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Xie Lian traces the edges of the ballroom, marveling at the grand staircases and elaborate chandeliers that hang from the high, painted ceilings. He’s content with enjoying the view of a merry party, his own simple robes and humble mask a far cry from the ornate gowns and sparkling headdresses that dance in the center of the hall.
He notices someone approach him, and turns to find a pale man standing to his left.
The beautiful stranger extends a pale, marble hand towards him, and his single, twinkling eye playfully beckons him to move closer. A maple red cape floats behind the stranger like mist, light as fog. His hair is an inky black, untamed and bristling with an enticing energy. A single, crooked braid hangs from his mane, with a bright ruby red bead at the end that sways with every movement of his body. And said body is hard for him to tear his eyes away from, thin and elegant, as if carved by angels themselves.
Xie Lian can’t find the right words to say to this beautiful stranger, and thus instead opts to grasp the surprisingly frigid yet steady hand, allowing himself to be led to the center of the ballroom. The crowd parts, and Xie Lian finds himself becoming increasingly self-conscious of this new attention.
A steady, gentle hand squeezes his, and he hears a soft, husky voice breathe beside him, “Look only at me. You are the only one I have eyes for.” Red that could rival the man’s bead blooms upon his face, and he can’t help but look away in embarrassment.
“What a charming young man, surely there aren’t more eligible suitors waiting in line to dance?” Xie Lian says lamely. The man chuckles, a sound akin to twinkling bells.
“If there were, none can ever compare to you. As lovely as this ballroom is, I would like to take you somewhere, if you’ll allow me.” His tone is laced with a playful and mischievous energy, and it is Xie Lian’s turn to laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all. A man like this , asking him for permission? A man whose very essence oozes sophistication and aristocracy, bowing his head to a servant of the palace? Ridiculous!
“No need to be so polite! Of course I will.”
He is led out of the ballroom and onto a grandiose bridge overlooking an impressive moat, fountains blooming on both sides. Over the bridge, a candlelit pavilion rises into view, draped in bright, saturated flowers that peek out of every crack and crevice in a stunning spectacle.
“This is beautiful,” he breathes, afraid to shatter this possible illusion.
“Not as beautiful as the one in my arms,” the stranger offers, and Xie Lian blushes once again.
He is gently led to the pavilion, where the two begin to dance. Xie Lian is clumsy with his steps, stumbling every so often only to be caught by the stranger, who smiles endearingly at him and continues to lead him through the waltz. Neither say another word to each other, spending the silence gazing at their partner in awestruck love.
Xie Lian reaches out a tender hand, caressing the cheek of the stranger, who leans into the touch and hums in pleasure. Despite the rough calluses on his fingers, the man does not seem to mind, enjoying the contact. His cheek is cold, a stark contrast to the warm of his fingertips, and he can faintly see blue veins stretching across the man’s hands beneath the silver moonlight. Pale lips begin to lean toward his, and Xie Lian closes his eyes, listening to the surprisingly nervous, staggered breathing of the man. His heart dances wildly, leaping around in his chest till he feels it’s about to burst.
Yet, even with his giddy high, he knows, deep down, that this magic was not meant for him. It wasn’t meant for a lowly servant who struck it lucky with even being able to attend such an event. This wasn’t meant for a man who destroyed all he had left in hopes of saving only a single boy.
And, despite the bitter, guilty feeling that plagues him with that thought, he decides to be selfish, just for a moment, to capture the pure beauty and love and enchantment of the moment. He wants this, even if he doesn’t deserve it. Even if there is no god in the world that would ever grant him this willingly. And so he, too, leans forward, in hopes of taking some of the magic from this man’s lips and engraving it onto his own.
Distantly, the unmistakable chime of a bell rings throughout the palace grounds, breaking the two in their embrace- ripping Xie Lian away from his selfish dream.
“Quickly! Now is the time for the crown prince’s coronation!”