Heavenly Opposers

CHapter 216   215-The Ball[4]

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The grand ball continued, the guests engaging in conversations and resuming their festivities. Yet, beneath the surface, a current of intrigue ran through the gathering. The dance had opened doors to unspoken questions and silent judgments.

"That was a beautiful dance, I was entranced for a moment," Aihan spoke with a light tone, though Azrail could see the same fear in her as the rest of them.

"It was indeed beautiful, both with Lady Valencia and your sister. It seems she would grow up to be a splendid woman," Emperor Liang spoke, his words not bringing any feelings to either Valencia or Xuanyin. Azrail took the lead as he responded, "Thank you, it was a fun ball," his words calm and natural.

Emperor Liang, knowing better when to take a lead and when to take a step back, spoke, "You wouldn't mind a dance with one of my children, would you?"

 This sudden question of the Emperor's did get a lot of attention from the princesses back in the seats, all of their eyes lighting up. Regardless of their age, it didn't matter to them. Azrail replied, "I don't mind, but I don't think with my current stature I will be able to dance perfectly with any of your older daughters."

His reply only made Emperor Liang smile as he said, "It's no problem, you can dance with my daughter Huifen." The moment Emperor Liang said so, many eyes focused on the little girl of 9 sitting peacefully behind Lady Xia.

The moment her name was called, her eyes lit up, while the heavy pressure of jealousy settled powerfully on her. However, the girl in question took it all with a light smile, her innocent looks being enough to make hearts melt. Her hair of royal red, a mark of the royal family, kept in a cute bob cut. Her green eyes inherited from her mother shone like jewels as she stood up from where she sat.

Her looks were on the pure side as she walked up to the side of her father, Emperor Liang. The man lightly patted the girl's head as he spoke, "My daughter Huifen here is much smarter than she looks, and she is to awaken her talents soon too. Plus, she is an amazing dancer. I think you might have a blast dancing with her."

'He sounds like he is selling me his daughter...'

Azrail mused as he looked at Huifen. While rejecting the dancing opportunity from Emperor Liang would have been a good idea, Azrail still didn't do it, and he had arranged his words such that he would get to dance with Huifen. The special little girl in front of him would be very useful, after all, she has a special bloodline, one inherited from the depths of the past.

'She will make a good piece to use.'

As Azrail mused, he stood up from where he sat. While Huifen came in front of him, in a gentlemanly way, Azrail extended his hand. "May I have this dance, my lady?" The subtle smile that Azrail gave at the end was more than enough to make this little budding beauty blush deeply as she shyly forwarded her hand to him.

Huifen, blushing with innocence, placed her hand in Azrail's, and he led her to the center of the grand ballroom. The watchful eyes of the court followed their every move as the musicians adapted their tunes to the occasion. The dance began, and Azrail, ever the skilled manipulator, started weaving his web of subtle influence.

As they moved gracefully across the floor, Azrail engaged in charming banter with Huifen. His words were carefully chosen, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and trust. Azrail spoke of the wonders of the outside realms, the beauty of its landscapes, and the richness of its history. Huifen, though young, absorbed every word, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"You know, Lady Huifen, the world beyond this realm is filled with mysteries and adventures. One day, when you're ready, you might explore it all," Azrail whispered, his voice a gentle caress.

Huifen, enchanted by the notion, nodded with a wide-eyed wonder. Azrail continued to guide the conversation, subtly delving into the young princess's dreams and aspirations. He complimented her intelligence and spoke of the greatness of having a dream.

As they twirled in the dance, Azrail strategically placed compliments and flattery into their conversation. His words were like honey, sweet and irresistible. He praised Huifen's dancing skills, her intelligence, and even her radiant red hair. Huifen, unused to such attention, blushed with a mixture of bashfulness and delight.

"You have a remarkable talent, Lady Huifen. Your dancing is as graceful as a swan," Azrail murmured, his eyes locked onto hers.

Huifen, feeling a warmth in her cheeks, shyly looked down but couldn't hide the pleased smile that played on her lips. Azrail, sensing the subtle shifts in her emotions, continued his well-crafted seduction.

"Your hair, the color of the finest rubies, is truly extraordinary. It reflects the fire within you," Azrail whispered, his tone carrying an almost hypnotic quality.

As the dance progressed, Azrail led Huifen in a conversation that touched on her family, her favorite pastimes, and her thoughts on the court. He skillfully planted seeds of admiration and respect, subtly molding Huifen's perception of him.

The dance reached its zenith, and Azrail, with a final twirl, brought Huifen back to her seat. The applause from the court echoed through the hall, and Huifen curtsied with a newfound confidence. Azrail, with a courteous bow, expressed his gratitude for the delightful dance, the shyness and the subtle glances she giving him as they walked to the table being more than enough to know that his plans has subtly worked.

Reaching the table Emperor Liang looked at Azrail with a controlled smile as he spoke.

"Looks like the two of you had fun"

"It was an engaging danvce, lady Huifen is an amazing dancer."

The last subtle comment in Azrail's words being enough to bring a smile to Huifen's face, the blush looking beautiful on her cute face and as such Azrail could see the boiling jealousy around, the subtle happies in lady Xia, the anger and distaste in Empress Aihan, the greed passing throigh Emperor Liang, all of this being clear to his eyes.

But for now Azrail wasn't done, moving his eyes to his mother Azail walked upto Yun, the 11 year old boy, doing a gentlemanly bow as he asked.

"Mother, can I have this dance?"

A light smile came to Yun's face as she spoke.

"Of course"

Azrail extended his hand to his mother, and Yun, with a twinkle in her eyes, placed her hand in his. As they took the dance floor, a gentle murmur of approval spread through the court. The sight of the mother-son duo, with their noticeable height difference, elicited a mixture of amusement and a little bit of malice.

The first few steps were a bit awkward, with Azrail adjusting to his mother's height, but soon they found a rhythm that was uniquely theirs. Yun, ever the graceful dancer, spun her son with surprising finesse, and Azrail, in turn, matched her steps with a charm that spoke of his own elegance.

Azrail and Yun engaged in light conversation as they danced. Azrail couldn't help but smile at the strength and grace in his mother's movements. Yun, in turn, teased him about the challenges of dancing with a mother who was a head taller.

"You've grown so much, my dear Azrail. Soon, you'll be towering over me," Yun remarked with a playful glint in her eyes.

Azrail chuckled, "Perhaps, Mother, but until then, we'll have our own unique dance style."

As the music played on, Azrail and Yun continued their dance, weaving through the sea of courtiers. Azrail, ever the strategist, used the dance as an opportunity to subtly discuss matters of the court with his mother. Yun, with a keen understanding of her son's capabilities, responded in kind. Their conversation flowed seamlessly, hidden beneath the facade of a charming mother-son dance. The others, unaware of the depth of their discourse, continued to just watch

As the dance reached its conclusion Yun twirled her son one final time before bowing with a flourish. The court erupted into applause, while Yun spoke into Azrail's mind.

'Everythings set, right?'

'All set, mother'