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She giggled, her breath catching at his touch. "Vyan, there are so many guests waiting. It\'s a party in my honor, after all."

He smiled against her skin, his lips brushing lightly in a way that sent shivers down her spine. "I know," he whispered, his voice low, "but let\'s just say I had this in my bucket list."

She smirked, her heart fluttering at his words. "What, kidnapping the guest of honor?"

"Exactly," he murmured, pressing a kiss just behind her ear.

Iyana laughed. "Alright, now that you have checked that off your list, can I go now? Please?" Her voice was pleading, but filled with a teasing warmth.

"Fine, fine," Vyan sighed dramatically, placing one last kiss on her neck before pulling back, his gaze lingering on her with a bit of lust and admiration both. "But before you go, may I just say… this uniform looks damn good, no, scratch that, damn hot on you."

Her eyes flickered with playful surprise as she glanced down at her formal military uniform, quite more elaborate than her regular one. A smile touched her lips as she stood on her tiptoes, pressing a quick, sweet peck to his lips. "Thanks. You look quite hot as well," she whispered, her hand gently cupping his jaw, her thumb brushing over his bottom lip. "Red was always your color."

Before he could respond, she darted away, her laughter trailing behind her like a secret she had left with him. And even though she couldn\'t see it, she knew—without a doubt—that Vyan was blushing at her boldness.

Her own smile lingered as she returned to the ball, instantly swept up in a sea of congratulatory well-wishers. Katelyn was the first to approach, beaming with excitement as she gushed over Iyana\'s victory in the duel, and Althea soon joined in, her eyes bright with pride for her friend.

Out of the corner of her eye, Iyana saw Easton having a sip of his wine all by himself. Unable to ignore him, she casually approached him. "Hey, I didn\'t think you would come."

"Oh, hey, hi. Congratulations," Easton said solemnly, his bitterness slipping despite his formal smile.

"Thank you," she said. "So, how has everything been going on for you?"

"Nothing too grand. Just the usual. Wasting away my day, staring into oblivion, feeling useless."

"You know, there is a lot for you to do if—"

"If I am willing to help out my treacherous sister who snatched away everything from me?" he let out a bitter laugh. "I think not."

Iyana sighed, getting a sense that he was slightly drunk. "Then, I guess I have nothing to advise you on."

"Yes, of course. You wouldn\'t understand my pain. You are on the peak of your sucess; you have everything you have ever wanted—the highest post in the military, the love of your life, the respect and admiration you always wanted from everyone around you. You have it so easy."

Iyana chuckled lightly. "You sound like my sister right now."

"What? Do I sound jealous to you?" he let out a scoffing laugh.

"No, no, of course not. That\'s not what I meant at all. I just wanted to say, you are only seeing what\'s on the surface, Easton. You have no idea what I am dealing with. So please don\'t assume that I have it easy. I worked hard to be where I am today, and I can still lose that anytime—my title, my love, others\' respect.

And I am sure nobody knows that better than you."

Easton became quiet at that.

Your journey continues with m v|l--NovelFire

"I hope you enjoy the party, and please don\'t drink anymore." She took the wine glass from him. "You are already quite drunk."

With that, Iyana turned, walking away from him. As she placed the glass on a butler\'s tray, she realized, Easton never loved her.

She didn\'t want to make his sadness all about her, but if he truly did love her, she didn\'t think he could have sounded so bitter about her success, whether she had it easy or hard.

Iyana moved through the party with ease, her laughter bright as she chatted with colleagues and old friends. But as her gaze swept across the ballroom, her eyes locked with Leila\'s. With a quick excuse, she made her way to the balcony, slipping away from the lively crowd to the quiet, moonlit terrace far from the ballroom\'s buzz.

"So, I saw you talking to Easton," Leila teased the moment Iyana joined her.

"And?" Iyana raised a brow, crossing her arms with a hint of sass.

Leila rolled her eyes dramatically. "I have come to the realization that those cold, brooding types like Easton are only attractive in novels—not so much in real life."

Iyana laughed. "Fair enough. But, is that your only groundbreaking revelation?"

"Nope! I have also realized something far more important. Fate isn\'t as fixed as we thought. Your life doesn\'t have to follow the same series of events from the novel anymore."

Iyana tilted her head, intrigued. "Let me guess, this epiphany came after I won the duel today?"

Leila nodded. "Exactly! I thought everything was set in stone, but when you stood your ground against Pembrooke, something shifted. You broke the pattern. And that got me thinking... if you can change that, maybe—just maybe—you can also change Vyan\'s fate."

A smile slowly spread across Iyana\'s face, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. "Leila, you have no idea how much that means to me. But I still need your help. If you can guide me through the upcoming events, maybe I can protect Vyan before it\'s too late." Her eyes sparkled with hope. "So, how about we meet tomorrow? Lunch, my treat?"

Leila beamed, clapping her hands together in delight. "Yes! I have been dying to share everything with you. Plus, I can fill you in on all the quirks of the modern world! Who knows? Maybe we will get that rare ending where the villain ends up with the main girl."

Iyana chuckled, shaking her head. "You are still hung up on that \'novel\' thing. I told you, this is real now."

"Right, right," Leila said, bonking herself on the head with a sheepish grin. "You and Vyan are real people now—no more scripted plots."

As Iyana turned to leave the balcony, she glanced back. "Aren\'t you coming?"

Leila waved her off with a smile. "I think I will stay out here a bit longer. The breeze is too nice to pass up."

"Suit yourself," Iyana called over her shoulder before disappearing back into the party.

Leila lingered in the night air, a soft sigh of relief escaping her lips as she gazed up at the stars, a peaceful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. For a few minutes, it was peaceful until the moment was shattered by a voice—low, teasing, and far too familiar.

"What\'s this I am hearing about our world being a novel?"

Her heart stopped cold as she slowly lifted her gaze to the open window above. There he was, Vyan, casually swirling a glass of wine in his hand, his wide red eyes gleaming with amusement, that infamous villainous smile dancing on his lips.

"Vyan…" she whispered, dread sinking into her bones.

His smile widened as he said, his voice dripping with false innocence, "Hello, Lady Leila. Long time no see."