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Word to the wise, my dear - Never fall in love with a woman who sells herself.
It always ends badly.
Those words haunted Rose. They’d practically been spat at her when she was cornered by him. Now he ensured he made himself the most noticeable among the large, masked crowd.
When she spotted him gliding towards the centre of the ballroom floor, dressed in what she only assumed to be military formal wear. She did her best to look intimidating, unmoving within the crowd of dancers. He did not notice.
He only saw her.
Rose should’ve been looking at her. She was the reason she was here in the first place for god's sake. She felt her anger built as she noticed what seems to be genuine care in those undead eyes.
It made her sick.
She felt the hilt of her sword heat up in its sheath and decided to mentally be the bigger person for once. Briar was telling her to let her rage out. Rose knew the room was guarded heavily. Why would she fight if it meant that she would have less of a chance to talk to Ireena?
She watched her step into his embrace. Half a foot was a noticeable height difference as he loomed over her. She was not a vulnerable person but standing under him she looked petite. Her eyes still filled with hate for him started to dart between them. They were so close now.
Taking in Ireena’s features, she did not seem scared or angry. Her face seemed comfortable. How could she remain calm? She was staring down the bastard that almost killed her less than 20 hrs ago.
Rose's eyes shifted back to Strahds. With a side glance, their gaze met. Ireena was still looking up at him but he… he had changed his focus to Rose for just a moment. That sharp rouge gaze sent Rose a message. Clear as day. - You’ve lost.
In that moment, Rose hates to admit she felt weak. She broke the stare, looking down, she felt the eyes still on her and hated the fact that she knew this made her look defeated.
She took this chance to look at the guests in the hall. It seemed they all had the same idea. All eyes were on them.
Both of them did look radiant. She matched his striking red armour with a stunning gown. Floor length and encrusted with rubies. Her hair was perfectly styled with not a wisp out of place.
She was beauty incarnate.
The music seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. A heavy string score rose as if the walls of the Ravenloft itself were singing.
The pair began to glide with purpose across the vast floor. Their steps were purposeful and perfectly in time. Staring at each other like they were the only two in the room.
Rose, within the crowd, remained transfixed. They were hypnotizing.
Their movements became sharper with the increased aggression from the strings. As if she was made of only air, Strahd twirled her out and just as quickly, snapped her back in, moving them to a dipped position.
Time seemed to freeze for Rose.
They seemed to be enchanted with each other. It made Rose nauseous.
A few of the couples started to join, continuing to tango. The floor filled up quicker than expected but Rose stayed still.
His lead kept them from dancing in Roses direction. Occasionally, he looked past the jewel in his arms and towards the wilted figure still fixated on them. He seemed evermore pleased with each moment Rose remained focused on them.
He swept Ireena off her feet for a moment as the music died. Pulling her ever closer until their faces were mere inches apart.
Ireena’s gaze was still focused on only him as an arm kept her pressed tightly to his chest and he raised a hand, gently tilting her chin upwards.
Everything inside Rose is screaming for her to turn away as their lips meet. Heart pounding in her ears, it takes a few moments for her to notice that Ireena is leaning into it.
She remains in shock for what seems like an eternity. She doesn’t know when they release from each other but she blinks and sees that he is now staring - triumphant.
A few more heartbeats and Rose can feel a second set of eyes on her.
Ireena.
She hears briar whisper for her to look, look - LOOK.
Locking eyes with Ireena is what breaks her.
Her face is flushed and damp when she makes it outside the castle walls. A quick look back towards the ashen towers was all she could handle before continuing to run.