I Abandoned the Male Lead Who Cheated with the Villainess - Chapter 64
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
read more chapters on luna kofi
“How did you get here… No, are you feeling okay?”
Ivonne examined him closely as she asked. Rix, true to his nature, quietly nodded in response and even spread his arms to show he was fine, a gesture that seemed almost like an invitation for a hug.
Ivonne instinctively flinched, reminded of the cozy warmth she felt in his embrace that morning.
‘Ugh, why am I thinking about this now? But it was really warm…’
As Ivonne was bracing herself, Rix suddenly said.
“Dance.”
“Dance?”
“Did you… dance?”
“No, no.”
His head tilted slightly, as if asking why. Even though it seemed like he was just curious, why did it feel like he already knew the answer? Maybe it was because of the slight curl at the end of his refreshing smile.
Regardless of Rix’s intentions, Ivonne found herself at a loss for words.
‘How do I explain? That I refused the Crown Prince’s invitation because I was worried about Rix being ill at home… And saying that out loud sounds…’
It sounded strange to her. The fact that the Crown Prince gracefully stepped back after her explanation was almost miraculous. So, Ivonne awkwardly changed the subject.
“Oh, you can hear the music, right? There was a bit of commotion earlier, so this is actually the first dance for everyone.”
Glancing back into the banquet hall, she saw young couples already pairing up for the waltz. The sight of their dresses spinning in a whirl was certainly a spectacle. It seemed she had gotten distracted without realizing.
“Ivonne.”
She jumped, startled by Rix’s call.
“Yes?”
When she quickly turned her attention back to him, she saw him extending his hand to her while bowing slightly. It was unclear when he had moved from lounging against the railing to stand before her. Now, Rix spoke softly,
“May I have the honor of….sharing the first dance with you?”
His voice was so low and serene that Ivonne found herself gasping for air.
Rix’s figure filled her green eyes completely. His attire was far from suitable for dancing – the white shirt with a few buttons undone, black pants that were not dressy, and shoes that were not formal.
It was far from the timid look he had when going to work, but it was not a particularly dashing outfit.
Why is her heart racing so much?
Just moments ago, Ivonne received a dance invitation from someone quite the opposite of Rix.
‘The Crown Prince himself was the one who asked.’
A single jewel on his attire might well be worth her annual salary. Yet, her heart remained calm then. Only to race now for a commoner, a colleague, and a neighbor dressed in a simple white shirt and black pants.
‘Their voices are similar, and even their lines!’
Ah, it’s her own heart, yet she couldn’t understand it. The melody of the orchestra seeped through the closed terrace doors, with the waltz’s three beats resembling the throbbing of her heart.
After a brief hesitation, Ivonne placed her delicate hand atop his familiar, larger one with a languid smile
“Yes, I’d be delighted.”
As their palms met, their warmth blending, Rix’s lips curved into that impressive smile that had caught her gaze at their first meeting.
“It’s an honor.”
He then drew her hand closer and pressed his lips deeply against the back of it. A pleasant shiver ran through her at the soft touch. It was a good thing she had Rix’s jacket over her shoulders, or she might have revealed the thrill that raced up her spine.
“Ah, but I can’t dance. I’ve never danced before.”
Rix, encircling Ivonne’s waist with his arm, giving the familiar warmth, nodded as if he knew all along. His long legs traced the steps of the dance with such skill that simply following him seemed to complete a plausible dance.
As Ivonne followed his lead, she bowed her head.
‘Rix is truly a remarkable person…’
She couldn’t bring herself to look at his face. It felt too close, as if doing so would reveal too much of her true feelings. A gentle summer breeze swept in, tickling the nape of her neck where a few strands of hair had fallen.
“You should look at your partner when you dance.”
Won’t you look at me? Please, look at me.
His voice, soft and pleading, made her feel breathless, but in a different way than when she faced the Crown Prince.
“Uh, um…”
She found it hard to muster the courage to look at him, but decided it would be easier to face him than to hear that pleading voice again.
Rix’s voice had a devilish charm. It was dangerously alluring, almost making her happy to be ensnared by it.
“Like, like this?”
Her green eyes trembled slightly as she looked up at Rix. Just looking at him was enough to make her heart flutter.
“Yes. Keep looking at me like that.”
His lips, rarely moving to speak instead of nodding, appeared moist and soft. The back of her hand, where his lips had touched, suddenly felt warm. It brought back the memory of the night they almost kissed on the trip. She could almost hear the irregular crashing of distant waves, a figment of her imagination.
The melody of the waltz no longer reached her ears.
It was as if her eardrums had transformed into her heart.
Completely captivated by her senses, Ivonne thought to herself,
‘This isn’t bad at all.’
