rolling off her tongue as if it were a delicate secret shared between them. “A cousin of Lucian, yes… but one who has a far more captivating presence than the dark lord himself.” She allowed her fingers to rest lightly on his shoulder, her gaze unwavering as she observed the way he interacted with the crowd. “And I’m sure, Rael, you know how to get exactly what you want, don’t you?”

Skye’s gaze shifted back toward the dance floor, his posture relaxed but deliberate. “I know how to get what I want when the time is right,” he replied smoothly, his words laced with a hint of challenge. “And right now, my goal is to get closer to the prize at hand.” He lowered his voice, speaking only loud enough for Selinthra to hear. “You’re right, my dear, Aeliana’s gaze is focused on Lucian, but it seems she could use a little… distraction.” Skye’s eyes briefly flicked to Aeliana before returning to Selinthra with a smirk. “Let’s make sure she doesn’t notice our little… dance.”

As they danced, Skye continued weaving his words, each compliment and suggestion carefully calculated. He moved with a grace that rivaled Lucian’s, but there was something in his smile that was far more dangerous—a promise of things he was capable of, given the right circumstances. His eyes never strayed far from Aeliana as he skillfully led the conversation toward her, gauging Selinthra’s reaction. The stage was set. Now, all they had to do was wait for the perfect moment to strike.

..

Skye’s hand rested lightly on Aeliana’s waist, and with a fluid movement, he spun her in time with the rhythm of the waltz. Their bodies moved in sync, the tension of the masquerade ball blending with the melody that surrounded them. When the dance finally drew to a close, he guided her to a graceful halt, his gaze lingering on hers for a fraction longer than necessary.

With a practiced elegance, Skye raised her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. “It was a pleasure to dance with you, Miss Aeliana,” he said, his voice warm and smooth, his words laced with just enough charm to make the moment feel intimate. The touch of his lips on her hand lingered slightly longer than a typical courtesy, his eyes never leaving hers as he gauged her reaction.

Aeliana felt a flicker of confusion mixed with intrigue at his unexpected boldness. She hadn’t expected this kind of treatment, and while she had grown accustomed to certain levels of politeness, something about his presence was different. It was more intense, more calculated. Yet there was something undeniably alluring about the way he spoke and moved.

“You’re quite the dancer, Mr. Viridian,” Aeliana replied, her voice betraying a hint of curiosity. She glanced over at Lucian, who was still lost in conversation with Kael, then back to Skye. “I must admit, I didn’t expect to be swept away by someone so… captivating.”

Skye smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he straightened. “There’s much more to me than meets the eye, Miss Aeliana. And I dare say, you’ve yet to see all I have to offer.” His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was a layer of something more dangerous beneath it. He paused for a moment, allowing the words to sink in. “I do hope you’ll save a dance for me again before the night is through.”

Aeliana raised an eyebrow at the subtle implication, a part of her resisting the smooth charm that Skye oozed. She could tell there was more to him than a mere flirtation, but before she could respond, Lucian caught her eye from across the room. His sharp gaze seemed to cut through the crowd, and his presence reminded her that she was not alone in this game.

She gently pulled her hand back, her smile polite yet cautious. “Perhaps, Mr. Viridian, we shall see.” She stepped back, giving him one last glance before making her way back to Lucian. Skye’s eyes followed her, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he watched her retreat. He knew that this was only the beginning of their interaction—and that he would find a way to make his presence impossible to ignore.

..

As Aeliana made her way back to Lucian, she was momentarily distracted when Skye smoothly approached a passing waitress, disguised under the guise of a simple servant. Skye, never one to pass up an opportunity, subtly took the tray from her hands, grabbed a crystal glass, and took a sip from the drink. He swirled it in his hand for a moment, savoring the bitter taste before turning back toward Aeliana with a playful smile.

The waitress, whose identity was masked by the flowing black veil and plain servant’s attire, watched nervously from the side, unsure of how to react. Skye, unfazed by her discomfort, handed the glass to Aeliana with an air of smooth confidence.

“A drink for my lovely partner in dance,” he said with a charming grin, the implication of the word “partner” layered with a teasing note. “I do hope the evening is treating you well. Though, perhaps, I could make it a bit more… entertaining?” His voice dipped, barely above a whisper as the suggestion hung between them, yet his tone was so smooth that it almost seemed like an invitation.

…

Aeliana took the glass from Skye’s hand with a polite smile, her fingers brushing against his as she did so. She appreciated his charm, though a small part of her remained wary. The drink sparkled under the dim lighting, its deep crimson hue inviting yet ominous. Without thinking much of it, she raised it to her lips, preparing to take a sip.

But just as the glass neared her mouth, a firm hand clasped around her wrist, halting her. Startled, Aeliana looked up to find Lucian standing before her, his expression stern yet filled with an unmistakable urgency.

“Don’t,” he said quietly but firmly, his gaze locked onto the drink in her hand. His voice was low, edged with concern. “Put it down, Aeliana.”

Aeliana blinked in confusion, the glass still hovering close to her lips. “Lucian, what—?”

He gently but decisively took the glass from her hand and set it down on a nearby table, his eyes scanning the room with a heightened awareness. “There’s something off about this party tonight,” he murmured. “And about him,” he added, his gaze momentarily flickering toward Skye, who was watching them from the dancefloor with a bemused smile, as though none of this had disrupted his game.

Aeliana’s heart skipped a beat. “You think it’s poisoned?”

Lucian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he glanced toward Kael, who had caught the tension in the air and was moving swiftly toward them. He nodded to Lucian, signaling he was aware of the situation.

“I don’t know,” Lucian finally replied, his voice filled with both concern and a quiet edge of anger. “But I won’t take chances with you, not here, not now.” He placed a protective hand on her shoulder, his earlier cold demeanor replaced by something warmer, more possessive.

Aeliana felt a surge of gratitude mixed with confusion. “But… I wasn’t going to drink it. I—I almost did, but…” she trailed off, trying to make sense of her feelings.

Lucian gave her a look that was both tender and fierce. “I’m not taking risks, Aeliana. I know the games people like him play. I won’t let you be part of them.”

Aeliana nodded, her heart racing as she realized just how close she had come to making a fatal mistake. As she looked at Lucian, her protector and her fiancé, she felt a deeper connection than ever before.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Lucian gave her a small, reassuring smile. “You don’t have to thank me. I’ll always look out for you.”

Just as they shared a quiet moment, Kael approached with an uneasy expression on his face. “We should leave,” he said quickly, his voice tense. “There’s something about tonight that feels… wrong.”

Lucian didn’t hesitate. “Agreed. Let’s get you out of here, Aeliana.”

With one last glance at Skye, still watching them with that knowing smile, Lucian took Aeliana’s arm and guided her away from the party, the weight of the moment settling heavily between them. Something dark was afoot, and the night was far from over.