Chapter 382: The Perfect Woman 3
Under the night sky, illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns, the vampire town buzzed with life as the festivities reached their peak.
Music filled the air, and couples twirled gracefully across the cobblestone streets, their laughter intermingling with the lively lody.
Selvina stood at the edge of the crowd, her eyes absorbing the vibrant scene. The joyous atmosphere only heightened her sense of solitude, as almost everyone around her was paired off. A pang of loneliness tugged at her heart, making her feel oddly out of place.
"I think it’s ti to head back. I’ve been out since noon," she murmured softly to herself, turning to slip away from the festivities.
But as she turned, she nearly collided with soone who had appeared before her as if out of thin air.
Startled, Selvina’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up to see Griffin standing there, his presence as imposing as ever.
Instinctively, she lowered her gaze, unsure of how to react. She hesitated, trying to step past him, but Griffin’s hand shot out, gently catching her wrist and stopping her in her tracks.
Their eyes locked, and the air between them thickened with unspoken tension. "I want to hear the answer from you, not from Princess Alora," Griffin said, his voice low and unwavering.
Selvina’s eyes widened in surprise, confusion flickering across her delicate features. "I—I thought I had made myself clear," she stamred, attempting to pull her hand free. But Griffin’s grip, though gentle, was firm, refusing to let her go.
He gazed at her intently, his expression unreadable. "I’ve always wanted to be a part of this dance," Griffin admitted, his tone softening slightly. "Sadly, I couldn’t find a partner. So why don’t you be my partner for this dance?" He paused before continuing, his eyes never leaving hers. "You can give
your answer then, Selvina."
Selvina found herself in a tight spot. Griffin’s persistence was unexpected, and it left her feeling flustered. In her eyes, he was a man of high status, soone far removed from her own world, whom she didn’t want to get involved with.
Yet, it seed he wasn’t willing to let her slip away without hearing her answer directly. His offer to dance was more than just a request—it was a way for her to confront what she had been avoiding.
"Sure, My Lord," Selvina agreed.
Griffin’s lips curved into a smile, one that held both warmth and a hint of satisfaction. He gently pulled her closer, leading her onto the cobblestone street where the other couples danced.
As they began to dance, Selvina could feel the intensity of Griffin’s gaze on her, searching for the truth she had been trying to conceal. She could feel her heart pounding in an unusual rhythm, almost as if it were trying to escape the confines of her chest.
Their opposite hands touched briefly as they moved in sync, only to retreat and co close again. The fleeting contact sent a shiver down Selvina’s spine, heightening her awareness of Griffin’s presence.
He held her gently, his grip firm but not overpowering, and as he pulled her closer, the distance between them disappeared.
"So, why did you refuse to go out with , Selvina?" Griffin asked, his voice low but laced with an undercurrent of frustration. His eyes bore into hers, demanding an answer.
"Princess Alora must have told—" Selvina began.
But Griffin cut her off. "I want to hear it from you," he insisted with a stern tone.
Selvina hesitated for a mont, realizing that Griffin’s anger stemd from her avoidance of a direct answer. There was no escaping it now. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to et his piercing gaze.
"I don’t want to marry soone of higher status than ," she admitted, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I’m a servant to the princess, and I intend to be with soone who is like
in work, at the very least."
"I’m also a servant to Prince Magnus," Griffin responded, his tone was both firm and gentle.
Selvina looked at him, bewildernt evident in her eyes. "My Lord, you aren’t," she countered, a tiny smile beginning to form on her lips, though confusion lingered. To her, the idea seed almost absurd.
Griffin’s gaze remained steady as he replied, "I carry out all the tasks I’m asked to. Isn’t that what a servant does?"
"But that’s... different," Selvina stamred, her eyes lowering as she blinked rapidly, trying to process his words. The thought of comparing him to a servant felt wrong, and yet, there was a sincerity in his tone that she couldn’t ignore.
Griffin’s next words caught her completely off guard. "I have struggled to reach where I am today. Do you think I got this high status all because of Prince Magnus?"
Selvina’s eyes widened as she t his gaze again. There was sothing in his expression that made her heart ache—a mix of pride and pain that spoke of battles fought and won, but not without scars. Yet despite this heavy conversation, their dance continued, the rhythm of the music guiding their movents as if nothing else mattered.
"I am sure you have worked hard," Selvina replied softly, her voice filled with sincerity. "I didn’t an to hurt you," she added, her previous confidence now replaced with a gentle apology.
Griffin’s expression softened, but there was still a lingering sadness in his eyes. "The Vampire Council never treated vampires like you and
as equals," he said, his voice tinged with a quiet bitterness. "You know well how the hierarchy works. I’ve had to work hard, endure humiliation from the higher-ups, and prove my worth ti and again. So, don’t call
soone of higher status. I am as equal as you."
Selvina felt a pang of guilt as she realized the depth of his struggles, sothing she had never truly considered. But now, as he shared a part of himself that few others likely knew, she saw him in a new light.
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