The Devil waltz~~

Episode 4: The Devil’s Waltz

Evelyn wasn’t sure what she had expected when she placed her hand in Leon Valenciaga’s, but it certainly wasn’t this.

The moment he pulled her into his arms, the world around them blurred. The chandeliers above cast a golden glow over the ballroom, and the music swelled as couples spun elegantly across the polished floor. But all Evelyn could focus on was the man leading her in this dangerous dance.

Leon moved with effortless confidence, his grip firm but never forceful. His fingers rested against the curve of her waist, and the heat of his touch sent a shiver down her spine. He was close—too close.

“I didn’t take you for a dancer,” Evelyn said, keeping her voice composed.

Leon smirked, his golden eyes locked onto hers. “I have many talents, princess.”

There was that nickname again. A tease, a provocation. Evelyn refused to react. Instead, she focused on the dance, matching his movements with precision. She had been trained in ballroom etiquette since childhood—graceful steps, perfect posture, a mask of serenity no matter what.

But Leon Valenciaga was not a man who played by the rules.

Just when she thought she had matched his rhythm, he spun her sharply, pulling her back in with a smoothness that left her breathless.

Her fingers instinctively tightened around his shoulder. He chuckled, low and amused.

“Nervous?” he asked.

Evelyn lifted her chin, masking the way her heart pounded. “I don’t scare easily.”

“Good,” Leon murmured, his gaze dipping to her lips for the briefest second before returning to her eyes. “Because I don’t intend to be gentle.”

The words sent a thrill down her spine, though she wasn’t sure if it was from fear or something else entirely.

As they danced, Evelyn became acutely aware of the eyes on them. Whispers rippled through the ballroom. People were watching—judging. She was the Everleigh heiress, the untouchable darling of high society. And he… he was a shadow in the underworld, a name spoken in hushed tones.

Her father would be furious if he saw this.

The thought made her falter for half a second. Leon noticed.

His grip tightened ever so slightly, steadying her. “Focus,” he murmured. “You wouldn’t want to give them something to talk about, would you?”

Evelyn clenched her jaw. He was right. The Everleigh reputation depended on appearances. If she let Leon rattle her, it would only fuel the rumors.

So she met his gaze head-on. “You enjoy this, don’t you?”

Leon tilted his head, intrigued. “What?”

“Making people uncomfortable.”

His smirk widened, but there was something unreadable in his eyes. “People like you?”

Evelyn’s pulse quickened. She refused to answer.

The music was reaching its crescendo. Leon twirled her one last time before pulling her in, so close that she could feel his breath against her cheek.

“Tell me something, Evelyn,” he murmured, his voice a hushed temptation. “What exactly are you hiding?”

Evelyn stiffened.

For a moment, she almost forgot how to breathe.

Leon felt it.

His smirk faded, replaced by something sharper—something far too knowing.

Before she could respond, the music ended. Applause filled the ballroom. Leon released her slowly, his fingers lingering just a second too long before he stepped back.

Evelyn swallowed, struggling to regain her composure.

She had made a mistake tonight.

Dancing with Leon had been a game, a way to prove she wasn’t afraid.

But now, she realized the truth.

Leon Valenciaga was dangerous not just because of his reputation.

He was dangerous because he saw her.

And that was more terrifying than anything.

—

To be continued…

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